of Silicon Valley
South Bay Dive Experience
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San Jose Suburbs Plowing under orchards in favor of strip malls does not foster good dive territory. Still,there are enough pockets of older neighborhoods such as Willow Glen, Rose Garden and others to have some history. Also, the Vietnamese and Mexicans have set up shop and are doing a decent job serving 'home cooked' food to the masses. A long trip from Silicon Valley but you'll rarely hear the group in the next booth talk about 'shifting paradigms' or the 'fabless IP business model'.
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Amato's Cheesesteaks 1162 Saratoga Ave San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Bill of Fare Saratoga Avenue at Williams San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Bob's Surf & Turf 2400 Monterey Road San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Call Me Dragon Tully Road and King San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Mark's Hot Dogs 48 South Capitol Ave San Jose Suburbs | ||
Recently re-located from their former home of 40+ years on Alum Rock Ave. The menu consists of Hot Dogs (regular), Hot Dogs and Hot Dogs (regular, chili/onion and sauerkraut) - take your pick! Normally, the dive_master writes his own reviews. But this one tells it all --- A reader says "It's an orange "igloo" that has been operating since1936. Above the dome they've put a corrugated steel roof (have no idea why). Inside the little globe were three women, two of whom had piercings [Tongans I think] and seemed to be sisters. They also played some kind of "alternative" rock music, making it impossible to consume your hot dog at one of the three seats inside the igloo. This is a "drive-in" (really a "park-in"), so if you don't get out of your car quick enough, they'll come to your car and you'll miss a visit to the globe. Big attraction: latino teenagers making out in their cars during the school lunch break." | ||
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Siam Square 1040 Willow Street San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Southern Kitchen 3378 Monterey Hwy San Jose Suburbs | ||
Small converted house with no parking in front but lots in back. Awesome breakfasts - huge amounts of really great food. Service can vary from 'being ignored' to 'thank you, six coffee refills is really enough'. A reader says, "I love this place! Truly huge helpings. Anywhere where they give you an option of Swedish pancakes with your 4-egg omelet is worth my dime. Their chicken-fried steak shreds. | ||
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Tony DiMaggio's Pizza 3852 Monterey Hwy San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Union Chinese Restaurant 2615 Union Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Bangkok Garden 275 Saratoga Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Burger Barn Forest Avenue and N Winchester Blvd San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Casa Teresa 6039 Snell Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
We were attracted to this place because of a SJ Murky News mini-review which said "What a Dive!". We can only guess that they have a lot to learn about the terminology. Located in the deep southern part of San Jose, Casa Teresa earns points for excellent carnitas (big hunks of meat), their stuffed jalapenos with tuna (yes, tuna) and wonderful homemade tortillas. The place was a little too clean, the service a little too slow, in a strip mall and a little too comfy in its suburban surroundings to rate their "What a Dive!" moniker. | ||
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Hard Work Cafe 1620 Almaden Road San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Jack's Pizza 1468 South First Street San Jose Suburbs | ||
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JC's BBQ 1080 Saratoga Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Jess's Place 3088 Monterey Highway San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Kirk's Steakburgers 2388 South Bascom Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
Don't dare call it a hamburger... The only dive worthy location is the one in San Jose as the others (Town & Country in Palo Alto and DeAnza Boulevard in Cupertino) don't quite rate. The Palo Alto digs a are spanking new upgrade from their old spot on California Avenue and the old Cupertino location was updated after it burned down from a charcoal fire in the '80s. But all three share the same menu of burgers, fries and shakes - made the old fashioned way. Some people say it's not the same since they started serving fries. We've noticed fewer cops in recently and more mothers with children. Not that it's bad but it does run counter to dive philosophy. However, the grill fare is still pretty good. Burgers and Dogs grilled over charcoal. The line is right in front of the pit and you used to be able to reach right over and grab a burger off the grill before some safety freak decided that may not be the best thing to expose the public to. Try the Pineapple burger for a real treat (make it a double). Great Shakes. | ||
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Malibu Grill 5735 Camden Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
This place is on it's way to being a good dive. It's a sports bar and grill that should only get better with age. Plusses are the food which starts with pretty good burgers, chicken, ribs and pizza (the pineapple burger was particularly good). A bar with cold pints and 4 televisions (plus 3 others elsewhere). There's a decent selection of sports memorablilia lining the walls from players including local favorites Dwight Clark and Ben Grieve. (Definitely a 49ers spot with only token Raider items). But, the place needs to stay with the theme and lose all the beer distributor clutter that adds no value and cheapens the experience. In 10 years, with a little age and more memories, this will be worth going back to. A reader says, "A corner hole in the wall joint, beer, great ribs, owner ran. Might not qualify as a dive, because it is not a stand alone building, but it is a tiny strip mall, 4 or 5 shops. The only better baby back ribs in town are at Mr. Steers, which does not qualify as a dive because it is too nice!" Same parking lot as 7-11 and up the street from Touchdown Tommy's. | ||
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Mexico City Restaurant 1616 Almaden Road San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Sherwood Inn 2988 Almaden Expwy San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Sputniks Foxworthy Ave at Almaden Expwy San Jose Suburbs | ||
Update: As of 2023, Supreme Donut is still operating. A family run business with decent donuts. They also have sandwiches but haven't tried those yet. | ||
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El Rancho SteakHouse Monterey Hwy and Rancho Drive San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Angelo's Restaurant 436 Blossom Hill Road San Jose Suburbs | ||
A reader says, "Unfortunately, it is in a strip mall (next to Lucky's) but it is definitely a dive with the best Italian food and pizza in the south Bay! The place is so narrow, and the tablecloths are plastic with red and white checks! Totally cheesey, but again I insist it's great Italian food with friendly service. My mom is 100% Sicilian and the best Italian cook in the world. I know good Italian food!" | ||
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Ed's Gourmet 2056 Curtner Ave San Jose Suburbs | ||
A reader says, "Ed's Gourmet is a mom & pop teriyaki place, run by an asian family. i can't actually say that i've tried much on the menu because good teriyaki places are so hard to find around here, every time i go that's what i get. the sauce is delicious (they make it themselves) and the meat doesn't have any fat/grissle on it. Comes w/ a big serving of freshly cooked rice & some sauerkraut. they've got 3 or so big tables that take up the entire joint, so if it was ever crowded (which it never has been, in my experience) you *could* end up sitting next to someone you don't know. It's got a few half-hearted "bud" posters from the early 90's (my guess) and some random asian paintings placed haphazardly about". All good! | ||
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Just Breakfast 2901 Monterey Hwy San Jose Suburbs | ||
We've heard rumors that it's not just for breakfast anymore. We'll have to swing by and check it out. A reader says, "Excellent breakfast menu with lots of combos and ways to have it "your way". Always crowded, but the meals move fast so you never have to wait longer than 15 minutes. Excellent formica and cookin' oil ambiance. 3 dives." | ||
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Texas Smokehouse BBQ 1091 S Capitol Ave San Jose Suburbs | ||
A reader writes, "A hole-in-the-wall BBQ place. Its a little hard to find...sorta tucked away behind the World gas station and next door to a beauty salon (look for the blue painted rock facade and white security bars). Also, there is a former propane tank that now serves as their smoker out front. Both of us got the tri-tip lunch for $9. HUGE portion of sliced tri-tip soaked in sauce, potato salad and beans. For us, its a little farther than BCC but it ranks right up there." Another group writes: "..we have a number of guys who consider ourselves to be pretty fair judges of good BBQ. We would like to throw in our vote for TSBBQ as dang tasty smoked criters. The pork ribs and tri-tip are excellent. And the portions are generous enough for even the big eaters to get enough". Awesome! | ||
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Aqui Cal-Mex Grill 1145 Lincoln Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
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DiCicco's Italian Restaurant 2509 S Bascom Ave San Jose Suburbs | ||
A 'family' place in all senses of the phrase. Family run-and family-oriented. You can be a slob or dress up in a suit and feel right at home. The decor is Naples at it's best with bottles of Chianti lining the walls. All the dishes are good. They have a quick lunch special for $5.95 but the place is best seen on Saturday night when it's crowded and the accordian player is in full swing. Corny but fun. | ||
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Sam's Bar-B-Que S. Bascom Avenue and Leon Drive San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Australian Restaurant 898 Lincoln Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
"Eat Here Before We Both Starve" was the sign/slogan on the front of the smallish shack just north of Willow Glen. Despite the fact that the Aussies have never been known for their gourmet cooking (excepting the occassional "shrimp on the barbie"), this place had great charm due to the owners penchant for hiring mentally challenged help. Orders were often wrong or forgotten entirely but it really didn't matter as these kids were really trying to help. Wish this place were still here. | ||
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D'Agostino's Deli 1583 Meridian Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
Closed, reopened in early 2005 as the "BeanSpout Express". Former review: Decent cheesesteaks on fresh bread. Philly residents tend to think very highly of this place. Tucked in the back corner of a non-descript strip mall. A token stab at diner decor. Beer on tap. They have picnic tables outside for a nice day but won't let you drink beer out there. Go to the liquor store next door and get your own instead. | ||
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Grill & Chill 3014 Union Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
Couldn't survive this location or the winter downturns - Too bad... Great name. A burger place and an ice cream parlor. Housed in a former Baskin Robbins location, this could just as easily have been a Japanese restaurant. Same decor, just as clean and our hostess/cook definitely fit the part. Basic american hamburger, cheeseburger, fries fare. All fresh, cooked while you wait. Plus a tofu burger and chicken teriyaki if you please. No beer, just sodas. Sit down or take it to go. Tattoo parlor next door is worth extra dive points. Current inhabitant of the building is "Persian Kabob and Beryani" - may have to try that out. | ||
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Happy Dayz Diner 2638 Union Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
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House of Lumpia 1876 Curtner Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
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Jersey's Cheesesteaks #2 1165 Lincoln Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
Too bad this place closed instead of #1. Cleaner and nicer (people-wise) than the disaster in Campbell. Low cheese cheesesteaks. Burgers too. Fits in the neighboorhood. | ||
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Jon Jon's Southern Style Cuisine 1151 Lincoln Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
(Formerly Dine at Flo's). Moved away from the glitter of it's former location across from the bus station into Willow Glen (co-located with Sharkey's Bar) to make a go of it. In late 1998, Jon-Jon Erwin (formerly of BCCE), took over from Flo and crew. If you are hankerin' for real-time, cooked-on-the-grill, down home bar-b-que meats and fixin's, this is the place. Tri-tip is a specialty!!!. Unfortunately with the change of ownership, the heavenly deserts we had been conditioned to expect are relegated to weekends only. A little on the expensive side but being next to the bus terminal adds enough ambience to make up for any shortcomings. | ||
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Lettuce Inn 1191 Lincoln Avenue San Jose Suburbs | ||
Veggie Place frequented by Harry the Haircutter. | ||
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Nigel's Oak BBQ Union Ave and Los Gatos Almaden Rd San Jose Suburbs | ||
Now a series of large houses on small lots... Although Nigel doesn't sound like a real BBQ name, he has been at this location for 7 years doing a great job at cooking chicken, ribs and brisket to satisfy the local Cambrian Park and Blossom Hill populace. Outdoor patio dining for those nice summer days. | ||
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Presidents' Restaurant Hillsdale Avenue and Almaden Expwy San Jose Suburbs | ||
A reader says, "It's an all-you-can-scarf Chinese buffet AND Mongolian BBQ, all for $5.99, and the food is actually pretty good. Definitely not your standard substandard buffet fare. Ma and Pa running the cooking plate and hopping the tables. Free refills on Cokes and tea. Interior is 50's/60's bowling alley snack shop. The fish is good and tasty, the pot stickers can be cool and gooey, the green beans are fresh and delicious, first rate eggfoo yung. Frankly, I don't see how they do it for this price." Neither do we -- it's now a Denny's. | ||
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Wiltz Cajun Kitchen 354 N White Road San Jose Suburbs | ||
We're informed this place closed, before we had a chance to try. A reader says, "Wiltz is long gone. It was 4 divers for killer food and 4 divers for being the paradigm of a dive. In fact, if it didn't just succumb to the accumulation of grease or was finally overwhelmed by cockroaches, it was probably shut down by the health department. But the food was awesome. The most authentic in the sfba". Another reader says, "Forget about menu...there is none. If it's Monday...you get whatever the owner is serving (I forget her name). Substitutions do not exist here. If you don't like it, you can leave. The night I went I had smothered steak with fried beans and candied yams. Talk about needing to start my heart up. I could feel my left arm going numb as I forked the meat into my mouth. She marinates the meat for DAYS at a time. It was so tender that I couldn't use the plastic fork. That's diving it when you have to eat with your hands. The cornbread was so big and good...that we took the leftovers home. There are 3 booths and 2 tables in this place. No waitress, just a counter and the husband and wife team cooking behind the grill. I don't know if there were restrooms here. And if they were...I have a feeling they were not clean. You know it's a good place when your 400lb friend tells you about it. And it was certainly worth the drive. If not for the food, for a complete stranger telling you to shut up and eat your dinner. God, it felt like home." | ||
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