Lunchtime Dives
of Silicon Valley

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So Many Dives, So Little Time -- Divemaster
Santa Clara

The old downtown was bulldozed in favor of the Franklin Mall (yes, no one else has heard of it either). Surprisingly few dives for a city with some history. Shame. Shame on you.



Neto Sausage Company best
3499 The Alameda Santa Clara
A sausage company, turned portugese deli, turned BBQ mecca. Twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, Neto's (pronounced NET-O, not NEAT-O) pulls a gas grill outside, some picnic tables and awnings into a small parking lot and throws a neighborhood feast. Go to the grill, tell the cook what you want - or just point. Linguica, Italian sausage, steaks and chicken were cooking the day we were there but the menu varies. During lent, they have fish. When it's ready, the cook hands you your meat in a foil tray. You go inside hand over the tray and tell the random counter person what you want on it (everyone says 'everything') and pick some chips (comes with it) and they mark it all down on your brown paper lunch bag. Then, you pick a drink from the case in the back, wait around until it's done and they'll call your name, pay for it and find a place to sit and dine. Lots of people standing around trying to figure out the system but it seems to work once you're used to it. Bikers, next to students, next to construction guys but thankfully no one in ties. Really, really good!!! They day we were there, there was a radio station promo across the street with free food. No one was the least bit interested.
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Cafe Dhaka damn
3284 El Camino Real Santa Clara
Featuring Bangladeshi and Pakistani Halal cuisine, Cafe Dhaka is where all the local Pakistani's hang out. For lunch they feature a steam table buffet with soup, pakora, 2 meat items, one fish item, rice, naan, salad, raita (a cooling sauce) and chutney. Dishes change by the day but you could have AlooGobi with Aloor Dhom one day, Begun Bhaja and Shaag Bhajee with a side of Kolar Mocha Bhajee the next. They also have Burgers as well as fish and chicken sandwiches by order for the less adventurous. The food is a bit more spicy than typical Indian fare but not overwhelming. It's located in an old strip mall and surrounded by Korean restaurants up and down the street. No beer. Worth a try.
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Kabab House Halal damn
2521 Newhall Street Santa Clara
A persian food haven in the midst of middle America - Kabab House Halal has a lot going for it. Small place with a deli counter and a half dozen tables (matching chairs but mismatched silverware). Headed up by swarthy but friendly owners, there's persian oud music as background as you gaze at the big hookah pipe on the wall separating the restaurant. Patio (street) dining for nice days but its better to sit inside and hang with the locals cutting deals before you. As the name implies, they have kebabs of beekoobideh, barg, soltani, joojeh as well as chick and lamb. Stews are a house specialty. "Sandwiches" are really like a persian burrito, wrapped in thin delicate bread. Formerly Hayat's Pastry Donuts and Deli. A reader says, "Hidden in a run-down strip-mall with a dive-bar in back, and cleverly disguised as a donut shop, Hayat's Pastry Donuts and Deli serves the most delicious middle-eastern on the planet. It's hard to say what's best about the place: the shawarma, a garlic-marinated chicken spit-roasted gyro-style; the hummus and tabouleh that come with it on the platter; the falafel, a must must must get here; or the mandatory baklava, available in pistascio, walnut, or almond." Another reader intones, "It's located in a tiny strip mall with *two* liquor stores and a laundromat . If you're lucky, for atmosphere, they'll starting arguing in Arabic. Otherwise it's plastic plants, and checked tablecloths. BUT the FOOD!!!! I'm convinced they put opium in the hummus! Have to go back at least once a week!" Closed Mondays.
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Sara's Kitchen damn
1595 Franklin Street Santa Clara
Santa Clara is surprisingly bereft of dives so we were amazed to find this gem tucked in a nondescript area southwest of the university. Their specialty is nearly a dozen varieties of cheesesteaks including Mexican and Spinach (yum). Otherwise, the menu features typical dive-worthy fare such as Italian, burgers and fish&chips. Good curly fries for those who care to indulge. Sara's also has a full breakfast menu which we have yet to sample (featuring a spinach, egg and garlic burrito). Give it a try and let us know. P.S. This place used to be a rib joint called Lonnie's ("Where the Sauce is Boss").
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Shan Restaurant damn
3739 El Camino Real Santa Clara
Pakistani at it's best. Although in a strip mall location with pedestrian surroundings, this place takes itself seriously. Tandoori ovens, lots of curry dishes. You can tell it's good as the Pakistani populace packs the tables out. Chicken Tandoori is a hit. We sampled the Mutter Paneer, Palak Paneer and the Paneer Masala. A bit of Naan and you good to go. Didn't have a chance to try the deserts including several types of Barfi. Next time!
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Su's Mongolian Bar B Q damn
1111 El Camino Real Santa Clara
Good Dive! All you can eat for under 8 bucks. You wander in, grab a bowl, fill it with frozen shreds of beef, chicken, pork or lamb, toss some veggies on top. Go around to the back side of the counter and put dollops of wet stuff including sweet and sour, vinegar, sugar water, garlic oil, chili, etc. Then you hand the bowl to a swarthy type who throws the mix on a gigantic hot thimble and pushes it around with a wooden stick for a minute. When done, he scrapes it all back into your bowl and you're ushered back to your folding chair to eat. Grab a soda or beer (lots of variety) on the way back and you're chowing down! Students from nearby SCU, car salesmen as well as valley types all go through the same ritual. Tip the cooks!
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Manila Kitchenette not
Agnew Road and Lafayette Santa Clara
We really wanted this place to be a 3 diver or better but were put off by the steam table serving protocol. A real authentic Filipino restaurant which serves different fixings every day (depending on the mood of the cooks that morning). Beef dishes include Afriada, Bopis, Kaldereta, Kare-Kare, Pinapaitan... Vegetables include Ampalaya Guisado, Bulanglang, Ginataan Sitaw/Calabasa... Desserts include Bananaque, Bibingka, Calamay, Halo Halo, Pitchi Pitchi and Sapin Sapin. It gets even better from here. Definitely an adventure!
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Mondo Burrito not
3300 The Alameda Santa Clara
Nondescript building in nondescript neighborhood. A burrito warehouse. Lots of students (meaning cheap food) and cops (meaning good, cheap food). Burritos bigger than your head! A reader says, "Mondo Kicks Butt!The mondo burrito is absolutely gigantic. Or if your appetite is like mine the small is sufficient. You walk across an assembly line and choose from a wide array of ingredients as they make it front of you. They even have Mahi Mahi!! Well I wish I had time to say more. Oops can't forget they have good beer on tap too!" Would rate higher but the place has been knocked a few times by readers... "I tried it out once and was put off by the guy serving the food rubbing his nose on his sleeve while dishing up the food and then putting it in the microwave to warm just as he went on break, leaving me standing at the register. I left without getting my food or paying for it and will never ever go back!" Try it for yourself and see...
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Side Dish Corner not
El Camino Real at Pomeroy Santa Clara
Korean food, much like the many other spots that line both sides of El Camino in the area. This particular place specializes in takeout but has a couple of tables in case you want to eat in. Pick what you want and they make it up fresh and put it into styrofoam containers with chopsticks to go. Spicy pork was especially good (and garlicy). Gallon-sized jars of kim-chi (korean cabbage) in the fridge if you feel up to it. Not bad for a quick/fast meal.
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St. John's not
510 Lawrence Expressway Santa Clara
A high production burger, chicken sandwich and cheesesteak place, catering to the fast-in, fast-out, gotta get my fries and beer then "get back to work and debug my software" Silicon Valley crowd. Lots of short sleeve shirts with ties, lots of company badges. The best part is that there are booths and a patio outside for some private conversations if needed. Near the Disk Drive Depot, ComputerWare, and Computer Literacy - a decent respite from the nearby Togos. Did we mention the beer? A reader adds, "An outstanding beer & burgerdive, with half price burgers on Wednesday (shhh... can't have it getting too crowded!). Their selection of beer might be too good to qualify them as a dive, but the selection of deep fried appetizers helps tip 'em back the right way."
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[Ocean] Seafood not
3561 El Camino Real Santa Clara
Really authentic Korean food and OB (Korea's #1) beer. The menu is a delightful spelling test (e.g. speshals) but best of all, we liked the generous portions of good, spicy Korean food. Lunch ended up being an eight-course meal. Tea is served in hotel glasses and the karaoke stand was ominously in full view (but thankfully not in use). You may feel out of place if you're not a Korean national but the service is good and the prices reasonable. However, despite the hot spices, DO NOT be tempted to go out afterwards for a chocolate dipped frosty cone from the Dairy Belle down the street (personal tip).
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Old Ironsides Cafe virgin
4655 Old Ironsides Drive Santa Clara
A reader says, "Its an excellent family owned/run falafel dive. Try their falafel wrap or eastern combo for starters but they're happy to do whatever you want with the ingredients at hand. One missing criteria: its not in its own building. Its hiding in the bottom of one of the random 4 story 1980s office towers there. You'ld never know the place was there unless someone told you. Its only indicator is a small sign on the street, an awning over the door with a TV antenna "hidden" inside it, a $1.99 breakfast sign and a neon open sign. Inside? well i was there today and they're remodelling (amazing! they should be careful, it could lose dive status if they do a good job. but relax, i think they're doing it themselves ;) half the place is ripped up with some old fixtures and furature piled in it and a mix of carpet and an ancient 1980s copy machine in a corner that's had a for sale sign on it for as long as i've been going there. The food is great. The owners are a very greek looking older couple always working there, a good sign for a falafel joint".
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Andy's BBQ take
2367 El Camino Real Santa Clara
What is old becomes new again. They've taken over the Mr. Steer location at 2367 El Camino Real and look to open before September. It's really quite a nice place. Red leather booths, tiffany lamps, oak paneling, matching silverware and fairly awesome service. The menu is classic BBQ with ribs, links, brisket and such served as plates or sandwiches. Sides include 'slaw, beans, potato salad or fries. There are pictures of Andy's employees serving BBQ to patrons scattered throughout the restaurant. Full bar, two rooms, they cater. Good stuff. Mom would like the free and constant refills for any non-alcoholic beverage. Go. This institution in Campbell offically closed its doors at the end of July, 2004. The offical word is they're trying to find an alternate location but they're settling into a catering mode by sharing operations with Talk of the Town catering in Willow Glen (home of the former Australian restaurant.
This was a tough one to rate. What we found was WONDERFUL food, one of the best BBQ sandwiches around (try the beef brisket or the Carolina pulled pork). As you walk into the WWII era block-shaped building, there is a full bar with good beers on tap. The bar decor is basically a shrine to Joe Montana - extra points. You can dine at the bar or in the main dining room. All this would normally give them a four star rating. Unfortunately the place was a little too well lit and a little too clean for our liking (after all, we are divers, aren't we??), almost placing Andy's into the "Too Nice to be a Dive" category. They make their own BBQ sauce which is for sale - Regular (very neutral) and Spicy (barely, but still good). Worth a trip to Campbell.
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Chi Dogs heaven
El Camino Real at Pomeroy Ave Santa Clara
We went to go try this place out and it was closed with no sign. We've heard it's closed for good. What tempted us what a reader who said, "Chicago style" Vienna Hot Dogs and other stuff. The Chicago-style hot dog is billed as "a meal on a bun": hot dog, pickle, mustard, a unique relish, celery salt, sliced tomatoes, and sport peppers". They serve Chicago Dogs at Candlestick, we had one and it was good. Wish this place was still here.
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House of Soul Food heaven
2015 Lafayette Street Santa Clara
Don't know if this place was moved elsewhere - only that we didn't have a chance to try before it disappeared. The old review: A reader says: "Food includes sliced BBQ beef, beef ribs, pork ribs, BBQ chicken, hot links. Sides include potato salad, cole slaw, fried okra, hush puppies, collard greens, and lotsa other good southern food. They have combination specials and platters. Has a bar. Sodas have free refills. Family run. Open for lunch Tuesday through Friday, 11-2. The sliced BBQ beef was popular with all our party, and the pork ribs were also popular. BBQ chicken was ok. All in our group thought we'd visit there again.
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Jolly Mon's heaven
Scott Blvd at Space Park Drive Santa Clara
A Jimmy Buffett theme dive with specialties including the "honey do" sandwich, the blue calypso the magic mushroom burger and of course - the cheeseburger in paradise. Recommended by several disparate dive patrons. We never had a chance to try it but It musta' been good 'mon.
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Mister Steer heaven
2367 El Camino Real Santa Clara
The old Mr. Steer is now Andy's BBQ after Andy's was unceremoniously booted from downtown Campbell to make room for a hotel. Here's the former Mr. Steer review: We've probably received more suggestions for Mr. Steer than any other establishment. However, it's definitely too nice to be a dive. Unstained carpet, wood paneled walls, unshreded upholstery and other tell-tale signed of a relatively standard (but nice) steakhouse. We had steak sandwiches which were good enough. We're told the ribs are worth trying as well.
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University Chicken heaven
2565 The Alameda Santa Clara
Now closed :-( We've heard great things about this place - a college dive with a spicy twist. You can choose the spiciness of your "wingers" based on their thermometer scale ranging from Mild, Atomic, Nuclear, Thermo Nuclear to 911. They have a 911 challenge if you dare! A dozen wingers at the 911 level to get your pic on the wall and a free T-shirt. Many are called but few are chosen.
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