American Restaurants
(See also the BBQ section)
71 St. Peter
71 N San Pedro Street, San José, CA 95110
408.971.8523
Lunch: Mon-Fri 1 1:30 AM. Dinner: Mon-Sat 5:00 PM
Has a private room that can hold up to 22 people if you want to arrange a large dinner gathering.
Rating: ** $$ V
Take South Market Street north, turn left on Santa Clara Street, then right onto San Pedro 0.4 miles
Cheryl says: “They had a reasonable selection of bottled Belgian beers last time I ate there.”
Agenda Restaurant
399 S. First Street, San José, CA
408.287.3991
Wed-Thu. 5:30 PM – 2:00 AM, Fri-Sat. 5:30 PM – 2:00 AM, Sun. 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM
This used to be a nightclub called Marsugi’s back in the late 1980s. Nirvana played here to an audience of about 50 people total!
Rating: *** $$ V A?
Head South on South First Street. It’s on the right. 0.3 miles
Chris says: “The Syrah Short Ribs are really good. They almost make me forget that this place was once a Mecca for live music!”
Arcadia Restaurant
100 W San Carlos St., San José, CA 95113
408.278.4555
6:30 AM – 1 1:30 AM, and 1 1 :30AM-2PM Daily, 5:30 PM – 10PM Tues-Sat
The Marriott’s restaurant is run by Daniel Patino who has a good reputation in the South Bay for his food.
Rating: **** $$$$
Head south on S Market Street, turn right on West San Carlos. 0.2 miles
Chris says: “Do not miss the duck fat fries or lobster corndog!!!”
Billy Berk’s
99 S 1st St., San José, CA 95113
408.292.4300
Mon – Wed. 11:30 PM – 10:00 PM; Thu. 11:30 PM – 11:00 PM; Fri. 11:30 PM – 12: 00 AM; Sat. 4:00 PM – 12:00 PM; Sun. 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
This is a bar that happens to have great food.
Rating: *** $$
Walk down South First Street, cross San Fernando and it’s on your let. 0.15 miles
Chris says: “The best value you’ll find in all of Downtown is the Mac ‘n’ Cheese appetizer. It’s awesome, just the right size and delicious!”
The Blue Chip
325 S 1st St., San José, CA 95113
408.971.2898
Mon-Thu. 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Fri. 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Sat. 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Sun. 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
A sports bar that has an entire menu of cheesesteaks.
Rating: ** $
Directions- Take First Street south, cross San Carlos, walk about 1⁄2 a block 0.25 miles
Chris says: “I have to say that I love the pizza cheesesteak. It’s not traditional, but it’s tasty.”
Cafe San José
1583A Meridian Ave., San José, CA 95125
408.265.3020
7AM – 3PM, Daily
Rating: *** $$
3.6 miles by car.
Chris says: “The breakfasts are some of the best around.”
Spring says: “They have a vegetarian Eggs Benedict.”
Denny’s
1390 South First Street, San José, CA
408-292-6217
1490 North First Street, San José, CA
408.453.1497
Well there had to be one somewhere in the city, didn’t there. These are the nearest.
Rating: * $ V
1.4 miles south on South First Street. Alternatively, hop on light rail northbound and ride about 2.5 miles north to Gish Station; it’s on the right side from the direction the train is going. This is probably faster than walking to the South First location.
Eulipia
374 S 1st St., San José, CA 95113
408.280.6161
Tues-Sat: 5:30-1 0PM; Sun: 4:30-9PM
Rating: ** $$$
Take North First Street south about 2 blocks. It’s on the right hand side. 0.35 miles
Chris says: “It’s not like the food is bad, it’s just nothing above average and the price is fairly high.”
Firehouse No. 1 Bar & Grill
69 N San Pedro St., San José, CA 95110
408.287.6969
Mon-Fri. 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM; Sat. 3:30 PM – 2:00 AM; Sun. 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Another bar with good food.
Rating: *** $$
Take South Market Street north, turn left on Santa Clara Street, then right onto San Pedro 0.4 miles
Chris says: “The place gets crowded and loud and the service can be slow, but the drinks and the food make it worth visiting.”
Flames Eatery & Bar
88 S 4th St., San José, CA 95112
408.971.1960
7:00 AM – Midnight, Daily
This place has gigantic portions and a huge and varied breakfast menu.
Rating: ** $$ V
Take South First Street north to San Fernando, turn right, then right onto Fourth Street. It’s on the right hand side. 0.4 miles
Chris says: “They have Potato Skins Benedict. I’m not lying.”
Fountain Restaurant
172 S. Market Street (in the Fairmont Hotel), San José, CA 95113 408.998.3982
Breakfast: Mon-Fri: 6:30 AM – 1 1:00 AM; Sat – Sun: 7:00 AM – 1 1:00 AM. Lunch: Mon-Fri: 1 1:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Sat-Sun: 1 1:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Brunch: Sundays: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
One of the Fairmont’s several restaurants.
Rating: ** $$ R V
It’s in the Fairmont!
Gordon Biersch
33 East San Fernando Street, San Jose, CA 95113
408-294-6785
Sun-Wed: 11:30 AM – 1 1:00 PM; Thurs: 1 1:30 AM – Midnight; Fri-Sat: 1 1:30 AM – 2:00 AM
National chain of brewery-restaurants originally started in the Bay Area
Rating: *** $$ V
North on First Street one block, then cross San Fernando Street and turn right. The restaurant is visible from the Fairmont’s “back door” on First Street across the parking lot at Second and San Fernando Streets.
Chris says: “I’m not as fond of their beer as I am of their food.”
Kevin says: “I like this place, and I don’t even drink alcohol. Their garlic fries are a Bay Area standard.”
Cheryl says: “The beer’s OK, and the garlic fries are a legend at sports grounds all around the BayArea.”
Linda says: “Unlike most West Coast Brewpubs, they do German-style rather than British-style beers. I go there every December for their Holiday Bock, but the food’s declined as the chain got bigger. Not bad, but nothing special.”
The Grill on the Alley
172 S. Market Street (in the Fairmont Hotel), San José, CA 95113
408.294.2244
Mon-Thu: 1 1:30 AM- 10:00 PM, Fri: 1 1:30 AM- 11:00 PM; Sat: 5:00 PM-1 1:00PM; Sun: 5:00 PM-9:00 PM
Another one of the Fairmont’s several restaurants.
Rating: ** $$$
It’s in the Fairmont!
Chris says: “The bartenders are fantastic, have them make you a perfect martini.”
Linda says: “Per the Fairmont: “Reflecting the spirit of a New York grill” — and the prices.”
Mission Ale House
97 E. Santa Clara St., San José, 95113
408.292.4058
Mon – Sat 11:00 AM -2:00 AM
Lots of beer, but also often has live music. Kitchen is currently closed.
Rating: ** $
Take South First Street north, turn right at Santa Clara Street. It’s on the Left. 0.45 miles
Cheryl says: “24 beers on tap, but most of them big name breweries, and almost nothing bottled. Despite its advertising, this place will probably disappoint serious beer drinkers.”
Morton’s Steakhouse
177 Park Avenue, Suite 100, San José, CA 95113
408.947.7000
Mon – Thu: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM; Fri: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM; Sat: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Rating – **** $$$
Exit Fairmont onto Plaza de Caesar Chavez, cross Market Street and then the park, cross Market again and get onto Park Avenue. Morton’s will be on your right. 0.1 Miles
Linda says: “A great place if someone else is paying for it and you like beef.”
Naglee Park Garage
505 E San Carlos St., San José, CA 95112
408.286.1100
Tue – Thu: 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM; Fri: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM; Sat. (Dinner): 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM; Sun: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
A favorite hang-out of the local college kids.
Rating: *** $
Take South First Street south to San Carlos and turn left. Take San Carlos through San José State University, then out of the campus and across 10th street. Naglee Park Garage is on the left. 1.0 miles
Chris says: “The portions are so-so, but the food is pretty tasty, especially the Maple Lacquered Cornish Game Hen.”
Peggy Sue’s
29 North San Pedro St., San José, 95113
408.298.6750 and
183 Park Avenue, San José 95113
408.294.0252
10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
A classic American diner, just like they were back in the ‘50s.
Rating: ** $$
To San Pedro branch: Head North on Market Street to Santa Clara, Turn left then left onto San Pedro, it’s on the left hand side. 0.35 miles.
For Park Avenue: Exit Fairmont onto Paseo de San Antonio, cross Market Street and then the park, cross Market again and get onto Park Avenue. It’s on the
right. 0.25 miles.
Chris says: “They do a fine Chicken Fried Steak breakfast.”
Kevin says: “A good place for a quick cooked breakfast without paying hotel restaurant prices.”
San José Museum of Art Cafe Too!
110 South Market St., San José, CA 95113
408.277.0557
Tue – Sun: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Soup, salads and sandwiches are what you get here.
Rating: ** $$
Take Market Street down about 100 yards. It’s on the right hand side.
Chris says: “The Chef Salad isn’t bad, and the Fire-Roasted Vegetable Sandwich is also worthy of above-the-title billing.”
Sonoma Chicken Coop
31 N. Market St., San José, CA, 95113
408.287.4098
Sun-Thu: 1 1:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Fri-Sat: 1 1:00 AM – 10:00 PM
This is a family favorite around these parts. The portions are big, the food is reliable and the value for money is pretty high.
Rating: *** $$
Head North on Market Street to Santa Clara, Turn left then left onto San Pedro, it’s on the right hand side. 0.35 miles
Chris says: “The Banana Phyllo Sundae has at least two epic poems written about it, while the Bourbon Bread Pudding leads its own religion.”
71 N San Pedro St
San Jose, CA 95113
399 S 1st St
San Jose, CA 95113
100 W San Carlos St
San Jose, CA 95113
99 S 1st St
San Jose, CA 95113
325 S 1st St
San Jose, CA 95113
1583 Meridian Ave
San Jose, CA 95125
1390 S 1st St
San Jose, CA 95112
1490 N 1st St
San Jose, CA 95112
374 S 1st St
San Jose, CA 95113
69 N San Pedro St
San Jose, CA 95110
88 S 4th St
San Jose, CA 95112
172 S Market St
San Jose, CA 95113
33 E San Fernando St
San Jose, CA 95113
172 S Market St
San Jose, CA 95113
97 E Santa Clara St
San Jose, CA 95113
177 Park Ave
San Jose, CA 95113
505 E San Carlos St
San Jose, CA 95112
29 N San Pedro St
San Jose, CA 95113
183 Park Ave
San Jose, CA 95113
110 S Market St
San Jose, CA 95113
31 N Market St
San Jose, CA 95113