Restaurants

"A secret neighborhood centers around the corner of Julian and 17th Streets. As with most of the older, Northside of downtown, the area is very pedestrian friendly and features rows and rows of houses from the mid and early parts of the 20th century. At night the white and yellow lights on the trees (put up by [Las Brasas Mexican Restuarant]) provide a charming backdrop for a meal at [Las Brasas], Casa Vicky or Lai Lai Chinese - [all] of which are packed daily with locals."

- Todd Horvitz, San Jose News & Gossip Bulletin, January 20, 2000

Bronco's Mexican Food

Bronco's serves tacos, tortas, burritos, dinners, sea food & appetizers. Eat-in, take-out, catering and banquet facilities are available. Bronco's also hosts the Northside Neighborhood's free loaner sets of bocce balls for anyone to use on the bocce courts in Backesto Park. Bronco's is located at 498 N. 13th St. the corner of E. Empire & 13th. Telephone: (408) 295-8330

Casa Vicky

Casa Vicky Mexican Restuarant is an institution among San Jose police officers, who know their food. County bus drivers also stop in to purchase warm tortillas to hand out to passengers travelling through the Northside enroute to downtown or Westgate shopping center. Aside from traditional Mexican fare, Casa Vicky has an extensive line of Mexican pastries and baked goods and wonderful Mexican coffee.

Casa Vicky also caters and can provide a private room for parties, meetings or gatherings.

Casa Vicky is located at 792 E. Julian St., across the street from Lai Lai's Chinese Restaurant. Telephone: (408) 995-5488.

Guadalajara #2 Market

"Have you noticed the beautiful mural at the Guadalajara store? It was many months in the making but was worth the wait.

"Juan Manuel Flores, more commonly called 'Johnny,' speaks enthusiastically about his business. Johnny came with his family from Mexico in 1945. His father and brother worked in construction until enough money was raised to buy the family business. Guadalajara #1, the store on Alum Rock Ave., was opened in 1955. The entire family, brothers and sisters, worked hard to make a go of the business. In 1959 Guadalajara #2 at the corner of 10th and Empire Streets was opened. Another store #3 was opened in 1960. Johnny and his wife, Gloria, the owners of store #2 liked the neighborhood so well they decided to establish their home here on the Northside. Johnny says, 'This is the best move I ever made. The store is conveniently close to home. I intend to live out my life here.'


"The family manufactures Mexican food. Each store has its own bakery, tortilla factory & kitchen for the hot foods that sells 'to go.' The food is delicious, certainly the best place in town, and this is proven by the many people who stop by for lunch. They also sell groceries.

"Johnny and his lovely wife, Gloria, are the proud parents of six daughters, Chelita, Kiko, Gloria, Gabriella & Marisela. The children can be seen helping out, too. The family tradition. They feel the friendliness of the neighborhood and it is reflected back through the friendliness and kindliness of the family. A stop by the store is a must."

--- Joyce Ellington, Northside newsletter, Spring 1981.

Guadalajara #2 won a Living Oak Award from NNA for its mural in September 1981. The mural was painted by Edward Johnson, a Northside resident. According to a 1979 San Jose Magazine piece, Guadalajara #2 "rivals the Super Tacqueria for the best burrito in town."

Guadalajara #2 is located at Empire and 10th Streets. Telephone: (408)294-0545 Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday.

Lai Lai's

"Manager Denny N. is always a friendly face at Lai Lai Chinese Restaurant, one of the Northside's finest take-out eateries. I get take-out from Lai Lai's about once a week, and my next-door neighbors swear by Lai Lai's too.

"All of Lai Lai's dishes are tasty - and the menu features a whopping 135 of them. Plus, the portions are generous: one entree will feed at least two people. I am personally fond of Lai Lai's hot and spicy chicken, a tangy specialty with green peppers and onions. It's irresistible. And try their hot and sour soup next time you have a cold. It will definitely clear your sinuses.

* * * *

"Lai Lai's is a great neighbor; stop in sometime soon."

- Don Gagliardi, Northside newsletter, Spring 1997

Lai Lai's is located at 797 E. Julian St., at the northwest corner of 17th St. Telephone: (408) 292-1688. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, except Sundays.

Las Brasas

"The last stop on my search for the best taco in Silicon Valley brings me to a sidewalk barbecue where North America and Latin America blend together - and to the winning taco.

"[Northside resident] Larry Jensen has invited me to Las Brasas Restaurant at the corner of Julian and 17th Streets, in one of San Jose's oldest and most culturally diverse neighborhoods.

* * * *

"There isn't a more authentic Mexican restaurant in Silicon Valley than Las Brasas. It takes up the first floor of a large pink house, where the owners live. . . . There's an upright rotisserie, the kind you find throughout Mexico. This one has a pineapple at the top end that drips juice onto the rotating pork.

"Las Brasas is a genuine mom-and-pop restaurant. Pop is Ramon Ruiz. A trained butcher, he buys and cuts the meats. Mom is Carmen Ruiz, who prepares the marinades and chile salsas.

"The Ruizes come from Gaudalajara, the city that has sent more Mexicans to Silicon Valley than any other city. It's poetic coincidence that I find the best taco in a restaurant that most symbolizes the north-south connection.

"Without a doubt, the best taco in Silicon Valley is Las Brasas' taco de suadero.

"Any backyard barbecue loving American knows the meat. Suadero is the tender meet from the lower part of a beef rib. It's the part you eat first. . . .

"At Las Brasas, Ramon Ruiz prepares the suadero meat and hands it to Carmen, who marinates lightly. . . . Placed in two warmed, small corn tortillas, the suadero filling is toped with a little chopped onion and cilantro. They add a delicately balanced brown salsa of toasted tomatillos and red chile arbol that doesn't burn or wimp out.

"This is more than the best taco; it's the best taco experience in Silicon Valley. But here's the catch: the suadero taco is served only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights after 7 p.m., when Las Brasas holds its outdoor taquisas or taco parties."

- Joe Rodriguez, San Jose Mercury News, September 1999

Las Brasas is located at 763 E. Julian St., next door to Lai Lai's. Telephone: 408-971-9639.

Phuong Cat Restaurant

Serves Vietnamese and Chinese food, and is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Phoung Cat Restaurant is located at 674 N. 13th St. Telephone: (408) 294-0536. They deliver.

 

 

 

 

 

A Taste of New Orleans

Serves Southern & Creole favorites matched to a special recipe for lemonade that is perfect for hot days. A Taste of New Orleans is located at 655 N. 6th St. Telephone: (408) 275-8877.

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