No joke. I swear I was half Mexican in my past life!
My other half — Vietnamese of course. It’s a good thing I live in San Jose where Vietnamese and Mexican cuisine dominates this city of gold.
So here you go — from our backyard to yours — our best Mexican food finds in San Jose!
Dia de Pesca
breaded halibut tacos
For the freshest seafood and a great outdoor Mexican dining experience, Dia de Pesca is the place for you. You really can’t go wrong with choosing a fish taco here. But if I may, breaded halibut all the way!
Iguanas
carne asada fries
I’m not entirely sure it’s even 100% Mexican but it’s so damn good! Best late-night-I’m-slightly-buzz-I-probably-should-not-have-had-that-last-drink kind of food.
If this place sounds familiar to all you Foodies out there, Adam Richmond came to San Jose for a Man vs Food challenge and watched San Jose native Joey Chestnut down a Burritozilla in less than 4 minutes!
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La Costa
ceviche de camaron
Perfect on a hot and sunny day! Fresh shrimp, diced cucumbers, jalapenos, tomatoes and red onions married in a citrus lemon juice served with fresh tortilla chips (or crackers). And.. it’s less than $4!
I also think they have one of the best Horchata in town.
Taqueria Tlaquepaque
super chavelas!
Tlaquepaque (try saying that 10 times fast!) is a small mom-and-pop Mexican restaurant known to have some of the best Mexican food in the area. The food is amazing but what draws me here time and time again is their Super Chavela!
A Chavela is a Mexican beer (dark or light) with lemon and salt serve chilled in a glass goblet with a salted rim. A “Super” Chavela is spiked with Tequila! Tell me that doesn’t sound like fun. Best after-work drink for sure!
[SinglePic not found]Bakery Mexico
milanesa tortas
A torta is simply a Mexican sandwich. The Cubana is a crowd favorite and we agree, it’s quite delicious. But our personal favorite is the Milanesa — breaded steak, sliced avocado, cheese, japalenos and tomatoes!
A meal is never complete unless capped with a little sweets. Good thing we’re in a bakery. G always picks up fresh Mexican bread for his mum when we’re here. π
Chavez Supermarket & Taqueria
chips n salsa
I don’t go for the groceries, I think it’s a bit overpriced. It’s all about the fresh meat counter and side counter in the back of the market. There are days when I’ll drop by Chavez on my way home from work and buy a pint of salsa and guacamole (each!) with a bag of home-made tortilla chips and, I kid you not, kill half the bag of chips and salsa before I even make it through the door. It’s that good.
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La Victoria
orange sauce (on everything!)
This sauce is the Mexican Sriracha! Or least that’s how I describe it. So good, it’s bottled and sold. People line up for this sauce. The food at La Vics is good on it’s own but slather orange sauce on virtually everything on the menu and it’s as serious as a heart attack!
Jalisco
super nachos
Another late night dinner spot for us when we’re craving Mexican. Although G will usually pick up via their drive-thru (cool, huh.) bring it over and every time, without fail, he brings over super nachos with all the fixings — carne asada meat smothered with cheesy nachos cheese, beans drenched in sour cream and loaded with jalapenos!
Well, I’m stuffed. So if you’re ever in the Bay and craving Mexican food, head South (but not of the border) to this great city we both call home — San Jose. You’ll thank us later.


AL PASTOR SUPER BURRITO at TAQUERIA LAS VEGAS!! (i know its not San Jose but Milpitas is close enough!)
Still counts. I remember Taqueria Las Vegas. They were one of the first places in the south bay to do carne asada fries. mMm…
AL PASTOR SUPER BURRITO at TAQUERIA LAS VEGAS!! (i know its not San Jose but Milpitas is close enough!)
Still counts. I remember Taqueria Las Vegas. They were one of the first places in the south bay to do carne asada fries. mMm…
Wahhhhhh I miss California. And now I’m hungry. That is all.
I’m sure Melbourne has its fair share of good eats. π Can’t wait til we get there… Maybe we can drop by and say hello when we’re in town?
Melbourne has amazing food, but haven’t found much authentic Mexican (and if you do, it’s super exxy!) When will you be in town–super keen to meet up!
Wahhhhhh I miss California. And now I’m hungry. That is all.
I’m sure Melbourne has its fair share of good eats. π Can’t wait til we get there… Maybe we can drop by and say hello when we’re in town?
Melbourne has amazing food, but haven’t found much authentic Mexican (and if you do, it’s super exxy!) When will you be in town–super keen to meet up!
Royal Taco – Its hella American style …but for some reason im addicted to that place..the sauce, the meat, to 12 inch burritos…..its like Taco Bell on crack.
oh and I can’t believe you didn’t include Mi Buen Gusta!! ..that place is awesome..but u probably are tired of it since its walking distance from you.
Oh yeah dude. I still get Mi Buen Gusto super tacos whenever I can. I love how they grill their tortillas
They have an all meat burrito there…gotdam. Hella meat sweats!!! haha. Great post. LOVE dia de pesca. Now I’m craving some.
all meat everythang!
Royal Taco – Its hella American style …but for some reason im addicted to that place..the sauce, the meat, to 12 inch burritos…..its like Taco Bell on crack.
oh and I can’t believe you didn’t include Mi Buen Gusta!! ..that place is awesome..but u probably are tired of it since its walking distance from you.
Oh yeah dude. I still get Mi Buen Gusto super tacos whenever I can. I love how they grill their tortillas
They have an all meat burrito there…gotdam. Hella meat sweats!!! haha. Great post. LOVE dia de pesca. Now I’m craving some.
all meat everythang!
I think what I miss most living in Korea is Mexican food. This post made my mouth water! My favorite Mexican food is anything with good carnitas in it.
I hear you. Mexican food is something I have on a weekly basis. How long are you going to be in Korea for? Q & I plan on trippin’ over there in the May/June time frame.
I’ll be here until at least August. Your coming at a good time, Expo 2012 will be happening while your here. You should try to check it out…
Very cool… Thanks for the heads up!
I think what I miss most living in Korea is Mexican food. This post made my mouth water! My favorite Mexican food is anything with good carnitas in it.
I hear you. Mexican food is something I have on a weekly basis. How long are you going to be in Korea for? Q & I plan on trippin’ over there in the May/June time frame.
I’ll be here until at least August. Your coming at a good time, Expo 2012 will be happening while your here. You should try to check it out…
Very cool… Thanks for the heads up!
Just like some other comment leavers, Mexican food is about the only cuisine that I occasionally miss while living in Asia. I went to university in Phoenix and would eat street style Mexican food as often as possible (which means almost daily). I love all forms of tacos especially tacos de cabeza and I am also highly fond of chorizo and eggs!
mMm.. huevos rancheros w/ chorizo
Just like some other comment leavers, Mexican food is about the only cuisine that I occasionally miss while living in Asia. I went to university in Phoenix and would eat street style Mexican food as often as possible (which means almost daily). I love all forms of tacos especially tacos de cabeza and I am also highly fond of chorizo and eggs!
mMm.. huevos rancheros w/ chorizo
Mexican food is my absolute favorite! I’ll take one of everything please!
Mexican food is my absolute favorite! I’ll take one of everything please!
Gah, you’re so making me miss Mexican food and San Jose. Nothing remotely Mexican here in Sarawak…
Hopefully the Malaysian food over there is making up for it!
Gah, you’re so making me miss Mexican food and San Jose. Nothing remotely Mexican here in Sarawak…
Hopefully the Malaysian food over there is making up for it!
I love mexican foods so delicious……
I love mexican foods so delicious……
aww man, you just got me craving for Mexi food. And I was prepping an Italian dinner tonight. Thanks, really, thanks! π
Maybe it would’ve been better if this was an Italian food post. It’s just a timing issue, that’s all! Hooray for Taco Tuesdays
aww man, you just got me craving for Mexi food. And I was prepping an Italian dinner tonight. Thanks, really, thanks! π
Maybe it would’ve been better if this was an Italian food post. It’s just a timing issue, that’s all! Hooray for Taco Tuesdays
if i ever in states again, definately will drop by π
http://lilyrianitravelholic.blogspot.com/
San Jose will easily satisfy your Mexican food craving. Thanks for trippin’ by Lily!
if i ever in states again, definately will drop by π
http://lilyrianitravelholic.blogspot.com/
San Jose will easily satisfy your Mexican food craving. Thanks for trippin’ by Lily!
Wow, interesting! Has anyone else come across the same thing compared to this? I am curious where to find more responses on this matterβ¦
I haven’t seen anything. I’m sure there has to be some other lists on favorite restaurants. Maybe the Wave or Metro could’ve came out with their own lists in the past.
Wow, interesting! Has anyone else come across the same thing compared to this? I am curious where to find more responses on this matterβ¦
I haven’t seen anything. I’m sure there has to be some other lists on favorite restaurants. Maybe the Wave or Metro could’ve came out with their own lists in the past.
I am so jealous! I love Mexican food. It would be my dream holiday to dine out on all that yummy grub.
Good thing Mexican food is appreciated in many parts of the world! At least North America.
I am so jealous! I love Mexican food. It would be my dream holiday to dine out on all that yummy grub.
Good thing Mexican food is appreciated in many parts of the world! At least North America.
Thanks for taking the moment to consider this, I believe powerfully about it and love learning more on this topic.
Thanks for taking the moment to consider this, I believe powerfully about it and love learning more on this topic.
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Fantastic beat! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a web log site? The account aided me a appropriate deal. I have been a little bit familiar of this your broadcast provided bright transparent idea.
There are many choices. You probably want to start with http://www.wordpress.com. Most blogs are based off this system. Good luck!
Oh, I SO miss good Mexican food!!! We’re in Australia right now, and they just don’t know how to get it right π My absolute favorite mexican restaurant when we lived in Alameda, CA was Acapulco. It was family owned, and they had amazing authentic food.
Can you believe it?! OzyMex. Yuck! We pretty much gave up finding decent Mexican food on this trip. It will only make returning home that much more sweeter. Never been to Acapulco but adding to my list of new places to try when we get home. π Thanks for trippin’ by!
Oh, I SO miss good Mexican food!!! We’re in Australia right now, and they just don’t know how to get it right π My absolute favorite mexican restaurant when we lived in Alameda, CA was Acapulco. It was family owned, and they had amazing authentic food.
Can you believe it?! OzyMex. Yuck! We pretty much gave up finding decent Mexican food on this trip. It will only make returning home that much more sweeter. Never been to Acapulco but adding to my list of new places to try when we get home. π Thanks for trippin’ by!
Ooh I wish I read this when my sister was still living in San Jose; she would’ve loved this! I’m no big fan of Mexican food but I’ve gotta say, aside from Mexico (of course), California is the next best thing to awesome Mexican food!
oOo.. lol. I haven’t been to Mexico to compare but I do agree, we do have the best Mexican food around. Not being bias, haha. Just got to know where to go. π
Ooh I wish I read this when my sister was still living in San Jose; she would’ve loved this! I’m no big fan of Mexican food but I’ve gotta say, aside from Mexico (of course), California is the next best thing to awesome Mexican food!
oOo.. lol. I haven’t been to Mexico to compare but I do agree, we do have the best Mexican food around. Not being bias, haha. Just got to know where to go. π
Awesome, I’m from San Jose and agree with La Costa, La Vic, and Tlaquepaqe (I get their micheladas!) Our other favorites are Mariscos Las Islitas (Nayarit-style seafood) and I’m partial to Mi Pueblo market’s deli and taqueria.
I’m also a fan if Mi Pueblo’s cuban torta! Sooo goood.
Awesome, I’m from San Jose and agree with La Costa, La Vic, and Tlaquepaqe (I get their micheladas!) Our other favorites are Mariscos Las Islitas (Nayarit-style seafood) and I’m partial to Mi Pueblo market’s deli and taqueria.
I’m also a fan if Mi Pueblo’s cuban torta! Sooo goood.
don’t forget chavez supermarket! sooooo good!
Chavez has great nachos and portions are big.. ahhhh!
don’t forget chavez supermarket! sooooo good!
Chavez has great nachos and portions are big.. ahhhh!