San Jose Mexican Restaurant
5811 Poyner Village Pkwy,Ste 109, Raleigh, NC, 27616
San Jose Mexican Restaurant Menu
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Address :
5811 Poyner Village Pkwy,Ste 109
Raleigh, NC, 27616 - Phone (919) 790-1919
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Steve M.
San Jose is our favorite local Mexican place, and they do all the essentials really well. Can't go wrong with the table-side guacamole, traditional Mexican plates, fajitas, carnitas, etc. What's unique about them is that they do seafood really well--and it's not always Mexican in style. Try the Pescado San Jose over mashed potatoes, and you might think you're at a downtown seafood place. The service is generally good, but has been hit or miss for us lately. Hoping that's temporary. Friday nights, there's live music on the water, so sit outside.
(4)Shaun K.
Food was amazing. Guacamole was amazing. I was given room temperature water, like I asked for (amazing). The service was garbage. We waited for someone to return to our table and nobody came, I had to call someone over every time we needed anything. It got ridiculous. My tip should have gone only to the cook.
(2)Hitesh N.
I am not sure if I could suggest that this place has authentic food, I have never been to Mexico and I have never eaten at a home of any Mexican people. I do know this, the food here is different than most of the Mexican places around, and it is very good. I always order the fish tacos, some of the best I have eaten in the triangle.
(4)Terry H.
Quite a few things makes this place different than your run of the mill mexican joint. All of which are great. Table side Guacamole is nothing new but done perfectly here. Normal place would have cheese dip this place throws hunks of shrimp in theirs, plus plenty of non traditional menu items full of flavor. The must have at this place is their Cucumber Margarita, these margaritas have got to be the best way to eat your vegetables!
(4)C Z.
The food was decent albeit a bit more eclectic than most local Mexican restaurants. The service was terrible for a practically empty restaurant. The server messed up my order and my wife's order but since he only visited our table once an hour it was very difficult to clear up. When we asked if there was a children's menu, the hostess silently grabbed our menu flipped to the page and threw it back down in front of us. I found the entire experience unfortunate based on the abundance of positive reviews. We will not be going back.
(2)Dale S.
Yes! They do it right. Great food, service is great, very clean! The fried ice cream was just ok. Excellent parking. Bathrooms were very clean.
(4)Lori R.
Been awhile since we've been here, despite it being one of our favorite places close to home. Am very sad to report my favorite fish dish (the cancun one) is no longer on the menu...wah! They do still have my second favorite, Pescado San Jose which is mahi-mahi and shrimp with spinach in a white wine sauce. It's supposed to have mushrooms, but I don't do 'shrooms, and it's perfectly delicious without. Love their mashed taters with it! They were busy on this Father's Day Sunday, but our Server kept checking on us, and took good care of us which was good because food took longer than usual to get out, since they were so busy. No problem for us though, we weren't in any hurry. Two of us tried a Skinny Margarita. It was okay, but one gal switched to the Ultimate and was much happier with it. Husband had his usual giant burrito and very much enjoyed it. Son had a Chorizo Quesadilla, and his Fiance had three different enchiladas with different sauces on each. Sure looked pretty! Chips & Salsa were good. Salsa was a tad on the watery side, but had good flavor. Love that they have lots of booths here, although there was a big hole right where I was sitting.
(4)Lissy Z.
Should I wave down my bartender or maybe it'll be more efficient to call/text him for service. Don't be on your phone the whole entire time, that's less money you're making from people who actually tip.
(1)Lindsey M.
I decided to try San Jose today on a whim. I arrived midafternoon. The weather was pleasantly warm but not humid so I was already anticipating sitting outside by the water. Perhaps my first inkling this experience was not going to go as I thought, was upon arrival. I was welcome to sit outside. ..... if I didn't mind a broken (i.e., non existent) umbrella. I decided to keep an open mind and chance it. Bottom line: they were out of avocado so no table side guacamole for me, my mango frozen margarita actually looked better than it tasted (which was refreshingly icy but completely bland) & the 3 shrimp tacos made from juicy grilled shrimp, wrapped in white, gummy, tortillas, tasted oddly bland. Tacos came with a side of white sauce which had a thin consistency and honestly, looked unappealing. Fortunately this sauce was served in a small separate bowl, so the tacos did not become soggy. I will not be dining here ever again. While the view was a tad warm it was pretty but didn't make up for the mediocre shrimp tacos. And the salsa? Mostly water and truly some of the poorest quality salsa I've eaten at a restaurant. Next time I have a hankering for tacos, I'll drive to Salsa Fresh, Cafe Capistrano or for dinner, Dos Taquitos.
(2)Cameron C.
Ice cold Pacifico, perfect burrito, smiling faces and ask for George! This place is amazing. We tried it on a whim and we were not disappointed service was great, beer was cold, and George was on top of service! Do not miss out on this place!
(5)Katharine B.
The table-side guacamole is a must! The waiter cuts up the fresh avocados, adds lime, cilantro and onions and serves up the best guacamole. The restaurant has a big room and then a nice bar area with lots of TVs in the back. Salsa and merengue play in the background and the colorful menu with pictures speak to your senses as you try to pick the best entree. The combination plates offer much variety and the price of $7.99 is great. My friend had the shrimp dish with avocado and garlic over rice and it was delicious. Our server was very friendly and we had a great evening. I will come back just for the guacamole!
(3)Courtney N.
If any of you have checked out my blog, which you probably haven't because it's on the newer side I do frequent this place often. I love it! Anything you get here is amazing! I do not know how they do it, but the table side guacamole is some of the best I have EVER had! It honestly could just eat that and be good! I usually get Huevos Rancheros without the tortillas and coffee on my lunch/brunch dates alone.
(5)lizz p.
The food is very bland. They do not offer condiments that you would usually find at a Mexican restaurant like sour cream and peppers. Customer service was horrible. Our waitress kept dismissing what I was saying so she got my order wrong. I usually will leave a tip for EVERYONE, but she didn't deserve a dollar. I asked for a side of guacamole and she charged me $7.99. I was charged $.99 for peppers! I thought peppers would be a part of the meal. Wouldn't recommend at all!
(1)Jerry W.
4th time in 2 months I order fajitas here to go and they forgot the tortillas. Each time I've had to drive back and get them, and all they do is apologize. Once or twice I understand, but 4 times and the gas used to go back adds up. They should do more than just apologize. My wife and I used to like this place, but the quality and service seem to be going downhill.
(1)Jenna D.
The worst attempt at Mexican that I have ever had, frozen bean burritos taste better than the food I was served here! I'm from California and I've noticed that in southern states Mexican restaurants tend to dump cream of chicken soup on their dishes???? It's not authentic or tasty????? I ordered no sour cream on my dish yet my dish came topped with sour cream, their answer was to take it back to the kitchen and dump a can of cream of chicken soup over the sour cream then bring it back to my table. The dish was inedible at best, I took a bite, spit it back on my plate and went back for chips and salsa. You couldn't pay me to eat here again.
(1)Travis C.
I can't believe the service here. We were seated in the back away from almost everyone. Then it took literally 13 mins before someone came to get our drink orders. The waiter then asked did we need more time...lol. Once we ordered we didn't not see the waiter again until we were done eating. The food wasn't even that good either. This has been the worst service I have ever had period.
(1)Gary B.
Still my favorite wings in Raleigh.. Sounds strange but it's true Back for more! Food is always delicious and there's planet of drink specials. Excellent Mexican food, great daily specials and all the servers appear to like their jobs and were quite helpful
(4)Adriana Y.
We came back for my birthday dinner on a Sunday night, wonderful service again. We tried the fresh Guacamole and the server kindly offered one plain and one with jalapeno as we were torn, y was fresh and delish! We were a part of 15, we were easily accommodated and everyone enjoyed there choices. Not one complaint which is rare. They brought out a yummy lemon cheesecake slice for me and sang with a twist, it was great!
(5)Kevin M.
Been eating here since they first opened up. Never ever had a bad meal there. Everything is always fresh and very delicious. My only complaint is that they are not that great for takeouts. Very often their estimated times are horribly incorrect. However, for me that is not a big deal. I eat here as often as I can.
(5)Susan S.
This is an excellent Mexican restaurant. The guacamole is made table side and that in itself is worth the trip. I think the mole sauce is amazing on the chicken enchiladas and the tamales. The servers are very knowledgeable about the food items and take their time to help you choose your entree. We like the indoor and outdoor seating options and the large number of tables ensure that you won't have to wait. The chips and salsa are good and the bean and cheese dip are out of this world. We will frequent this establishment.
(4)Dustin G.
Great Mexican restaurant! One of my favorites in Raleigh. They have a white sauce that they serve with their chips and salsa that I absolutely love. The only thing that has been a miss so far was their verde sauce. It was bland with no real flavor. Other than that, it is a must try restaurant.
(4)Robin B.
By far my fav mexican restaurant in Raleigh. I have never had a bad experience or meal. I love to sit outside when weather permits. The chimichangas and shrimp tacos are amazing. I have taken several out of town guests here and it has always been a hit! Service is always prompt (perhaps a bit slow at peak hours). I was very surprised at the negative reviews, hope they keep the standard I have seen.
(5)Chip R.
Mexican food is not particularly one of my favorites I usually seek out, but after the #CupcakeTweetUp event in the Triangle Town Center area we all decided it was time for some real grub. San Jose Mexican was convenient and had a great outside area to enjoy on a perfect night, so we decided to go with it. In a very surprising experience, I enjoyed our dinner here. When you go inside, it hits you that SJ is very clean and well decorated with plenty of seating space/tables/booths. However as I said, we opted to sit outside beside the pond as it was a perfect night for August. Wonderful outside space, I recommend using the patio if weather permits. We were given our menus and had some chips to enjoy, which were pretty good. We had to ask for cheese for the chips though as it comes with salsa, and the cheese sauce was good as well. I had a pomegranate margarita, which I wish had more pomegranate taste to it...it was "quite medicinal" however and did the trick. I ordered the Chicken Spinach and loved it. A good size portion of chicken covered in a spinach bacon creamy sauce (yes, BACON). The taste was wonderful, flavorful but not spicy. I recommend this entree if you are not into very hot hot spicy food but want the Mexican food experience. It came with some very flavorful mashed potatoes as well. I will definitely get this entree again if I am here. One note, although service was there as needed with drinks and requests (no complaints there), our server was not very enthusiastic until he warmed up to us towards the end. Bottom line: Very surprising, fulfilling Mexican food experience in the North Raleigh area. I enjoyed the Chicken Spinach entree very much. Service was there as needed but took a while to warm up to us. I can say I would definitely go here again, however, an overall good visit.
(4)Angela L.
Food is fresh, and just slightly different from what you have probably come to expect from Mexican restaurants. Interior is tastefully decorated. They make delicious margaritas (and are happy to do them "virgin"). The food comes out within minutes. I couldn't ask for anything more. On this visit I had a strawberry virgin margarita, a chicken soft taco and two beef soft tacos. Total was under $10!
(4)Shaun B.
First, let me say that I almost gave this a four, simply because of the noise level. However, I did sit at a booth in the bar area, which oddly was also hosting a child's birthday party. While leaving, I realized that the noise level in the main part of the dining room is not that bad. The food he is terrific. We had Guacamole made table side and the portion size is huge for $6. Because they make it table side and you get to point and direct what and how much of each item is mixed, it will always be to your taste. Also ordered were: fish tacos (tasty lightly battered tilapia with shredded cabbage, poco de gallo on the side, and a nice chipotle sauce), beef tacos (crunchy), and an enchilada (delicious). The service was well timed, quick, and very friendly. A far as Mexican restaurants go (in Raleigh, at least), this one is the best. I've had close to better in California and Texas, and prefer to judge this one based on what is available in the Raleigh-Durham area. Of special mention, I was extremely impressed by the variety of seafood on the menu. Not just seafood that you traditionally see on this type of menu, but truly well crafted and balanced dishes. Can't wait to try more.
(5)Andy S.
Went here with a large group for a friend's birthday. San Jose doesn't take reservations, so in order to secure a table in time for the 7:00 dinner, some of our party showed up at 6:30. When I arrived just prior to 7:00, they were still waiting. There was a large table that was just finishing their meal at that time. That table finished within a few minutes, and had their cards out and ready to pay and leave. It took their server over 20 minutes to come back to the table with their checks, and then, even though they were all ready to pay right then and there, he left, and came back another 10 minutes later to take their cards. All while we stood there waiting for a table. It was 7:30 before we were seated, and that was only because we were so hungry that we allowed them to split us up between a table and a booth. The prices are certainly reasonable, and the menu runs the usual gamut of Mexican and tex-mex dishes, but there's nothing special about the food. Much of it was under-seasoned, frequently drenched in a largely flavorless red sauce. The fajitas are exactly what you'd get anywhere else; not bad, but not really above-average either. Their house margarita tastes like a store-bought mixer with a splash of tequila in it. I won't be planning to return; between the food being so thoroughly unremarkable and the service being so poor, I can't see a reason to give them a second chance.
(2)Lindsay B.
Delicious food, fine atmosphere.
(5)Timothy C.
One of my fav Mexican places. Great food, reasonable prices. I love this place. Five stars.
(5)Y I.
I love this Mexican restaurant it makes me feel like a fancy Mexican lol but honestly the food is awesome in looks/taste/variety!
(5)Stacy S.
Good food at a reasonable price. The Burrito Ruleta was very good. The only thing not up to par was the chips & salsa. It was good but could be better. Chips did not taste like the are made fresh. Reminds me of other Mexican restaurants that get their chips in a bag - good taste, but not fresh. The salsa was a little thin and not hot enough. This can be rectified for $1.75, if you order pico de gallo and mix in the salsa. The burrito was $8, with pico and Coke it was $13.
(4)Mike M.
Went for a quick casual dinner. Service is good and fast. Menu is typical, nothing unique or out of the ordinary, but what they have is well prepared. Good chips and salsa to start. Had beef enchiladas, rice and refried beans. Everything tasted fresh and was delicious. Good portions and reasonable prices. Good for casual dinner before a movie, or taking family while out shopping. I wouldn't drive across town for it, but would highly recommend it if you are around Triangle Town Center.
(4)Ron R.
Great Mexican food. We always get the table side Guacamole. It's almost a meal in itself. When we're half way thru the chips, we order 1 steak quesadilla for each of us. Perfect size meal for me at 185 lb.
(4)Cat L.
I have been to San Jose many times before and have been quite satisfied, except for last night. We went out to celebrate with my family. We had a reservation for 7pm. The waiter repeatedly mixed up our drink order (unsweet vs sweet tea & drinks missing). He also appeared to be rushing & only took one order for appetizers despite 7 other ppl also wanting to order. We waited over :45 minutes to get refilled chips & drinks. And over an hour to get our food. The food was great as always. But the service was uncharacteristically slow. I'm not sure if it was because we were already a big group (aka guarantees gratuity added) or just because it was an off day. The only food item I was disappointed with was the table-side guacamole-there was no flavor difference between our orders of "picante" & "sin jalapeño". Not to mention the guac-table was fairly messy. I'm not sure if I'll be rushing or raving about San Jose as much as I usually do.
(2)Rod O.
Salsa, Guac made at the Table, Fajitas... C&C and R&R minus one C means three almost Elite yelpers go to a Mexican Restaurant on a Wednesday Night! Is that an Unofficial yelp Event??? Get the PORK! Pork Fajitas were Very Good! or, Pork was and worth 4 yelp stars! These Flour Tortillas were lightly Rubbery and tasted like they were bought at a cheap market... This PORK though was GREAT! The Vegetables cooked with the Pork were as typical as most Mex... Meaning ok or barely good! Guacamole made at your table to your liking! Everyone at our table Loves Cilantro so! This guy was fast and this was the second best part of the meal...An easy four stars! As I have heard about many Mexican regions the food is bland! The food here is very mildly seasoned and the Salsa was a little disappointing, though still better than many!
(4)Ivy S.
Good food. Plate needs more food. They're skimpy in their portions. Rice and beans are not expensive so they should put better portions. Food is good though.
(3)Jim W.
We have been regulars for a few years but the last couple times have been different. The food was not as good and the margaritas were terrible. I spoke to the mgr and he started to explain. I told him we would come back in a couple weeks and hope things are either back like they were or better.
(2)Chris S.
Very good food! Don't miss out on the table side guacamole! Valentine's Day was busy so staff was stretched thin, but still quality foods friendly waitstaff.
(5)Steve K.
This is better than the average Mexican restaurant. Their menu is much different and way more interesting than other Mexican restaurants. And the food is very very good! Prices are very fair. Interior is very nice. Service is great. I highly recommend!
(4)Filipe T.
I have been here twice and the food is always amazing! I got the fajitas and it was delicious and the serving was huge. I love their 22oz beers (negra modelo) and the Service is great. I was there in the summer and the outside patio is a great area with a lake right next to it which makes it a great place to have a beer and lounge!
(5)Brianna G.
COACKROACHES IN FOOD AND BAD SERVICE. This had been our favourite restaurant to dine in specially being Mexicans. Some of the dishes were very tasty, others not at all. Anyways, my family and I went to eat there last Sunday and we had brought special guests with us. After the food finally arrived, we noticed a COACKROACH in the frijoles charros!! From the molcajete dish. This completely took every ones appetite and disgusted us all. Not only that, but there was a HAIR on another dish, the shrimp and pasta chipotle. We immediately called the waiter and she didnt even bother apologizing or being sensitive in the matter, she immediately gave the blame to the kitchen and told us to spoke to the manager! When we asked to speak to him, he did not show up! About 10 minutes we were sitting and waiting for him and he never showed up!!! We at that time of course got up and left. This has been my worst experience and I will NEVER go back again, the NC department of health should definitely be called up there because for there to be roaches on the food I cant imagine what kind of poisoning they are capable of doing.
(1)Josh P.
The photos on the menu looked great, but the food was just disappointing. Carne Asada was passable, but kind of on the fatty side. Rice was undercooked... still had a little crunch to it. Chips had a burnt taste to them. To top it off, we were seated by the bar away from everyone else in the restaurant like we were being quarantined. This made the service slow, of course. And the awful music was not even remotely Mexican, but some mix of pop and rap that was just way too loud.
(1)Krazy T.
First off huge pet peve is restaurants that advertise business hours and are not either open on time or not prepared . Come on people is it too much to as to be prepared and open at hours posted. I don't want to see people getting dressed. I show up and I placed a to-go order their Combo #9 (1 Chicken Burrito, Chicken Quesadilla & Tamale) when asked rice or beans I said bean. What I got was 2 beef burittos and rice. When I asked for guacomole I was told no because it had to made fresh at table. What you can't make it fresh in the kitchen? When I reviewed my tab I noticed a to go fee. Is that common and I just never noticed it? I gave one star because I should have checked my order. I just can't see going back
(1)Josue F.
Best modern mexican cousine and service in triangle area best tacos of carne asada full of flavor !!!
(5)Neil S.
The service was really good, but the food was really bland. The shrimp in my tacos were cooked beautifully, but nothing had much seasoning or flavor.
(2)Stephanie R.
Up until last week, I would have given this place a 5 star review, easily. Their food is amazing. Service is usually stellar. Last week I had a waiter who was just a pain to deal with. It took him 15 minutes to get to us to take our drink order (at which time, we gave food order as well) someone else delivered food and he came when we were almost done with food to make sure it was "okay". Then he came about 15 minutes later to give us our check. I'm pretty patient, so even that, though aggravating... I understand it happens. BUT, what really got me was the bill. We've been patrons for like a year now, a long long time. My daughter is 3, and LOVES cheese enchiladas. She calls it the enchilada, rice and beans store. So, long time ago, on first visit, we noticed they do not have enchiladas on the kids menu and the waiter told us he would just substitute it in for the taco plate. We do this EVERY SINGLE TIME, and up until this visit, we've never had drama about it. The bill arrives, and it's about twice what I was expecting, so I inspect. He had itemized everything on her plate. So, instead of the 5.99 for all, he charges me 2.50 for drink, 2 for rice, 2 for beans, 4 for cheese enchilada. So, he expected me to pay 10.50 for my 3 year old's lunch. When I brought it up he acted confused, and I'm sure there was a language barrier. He just kept saying "there is no kids plate with enchilada" and I couldn't get him to comprehend that we are there weekly and there has never been this charge before. So, I ask for a manager and of course none is available. So I refuse to sign the ticket and write a note on it asking for someone to contact me. What gets the 1 star is their REFUSAL to call me or contact me in regards to this. I've emailed, I've messaged on their website and now I see the charge went thru and that means they saw the ticket, ignored it and went about collected their money. So food is phenomenal, hope you don't have an issue with your ticket though! --------------------------------------- After many return visits, I'm returning the stars I took away. An owner emailed and messaged me after I wrote this, attempting to resolve my issue. We haven't had the issue again, as long as I ask the correct way, we get the enchilada rice and beans that my now 4 year old so desires. It is our go to place for Mexican food.
(5)Casey M.
First off, wow, maybe my crave for Mexican is driving this review high, but it definitely did the trick if not more. I just wanted something simple, the Enchiladas Banderas were exactly that. Simple, but diverse. Three sauces, three fillings, all done great. The jasmine rice they use, it's not your typical clumpy Mexican restaurant rice, good all the way through. I feel this is a legit Mexican restaurant as not only the wait staff is ethnically matched so are the clientele. It's not an off putting hole in the wall, this is a clean, well-appointed restaurant. Will I be coming back? Hell yes I will, with my entree less than $10 and the satisfaction I got, why wouldn't I? This is a Mexican food win in Raleigh.
(5)Derek C.
San Jose is a place that I have never really gone back to since my first visit, right when it opened. When I went there the first time, the food was so mediocre that I had to chalk it up to "Opening blues". I recently decided I'd give them a second chance, and I'm glad I did.... because while it still wasn't anything special, it wasn't nearly the 1 I would have originally issued it. I tried several different dishes; the Shrimp and Scallops fajitas, the Carne Asada Tacos, the Cheese Dip, The Cheesy Chicken Burrito, the Deep-fried Cheesecake, and the Flan. The cheese dip is your standard white cheese, and it's tasty. It's got a little kick to it, and a solid flavor and silky texture. The salsa, on the contrary, isn't as much a salsa as it is a sauce. It has no texture or depth, and seems very watery in comparison to other salsas. One thing that is nice is that if you're a fan of guacamole, they have a custom cart, and they will roll it right up to your table and skin, crush, and prepare a bowl of guacamole to your liking right in front of you! The Shrimp and the scallops were excellent. The shrimp was a good size, it was de-veined, and it was tasty. The scallops were bay scallops, and as such, were much smaller than anticipated, but still quite delicious. With the fajita plate, it comes out still-cooking and piping hot, and it was an enjoyable dish all around. While certainly not the best dish I've ever had, it was solid in and of itself, and the seafood was pretty good! The carne asada tacos, however, were a glaring disappointment. When I SAW the tacos, I was very excited; it looked like true slabs of steak were in my taco, lightly covered with Pico De Gallo, wrapped in a soft tortilla. That, unfortunately, was as good as this got. The steak had legitimately zero flavor; there are no spices on it, it's not marinaded in anything, and it doesn't actually taste like steak to me either, at least not fresh steak. The pico isn't juicy or tasty either... in fact, it is just sliced onions and tomatoes. The hot salsa that comes with the dish has zero taste but moderate heat, so it leads to an unenjoyable combination. You essentially get stuck with a very spongy tasting steak that is quite hot, but has no actual flavor and a rather unpleasant after taste. But the true criminal of the dish is the charro beans; they literally taste like they were poured out of a can of Campbell's. I will go on record right now as saying they are the single worst tasting beans I've ever had in a Mexican restaurant. I'm not even sure how, but they are simply awful. The desserts were both quite delicious. The cheesecake had a nice, soft, crispy texture and a delicious taste to it. The flan was full-bodied and delicious as well. It was a solid ending to the meal. The problem, at least for me, is that the food here is very average. Given the bountiful number of fine mexican places around here, I have a hard time recommending this place. It's priced competitively with other restaurants. The portions are in line with other places, and the variety is fairly standard too. The deciding factor, for me, is the taste. I have a hard time seeing any reason to come here when I could go to Los Cuates for chicken or steak entrees, or San Juan when it comes to seafood. Also, the huge disparity in the quality of my dishes has me concerned that food here is totally "hit-or-miss"; for the fajitas to be so delicious and the tacos to be so bland and uninspired.... well, it's a shame. Also, did I mention how awful the charro beans are? You really need to taste them just to see for yourself! If you're hankering for mexican and you're in the area, then swing by. But honestly, if you have the time, you would be better suited heading a few more miles down the road to "Los Cuates" on Capital Blvd, or San Juan on Forestville road!
(2)Gregory H.
The first time I saw San Jose Mexican Restaurant I started singing an old song from the 70's "Do you know the way to San Jose', La la la la la la la la..." you get the idea... I drove my bride bonkers for a few minutes and we were both surprised I even remembered the song and I swear it just popped into my head when I saw the sign for the new restaurant. Fast forward a few months and we finally decided to give the place a try. It's a little different twist on some Tex-Mex favorites... seafood enchiladas with a sauce that's really more like seafood newberg sauce. Being that I really like Chili Rellanos I ordered that too and the first bite was just kind of "eh" but after that, it seemed better and tastier. My bride complained that her chicken was dried out but I didn't try her food (for once) so I couldn't base my rating on that. We do need to go back to try the lime-orange cake that's on the dessert menu! One thing I will rave about here - they keep bottles of hot sauce at the tables - this is something that many of the local Mexican, Southwestern and Tex-Mex restaurants have stopped doing. Kudos for having some El Yucateo habanero sauce at the table!!!! Good Stuff!
(4)Rami Z.
As a Texan, I feel quite strongly about Mexican/TexMex restaurants. It is my opinion that the guacamole at San Jose is the best thing going for it. The table-side preparation is a nice touch, but the most important thing is that they use the right ingredients and give you a large amount of it. Anyone that's paid $8 at Dos Taquitos for a dollop of above average guacamole will appreciate how it's done at San Jose. The menu looks like your typical Americanized Mexican fare. We ordered several items off the a la carte menu as there was a good selection of cheap dishes on there. Most of the items were good, but others (such as the quesadillas) were unimpressive. We also ordered a salmon dish that was pretty good. Overall, I give San Jose 3 stars for the guacamole and the good variety on the menu. If you have a craving for good Mexican/TexMex, it's worth the trip. However, even though the food is the closest to good TexMex that I've found in the Triangle and it's quite cheap, I cannot justify giving a higher rating merely because it's the best option in Raleigh. If you've spent time in Texas or been to Texas-based chains like Chuy's or Pappasitos, then you probably understand.
(3)Chris S.
I have to say I am a little disappointed. I was out Christmas shopping and by myself. Service was slow, they took my chips when I went to the restroom and I couldn't get anyone's attention to get some more. No offer for another drink or more chips (probably just as well). The food was good but not great. The table side guac sounds great, but couldn't justify it by myself. Torreros remains my favorite. They are hard to beat.
(3)Shruti D.
This use to be my favorite place to go for mexican but the last few times, they have changed some of items such as their mexican rice does not taste the same anymore (they say they use jasmine rice but does not taste like it). The first batch of salsa brought to my table was overly salty... I asked for a new one and that was normal but the bowl was dirty. Still a fan of their fresh gauc and other dish. Come on San jose, go back to your old school ways!
(3)Christie B.
This is slowly becoming my favorite Mexican restaurant. Service is fast and great. The table side guacamole is always wonderful. Just tell them how you like it and they will comply. We like lots of cilantro and lime. We usually get the fajitas for two. What I love about this is that it comes with Pork, steak, Chicken and Shrimp. Best part is the pork. It is delicious. Flavorful and moist. You can get just the pork fajitas if you like. Just ask them. I agree with other posters about this chef knowing seafood. I have had quite a few seafood dishes here and they have all been cooked very well. Don't hesitate to try one. If you are unsure what to order just ask the servers. They always have great suggestions. The noise level is usually loud but the place is very popular with families. There is always lots of kids there. If you are looking for quiet and romantic then this place is not where you want to go. If you want good Mexican food then you found the place.
(5)Alan S.
I was over by the mall and had a coupon so I went to this restaurant last Saturday night. I will not be going back on a Saturday night. The food was good, especially the tableside guacamole. What was not good was that I was sitting near the kitchen entrance at one of the tables that is set up in a row between the booths. I am not that picky of a person, but the noise was very bad between the patrons (a lot of young kids doing what they do (at least what my kids do at that age)), the noise of the cooks working, and their music blasting. Also, being near the kitchen it was like eating in the highway with the servers flying past. As I said the food was very good, but if I go back it will be when it is warmer and I can sit outside.
(2)Elizabeth B.
I think this place is great! The food is always delicious- it's the most authentic Mexican food I've had in the triangle since I lived in California. The service is fast & efficient. The mango margarita is my favorite. I had a taste of the guacamole yesterday, they make it fresh at the table and it really is amazing. They always serve warm hearty chips & perfectly flavored salsa to munch on. It's a winner for me.
(5)Tara R.
One of our favorite places to eat. Lots of choices, including seafood and fresh guacamole. If the weather is nice enough, you can eat out on the patio.
(5)Chris I.
Really good Mexican food. Although most of the menu choices are pretty similar to what you would find else where, the actual flavors in the dishes really ressemble traditional Mexican cooking. I used to live in Mexico so I am always on the hunt for really good Mexican food!
(4)Leann K.
This place is the best Mexican food in Raleigh. The atmosphere, the staff, and the prices are excellent. And the food is fantastic. Grilled chicken, cheese and sautéed spinach quesadilla is my favorite. And their sweet tea is always just right.
(5)Russell A.
San Jose's is the best Mexican food in North Raleigh hands down. My wife is a big fan of Mexican food and so am I. We have been to all the local places that seem to have the same menu. Their food is good, but San Jose's changed all that. First they offer a larger menu with items you just don't find everywhere. They offer large portions and the prices do not leave you wondering if it was smart to move off the front page. Then there is the table side guacamole. Made to your spice level and enough for a party of four to enjoy it, it is the treat that makes you come back. The wait staff is always ready to help you with any questions or substatutions. They make sure your glasses are filled up and the plates are cleared fast. We always come back for more!
(5)Michael A.
I got food poisoning there today. My wife wasn't impressed with her meal either. Won't be back any time soon.
(1)Amanda D.
Really great Mexican Food. Guacamole is fantastic and is made fresh at your table. The Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas is is my all time favorite selection! The staff is fantastic and now can recognize my husband and I. I would highly recommend!
(5)Niya A.
San Jose is similar to Plaza Azteca for all the fans in Va! Its in the family so the menu is the same! I like the Durango dish and the table side Guacamole! Salsa, white sauce & chips are good! If you like San Jose try Plaza if you get a chance!! :)
(4)Ruth D.
Third time here was a total bust. Waitress was slow and lousy. We ordered the guacamole to be made at our table. Waitress brought a bowl already made with the excuse, "someone keeps taking the cart." Did not taste fresh...probably was left overs. Because of this, we will not be going back.
(1)Charles B.
My wife and I went here tonight with our friends. Dinner started with chips and salsa at the table The salsa was decent, not very hot. They also serve a bowl of spiced crema which is different. My wife liked it. The menu is very colorful and has a lot of photos. The menu itself is hardly unique: it is another example of 20 standard combo meals, 5 vegetarian combos, and the usual cast of house specials. The fine print on the menu says that some franchise chain is not responsible for allergies - so clearly this is a franchised menu. I can't even remember the name of what I ordered. It was a special with a thin steak and a thin chicken breast, both well seasoned and grilled, servers with a chicken enchilada, pico, rice, and beans. The meats were tasty, and not too dry in spite of being very thin. The enchilada was quite good with big chunks of chicken. There were supposed to be corn tortillas with it, but I never got them (and didn't need them so I didn't ask). Wait staff was soft spoken (or the music was too loud) but very attentive. The place was nearly empty at 4pm on Saturday, with maybe two other tables filled. The decor was nice, elegant. Our dinners arrived on nice square plates. Overall, nothing to complain about, but nothing exceptional to make me come back over any of the other restaurants in the area with nearly the same menu.
(4)Robert W.
This is a great alternative to the run of the mill Mexican spots in North Raleigh. Try the Burrito San Jose - you won't regret it!
(4)Patty L.
This place is delicious. We were looking for a really good Mexican place and found some mediocre ones but this will be our go to spot. They offer fresh made guacamole, huge portions and everything we had was hot, fresh and tasty. We haven't had the wings yet but are dying to try them.
(5)Samara P.
What a pleasant surprise! I expected this place to be like all the other generic Mexican restaurants in the area, but with the first bite of my food, I knew this wasn't the case. I was impressed as well by the vegetarian menu options, something you don't typically see in all Mexican restaurants. That coupled with a friendly staff makes this place a keeper. Definitely will be back!
(4)Rhonda H.
This San Jose location is new--and delicious!! I had the #2 combo--a fried chicken burrito, a chicken taquito with rice and refried beans. Delicious!! Large portions for little money! My companion had the Burrito San Jose, which the menu describes as "huge". Usually this is hyperbole--not this time! The burrito, stuffed with chicken, chorizo, beans, and rice was enormous! The salsa blanca, a spicy white sauce, was good, although it has a distinct Miracle Whip taste, whereas the salsa blanca I've had at other places didn't have that "zing". When the weather is better, one can sit outside near the manmade pond. (It was way too hot to sit outside today though.) My only complaint? They make a table-side guacamole, and the cart on which they make it sounds like an elephant rolling thru on the tile floors. Otherwise, I'd have given this location FIVE stars!!!
(4)Ginger M.
Stopped by on a Sunday afternoon just before heading off to a movie, the place was pretty quiet but the staff was hopping! Everyone seemed to be cleaning something, which is a good sign. The hostess was very pleasant and took us to a very nice window booth, lots of room for the two of us. I was with my 9 year old, and had asked for a kids menu but they pointed out that the 'kids section' was inside of the regular menu which had just a handful of choices. Why don't restaurants give you the coloring/puzzle menus anymore? The chips and salsa delivered were fantastic, crispy and warm, they are thicker chips than most restaurants. The salsa was average, but they also served a sour cream type of dip alongside, which was interesting, not my favorite. The waiter was prompt, but seemed a bit on the obnoxious side, never looking right at you, and hurrying you a bit along, not providing a lot of guidance with your decision. ANYWAY... I give this place four stars because of the food, OMG this is amazing Mexican food...in Raleigh....North Carolina! wth? Unexpected selections included a chicken relleno, which was very creative and tasty! They also have standard fare but I'd suggest sticking to the house specials or go crazy! The margarita selection looked upbeat, they have one that has a coronoa served upside down inside of the margarita. I've seen these at Chevy's before, if you have not had one, I highly recommend it, even if its just for the facebook photo opp :) Well done San Jose! So much better than the other options, including but not limited to, Los Tres Magueyes!
(4)Mike M.
Great food and table side guacamole!
(5)Dawnna L.
Good food but service was a bit off. Would come back for the food though.
(4)Allison E.
I would save your money for another restaurant. I have one of their "lunch cards" for those who dine here frequently. My parents came into town so I purchased 4 lunches. They would not let me get punches on the card for the 4 lunches. I think this is a little ridiculous since their food is way over priced. Take your money to El Dorado. They are a much better Mexican restaurant.
(1)Tavon A.
The food was awesome and reasonably priced. The wait staff was prompt and kept the experience moving right along. I'm going back!!
(4)Brian C.
My wife, daughter and I went here tonight, and the food and atmosphere are great. The only thing better than that is the service, really good. I had the Alambre that the waiter recommended and it was incredible. Definitely recommend this place!
(5)Shannon O.
This place is awesome! The food is excellent, great decor, and friendly staff. The guacamole is addicting. The menu is huge. You could eat there for a month and never have the same thing twice. It ranges from seafood to the usual Mexican fare. Definitely going back! New favorite Mexican restaurant!
(5)Tammie L.
I had just gotten into RDU from being gone all weekend, when my husband called and ask if I wanted to meet somewhere for dinner. Of course I said yes, and mentioned San Jose since I wanted mexican. It was an early Sunday evening and we opted for the patio. I asked a server if we needed to wait or could go ahead and sit. He told us to go ahead and proceeded to bring one menu and one set of silverware, even though he could clearly see two of us. We shared the menu and ordered. I had cheese enchiladas and my husband had the Texan fajitas plate. The food came out pretty quickly but was very bland. I asked for extra sour cream with my food which I never received. The server ignored my husband's request for silverware and a small plate in which to assemble his fajitas on. He eventually had to get up and retrieve it from another server. The only thing positive I can say about the place was the creamy sauce they serve with the chips was delicious, but it isn't enough for me to return, ever. Also, I understand the importance of diversity but the servers should know enough English to understand what guests are saying.
(1)Brooke E.
First time to this place. It was very well decorated and the food presentation was great. The prices were slightly higher than most mexican places. But the atmosphere is also much nicer. I would go back for seconds!!
(3)Kevin M.
Skeptical at first since its a storefront restaurant and we're from Texas... Boy were we surprised. The chips were great right off the bat and our server was very attentive. The food was delicious. To sum it up, we will be back for more. We tried the enchiladas supreme and enchiladas rancheros. The meat was tender and not overdone, the tortillas were fresh and soft, and the sauce was not overpowering (despite its appearance). Recommended!
(5)Greg O.
Finally, a place in the area that makes guacamole at your table. They do this all over in Texas and this place does it really well. It's probably the best Mexican place we've had here since moving here last year. It's very nice and clean inside, and all of the dishes are very fresh with great sauces. Can't wait to get back once back on that side of town.
(4)Chandra G.
Love this place - it is wonderful!!!!!
(5)Rodney D.
I was amazed by how good the food is!!!! The service is awesome and the guacamole is to die for. It is freshly made right in front of you. My favorite Mexican restaurant around town. Wife enjoys it too.
(5)Jimmy R.
Good fresh Mexican, with a large variety of seafood dishes. A little pricier than most Mexican places but well worth it.
(4)Cindy B.
I really like the prices, service, location & at the table guacamole station. the quality of the food was excellent overall. I wanted to enchiladas and they let me mix and match them up a bit, with out a problem - their sauces are also very good. There is a food and drink special most days. I recommend this location highly!
(4)Ishopalot F.
Best chicken fajita nachos in the world. Ask for George. He'll make sure you leave happy!
(5)Christopher B.
This was probably the worst experience we ever had here. Usually the food is amazing and I always recommend the guacamole but not this time. The guacamole was a yellowish color with a slight awkward taste. To top it off it was served with no chips. Really no chips ok I guess it is Easter and I can excuse that. The other problem was our food came the same time as the guacamole. So innovation is was we decided to use the guacamole on the food but it didn't help. I might have to stick with gonzo tacos for future cravings.
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