5 Spot Chivas Grill

 

22

115

Jack W.

San Jose, CA

My aunt used to own this place back in the 90's.  I remember my daddie would drive me here and my aunt would make me some fried chicken.  Damn that was good fried chicken.  I remember sitting at the bar waiting for my fried chicken.  Damn i miss their fried chicken.  Nothing beats free fried chicken and free drinks.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

386

318

Veronica V.

San Jose, CA

I'm sorry.  I'm beginning this like so many other Yelp reviews I have read:

I really wanted to like this place.

I grew up around the block and had seen it out of business for so long. Even as a child I admired the old fashioned sign and imagined that they would have good vanilla milkshakes in tall glasses with whipped cream and a cherry.

I was glad to see it was open for business again and even more excited that they had traditional mexican breakfast on the menu. We came here for breakfast; chorizo and eggs with beans and rice and the Chas had a breakfast burrito.  Neither were good and neither of us are picky.  The dining area was cold, the beans were chalky and the rice was dry. As for the atmosphere, it needs some homey touches, maybe a mural or some photos on the walls because it feels empty like a place you want to get out of quick.

I will try the tacos and perhaps will amend my review accordingly.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

1

12

Jed K.

San Jose, CA

I like this place, a lot. Forget everything on the menu. $1.50 tacos, all day long, open late, I used to bike here and scarf down 6 before resuming my workout... well, obviously being a fat lazy bastard, I don't go there as much anymore, but I really love their tacos.

Oh, the only bad things I can say is recently, they've been closing early without warning, also they don't serve alcohol.

Also, a bit out of the way from downtown, past the 280.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

8

38

Jay P.

San Jose, CA

How could a taqueria this good be right around the corner from my house and yet I've never eaten there? Well, today was the first of many because their tacos are simply amazing.

The pastor is slow roasted on a spit and served (by request, of course) with onions, cilantro, hot sauce and guacamole. It is the best of all worlds, as it's sweet, but not too sweet; spicy, but not too spicy. The flavors in the pastor meld together perfectly--it was so good, I still feel like I struck gold today. They're going to get tired of seeing me at The 5 Spot, no doubt.

They also serve diner favorites, like hamburgers, sandwiches and such, evoking memories of past meals served at the historic spot. The breakfast menu is impressive as well, and I hear the chilaquiles are great.

The owner/manager is a very nice woman who was more than happy to let me try cabeza for the first time. While eating meat from the cow's head is not immediately appetizing to me, I found the meat to be tender and succulent. With some Tapatio sauce, I found it to be pretty good.

Finally, this place is open til 3 a.m. on the weekends. So, after partying and carrying on and such, you can drop by for some great food to sober you up and give you the energy for the drive home. What a great place. I'm so happy I stopped by for the first of what will be many, many visits.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

Elite '08

8

93

Mo C.

Englewood, CO

Mmmmm, the shrimp fajitas were great! Not a big fan of their rice and beans, tho. They're pretty bland/dry.

The ambiance inside the restaurant leaves a little to be desired. But, during the summer in the evenings, they have an outdoor cart in the "drive in" parking lot with roasting marinaded meat that they cut right off and onto your tacos!

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

13

203

Stephen I.

San Jose, CA

After many years of being closed and being in jeopardy of being torned down, the 5 spot is FINALLY re-opened!  

I'm so glad that this architectural treasure to greasy gastronomy has been restored to its former glory!  I'm sure a lot of old timers have fond memories of this place.

Originally opened in 1931 as a coffee shop, converted in the 1950s to include drive in car service,  the Five Spot is now catering to the local Mexican American flavor of its neighborhood.

The place is now called the 5 Spot Chivas Grill and they serve traditional American and Mexican breakfast (I didn't get to see the lunch or dinner menus).

The place has all its original charm, plus beautiful Mexican tile work through out.  The flat panel LCD TVs were blaring Mexican Soaps, but thankfully they turned it off when they noticed none of the customers were watching.

I ordered the Mexican Omelette and was impressed with the fluffy eggs and quality ingredients.  I prefer shredded hash browns to the clumpy kind I got, but I'm sure others will like it all the same.

My biggest surprise was the lack of local hot sauces and salsa.  Ketchup and Tabasco are standard, but one would expect more Mexican style condiments like Gilroy's Pepper Plant.  

It would also be great to see them put up a local landmark plaque and some old photos about the great history of this place on display.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review

 

0

19

Tom R.

Los Gatos, CA

I happened by this place this evening and was surprised to see it finally open.  I was disappointed that the interior is not done in keeping with the exterior but the food was very good.  I had the ceviche tostada and a carne asada taco, both specials of the day, and they were both very fresh and flavorful.  The help was friendly and service was quick, of course the place was empty except for me at the time.  The only nostalgic element indoors was an old photo of the place with a slew of dressed up people posing in front - perhaps the re-opening of the place  as a drive-in, the outfits looked like the fifties and old man Spivey was in attendance.  Besides Mexican food they serve burgers and have a large breakfast selection that they serve all day.   I'll be back for more.

Bookmark   Send to a Friend Link to This Review