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5 Spot Chivas Grill
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for 5 Spot Chivas Grill
Review Highlights
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"My new favorite place to get tacos in San Jose." In 15 reviews -
"It's all about the chilaquiles for breakfast." In 4 reviews -
"...flautas, torta ahogados, birria de chivo (both soup style..." In 1 review
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Yousef R.
San Jose, CA
4/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Hard to miss a spot that looks like it used to serve burgers and fries by girls on roller skates. They even have a neon sign that looks dated but is still charming as a cool retro piece. Blink and you might miss it. Away from the downtown bar and club scene but close enough to walk if you need to. Great after hours spot to meet locals, and to get good authentic mexican food.
I've passed by here for years before trying about two years ago. I forgot how good it was and dicided to write a review .on how great the food here is. I had a real good burrito my first time. Easy to get spoiled since there are many good mexican restaurants in the area. This one is open late: we were there after 2am and they were still grilling. Come here after hours and expect a line and limited lot parking. With a line to order and get taco meat at least 20 deep each you'll still get your food fast.
This time I had tacos: about $2 a piece. A real locals kind of place; you'll see all types here: club hoppers, late night workers, families. Drinks are a la carte: small and large mexican beers, Jarritos, bottled and canned sodas. Large selection of meat: everything a mexican restaurant could offer even fish and. Big menu selection, they even have child sized meals.
The taco I had here were served on two corn tortillas with cilantro, onions, lemons, multiple kinds of salsa and radishes. Very authentic taste. The meat is what matters most; they did not dissapoint! Meat is cooked over a wood burning grill outside. Juicy, flavorful and in good quantity. One of the few places that does Al Pastor justice. They serve breakfast, one day I will try their chorizo and eggs plate even though I am not a big fan of it.
Hard to not give it five stars, given the great food, big menu selection, speedy and efficient service, and that it's open after hours. The plentiful seating outside and inside make it a good spot to kick back anytime of the day and enjoy good weather. Parking is a little sparse so you may have to park on 1st on in an ajacent neignborhood, but you'll never be too far away.
Only bad thing is the bathrooms (two unisex) which can be gross, due to number of patrons using back to back. Not the worst I've seen but could use a bit more attention. Expect a wet floor and one or more products missing. Can't blame them too much, they serve alot of people and many have been drinking of course. Seems the ability of men to aim is inversely proportional to the numbers of drinks consumed. Scratch that I think it just makes us go more. Why is it when men use public toilets they pee everywhere but inside the bowl? You should know how to lift the lid and aim even when you're wasted. Sorry ladies, but this is one of those times I can appreciate being male and not having to sit down. Bring napkins in with you. -
Review from Brian B.
2/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
A friend told me this place was epic. I don't think epic is the right word for it, but it's pretty good. It's got a cool sign and is sort of a landmark in San Jose. The staff is friendly and the food is, while maybe a little bland, well made. The salsas are pretty solid. I think they have some specialty dishes that are more interesting than just the carne asada super burrito I ordered. Maybe I'll have to go back and try those out.
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Review from Shawday B.
San Francisco Bay, CA
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Not too bad when you're craving tacos at 1AM! :)
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Review from Jaide K.
Bakersfield, CA
11/2/2011
Kinda of a city landmark, been there so long..I think it was a classic american malt shop back in the day called '5 spot' before it just sat there dormant for many years. But now it's one of a handful of places to go in town for mexican style breakfast at the crack of dawn and they stay open well in to the night for late-night mexican munchies.
It has a rustic charm in the inside, the staff is great and the food is not bad. A breakfast burrito is my usual item, I admit I use a lot of hot sauce because it can be a bit on the bland side but you can still taste the authenticity, much better than taco bell any day. -
Review from Michelle D.
San Jose, CA
Solid Mexican restaurant with some unique items: Nopales shakes, Guadalajara style sandwiches, and great birria. Worth the trip.
We've been twice now and tried the tacos, flautas, torta ahogados, birria de chivo (both soup style and plate style), chilaquiles, quesadilla with meat, and licuados de nopales (nopales shake).
The Nopales shake was mixed with orange and had small bits of nopales in it. Very refreshing.
The torta ahogados estilo guadalajara is a hearty pork sandwich with some refried beans and drenched in tasty sauce and topped with pickled onions. You can get it with extra pork as well. See my photo.
The chilaquiles is served with machaca (eggs and chicken) and is a hearty breakfast meal good any time. Ours was made fresh so that the tortillas still had crunch under the sauce.
They serve nice thick house made corn tortillas with the birria style dishes, but not with the tacos. The al pastor is our favorite meat so far and has enough fat with it that is is not dried out.
If you like your food extra spicy, they offer a habanero sauce in bottles. -
Review from Eve N.
San Jose, CA
11/21/2011
This is a modest find on 1st street and apparently a historic location too. The owner was so smart to keep 5 Spot in the name for HER Chivas Grill, and yes the owner is a woman who by the way also owns La Penita Mexican Restaurant just down the street at the corner of 1st and Reed. Her food is authentic and delicious and Very Reasonably priced. We love love love the refried beans. We've began our journey with trying the breakfast burritos, and the Chorizo & Eggs breakfast and boy were we pleased. The BB's are less then $4.00 and big! YOU decide if you want sausage, bacon or ? The Chorizo & Eggs B is less then $10.00 and comes with rice and beans. You can have Mexican coffee or regular, we had Mexican and it was delish.
When you walk in - have a seat if your eating in and the waitress will bring the menus over. If your order is for take out just order at the register, have a beer and the food will be right up, (expect to see most customers having a beer with their food) Also-expect delicious salsa with your chips and don't be surprised if the TV is on the Spanish speaking station. You'll find families, sports fanatics heading off to a SJ State games or regulars like me and my peeps just out looking for some good food at a fair price. The staff speaks Spanish and English. -
Review from L. P.
San Jose, CA
2/26/2011 1 photo
This review is for breakfast items only:
Items Ordered: Chilaquiles, French Toast, Hashbrowns, Bacon, OJ (plus free chips and salsa that come with whatever you order)
Out of these items that we ordered, I endorse them all 100%. The chilaquiles are excellent (my husband is a chilaquiles critic and he is in love). If you decide to change it up a little, they gladly oblige you. My husband orders it with carne asada chunks mixed in and 2 fried eggs on top. In addition to this great discovery they managed to please me as well with my love of hashbrowns and perfectly prepared bacon. The bacon was not gummy, limp or burnt to a crisp... just perfectly, evenly cooked bacon . The hashbrowns have a crisp buttery outer surface and a fluffy inner layer that is ideal in my book.
I also have to note that the OJ is the best I've ever had. They literally make it fresh to order. (side note: if you like it very cold you may want to ask for ice because oranges don't come chilled and it really is that fresh)
In addition to their food, the service is great and the women that work there are very friendly.
All in all, it was a very happy dining experience. We plan to go back once a week for breakfast if possible. -
Review from Veronica V.
San Jose, CA
2/19/2008
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.Listed in: Surely McLame
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Review from Stephen I.
San Jose, CA
3/29/2007 4 photos
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. -
Review from Tu L.
San Jose, CA
11/24/2010
Hmmm. Five Spot. The one place that satisfies my taco craving in Downtown SJ. (Besides Iguanas.) Anyways, after walking to this place randomly, smelling the meat being cooked on the grill outside, me and a buddy decided to give it a shot. 1.50 for a taco? With all the trimmings to go with it? Sounds great. We got about 6 of them. For each of us. God it was great. You can put all the guacamole you want, hot sauce, cilantro, etc. Quench your thirst with a bottle of Jarritos or Mexico imported Pepsi. Perfect match.
But that was for the first time I was there. I would have given it a four. Maybe five.
But I went there again recently and well things changed. They jacked up the price per taco, going from 1.50 to 1.75. Not horrible, but okay sure, business is getting harder. I give them a three because of their service. Girl working there is very inattentive. I understand when you're working on your own it gets boring and you doze around, but when there is like 5 people in the restaurant and you're chatting it up with two people who arent even eating... ehhh. I dunno. Took forever to get the check, and she pays way too much attention to the TV for me to even ask for a soda. Whatever, the food's great. Go there for the tacos. It's what's up. :] -
Review from ter b.
Palo Alto, CA
1/29/2012
Happened upon it for a late breakfast en route to a rugby game. Good selection, interesting items, solid dishes. Not spectacular but will do in a pinch for traditional mexican made decently.
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Review from Jay P.
San Jose, CA
11/18/2007
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.Listed in: The Great Taco Hunt, My Neighborhood
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Review from Mo C.
8/29/2007
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! -
Review from Terry T.
3/9/2010
I was in the San Jose area for a conference and decided to stay around for a few hours to photography neon and this restaurant has a great sign. I had to stop.
I ordered Camarónes (shrimp) Rancher the dish was satisfying, and the homemade corn tortillas were wonderful. I think I would have enjoyed my dinner more if I hadn't seen the Camarónes Cocktail, it looked better than my dinner, and I would have enjoyed anything on the menu more if I had not nibbled on a hot dog trying to see the inside of a Giant Orange.
The 1950s era neon sign that drew me to stop here was not turned on until about 6pm; it was worth waiting for. The food would not bring me all the way to San Jose, but the sign sure would. -
Review from Jennifer d.
Fremont, CA
9/26/2008
This is another place I haven't been to in person -- just take-out at work. But this is one the places when the guys announce that they're going here, I say, "I'll go pick up my own food." It started out pretty good, with veggie burritos that had yummy sauteed vegetables in them, but then they changed their cook (according to the guys who pick up food), and it went downhill. The last straw was the veggie burrito I got that had nothing but rice in it. I kept eating, expecting to run into some beans, but it never happened. I'd order the breakfast items once in a while, but they were nothing special, and they give you margarine with the pancakes instead of butter. The hasbrowns aren't bad.
But I'm not going to be getting my lunch here again any time soon. -
Review from veronica b.
San Jose, CA
9/21/2009
I will have to come back for some mexican food and update my review untill then..................
Frankola and I came here for a new place to have a mighty breakfast.....my kind of breakfast is some biscuits with gravy and some eggs and sausages yummers and maybe some bacon......I didn't find that here instead I found a small amount of choices for omelets......I had the 5 spot omelet with bacon and bell peppers onions and some ham, a side of hashbrowns with whole wheat toast. It was good more like something I can make at home which is okay because i didn't feel like cooking ....at times it is nice to go somewhere and taste a home cooked meal........but um I don't expect my omelet to be over cooked no people I want fluffiness ( remember I like them fluffy!) It was okay it was still good enough to eat.
Fluffster ( hee hee ) had omelet with choroizo and ham now that was good tastining omelet was still overcooked but the flavor was delicious ......... well they do specialize in Mexican dishes so the chorizo was so yummers I could of traded but no I am planing on loosing 5 pounders by the end of the month and a whole lot of chorizo isn't good for me...............but darn it his omelet was yummy!!!!!!
The enviroment was so cute I liked the fact that we can sit outside next to our cars so Mona can come next time ( mucho important I love her) it was a cute little Mexican diner feel to it,,,,nice!!!!!!! Service was slow I wasn't sure where we ordered or paid because I waited for a nice long minute I was like whatts going on here do I order at the cashier. Once they took our order service begun rolling!
I will def. be back to taste some Mexican food some ceviche and tacos ..
I FORGOT TO MENTION THE FRESH SQUEEZED ORANGE JUICE WAS ABSOLUTLY FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
Review from Jed K.
San Jose, CA
12/20/2007
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. -
Review from Patrick C.
San Jose, CA
5/23/2011
My new favorite place to get tacos in San Jose. Get the tripas!
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Review from Gabrielle F.
San Jose, CA
12/13/2010
I went there really late at night (early morning) hahaha! Although I only ate the tacos they were very good. The meat was cooked well and I even liked the fact that I made my own tacos :) They were priced really well and I will definitely go back when I am looking for food that late at night (early morning) LOL
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Review from Virginia S.
Santa Clara, CA
4/6/2011
We go here so often, the taqueros knows which tacos go to whom; they are pretty awesome after a night of clubbing and drinking. Trying the guacamole salsa, it's amazing!
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Review from Bruce J.
San Jose, CA
1/11/2010
My friend and I would stop here after going out downtown. The tacos are awesome! The guy grills the meat outside while you watch and you top the tacos yourself. This is the only time I would eat here cause it's all outside. We took our tacos inside to eat at a table and during our 15-20mins we were inside we saw at least 10 roaches. You know those tiny ones that get into everything. They were under the tables, on the walls, and even on the counter. I am very upset over this because it was so go but I can never go back.
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Review from trace c.
San Jose, CA
11/2/2010
want a late night snack to grease up your tummy?
eat here.
late at night they only have the selection from the taco grill outside, but that's why you come here at night!
cash only beware.
it has a cool late night vibe.
as you can tell i've only been here late at night. -
Review from martin b.
San Jose, CA
10/25/2008
This review is for breakfast only and it was a four star tasting Chivas omlette which consisted of eggs, jack cheese, nopales and refried beans. Very strange I thought but also quite delicious they offered beans and rice on the side or hash browns I opted for the hashbrowns which were better than average. They also offered toast or tortillas which declined. They have a t.v. set with futbol on and my fellow patrons seemed to be enjoying their breakfasts as much as I was. Good service, clean tables and dishes, I'll come back for lunch sometime.
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Review from Big C.
Mountain View, CA
1/21/2009
The food is aweful.... Not very good tasting at all.
Food tasted a bit stale... I would never recommend this place to anyone. -
Review from Suzi G.
Bay Area
3/24/2009
Wonderfully delicious tacos @ 2am.When you go late night/early morning all they have are tacos...fresh carne, delicous salsa. We had carne asada n al pastor...both were good. Definitely a great drunken meal!
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Review from Eddie S.
San Jose, CA
6/10/2010
I've been giving a lot of 4 stars lately so thats the only reason this gets 3. I know, not fair right? but its a good food hole for Mexican and breakfast. The huevos rancheros are the truth! Cheap prices too!
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Review from Becky R.
San Jose, CA
10/27/2009
We use this place to cater our kids parties. Great tacos!
I am knocking a star because they don't take credit cards. If I am going to spend $200 on food, don't insist I pay cash. -
Review from Craig R.
San Jose, CA
1/24/2010
It's all about the chilaquiles for breakfast! My wife and I hit the 5 Spot about twice a month for breakfast, and when we do, we chow down on their amazing chilaquiles. We both recommend the 5 Spot for breakfast. Can't vouch for lunch or dinner, so take that into consideration.
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Review from Fernando B.
San Jose, CA
12/16/2010
my new late night taco spot... SO GOOD. tacos till 3am on weekends. win.
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Review from Jairo L.
San Jose, CA
11/2/2011
best taco spot after the clubs or bars they are open till 3a.m. tacos de al pastor are the best thats all i eat there
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Review from Tom R.
Los Gatos, CA
4/5/2007
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.
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Review from Victor L.
Santa Cruz, CA
1/18/2010
Pretty good, not the greatest, but hit the spot after a nite at the clubs down town. It was 2am and they were still open. You have to appreciate that. I like the fix your own taco bar style they have, although they only serve tacos at that hour. It reminds of the late night parrandas in Guadalajara I had in 2007. They're obviously Chivas fans-that means they're good people : ). Arriba las Chivas!
