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Armadillo Willy's BBQ
Categories: Restaurants Barbeque Event Planning & Services Caterers Restaurants Burgers Barbeque, Caterers, Burgers [Edit]
2071 Camden AveSan Jose, CA 95124
(408) 371-9033
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
100 reviews for Armadillo Willy's BBQ
Review Highlights
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"My husband likes the baby back ribs." In 7 reviews -
"It's all about Tri-Tip Tuesday and Thursday." In 5 reviews -
"the slices of bread were garlic Texas toast WOWEEEE." In 8 reviews
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100 reviews in English
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Review from Michael N.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 3/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I would have to say in my first review it must have been an off day for the employees of this Armadillo Willy's location. However I did give it a second try and that way I can give a fair review and see if my experience the first time was just a fluke.
My review of this Armadillo Willy's, should be taken in consideration before making up your mind, I have been to good BBQ place as well as some very horrible ones, this Armadillo location I would place right in the middle. During my visit I did get a portion size that would be more in line with other BBQ joints, and food quality was again good, but not bad either. The service was good, the cooks were some of the nicest people at this location, but the cashier just seam like she was there getting by in her day, but do not get my wrong, she was not rude either.
The menu again is easy to read and make it simple to read, but again the absent of the red chill is still a negative in my book, even thought it might have been a business decision, which I would understand, it was a dish I really looked forward to in the past. I had the Tri Tip plate and the food was very good and I was full when I left, not stuffed, but not looking for more fun like I did last time I visited this location. Overall I would like to give it a 3 1/2 stars, it is a place that if you are looking for a good place and a good quality (hoping they staff is not on a off day), then yes you should give this Armadillo location a try.
I would like to say thank you to the staff for your slight improvement in my second visit.Listed in: Business, Restaurants, Nothing Much
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/5/2012
It has been a while since I went here for dinner, and wow to my surprise I do not know why I would… Read more »
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Review from Katie D.
4/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
For me, the menu is a little limited and to be honest I had a pretty "meh" experience here. Although I did not try the BBQ, I had a very basic turkey and avocado sandwich on sourdough bread. That bread could have had razor blades in it because it was so over-toasted that it tore the roof of my mouth up. No bueno! Everyone else in my group seemed to be happy with their meals though.
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Review from Rebecca E.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 4/29/2012
It's been some the since I posted my one-star review so we went back, at the request of the owner, to give the place another try. And, I must say, I am glad we did go back as tonight's experience was more like the ones we had in the past.
I ordered the small plate with smoked turkey and salad, hubby had the ribs. He loved them! Said they were excellent. My turkey was also delicious and I'd order it again. We shared an order of Texas Toast...very crisp with a perfect blend of butter and garlic. My husband had the sweet potato fries as one of his side dishes and the amount he received was quite generous. Which meant I got some, too, and they were great. We are not salt users and the fries came without salt, which is how they should come (in our opinion). That way, one can add as much salt as they like.
i am happy to say the women's restroom was clean and well stocked this time around, too.
I move my rating from a one-star to a four-star based on tonight's dinner. The service was fast and the food was hot...quite different from our previous visit. The cashier was very friendly and helpful.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/3/2011
We used to come here quite often and it was always good. Tonight, though, was the last time we eat… Read more »
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Review from amy b.
Santa Clara, CA
4/10/2012
I love Armadillo Willys!
As a long time customer I can honestly say their BBQ is fantastic. My personal favorite is the turkey breast sandwich alternating with the tri tip sandwich and I repeatedly go back for the fresh cut fries and homemade ranch.
I've recommend to all my friends and coworkers to try it and they were not disappointed. The quality is great and the portions are perfect. The service is very friendly and helpful. We love the fact that they are fast and efficient so we can get back to work on time.
The kids love this place as well, from the ribs and burgers to the beans and corn bread muffins. There is definetly something for everyone!
So what are you waiting for? Go try BBQ at ARMADILLO WILLYS!!!!! -
Review from Maria A.
San Jose, CA
4/30/2012
Great food! I love the baby back ribs and the brisket. the only thing that I wish that they would serve would be mac n cheese for the children's menu or baked potato. there service her is good sometimes there are off days for the employees but other than that it is great. I wish the portion sizes were a bit larger as I have noticed they are not giving as much as they used to for the same price they are charging.
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Review from Michelle C.
Belmont, CA
7/23/2011
Vegetarian in the BBQ house! I asked the girl what was better the boca burger or the portabella burger. Her answer was, IDK, vegetarians don't usually come here. How sad! So I got the portabella. I should have gotten the boca, but my bad.
My boyfriend liked his salmon burger, his parents got the ribs and were pretty happy. I just wished that our burgers came with fries. I mean you are paying over $6, what the heck Willy's? Oh well! -
Review from Chuck C.
San Jose, CA
8/15/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I've been here a few times(since its close to my house).
They sometimes have good deals going.
I like the pulled pork(i use my sauce from Aptos BBQ), but the other meats are just ok.
My favorite thing would have to be the corn muffin with sauce. -
Review from Meno G.
Los Gatos, CA
Updated - 3/20/2011
Wow that sucks. They changed the layout of the menu and place. I used to get a half off burger with a side for a small price. Now its just a burger and you have to pay for the side at full price. I got charged $3 for tater tots and they didn't even tell me that a side costs extra now. I was pretty mad because it wasn't until I got home that I saw on the receipt that I had been charged $3 for the tater tots and they only give you a handful.
Sadly this will be my last time going there as the half off burger deal does not entice me any longer. Also, I think the new layout sucks, too bad it seems they are trying to position themselves as a modern eatery. I prefer the old layout.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/24/2010
Went here today with my girlfriend, I got the Parisian burger with chili beans as my side and she… Read more »
Comment from John B. of Armadillo Willy's BBQ 7/25/2010
Thanks for the great comments about our restaurant in Camden… More » -
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Review from David J.
Hayward, CA
3/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
never have had a bad experience here.. food is always good, service is good...
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Review from Daniel G.
12/30/2010
It's hard to give this place any more or less than 3 stars. The food here screams average.
I ordered half a slab of baby-back ribs, Nique got the brisket sandwich. One thing to note, the Texas BBQ ribs are MUCH better than the baby-back ribs. The Texas ribs are more tender and juicy, and they have really nice smoky sauce flavor to them.
As far as the sides, nothing really stands out, they are all just average.
I also feel like this place is overpriced for what it is. -
Review from Jaime O.
Milpitas, CA
12/1/2011
Absolutely great. Had take out for the family. We got food for 6 for $40. The sandwiches were delish and we also got fries - both regular and sweet potatoe. Also had to grab a bottle of the bbq sauce.
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Review from Jamie T.
San Luis Obispo, CA
First things first, get the cornbread when you come here. I was surprised by the cost...too expensive for the quality of food and atmosphere. I was also a bit creeped out by a few of the employees.
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Review from Bert K.
1/29/2011
Stopped in at 2pm on a blustery day; the place was suprisingly half full of people. I wonder why?
Ordered the pork rib and chicken large plate for $15.95
Comes with a leg/thigh and three meat pork ribs, your choice of two sides: I picked beans and green salad. And you get two pieces of garlic toast.
The BBQ'd chicken was plump and juicy.
The pork ribs were dry and over cooked :(
The small cup of BBQ beans with bits of hamburger meat was ok too.
The amount of green salad was generous, yet the taste was merely ok,
rather boring.
The BBQ sauces: mild and hot are pump your own variety and ok.
A large amount of okay quality food for the money; two light eaters could split this meal.
A pint of Fat Tire Ale was cold and tastey; but at $4.50, it was kinda pricey.
Decor: meh. Bathroom was clean.
Good place for families with kids. -
Review from Michelle V.
San Jose, CA
12/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
Not a huge BBQ fan like most carnivores but this place is the SBBF Brad C.'s fave spot to hit up all-you-can-eat ribs...so why not let the bf enjoy himself once in awhile right? FOOD wise I mean, not enjoying yo ass at the strip club playa playa. =/
I ordered the fish tacos last night, they were aiight...since this place is known for their ribs I tried a couple off of the SBBF's plate. I wanna say....meh, too thick and meaty for my taste. I like my ribs more juicy and thin.
The sides that Brad C. got looked yum. Especially the Texas corn salad. Soooooo yum! Then again, I'm a corn whore...
There is plenty of seating here and the vaulted ceilings really make the place seem very open and no tables are packed too close together which is a-okay in my book cuz I don't want some 300 pounder hick gobblin up racks of meat and breathing his hot breath right next to our table and we could practicially smell that ish, no thanks! :P -
Review from reyz a.
1/12/2011
A real saucy dish, marinade me, with some nice rubs on some real long tables... if you're looking for happy-endings this maybe the place for you. Get your head out of the gutter, I'm talking about food!!
BBQ rubs, sauces, and marinades can literally number in the thousands. BBQing is a man's domain, with manly barbecue sauces and manly barbecue rub or marinade that is perfectly suited for the selfish and self-centered HE-man. In other words, it will be pretty hard to find the right balance for these types of dishes. So, it makes it hard to judge how "good" the BBQ is at this restaurant.
This location is not exactly in Texas, but it is in 95124 or the "western" part of San Jose--partner. So you do feel like you should be chopping wood with the Bushes when you enter the restaurant.There is a chow line from the door to place your order, the place is big (like Texas), it feels like you're in a barn without the cow-pies. I can't claim to be cowboy, but I did step on some cow dung once, so I qualify to review this place. This lunch time, I felt like wrangling something, so I came here. You order, you get seated and you wait for the flashing little coaster that glows to tell you your order is ready.
Try the Hickory BBQ burger with a side of Texas Toast, try the Chili burger with a side of beans, with garlic fries. Try their meat sandwich (pork, beef...). The pork I had was tender to a point of falling to pieces...the way I like it. Last week, the beef version of this was too dry--hell, that's when the sauces come in! Overall a very good deal, and you don't have to corral anything to eat. Their sauces, rubs and marinates are their own style, and it is tasty.
Ride'm Cambrian cowboys. -
Review from Barb BQ M.
Gilroy, CA
3/10/2012
Lots of good stuff on their menu. Friendly and helpful staff. I like to visit this one and the Blossom Hill location.
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Review from Rea O.
Los Gatos, CA
Updated - 2/27/2012
So the new menu highlights the burgers and sandwiches while still offering the BBQ. Unfortunately, I don't really like their burgers and I hate those thick heavy burger buns. The BBQ is sort of mediocre, often being very fatty or floppy/wet while we like our BBQ smoked until it's more lean and flavor concentrated. The onion rings were extra thick. We almost always get takeout, so by the time I got them they were like little brick ringlets. The chopped pork is decent. There is a kid's menu if you ask for it. We still eat here once in a while but it's not that exciting.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/15/2011
The new menu got rid of the nachos with chopped brisket! I can't find any chili! Is there a kid's… Read more »
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Review from Jessica R.
San Mateo, CA
2/2/2011
Alright alright, this was the second Armadillo Willy's location that I checked in and stepped in.
I've gotta say, STILL hella good. I believe I've been to this location twice now. I'm pretty sure the first time I had a chicken sandwich, but then, I met the Mushroom Swiss Turkey Burger. It's been all over since then.
I can't go back. They turkey burger just does things that the chicken sandwich never could. I'm a woman with needs damnit. And the turkey burger satisfies my hunger like a king-sized Snickers bar.
:D
The food is fresh, scrumptious, and well priced, but you already know I'm all about those Saturday Burger Specials! 1/2 price!! Can't beat it.
And no matter how busy this spot is, they customer service is always awesome and the bathrooms are always clean.
I do have one complaint though, why must they put those damn "Texas-sized" Chocolate Chip Cookies on the counter??? I have to walk away as soon as I order or else I want one. They're as big as my face! -
Review from Sharon B.
Watsonville, CA
3/7/2012
This place used to have great food and delicious iced tea. Lately the meat has been too dry (overcooked?) and the iced tea is watered down. When I complained, I was told "That's the way it's always been." NO, IT WASN'T ALWAYS AS BAD AS IT IS NOW.
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Review from Cornelius T.
Campbell, CA
9/8/2011
This place wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. Armadillo Willy's in general just have a weird vibe to them. If i was more white trash than i already am and was taking my cousin out on a date i would surely take her here. Tin sidings, sports broadcasting, dirty booths, and an old junker turned into a smoker in the middle of the room. HELL YEAH! Give me a confederate T-Shirt and turn me loose. The workers here are kind and don't bug me at all. If your really nice i'm sure the person in charge of cooking your food will even sell you some pot.
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Review from Jennifer P.
South Pasadena, CA
2/19/2011
I've been going to Willy's for a decade, and the food has almost always been consistently decent. Now this branch has gotten a complete makeover in both decor and menu.
Sadly the BBQ truck is gone. In its place, there is a new wall which divides the new, tall dining tables with counterheight chairs and minus the checkered tablecloths. More tables is nice, but we liked the old green truck.
The menu has changed to à la carte mostly and has added onion rings, salmon burger, etc., while keeping SOME of the old favorites. Sadly the chili options are gone. Personally, I don't find the change that upheaving, but I don't think the menu tastes that much better. The onion rings we had were kind of bland and not crispy on the outside, which was a very thin coat of batter and too powdery; honestly, I can make/have made better (beer batter) onion rings at home. I tried the salmon burger, and it was fair and decent and was probably saved by the wasabi mayo. For whatever reason, the kids' burger patties are almost always charred; I've asked them in the past many times NOT to do that, so that gets a big minus from me. Burnt burger is not my idea of a good-tasting meal.
The menu seems nicer, the interior brighter. Time will tell if the new semi-upscale version of Willy's will draw more people. -
Review from Phuong D.
Santa Clara, CA
6/10/2011
I've been regularly going here for about a year now. Recently renovated, the restaurant now sports a new look and a new menu. The food is much improved. My favorites are the 18-Hour BBQ Beef Brisket and the
Chopped BBQ Sandwich. Sides were once included with every order, but now they are available for a few dollars extra. This is a good place for lunch, as your order is ready in just a few minutes. One negative though - food coma is a definite after eating here. I've just noticed this with their new menu and not the old one. MSG anyone? -
Review from K B.
San Jose, CA
11/22/2011
Food Poisoning Alert!
I used to love this place--I mean really LOVE it, to the extent where we were eating here several times a week. This went on several years until the past 12 months. I've gradually noticed that their food quality was diminishing over time, such as the cuts of brisket becoming increasingly fatty despite specifically requesting lean, the flavor of their peanut coleslaw evolved in a direction where we had to part ways and their sandwich buns became less than exciting.
BUT all that being said, I still would have eaten here regularly until I came down with a HORRIBLE case of food poisoning in February 2011. I was preparing for a huge trip and was in a total rush all day long. I met with my then VERY pregnant coworker for lunch at this Armadillo Willys and about 4 hours later I wasn't feeling so hot. By 6 PM I was toast. This was the most agonizing experience of my life. I had to receive medical attention it was so severe. The only thing I ate that day was at Armadillo Willy's. Luckily my coworker ordered something something different and came out unscathed.
When I emailed Armadillo Willy's management to inform them of the situation (I had no intentions of taking legal action) I didn't get so much as an apology. Instead, I got a nice phone call from their lawyer who grilled me. Not professional and not a way to resolve the situation. No followup from anyone--nothing. After over 10 years as a loyal customer I expected more. Instead they tried to hide it.
I will never, ever patronize this place or any other Armadillo Willy's establishment again. The several thousands of dollars we were spending here annually with dinners and catering is now being invested into a fabulous Thai restaurant. Your loss Armadillo Willys. -
Review from Chris O.
7/23/2010
I have only been eating off the "specialty" sandwich menu (which has tasty chicken sams) so I can't vouch for the BBQ but the food overall here is pretty good. It's seems pricey till you see the size of the portions, they are very american and really should be 2 meals. Big plus for having avocado on the menu.
Friendly folks working here and they have specials on different days of the week, I really must go by for Tri-Tip tuesday sometime.
As for the guy who complained about the peanut cole slaw (which I might add is very tasty) just being called cole slaw... sorry that your wife had a reaction, but when you have a serious food allergy like that it's your responsibility to ask the staff if they use any of that ingredient in their cooking, peanut oil could be anywhere. I don't want to read a disclaimer listing all ingredients before I get to order my food just because some people are allergic to things (it's sulfites for me).Plus how could you be a customer for years and never have noticed that?! Bad reason for a 1 star. -
Review from Anthony B.
San Jose, CA
2/7/2009
Sorry Armadillo Willys, but I need to return the favor and rip you a new one.
First off, the ribs here are tiny, as Baby back ribs go, they are the smallest I have seen out of all the BBQ places and usually they are a little burnt too. The beans are bland and flavorless, not spicy, not sweet, but just down right like eating a bowl full of cardboard. I think the salad was the best part of the meal the last time I went here and It was not anything that memorable. What has been memorable were that the last two times I ate here, I was almost immediately sick after eating, the second time I spent more time getting sick in the bathroom than dining at the table. Because of that, I will never return to Armadillo Willys. You will have to drag me there, and then I will only eat the Turkey, because it is the only thing I've eaten there that was not disappointing, besides maybe the soda from the fountain, but I can go to 7-11 for that.
I can think of many more authentic and less expensive BBQ places that easily blow Armadillo Willys out of the water.Listed in: BBQ I said BARBECUE!!!!!!!!
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Review from Rod R.
San Jose, CA
4/4/2011
Just bought a quart of beans to go like we always do when we BBQ at home. Took one taste and ...what happened??!!
lots of veggies in it and waaaaay to sweet. yech!
Called them up and the guy sympathized and said they made a menu change and got rid of the Chili Beans (which were perfect, IMHO) and the new ones are too sweet! exactly what i thought, before i even told him that!
Please A. Willy, bring back the good beans, please!
4/13/11
Just wanted to state that I got a thoughtful reply from John the founder on why/how he made the change. -
Review from Kitty M.
San Jose, CA
8/12/2008
Let me take you down Kitty's BBQ memory lane....
At a young age I was introduced to my dad's style of BBQ - which mainly consisted of a song he would sing while grilling chicken. The song was called Black Chicken. Get it? Always always always, burned, gas grilled BBQ chicken.
Soon after, I tasted beef ribs. They were at summer camp. They were more fat than meat. I was 70 lbs in the fourth grade and devoured a dozen or so the size of my forearm. I threw up all over the place...all night
As I grew and matured, I was in awe of real smoky BBQ I saw on TV. Then I had the pleasure of indulging in it while in Atlanta in 1996. Is Atlanta the cornerstone of BBQ? Well, no. But you don't tell that to a large sweaty man servin it up to a Cali girl wearing sorority letters. It was good.
Then many years ago, I spied an Armadillo Willys on Blossom Hill Rd. I ate there from time to time but didn't find it awe inspiring. I kept going back to that dirty little hole in the wall that I loved so dearly, Andy's.
Well, last week I decided to give Willys on Camden a go. The place is big and ESPN was rollin on the TV's, a bonus. I ordered sliced turkey with beans and corn salad on the side, and Texas Toast. I also sampled all three BBQ sauces, regular, jalapeno and mustard based. oh and a few fries off my buddy's plate.
The turkey was as tender and tender could be. Really , it was outstanding. Beans were okay and corn salad was.....well, corn salad. Who knows what Texas toast should taste like, this was fluffy buttered bread. Fries were seasoned and good. My two co-eaters said the pulled pork was dry and hamburger, when ordered med rare, was super brown.
Hmpf, just okay when you need a BBQ fix in a hurry but honestly.....I have had better BBQ from my co-workers...and myself....if you come eat at my house you wont be singing the Black Chicken blues. -
Review from Krissy S.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 12/21/2008 3 Check-ins Here
We had take-out from here the other day for lunch....
One thing to say...
Hair in french fries...
C'mon!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/27/2007
I love the onion rings here!!! They are so yummy... and their fries too. They have a buffalo… Read more »
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Review from Michael H.
Hayward, CA
9/2/2008
What a sore disappointment. These ribs come close to inedible. Dry, tasteless, and rubbery. Avoid at all costs. Their sides are just as bad. One of my friends ordered the pulled bbq chicken plate. He hadn't touched it and I never let food go "unprocessed". This dish turned out to be so despicable that I couldn't even look at it after I had tasted it. I urged him to return it, sadly he didn't feel the need to. And I hardly return stuff.
You're better off staying at the average Tony Roma's.Listed in: Overrated
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Review from Aaron J.
San Jose, CA
1/28/2010
Let me just start out by saying that, if you are experiencing shock and/or horror at my rating of 2-stars for AW's, you need to consider the rating scale. Two on Yelp is "Meh. I've experienced better." If you *haven't* experienced better BBQ, you really are doing yourself a disservice, and you mustn't be trying very hard.
That being said, the food was "fine," not terrible, not great. Just fine. I had the Chopped Chipotle BBQ Chicken which, unfortunately, wasn't very good. If you can imagine putting a couple dry chicken breasts into a food processor with a minimum of BBQ sauce and running it until it was just short of a paste, that's what appeared on my plate in 2 neatly scooped (with an ice cream scooper) dollops of meat-sauce-paste.
All entrees come with Texas Toast - Armadillo Willy's code for toast that was perhaps once buttery and chewy, but alas, is no longer. Well, it was chewy, but it was the "I've spent too much time under a heatlamp," variety. My chosen sides were the side salad (think garden salad) with ranch, and it was good. They skimped a little on the ranch, but who's keeping track? The other side was their "Texas Fresh Corn Salad." The TFCS is essentiallly corn kernels from a can, red onion that's been finely chopped, cilantro, and a touch of oil all tossed in a bowl and spooned onto your plate. You WILL have onion breath after eating this because it could also have been called the Texas Fresh Onion Salad!
In terms of atmosphere, don't go here if you are looking to have quiet conversation. If you or your dining partner are hard of hearing, on the other hand, and are accustomed to being shouted at, at least you won't be making a scene when you do so. I think there were more kids at Armadillo Willy's last night than any given Chuck-E-Cheese in the Bay Area at the same time, and by that I mean, all children from San Jose were at AW's. Yes, all of them. It was like Lord of the Flies in there.
As a result of the "packed house," there was a 5-10 minute wait in line just to order, and then another 23 minutes (yes, we clocked it) for our buzzer to go off, signaling that our food was under the warmers and ready for pick-up. Put it all together, and you get a 30+ minute wait for mediocre food in a noisy environment.
Meh. I truly have experienced better.
PS - the H2O tastes like pool water. -
Review from Ken R.
Santa Clara, CA
3/6/2011
This is a regular spot for me, about once a week for lunch. I'm not a big fan of the new decor, but when the place gets crowded, it's nice to have more seating, so that's a bonus, but it did lose some personality with the truck being gone and the more sparse walls. Maybe they aren't done decorating yet?
Lately, I get the pork salad almost every time I go, but Isub the dressing for Caesar. I pile on some of the Willy's pepper sauce and it's a pure delight. When I'm in the mood, I get the tri-tip platter or tri-tip sandwich meat (which they slice nice and thin and a big portion if you ask for the 'Big Willy's' version of it).
The slaw is fantastic. A nice little spicy flavor with peanuts. If you don't get this, you are missing out. If you are a fan of Texas Toast, they do it right every time.
I occassionally order the brisket and I've had mixed results. Sometimes it comes out a little dry, and others it's moist and tender the way I want it. I slather the house pepper sauce on just about everything they make.
My wife likes the pulled pork platter, and the meat is the same as what is used in the salad. I used to get the sandwich and use their hot or sweet sauce, depending on my mood, and it was always delicious. I've had both the baby back ribs (very good) and the memphis ribs (ok, not great) in the past too. A friend of mine just got the turkey ceasar and my wife had the new turkey thai salad, and these are all pretty delicious based on their reports. I've had the burgers and fries and I've never been disappointed, but wasn't a big fan of the Parisian burger style. Fat Tire beer on tap is a big bonus.
I think the bottom line here is that for a chain, this place is probably the best there is for getting some regular BBQ at a reasonable price and no pomp and circumstance. The staff at this location is VERY friendly, and the place is always clean. Food is always good, and prices reasonable. I bring guests here all the time, and everyone likes it. I'll be going back every week for lunch and I don't see that changing. -
Review from Elizabeth M.
San Jose, CA
4/15/2007
This is the place to begin your training, should you aspire to take the art of "waiting" to that of an Olympic athlete.
No, I don't mean waiting on tables, I mean waiting for your food, waiting for service, waiting for just about everything. If you can manage to endure this Dantean circle of Hell that is Armadillo Willy's, you will indeed be a contender for the Gold.
I'd never been to an Armadillo Willy's before. We'd just eaten at a wretched BBQ place in Castroville and I was hoping to restore my somewhat agnostic faith in glazed smoky meats and bland, irrelevant side dishes.
I was hoping for a semi-decent chain/theme restaurant. Right away, I knew we were talking Chuck-E-Cheese and not Cheesecake Factory.
The Stickiness Factor (see other reviews) was pretty high. Laminated menus clung to my finger tips like a rebound-boyfriend. The place probably seated over 150 but there were eight people in there on a Saturday night. Two of whom were under two years old, but they still count as a whole person since they were louder than the remaining six of us put together. (Let's not discuss why I was in this place on a Saturday night - I don't pretend to have a life, just a decent palate)
The cash register/place you order was strewn with old nasty-looking super-size cookies in plastic boxes with "For Display Purposes Only" written in Sharpie on them. Granted, I do love that ad with the Jamaican guy who says "This melon is for display purposes only!" , but what merchandising theme-marketing Guru came up with this tantalizing product presentation?
So we ordered, but I was a bit distracted by the harried, Rehab stare the chick was giving me. It was almost as though she was irritated that I actually didn't have my order ready to go before I walked in the place. I can't imagine what she needed to be doing (other than shooting up) since there was absolutely nobody else in line. This was especially ironic, given the Hell that was to come.
We grabbed our plastic lunchroom tray (highly sticky) a few miscellaneous condiments and chose one of the many empty tables. We sat right next to the kitchen, which you could see into through that 18 inch square space where they put the food up when it's ready. I was impressed with the buzz of activity back in the kitchen. Lots of sizzling, smoking dishes clinking chatting in Spanish. I thought for sure we'd have our tasty sliced Brisket and Pork steaming before us momentarily.
So we occupied ourselves looking around the place, checking out the smokehouse truck in the middle of the dining room and the family with the infant who'd sat down right next to us. (Why? Why? The restaurant was empty!)
Suddenly I realized that I was getting annoyed, and it wasn't the Cerebellum-splitting shrieks of the adjacent child. Suddenly, I was aware that we had been sitting there for a ridiculously long time. I gave my husband the WTF shrug. The coaster-beeper they gave us (Not that we needed it, since we were the only ones who'd ordered in the last 45 minutes) glared mockingly at us with it's dozen red eyes. I gave it an impatient little tap to see, perhaps, if it was broken. Sort of sad, really.
Finally, I decided to stroll over to the kitchen peep-hole/place you get your food (theoretically). Still so much activity and dishes clanking, smoke billowing etc... They must have been cooking in there! Where the F was our food!?
I don't know how long it was before we got any attention... time seemed to stand still. We sat looking at each other with post-lobotomy looks on our faces like Ren and Stimpy.
Finally a flash of hope when Trevor ambled over with his Shaggy-from Scooby-Doo walk. He was making his rounds rubbing the tables with what looked like the towel from his gym locker. But he was actually a nice kid and was genuinely concerned when he said "Can I help you?"
Not knowing that policy prevented him from actually doing anything to help, I asked him what the deal was with our food and he immediately said "Oh it's coming right out.". I'm not sure how he knew since he never went back to ask about it. Maybe we were famous at that point, being the one table the whole kitchen staff was dedicated to cooking for.
No food showed up. No food showed up again. FINALLY our plates appeared at the pick-up counter. My husband hopped up and grabbed our tray of dried tasteless food. He had translucent beans of some kind and I had salad. (What kind of serious trouble is your restaurant in when you have to water down the Ranch dressing?)
I stood up to take the food from him and as soon as I sat down, the pager went off, sparkling like a Christmas tree. "Fucker." I said to it.
As I said before, don't torture yourself by going to Armadillo's Willy (oh sorry, that was what the food tasted like, not the name of the place) If you doubt what I'm saying about waiting a long time, trust me - I wrote this review while we were waiting. -
Review from Raymond C.
Dublin, CA
1/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
--- Addendum to the original review --
I went to Armadillo for lunch today and ordered the pulled-pork sandwich. The quantity of pork in the sandwich was probably half to 2/3 the normal amount that I remember. Two of my buddies ordered the Big Willy. I kept hearing loud thuds caused by the large carbon rocks that were falling out of the sandwiches. Needless to explain further, today was not a good day to eat at Willys. I noticed there was a cook that I did not recognize, and my guess is, he's the one who prepared our food. I'm dropping my previous rating of 4, to a 3.
--- Original Review ---
If you eat meat and like to indulge once in a while, then you probably enjoy barbeque; therefore you'll be a fan of Armadillo Willys Real Texas BBQ. I've been to Willy's many times, and to different locations: Dublin, and Sacramento. The Sacramento location is named differently: "The Flying Pig". My review however, is based on the San Jose location since it is the one I frequent.
Willys is semi-fast food, you order first, then sit down and wait for your food to be ready. I recommend the pulled pork sandwich. It's tender, slow-cooked, and delicious. The "Big Willy" is a larger version of the same sandwich. I have also ordered the Hickory Smoked Bacon Burger many times: stacked with all the toppings, fried onion ring, two very thick slices of bacon. All entrees/sandwiches come with a side item. I won't name them all, but I normally get a garden salad or the corn slaw. One complaint I have is that if you order fries, they are super-salty, but I'm one who prefers bland food, so this may not be a problem for you. To keep with the barbeque tradition, each table is set with a roll of paper towels, two different kinds of bbq sauce, and there are other condiments that you can pick up from the common area.
There's a different special every day of the week. Occasionally, a group of co-workers and I arrive on Monday evening for the all-you-can-eat ribs. Saturday afternoon between 11am-4pm is also a great time to go, as all the burgers are half-priced.
This is close to where I work, affordable, reasonably fast; and I love to indulge, so this on my regular lunch rotation. There were times when I thought my life expectancy had become shorter after the meal, so while I enjoy Armadillo Willys, I recommend it only in moderation. -
Review from Cynthia C.
Alameda, CA
9/21/2006
$20 pp should warrant SOME luxury...
Order @ the counter from a less than thrilled teenager, fill my own drink, carry crusty dishes/utensils to my table, AND pick up my food after the sensor vibrates?
The ribs are alright, sides good, brisket came a plenty, but I'd take my business to the Los Altos location where they at least bring your grub to the table. -
Review from Antonia G.
Modesto, CA
4/23/2011
I went here las Saturday to get the half price burger, and to my surprise--like a previous reviewer said-- they don't come with a side anymore. :( . I didn't notice that I was charged for the side which used to be included. It would have been courteous of them to inform me of their price changes. Not to mention the portions are diminishing. :(x2. I suppose I could have spared another star, but this did it for me. Don't think I'm returning unless someone buys my food and takes it to my house. And p.s., I come from 90 miles away, and this used to be my spot. :(x3
Comment from John B. of Armadillo Willy's BBQ 4/23/2011
I know of no restaurant in the world that informs customers… More » -
Review from Larry H.
Davis, CA
1/6/2009
Meh, the BBQ isn't bad nor is it spectacular; pricing seems to be very, very off for their "plate" and "full plate" deals.
If you're looking to eat here, I'd probably suggest a sandwich with your meat of choice as the pricing for that is more reasonable than those damned plates.
Oh, and the corn muffin was pretty yummy. :3 -
Review from Steve Y.
San Jose, CA
4/8/2010
Reading some of the reviews, I had high hopes for this place. Let me just say I was slightly disappointed with the quality of the food.
I had the pulled pork sandwich which was dry, the portion of the meat was very weak, and the sides lukewarm. The Texas toast was very very hard. I also had a plate of their brisket and that was just as dry and hard as the Texas Toast...I can make better BBQ at home...
Apparently this place's quality in their food has gone down quite a bit since the original reviews. -
Review from Chris C.
San Francisco, CA
8/20/2008
After dining here for lunch yesterday, I don't have many good things to say about this place. First off, when I went to pick up my food it was not there, they still had to make it after I asked where it was. After I finally get my food I attempt to put some BBQ mustard sauce on my sandwich. I apparently squeezed it too hard as it was not coming out and well it all came out at once resulting in mustard BBQ sauce all over me and my friends. Makes you wonder how old and gross the contents of the sauces they have sitting around if they have chunks in a very fine sauce to develop these clogs. I also had the same problem with the regular BBQ sauce.
As if that was a bad enough experience, my friend that dined with me developed a very bad case of food poisoning and barely made it home "cleanly" from work that evening. I've been here a few times before since it was close to work and my meal was mediocre for the price. I'm never going here ever again. -
Review from Chanel F.
Albuquerque, NM
12/5/2007
The first time I went to this place it was on recommendation from my boss. I had been asking him where I can get good bbq. He recommended this place.
The first time I went, I found the food tasty enough. I had the bbq pork sandwich with potato salad. The next few times I went I had the same thing (I really like bbq pork). By the fifth trip, I had lost my interest in this place. The sandwich, the same one I had ordered every time before this time was disgusting. They had given me meat that was layered with fat and gristle. I took a bite, spit it out. Took another, spit that out too. I went thru four or five bites before I realized the whole thing is just disgusting. I pulled all the meat off, and ate just the bun which I dipped in bbq sauce every bite. The potato salad was runny ( they must buy this in) and damn, the whole experience just sucked. I went home hungry.
Looking back at it now. That first impression I had that made me think Armadillo Willy's was so damn good was because I had been working all day, doing manual labor, and hadn't eaten a thing. I was so hungry, a hairy dick would have probably satisfied me (in more ways than one). Each time I went to Armadillo Willy's after that first visit I found the potato salad to be too bland, or have so much seasoning it would give me heart burn. The bread was nice, but somehow, tasted too salty, or burnt.
The only thing I always enjoy is the bbq sauce. I will say THAT. Their bbq sauce is decent.
I still go to Armadillo Willy's every so often. Either with friends, or when I'm so hungry the difference between cardboard and fillet mignon is indiscernible. But I don't think of it as a great place to eat at by any means. -
Review from Wesley H.
Santa Clara, CA
9/2/2009
This place is definitely a nice change of pace when you want to go out to eat for something quick but aren't in the mood for fast food. Armadillo Willy's doesn't have a wait staff... you go in and order your food and they give you a buzzer. When the buzzer goes off, you go grab your food. Simple as that.
I've been here a handful of times now and haven't had a meal that I don't like. Good burgers, good chicken, etc. I even came here last night with a couple of my friends and I'm on a diet so I ordered a Boca Burger.... and that was good too.
They have a few HD TVs around the place to show sports... though they usually choose games that aren't relevant to anyone. Yesterday they decided to air an old Cal football game. SO EXCITING. Haha. That's okay though... I didn't show up to watch their TVs.
The food is a little pricey, but it is also a lot better than McDonalds.
