Gojo Restaurant
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
38 Reviews for Gojo Restaurant
This place is yummy! I always get food to go ( I work right up the street)
so I haven't had the pleasure of a sit down meal at Gojo. Usually get the veggie combo and the meat combo, some dishes are very spicy-watch out! Honestly can't even tell you which ones because once you start eating its hard to figure out which dish is testing out your taste buds! What I love the most is that the food is always freshly prepared, very tasty, consistently great quality, and I ALWAYS feel satisfied after a meal here. Owners are very gracious and friendly. They constantly try to get me to try different items but I always love what I order. Not for the faint of heart in the spice department, but very good if you are an adventurous eater.
I really wanted to like this place after reading so many wonderful reviews of it, but it just doesn't compare well to most of the Ethiopian places I've been to before. I ordered take out on a night our usual favorite place was closed ordered our usual dishes, the kitfo special, the lamb tibs in the spicy red sauce and the alicha atkilt. When I got to my friends house we discovered the alicha atkilt was not in any of our boxes, boo!!! Then, I did order the kitfo too rare for my friend, but that was my fault, but I also ordered it mild and what we got was what other places would consider hot. The same thing happened with my lamb tibs, way too hot, although it was flavorful, but I had horrible indigestion within 30 minutes. And the injera was pretty bland and dry. Maybe it was an off night, but there are too many other good Ethiopian places around, so I won't be back.
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Gojo is such a great place to eat! We still prefer Zeni over Gojo but this place is great if you don't want to wait for a table. it's quiet and run by a husband and wife who have informed us that they never take a day off! The food is great...there are just a few dishes we like better at Zeni which is why we go there most of the time. The honey wine is wonderful and we enjoy sitting in the traditional Ethiopian table area when we dine.
Love this place, the excellent food makes me forget the incredibly slow service. I've been here a couple times and each time we were the only ones in the restaurant, but it still took 30-45 minutes for the food to arrive. Slow service usually pisses me off, but the food is SO yummy I don't mind. I come here instead of Mudai when I want chicken dishes, I really like the chicken tibs (doro tibs), which is chicken cooked with tomatoes and spices. The vegetable combo is good as well, especially the potato/carrot dish (alicha atkilt ). The enjera isn't as good as Mudai (it's not as sour), but the food at Gojo is cooked with less butter so makes me feel less guilty about stuffing. I forget the individual prices, but the doro tibs and veggie combo plus 2 cokes came to about $27
Kind of a hole in the wall. There was only four people eating over a short table in the restaurant. The guy who took my order was friendly and energetic. I ordered the lamb tibs and veggie platter. The lamb tibs had the right amount of spiciness, but some pieces were really tough (which I spit out after chewing), and some were tender. The veggie platter, I couldn't tell what was in it except for the cabbage and collard greens. I really liked the yellow buttery stuff (chickpeas?).
I've only been to one other ethiopian restaurant, so I don't know too much about it. I want to try other restaurants, so I can compare.
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I have only one thing to say besides awesome, and that is that I have been eating Ethiopian food for over 20 years and this is right up there with the best of the Oakland Ethiopian cuisine. My daughter said "I really like the Yellow and the green dad!", pretty good from a 3-4 year old. We ordered:
2-Vegi Combos family style
1-Meat Combo solo
Ethiopian Coffee and Tea
Hands down the best meal I have had in San Jose in the last week!
Thanks Yelper's and Gojo for the tip and the excellent meal.
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Attention wheat allergy suffers! Ask for the 100% Teff Injera !!
Recently I developed an allergy to wheat and was afraid I'd have to give up my favorite food since injera , the traditional way to eat the cuisine is made of wheat & teff . Being the die hard Ethiopian fan that I am, I tried to eat it with a fork..But the food didn't taste the same with out the injera. After I explained my problem to the owner he told me he'd see what he could do for me.
That was on Friday night, by Sunday I got a call saying they had made a special 100% teff injera for me !
I rushed over for a worry free dinner. While this place is small, that's what continues to draw me there. The customer service is amazing, I always feel like a guest rather than a customer.
I highly recommend the veggie combo, meat combo (my son loves it!),
foulle, Ambo mineral water, tejj ( Honey wine) & the spiced tea !
This place is unbelievable. We ran across Gojo's while on a long walk one day and have been back with family and friend many times since. It's what you would consider to be a "hole in the wall" but the food is extremely tasty and the service is wonderful. The price is right. We have fed up to 6 people, including wine, for $60. The food is seasoned to perfection and there are many options for our vegetarian friends. Enjoy!!
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The staff is friendly. The food can't be beat. The atmosphere is very relaxing.
Gojo is my first experience to Ethiopian food. I love the cabbage and carrots. I especially enjoy their coffee ... have not tried the coffee ceremony. Got to plan ahead in the future.
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Great food...and healthy too! Get the Tej (Honey wine)!
This is the only restaurant in San Jose that I ever go to. The family that runs Gojo are some of the nicest people I've ever met- when my husband and I were moving back to our hometown,Tshaye (cook) invited us to dinner on the house. We were treated like friends and family, and we sorely miss these folks.
As for the food, it's delicious, spicy, unique, and utterly fantastic. My favourite is the Ater Kik and my husband's is the Doro Tibs. The honey wine (Tej?) is fantastic and intoxicating and the Ethiopian spice tea is soothing in cold weather. I adore the injera and wish I had the ability and resources to make it myself. The acidic taste of the dressing over the "salad" takes the cake.
The price for this food is amazing! Typically, my husband and I can get a huge dinner plus tea and generous tip for under 25$!
The atmosphere is lovely- the rustic decorations take you to Ethiopia. The Ethiopian music is fun and peppy, and my husband always enjoyed singing to it (yeah, we're silly)! ;)
When you're done with your meal, check out the Ethiopian "mercado" next door. :)
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My husband and I ate here on Sunday as part of our mission to try every Ethiopian restaurant in San Jose. I want to come back again when the gift shop is open so I can buy some injera. Mmmm injera.
Anyway, the owner was very friendly and polite. The food was great (veg. combo), and the decor is a little different, but enjoyable. I liked that they played upbeat Ethiopian music in the restaurant. Our service wasn't slow, but we came at an odd time.
I would definitely recommend this place!
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Friendly atmosphere, but noisy kids who were running around when we were there. The place is small so needless to say it was pretty intrusive. The staff was very helpful with their suggestions. The food was ok, but not great - just a very plain experience all around.
A co-worker brought some Gojo food in for us to enjoy during a working lunch. Resisting the urge to make a really bad joke about "Ethiopian food" being an oxymoron, I dug in. It was surpisingly very good and filling. I'd definitely recommend Gojo for a casual dinner when you're looking for something different.
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So the verdict? Yummmy! I'm glad this restaurant was picked as my first experience in an Ethiopian eatery. There was a lot of flavor spice and a little kick of sourness in the meats. I tried the egg, and it tasted just of scrambled eggs. Donoho added some spicy red looking powder to it which I didn't try. The greens were great too. At some point I said outloud "Man, this is tasty spinATCH." Donoho thought I said something else which you can pretty much guess. The curry had a nice heat background although the lamb was a little on the tough side. This is definitely a must for those that are adventurous and want a lot of good food. I can't wait to go again!
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Gojo is one of the original Ethiopian restaurants in what is becoming San Jose's culinary center for Ethiopian restaurants. I can count 4 other Ethiopian restaurants in a 2 mile radius of this place.
Outside storefront on busy San Carlos St. is easy to miss, and if you didn't read the reviews you'd probably never venture in.
Owner is super cool - has a real warm presence. The food is great! The Ingiri has a real nice sour taste ot it (authentic) and the vegetarian combo and beef tibir was excellent. They can adjust the food to your level of spice so be sure to ask.
The physical decor is really the biggest thing holding the place back. Service was great when we were there, but maybe the owner being there makes the difference. Adobe Miata car club folks and 2 female vegetarians were the only folks there during the lunch hour. Tip: They don't open till Noon so don't show up early for lunch or you'll have to loiter on the sidewalk or sit in your car.
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I have eaten here on and off for several years. For a while I used to go here on a weekly basis.
The food is very good, though it may sometimes be a little bit salty or bland. I think they rotate who does the cooking, so it depends on that. I don't eat meat, so I can't speak for the meat dishes. I've eaten here with people who do eat meat, and they are usually quite happy with their food.
I went tonight for the first time in several months, and have the following observations, when compared to other Ethiopian places:
- The injera was very soft and pliable. It was also not noticeably sour. I know several people who dislike Ethiopian food because they find injera to be too sour or to stick to their fingers. If you are one of those people, you will probably prefer the injera here. I like it to be a bit sour, but I really liked the texture and apparent freshness.
- The Alicha Atkilt (cabbage and potato) is different here. I like it better. It's a little spicy and sort of sweet and sour.
- The Gomen (collard greens) were also a bit different, in a good way.
Getting my food prepared was a little slow, but there was at least one large order before me. You should probably not come here if you are in a big hurry But I actually appreciated having some time to sit and think, rather than rushing from one thing to the next.
They have great service and are very nice. The music was jazz tonight, which I haven't heard at an Ethiopian place before.
I'm obsessed with this food. Even though the service can sometimes be slow, the food is so worth the wait. And if you need any help picking out things to eat, just ask and they are more than willing to give advice. They can also make things non-spicy if you request it. Try the Alitcha Wot and some of the Ethiopian beer.
Be careful if you take it to go, though. My boyfriend was taking it home in his car and it spilled. Now he can't get the smell out.
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My history with Gojo's started in '97 when a non-vegetarian friend introduced me to their veggie combo. I definitely feel like a regular now; when I arrive I just tell Andu (owner/manager) "the usual!" - shiro wot (chickpeas in berbere sauce). On days when I want to watch my saturated fat intake, I ask them to prepare it without clarified butter. For those with a low tolerance for spicy foods, keep a glass of water or extra injera nearby. I usually add either a Hakim Stout (imported from Ethiopia and superior to most stouts I've tried - smooth with a carmel flavor) or one of their Ethiopian reds to compliment the robust, savory flavors. The wines are on the milder pinot/merlot side so I usually stick with the Stout.
Gojo's is a wonderful place for solitary or communal meals. The remodeled bar/lounge area is charming, with sashes of vibrant red and yellow and traditional music playing in the background. The restaurant seems to be empty much of the time, which is fine for when I want to read or be alone with my thoughts but I really think they deserve more business. Their food is exquisite, generously portioned, and fairly-priced. The entire staff makes you feel truly at 'home' (which is what gojo means in Ethiopian). Their tea ceremony is worth trying at least once.
Pros:
-Excellent food and generous portions
-Great value
-Warm atmosphere (get the wicker couch if you're on a first-date!)
-The Hakim stout will convert even the most die-hard tea-totaler.
Cons:
-The restrooms are a bit dilapitated though clean.
-Parking is hard to come by. There are 4 spots in their small lot and about 3 in front. I usually park across the street at Mel Cotton's (shh!) which has never been a problem.
A few helpful phrases (phoenetic spelling):
Con-jo! = DELICIOUS!
Amma se kanando = thank you
Te capiello = you're welcome
Gojo con-jo!
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This place didn't win me over (my first time with Ethiopian food), but I'm giving it 3 stars because I do not want to hit it with bad ratings. Why? As Stephen says in his review, the owner has such a warm presence....he was charming and attentive and checked in multiple times to make sure my daughter and I were enjoying the meal. I felt like I was dining at someone's house, and it would have been impolite to say anything but "we love it!"
At the owner's recommendation, we tried the veggie combo and one of the milder beef dishes, since my daughter can't handle spices. The "bread" that you use as your utensil is this spongy substance, almost like a really fat crepe. Everything had a slightly sour taste to it, which wasn't that appealing to me. The carrot part of the veggie combo was the only thing I really liked. The lentils were too spicy for me and the yellow stuff (what was it?), I didn't like. The beef was ok, but not something I truly liked.
I had the special wine they recommend and that was delicious. I like sweet, white wines, so it was right up my alley.
The place was a little dirty for my tastes. The walls, table cloth, and even the base of my water glass...needed some cleaning. It's a tiny place. Look for Mel Cotton's on San Carlos and Gojo is directly across the street.
I'm glad I tried it. I love trying new things; but I won't be going back.
Drink a bottle of honey wine after work and sleep like a baby.
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I would give the food 5 stars but the service was less than stellar.
I went there with my friend on a tuesday night and we were one of two parties of two eating there. It's not like we were waiting for hours but considering we were among four people there, you would think we wouldn't have to wait so long for everything (and I'm not talking about just the food - it was getting the menus, getting our orders taken, all that). But the food was definitely amazing. I took everyone's advice and got the veggie plate - definetely a great option. We also got a side of the Doro Tibs chicken - so very well spiced, mmmm.
Don't worry about leaving this place hungry, I had to be rolled out.
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I have to admit that i came closer to ethiopia here than at my other ethiopian fav....the doro wat was well cooked...onions cooked all the way to burnt mode...the firfir was great too...the combination plate is actually not a bad buy at all.
The only disappointment was there yebere tibs....i have had better, and this one did not seem well cooked. However great hospitality...i think ethiopian places carry that...
My first experience with Gojo should have been enough to make me stand outside with a sign discouraging people from patronizing the restaurant. Let me give you the scoop: My boyfriend and I walked in and had to wait awkwardly by the door for 5 minutes before anyone came to seat us. Then it took 10 minutes for us to get our menus. Another 5-10 minutes passed before our order was taken, and another 5-10 minutes before we got our tej (honey wine). We then waited about 10-15 more minutes for either our food or our water (which we had to request) to come out, but neither did, so we downed our tej and asked for our food to go. My boyfriend was thorougly pissed and did not care when they insisted that the food was coming out shortly. He paid for the food and we left. Needless to say, we did not leave a tip.
The worst thing about all of this was that about 10 minutes after we were seated, these two ladies came in, were seated right away, and were given menus. Their drink orders were taken promptly, and they were brought their wine and their water at the same time a couple of minutes later. It was infuriating to receive such horrible service and then look over and see people being treated so well. It didn't help that the two ladies were white and we are black (not Ethiopian). Maybe we should have brought an Ethiopian or white friend with us so we could have gotten better service (or at least some water). Oh well...I guess that's what we got for abandoning Queen of Sheba - our usual, and quite tasty, regular Ethiopian spot (on the Alameda, in the Super 8 Motel).
When we got home and cracked open those takeout containers, the food was amazingly good. We got the vegetarian combo and the mitten shiro, and they were bangin'! Not bangin' enough for us to forgive them, but bangin' nonetheless. Had the food not been so good, we would have sworn them off forever; instead, the last 2 times we ate there, we called in our order and picked it up. Or should I say, I picked it up, since my boyfriend refuses to set foot in there.
The food gets five stars, but the service gets none, which averages out to a 2.5 (rounded up to 3, albeit grudgingly).
I love love love Gojo's and have been eating here for at least 8 years now. I like trying new dishes, but for some reason I always get their veggie combo here. It's insanely addictive. You get a lot of food too, my boyfriend and I can split the veggie combo or I can get it to go for 2 meals in one.
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When I came here 3 years ago, this was the first Ethiopian restaurant I have ever tried in my life. Having no basis of comparison, I ordered off the little menu and had absolutely no idea what was coming. I remember my table was the only occupant in the entire restaurant, and the food took a long time to come. The restaurant space is divided into two by a divider in the middle of the room; half of it are for tables and guests, and other half is the kitchen area. I know they are cooking my dishes as I can hear them turning on the fan right next to me, but the wait was unbearable. I have got to eat earlier than the brink of starvation next time when I go out to eat.
I have since became a semi-regular at this restaurant and other Ethiopian establishments.
My recommended dishes are Kitfo ($8.50), and Yebbel Tibs ($8.50). Kitfo is minced meat served in a bowl with spicy juices. They also put some type of cottage cheese on top and it is very hot. Yebbel Tibs are BBQ stringed meats with sauce, and you can also eat it with the vegetable provided on the side.
Regardless of what you order, they will always serve the dishes on a large flat pancake called "Injera"; its a little bit sour, but goes well with the vinegar in the dishes. Tips for pregnant ladies, eat lots of Ethiopian food during pregnancy, the vinegar will counteract with the nausea and help you eat more without feeling sick (good for Morning Sickness). The food also has plenty of protein for you and the new life which is much needed.
My boyfriend and I went to Gojo for our first Ethiopian food experience. We took three meals to go.
veggie combo (sooo overrated)
doro wot (whole hardboiled egg and two chicken legs in spicy sauce)
yebeg tibbs (spicy lamb)
two large injera come with each order
Overall the food seemed to be good Ethiopian food but prob not our thing. The chicken itself was awesome but there was not much meat and the sauce wasn't that good. The lamb meat was just ok but the sauce was the best of the two saucy dishes. The veggie combo was so boring and mild.
It was definitely too much food for us, we ate only 1/2 of everything at most.
I would take other people's opinions on the quality of the food unless you, like us, have never eaten Ethopian food before.
The restaurant was casual and very small. The staff seemed very friendly. The man that greeted us and took our order was very sweet and even opened and held the front door for us when we left....oh wait, is that a good thing? hehe ;)
The food is delicious, and the staff are so friendly and helpful. If you aren't familiar with Ethiopian food (I wasn't), then you are mystified by the menu. Don't be intimidated, just ask and they'll tell you all about it, it makes it really fun. Don't assume you need lots of food because it's so cheap. You fill up quickly on these dishes. Probably the cheapest meal I've ever had in the Bay Area.
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Exquisite food, and I can't say that about many restaurants, even ones I frequent often....I haven't been disappointed by anything I've ordered here, the flavors are savory and complex and the spongy sourdough bread is amazing. I've been to several Ethiopian restaurants here and in Chicago, and Gojo's is leaps and bounds above the rest. Think Plato's forms in regard to Ethiopian food.....it's so lovely to sit in the colorful tent section and relax with some honey wine until your food arrives.......just writing this review is giving me hunger pangs, I think I'll be making a trip there very very soon!
This is not the worst Ethiopian food I've had, but it's certainly not the best. The veggie combo is $8, which is the high point of the place. But the actual dishes on the veggie combo were not nearly as flavorful as I've come to expect from Ethiopian. The bebere sauce wasn't nearly as good as others I've had and it has a slightly odd taste to it. The cabbage and carrots were good, but a little bland. The split peas also had an odd flavor to them that I couldn't identify. The salad was very bland. I thought the greens were the best thing on the plate, but still just good enough. The injera didn't have that nice tang that I love. It was also a little bland. Bonus points for the service being very friendly and the prices low. I'm a little disappointed in my choice to try this place considering how many other Ethiopian restaurants are in San Jose, and it's one of my favorite types of cuisines when done right.
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So far the best Ethiopian food I have had anywhere. The owners are very friendly and the food is even better. I'd go so far to say that it is my favorite restaurant in San Jose.
Best atmosphere out of the San Carlos Ethiopian places. I was with someone who couldn't eat spicy food, and they accomodated by making everything mild. And it was still really flavorful.
I had the veggie combo, like I get everywhere, and it was yummy. The beef tibs looked and smelled amazing. The salad was also really good. It took us a while to find the foul on the menu because for some reason, it is on the breakfast menu. They don't serve the foul with white bread, which is just fine with me. I prefer eating it with injera anyway.
Great food. Love the collard greens. Friendly atmosphere. My choice for Ethiopian in the South Bay.
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My friend and I have been here probably 20 times in the last year and we almost always get the same thing (veggie combo, mitten shiro, and Ethiopian spiced tea), but it is always delicious and it keeps us coming back. It's not fancy, but it is comfortable, affordable, and the food is delicious.
Great Ethiopian! I've been to Gojo a few times and have gotten sure enough to try the raw meat platters, very well done, and the veggie platter is great as well.
Gojo has lots of competition on many fronts. Zeni for taste, Lunch Box for funky small hole in the wall ambiance. I think Gojo comes out with flying colors. It's usually relatively empty so you can eat in peace and the service is great. The food is very good no matter what you order, and they do have some interesting menu items. Also, their tea and tej are great. A solid addition to San Jose Ethiopian, and a must-return.
i've been here once and was pleased w/the experience. the exterior doesn't carry much curb appeal and the interior lighting isn't so inviting at first glance. but... the service makes you feel at home and the food is decent.
Have been to Gojo about 5 or 6 times this year and haven't been disappointed yet.
Small mom and pop place, nice simple dcor, main customers are invariably Ethiopian locals --- a good sign. For the uninitiated, you eat without utensils, scooping up dishes with injera --- a stretchy, fermented, slightly sourdough Ethiopian bread. The dishes come with or are placed on a layer of injera on a large circular metal plate on the table which everyone shares. A plate of several rolled up injera are also provided.
The menu selection isn't large, mainly beef and veg. with a few chicken and lamb dishes, no seafood. My favorites are dorowot (chicken and egg in a spicy sauce), yebeg tibbs (spicy lamb cubes) and the veggie combo. Bozena shiro (beef and chickpeas in a spicy sauce) has an interesting taste. For a less spicy dish go with zilzil tibbs (beef with mild peppers). Ethiopian beer is good too --- nice flavor. Try the tej - honey wine.
Dishes are quite cheap ~$8. For 2 persons, 2 dishes plus the veggie combo should be enough to fill you and more. Service is excellent and staff very polite.
Gojo is another place I give 4* for food but 5* for value.
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