The Best San Jose Catering: Stay Well Fed in Silicon Valley
- Meredith Bethune
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- 3 Min Read
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Look out, San Francisco. San Jose’s food lovers used to take weekend drives to the City by the Bay to sample the hippest new restaurants, but that’s no longer necessary. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, tech industry investors who have an appetite for excellent eats have successfully lured the best chefs to this city in the center of Silicon Valley. Their companies always need to place food orders, so this new focus on food is benefiting the San Jose catering scene as well. Here’s a list of 10 caterers who are serving up some of the best in San Jose:
1. Pizza Guys (S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose)
You can’t go wrong with Pizza Guys. This California-based caterer has perfected their scratch-made dough after more than 25 years in the business. Play it safe with a round of cheese or pepperoni pies and a few irresistible appetizers like potato covered cheddar and jalapeno poppers or chicken wings with spicy buffalo sauce. Or surprise the office with signature items like Sriracha pizza topped with garlic sauce, mozzarella, Canadian bacon, red onions, jalapeños, pineapple, and Sriracha sauce or Artichoke Fiesta with mushrooms, red onions, green onions, black olives, marinated artichoke hearts, tomatoes, cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
2. Le Boulanger (Lincoln Ave., San Jose)
This Bay Area favorite, with three different locations around town, is one of the best restaurants you can find in the San Jose catering scene. When it comes to breakfast, locals rave about their pastries, bagels, and omelette sandwiches, while the Yogurt Bar is a fantastic alternative for something on the lighter side. Their box lunches are available in a wealth of satisfying choices— sandwiches like pesto chicken and roasted portobello are always served on freshly baked bread, and salads like hearty Miso Kale or Caesar are also guaranteed to please.
3. Una Mas Mexican Grill (Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose)
Satisfy a swarm with generous portions of traditional Mexican dishes served with a modern flair from Una Mas Mexican Grill. In addition to this San Jose caterer’s tempting Burrito Bar, you can also select from the Fajita Bar or Taco Bar with your choice of filling like Grilled Veggies, Char-Grilled Chicken, Pork Carnitas, and Char-Grilled Steak. But surprising alternatives like the Mas Grande 4-Foot Burrito or Hawaiian Twist Platter (full of chili-tomato tortillas filled with char-grilled chicken, Monterey jack cheese, pineapple salsa, sesame seeds, sour cream, and sweet Thai chili sauce) will jump-start the conversation at your next event.
4. Sajj (N. 1st St., San Jose)
Look no further than Sajj for the best restaurant in San Jose doing Mediterranean classics like falafel and shawarma. If you’re crunched for time, cover all your bases with one of their catering packages that will please both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. With the Falafel + 2 Protein Package, choose from steak shawarma, chicken shawarma, or braised lamb. The delivery staff goes above and beyond to set-up the food and the resulting presentation, complete with food labels, never fails to impress.
5. Lucy’s Tamale Factory (4138 Monterey Hwy, San Jose)
For authentic Durango-style tamales right in the center of San Jose, try Lucy’s Tamale Factory. Beloved for being the best restaurant in San Jose for these stuffed parcels of goodness, Lucy’s has been a local staple for more than 20 years. Besides their signature tamales filled with pork, chicken, or jalapenos and cheese, also try the enchiladas, chicken taquitos, or birria stew served with corn tortillas, onions, cilantro, and lime. Adorable appetizers like mini burritos, tamales, and taquitos are the perfect snacks for mingling and happy hours, and the freshly fried churros and arroz con leche make for a sweet finish.
6. New India Chaat Cafe (Flickinger Ave, San Jose)
New India Chaat Cafe brings the fiery flavors of India to the San Jose catering scene with modern interpretations of classic dishes like their famous flaky and buttery laacha paratha (fried Indian flatbread), as well as both samosas, pakoras, and tasty curries for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Please them all with a range of proteins selected from their massive menu like Saag Paneer, Butter Chicken, Fish Tandoori, or Lamb Biryani. Just don’t forget to tag on a few extra orders of their famous Garlic Naan – it’s always the first thing to go.
7. Polkadotz Gourmet Cupcakes (Reynolds Cir., San Jose)
Kick the afternoon coffee break up a notch with Polkadotz Gourmet Cupcakes. Their freshly-baked treats, made from scratch with the finest all natural ingredients, are always soft, moist, and beautifully decorated. Choose from unforgettable flavors like Banana Hazelnut, Raspberry Red Velvet, Vanilla Coffee Bean, and so much more. They even offer four different flavors for the gluten-free folks in your group.
8. Curry on Wheels (Commercial St., San Jose)
Known for its exceptional Indian dishes like Chicken Roll, Fish Kalia, and even Cholar Dal with Coconut, Curry on Wheels is the ideal San Jose catering selection for something a little unexpected that can still feed a crowd. Round it out with a few orders of Paneer Roll and Puri, as well as some Rice Pudding for dessert, and your order is complete.
9. New York Pizza (Hillsdale Ave., San Jose)
Get a taste of Manhattan courtesy of New York Pizza, where the crust is always thin and crispy, and the slices are generous. The Meat Lover Special and Veggie Gourmet heave with toppings, and you can feed a mob quickly and efficiently with their giant 24-inch pie. Don’t forget to add a few Caesar or Greek salads to round out the meal. You’ll see why it just might be the best restaurant in San Jose for pizza.
10. Palo Alto Catering (Starr King Cir., Palo Alto)
Palo Alto Catering has a long-standing reputation as a straightforward catering solution with reliable service and tons of variety. The extensive menu selections can be suited to any event no matter how casual or upscale. For a complete spread, go with the Assorted Breakfast Burritos stuffed with potatoes, scrambled eggs, and your choice of bacon, sausage, or veggies, and then lighten things up with a Fresh Fruit Tray. Have some fun choosing the lunch theme- anything from a tray of Pulled Pork Sliders to Grilled Skirt Steak, or a Make-Your-Own Taco Bar.
For a list of the best caterers on the west coast, read here.