Downtown San Jose – Page 3

June 27, 2023February 27, 2024

Near San Carlos St.

Under the roads on Guadalupe Trail.

June 3, 2023February 27, 2024

El Jalapeño Rojo Taqueria – #Tacos

El Jalapeño Rojo taqueria at 400 W San Carlos St, San Jose, CA 95110

You know when a taco just hits the spot? Yeah, that’s what these tacos do. This place has a small outdoor seating area and a drive through that never stops as cars seems to always be here. And the tacos are delicious.

Earlier on in the making of this blog, my oldest child and I were out on scooters looking at murals when we stopped here. The oldest said this was their new favorite taqueria. We’ve gone back a few times and I have always enjoyed my food.

The flavor is excellent. The juiciness of the ingredients and toastiness of the tortilla are perfect so that the tacos are not falling apart or doughy. The salsa on the tacos is full of flavor. There was nothing not to love about these.

On this day, four of us including two children and two adults sampled veggie tacos, asada and cheese tacos, and carnitas tacos. The comments recorded included:

– Loaded, lots of lettuce, big chunks of tomato, rice beans & cheese. Good salsa.
– Pretty good
– These tacos hit the spot! So good and exactly what I wanted right now. The tacos were well seasoned, perfectly balanced in meat and toppings, just so good. The green and the red salsa sauce are both delicious. Good flavor. Outdoor seating is nicely shaded with flowers around. A constant stream of cars come by through the drive through. I look forward to coming back. Yum!
-I liked my horchata

Net result? A delicious set of tacos, again!

Combined taco score for El Jalapeño Rojo = 🌮🌮🌮🌮
(Taco scale info link)

October 18, 2022February 27, 2024

Good Luck Forever Mural

Good Luck Forever is a mural by Taki Ryudaibori Kitamura and can be found in Japantown in San Jose on 7th Street. There is a good write up of the symbolism used here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cik4TLnJKsA/.

It’s in a great spot with other great art.

October 6, 2022February 27, 2024

Leyendas de San José Mural

Leyendas de San José is a mural by the Timeless Art Collective formed by artists Steven Martinez, Eduardo Herrera, and Ariana Hansen. You will find it at Santa Cara and 19th Street in San Jose.

At first, my favorite part about this mural was the color and the artistry of it. Now however, after hours of internet searches, I am enjoying most the new things I am learning as I try to learn who these seven people are. Who are these people of San Jose, Leyendas – Legends, who made a difference by contributing to the culture of our society?

Below are a few words to give context to each individual chosen for this mural. These are oversimplifications and do not do the lives of these individuals justice. It is easier to find info online for some of these San Jose contributors than others. What I did find was fascinating and inspiring and I have enjoyed the trails and research and thoughts inspired that have resulted for me because of these searches. This art appreciation has turned into a history lesson and cultural appreciation experience for me.

Jesus Valenzuela – San Jose radio voice of KSJO
Ricardo Santa Fe – Singer, musician, composer
Daniel Valdez – Actor, musician, composer, activist
Art Rodriguez – Author
Jose Martinez – Lowrider culture legend
Luis Valdez – Writer, actor, director, teacher, activist – this guy’s life should be a book and movie for sure
Sonny Madrid – One of the founders of Lowrider Magazine, started by San Jose State University students

As a child seeing Lowrider Magazine for sale in stores I never knew that it was started here in San Jose. I had no idea that I was living in a Lowrider culture-generator that was represented in a national magazine, rather than the other way around.

I’m still learning more about these Leyendas de San José, enjoying the web searches. I look forward to seeing a mural for women Leyendas of San José and learning about their lives.