Poor House Bistro — Restaurant in San Jose

"Unfortunately, the people of Louisiana are not racists."―Dan Quayle

The Poor House Bistro (PHB) has been filling a void in the South Bay food landscape of N'awlins-style food since its inception in 2005. With a menu that consist mostly of Po' Boy sandwiches and some other LA specialities like Gumbo, Crawfish and Red Beans & Rice this is about as close to the Bayou as we'll get here. Personally, I'm a complete sandwich addict and have a hard time straying from their signature Po' Boys.

Po' Boys- Po' Boy sandwiches are a Louisiana staple of usually some kind of meat or fried seafood served up on a baguette-like loaf. I'm pretty sure I've sampled every possible combination they have here, but if I had to pick my top two it would be the Cochon de Lait (slow-roasted pork) and the fried Shrimp. The Pork is tender, sloppy and full of porky goodness but it can get a bit heavy on your stomach towards the end. The freshly-fried Shrimp are served in a Cornmeal coating and topped in this heavenly Remoulade sauce over a bed of lettuce that adds a nice freshness to the sandwich.

Fries- PHB's fries and sweet potato fries are fresh, hand-cut and delicious. You can also order "Cajun" versions (even though the sweet potato one isn't listed on the menu) of both of them, and that consists of a sprinkling of a Cajun Seasoning on top. You can't go wrong with either one, but I almost always order the Cajun Sweet Potato variation. It's got the perfect combo of sweet, crunchy, soft center and just a little bit of zing from the spices. This is how fries were meant to be.

Service & Ambiance- Located just a stones throw from the Shark Tank and Downtown the PHB is located inside a beautiful, old Victorian home surrounded by beautiful Queen Anne Palms and adorned in Jazz and Mardi Gras decorations with some kind of Jazz or Blues music being piped throughout. PHB is a fast casual joint, which is my one of my favorite type of eatery for weekday lunches. The service is always friendly and efficient.

Value- The meals at PHB usually run around $10-15 for giant, quality portions. I'm not sure how people can say their portions are "small" because I can barely finish a Po' Boy and small fry order. I guess they're comparing it to the portions you get in LA, but there's a reason the South is full of fat asses...

PHB is definitely one of my favorite places to eat in all of SJ, and my "go-to" spot when I'm in the mood for visiting the Bayou―without all the bugs and flooding. Highly recommended for a delicious...

Poor House Bistro has been a favorite of mine for a very long time. I always enjoyed their food in their old location and I'm happy to report that the same delicious menu is available in their new location in the heart of Little Italy. They picked that house up and moved it to the new location. It's so fun to see the interior that I remember. Picked up food on Good Friday. Fried shrimp Po-Boys and Grilled Shrimp Po-Boys. We also ordered the sweet potato fries which are tossed with cinnamon sugar so they're on the sweet side rather than savory. No trip to Poor House Bistro is complete without authentic beignets so we got some! I'm famous for over ordering so we added an order of their bread pudding and I have no regrets! That sauce on the bread pudding is to die for! This was a takeout order and everything was packed up perfectly for transportation and arrived at my house in great condition. I do highly suggest that you eat the food at the restaurant because fresher is always better and the vibe is a cool vibe. They have live music on one side of the house in a covered patio area. They also have a lot of outdoor dining space with umbrellas and a lot of ambiance. Parking is still difficult but people find a way. If you work for the County of Santa Clara and have a "C" sticker, park at the Julian offices and walk across the street. I can't wait for summer and some live music to go with some great food!

5/21/2025 UPDATE!

Pro Tip: if you DO work for the County of Santa Clara, show them your badge and you get a 10% discount on your order!! 💲

Second: if you're going to order ahead, the website will direct you to doordash to pay. If you're picking up your food. Doordash, we'll process the order and then promptly refund the money, not placing the order. Your transaction receipt at the end and if the last entry shows a refund, give Poorhouse Bistro a call on the phone and let them know you would like to order. They'll get it ready for you and you can pay when you get there. Best Customer...

Stopped by Poor House Bistro for a laid-back meal for the first time. The vibe is great—porch seating, and a casual, welcoming atmosphere. You order at the counter, get handed a buzzer, and when it goes off, you pick up your food yourself. No table service, no check-ins, no refills. Just you, your buzzer, and your tray.

We had the shrimp jambalaya and the shredded pork po’ boy. Both were delicious. The shrimp were plump and perfectly cooked, and the jambalaya had bold seasoning and a nice kick. The po’ boy was generously stuffed, and the pork was flavorful with just the right amount of spice. Definitely comfort food done right.

My wife was craving beignets, and while I’ve made them before at home, we were curious to try theirs for the first time. They came out hot, pillowy, and generously dusted with powdered sugar. Simple and satisfying,it hit the spot and rounded out the meal nicely.

It does get loud outside. The spot’s right under the flight path, so planes come through often and can drown out the music or conversation. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if you're hoping for a quiet spot.

But here’s what gave me pause: the tip prompt. I always tip for great service, especially when someone’s checking in, refilling drinks, or making the experience smooth. But in this setup, I ordered, paid ,waited and picked up my own food. So I found myself wondering—what exactly am I tipping for?

I get supporting local spots and fair wages, and I’m happy to do it when the service matches. But when everything’s self-serve, it feels off ,for a tip before I’ve even tasted the food.

Still, it’s a cool spot to hang out and grab a drink. Just know what kind of service to expect—and decide for yourself what...