Angelou's Mexican Grill Introduce
In the vibrant, always-moving core of Downtown San Jose, California, Angelou's Mexican Grill stands out as a premier destination that perfectly blends authentic Mexican cuisine with a modern, dynamic dining atmosphere. Operating as a full-service Mexican restaurant and Bar & grill, it caters to everything from a speedy weekday Lunch to a lively late-night dinner. This establishment is recognized for its high-quality ingredients, notably its popular birria items, and its commitment to providing a welcoming, trendy space for the local community.
Angelou's Mexican Grill offers an extensive menu that covers all the classic Mexican favorites, from its highly praised Burrito restaurant offerings to specialized Taco restaurant selections. Patrons consistently rave about the quality, value, and authentic flavor profile of the dishes, often highlighting their famous birria burrito and the unique house sauces (green and orange) which are noted for being similar to other local specialties but with a distinct, stomach-friendly difference. The inclusion of dishes like the fried Potato Tacos and the large Super Burritos ensures there is satisfying Comfort food for every appetite.
Beyond the food, Angelou's distinguishes itself through its atmosphere and ownership. It is proudly a Latino-owned and women-owned business, contributing positively to the diversity of the California culinary scene. The interior is described as Casual, Cozy, and noticeably Trendy, creating an appealing spot for College students, Groups, and individuals engaging in Solo dining. The fact that it doubles as a fully equipped Cocktail bar, offering Happy hour drinks and Late-night food, makes it a versatile hotspot in Downtown San Jose.
Location and Accessibility
The location of Angelou's Mexican Grill is centrally located in the heart of Downtown San Jose, making it highly accessible and visible for anyone exploring the city center or attending local events.
The precise address is:
78 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
The restaurant is committed to ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests, particularly concerning accessibility:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
As a key downtown establishment, parking is available through the various municipal and private facilities in the area. Patrons should note that the City of San Jose's ParkSJ program often provides valuable incentives:
- Free parking garage (referring to the frequently available first 90 minutes of free parking at nearby ParkSJ garages).
- Paid parking garage
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
The convenience of nearby parking options, combined with its prime location on S 1st St, makes accessing Angelou's Mexican Grill straightforward for all visitors to San Jose.
Services Offered
Angelou's Mexican Grill provides a comprehensive array of dining and supplementary services, positioning it as a dynamic and convenient choice for modern California diners.
- Dine-in Service: Full Table service and comfortable Seating are provided for guests who wish to enjoy the Casual, Trendy atmosphere and their meal on-site.
- Takeout and Delivery: Efficient Takeout is available for orders on the go, and the designation as a Delivery service ensures food can be enjoyed throughout the local San Jose area.
- Catering: As an official Caterer, the grill offers options for corporate events, parties, and large groups, with catering menus including favorites like Taco Bars and Burrito Bowls.
- Full Bar Service: A dedicated Bar onsite serves a complete selection of Alcohol, including Beer, Wine, and signature Cocktails, making it a great pre- or post-activity stop.
- Happy Hour and Late-Night: The availability of Happy hour food and Happy hour drinks, combined with service as a source of Late-night food (operating until at least 11:30 PM on weekends), caters perfectly to the downtown nightlife.
- Quick Service: The business is highlighted for its Fast service, making it an ideal choice for a Quick bite during a busy workday Lunch or before an evening event.
- Payment Methods: The restaurant accepts all major modern payment methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
- Child-Friendly Amenities: The venue is Good for kids and provides High chairs, welcoming Family-friendly groups.
Features and Menu Highlights
The menu and special features of Angelou's Mexican Grill emphasize quality ingredients, local flavor favorites, and a commitment to broad dietary accommodation.
- Local Specialty Items: A key highlight is that the restaurant Serves local specialty dishes, including the famed Birria Burrito and Quesa-Birria Tacos served with a dipping sauce, which are highly popular in the California region.
- Signature Sauces: The house-made green and orange sauces are a major draw, with the orange sauce being noted as a lighter, well-received alternative to other iconic Bay Area sauces.
- Burrito and Taco Variety: The menu features a robust selection of Burrito and Taco types, including the indulgent Cali-Moco (featuring French fries and a fried egg inside) and the crispy, loaded Potato Tacos.
- Full Bar and Cocktails: As a Cocktail bar, the establishment offers a selection of creative drinks and Hard liquor, perfect for enjoying during Dinner or Happy hour.
- Dietary Inclusivity: The restaurant offers a wide range of dedicated options to ensure everyone can find a delicious meal, including:
- Extensive Vegetarian options (e.g., Chile Relleno, Queso Fundido w/ Mushrooms).
- Specialized Vegan options are available upon request or customization.
- Small Plates and Appetizers: A selection of Small plates and appetizers like Flautas and various forms of Queso Fundido are available for light meals or sharing.
- Ownership and Atmosphere: Identifying as both Latino-owned and women-owned, the establishment cultivates a uniquely inviting and Trendy dining environment that attracts a diverse Crowd.
Contact Information
For inquiries, reservations, or placing an order at the Downtown San Jose location, please use the following contact details:
Address: 78 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
Phone: (408) 971-2287
Mobile Phone: +1 408-971-2287
What is Worth Choosing
Angelou's Mexican Grill is an outstanding choice for anyone in the California Bay Area looking for a superior Mexican restaurant experience in Downtown San Jose. The blend of traditional, high-flavor Mexican food with a modern, dynamic service model is what sets it apart.
The restaurant’s specialization in the Birria Burrito and the overall quality of its Comfort food offerings—such as the massive, satisfying burritos and generously loaded tacos—appeal directly to the hearty appetites of the local community. The fact that the service is consistently noted as being Fast service makes it an unparalleled option for both the busy downtown crowd needing a Quick bite at Lunch and those seeking satisfying food late into the night.
Furthermore, Angelou's is much more than just a quick service spot; it's a social hub. Its dual identity as a trendy Cocktail bar with a full selection of Alcohol and Happy hour drinks makes it a perfect venue for groups and social gatherings before or after events. This combination of Fast service, high-quality, flavorful food, extensive Vegan and Vegetarian options, and a welcoming, Trendy atmosphere positions Angelou's Mexican Grill as an essential destination for anyone seeking great Mexican food and a lively experience in San Jose, CA.
Angelou's Mexican Grill Details
From the business
- Identifies as Latino-owned
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free parking garage
- Paid parking garage
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Angelou's Mexican Grill Photos










Angelou's Mexican Grill Location
Angelou's Mexican Grill
78 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
Angelou's Mexican Grill Reviews
burritoorange sauceal pastorcarne asada friesmoco locomargaritasgreen saucewallsour creampotato tacos
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Excellent birria burrito. Got a side of guacamole, which made it perfect. Trendy and relaxing feel inside the place.
October 07 · Paul RosenthalI got two potato tacos and a mango house drink they had available. I got seated, had my order taken, and food/drink given in under ten minutes. The service was really speedy. The tacos are fried so be aware of that, but they are loaded and very good. For the amount of food I got the prices were more than fair. I got filled up fast and had to pace my last few bites. I def. recommend it! I recommend the green sauce over the orange sauce. The orange sauce was similar to la Vic’s sauce but a bit lighter.
March 26 · JThis place is extremely overhyped. I should've known the food would be mediocre when I didn't see a single Hispanic person eating there.I ordered a Super al pastor burrito, I am almost 100% sure it was chorizo, however, when I brought it back, the cook himself told me that it was al pastor and that it's supposed to taste like chorizo - huh?! Been slamming al pastor for years, and it's never, but ok.The "super" comes with beans, rice, salsa, and avocado. Never saw the avocado, and once I opened it to disect it, all I saw was rice and "al pastor".Popular spot for the club goers, maybe? Anything tastes good when you're hammered, I suppose.Don't come here if you enjoy REAL Mexican food.
June 04 · SylviaGood service, food was ok. I prefer more seasoning, but that's just me. Cute little location.
October 09 · Ka'ryn SLove this place! We veganized some of their vegetarian offerings, specifically their veggie burrito and the enchiladas. The flavors were on point, so balanced and elevated. The sauces were really flavorful as well. The nature-themed ambiance made the whole experience even nicer. This is going to be a regular spot for us.
September 07 · AC Shah
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