Gabrielle’s Food Market

- 1190 N Capitol Ave, San Jose, CA 95132

Gabrielle’s Food Market is a beloved local institution in San Jose, California, serving as a dual-purpose destination for the Filipino community and food enthusiasts across the Bay Area. Functioning primarily as an authentic Filipino restaurant, it specializes in home-style, traditional Filipino comfort food, often served in the popular turo-turo (point-point) style, where customers select pre-cooked dishes from a steam table. The eatery is deeply rooted in the San Jose culinary scene, a city recognized for its rich Vietnamese and Filipino cultural presence.

More than just a restaurant, Gabrielle’s Food Market lives up to its name by also stocking a wide selection of specialty Filipino goods and snacks, making it a convenient stop for a complete cultural experience. From classic savory meals to sweet, indulgent desserts and hard-to-find pantry staples, this establishment provides a genuine taste of the Philippines right here in California.

The menu is extensive, covering all-day dining needs and celebrating the bold, complex flavors of Filipino cuisine. Patrons can start their day with traditional "Silog" breakfast plates like TAPSILOG (cured beef, egg, and fried rice) or LONGSILOG (Filipino sausage, egg, and fried rice). Lunch and dinner feature a large rotation of meat, poultry, fish, and vegetable dishes, ranging from the sour and savory Pork Sinigang to the rich and nutty Kare-Kare (Oxtail/Beef Stew). The sheer variety, often available in different sizes (small, medium, large, and extra-large), makes it an ideal spot for solo dining, family meals, or large gatherings.

While the focus is on hearty, comforting meals, the market also offers lighter bites and popular snacks. Customers frequently seek out the sweet, warm Banana Fritters/Turon for dessert and can grab popular Filipino chips, candies, and sauces from the market section. The casual, family-friendly atmosphere ensures that every visit feels like a welcoming experience in a communal setting, truly embodying the spirit of Filipino hospitality and cuisine for the California market.

Location and Accessibility

Gabrielle’s Food Market is conveniently situated at 1190 N Capitol Ave, San Jose, CA 95132, USA. This North Capitol Avenue address places it in a highly accessible commercial area of San Jose, which is well-known for its diverse and vibrant array of Asian and international businesses, particularly in the Berryessa district.

The location is designed for easy access, benefiting greatly from being situated in a plaza with excellent parking infrastructure. Visitors will find ample space for their vehicles, as the restaurant provides both a free parking lot and access to free street parking. This convenience is a significant factor in making it a preferred spot for quick meals, planned sit-down dinners, and large catering pickups across the Bay Area.

To ensure comfort and convenience for all members of the California community, Gabrielle’s Food Market features key accessibility accommodations:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance, providing smooth and unobstructed entry.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot, with designated spaces available close to the establishment.

The establishment's open hours are generally accommodating for all three major mealtimes, popular for: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. It maintains a casual atmosphere, making it a comfortable destination for any time of the day.

Services Offered

Gabrielle’s Food Market offers a variety of services to meet the diverse needs of its California customer base, whether they are looking for a quick bite or food for a large family gathering.

• Dine-in: The restaurant offers a casual dining atmosphere with seating available for individuals and families, perfect for enjoying a hot meal straight from the kitchen.
• Takeout: Given its turo-turo style of serving, the restaurant is well-suited for fast and convenient takeout. Customers can quickly select from the wide array of ready-made dishes.
• Delivery: For maximum convenience, Gabrielle’s Food Market offers delivery services, partnering with platforms to bring their popular Filipino comfort food directly to homes and offices in the San Jose area.
• Catering: The large-size options on the menu, such as the extra-large sizes for items like 'Goto/Rice Porridge' and 'BEEF KALDERETA', along with party tray-friendly dishes like 'PANCIT BIHON' and the availability of large quantities of 'Lumpia Shanghai', clearly indicate a strong focus on catering for events, parties, and family gatherings.
• All-Day Dining: The menu covers all dining options, being popular for Breakfast (Silog dishes), Lunch, and Dinner.
• Retail/Goodies Market: The unique offering of specialty Filipino groceries and packaged snacks (e.g., HOPIA, LILY'S PEANUT BUTTER, STIK-O, and various chips and vinegar brands) allows customers to shop for authentic goods beyond their meal.
• Payment Options: The market accepts modern payment methods for customer ease, including Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments.

Features / Highlights

Gabrielle’s Food Market is distinguished by its extensive menu depth, cultural market offerings, and focus on classic, home-style Filipino cooking.

• Authentic Filipino Turo-Turo Style: The system allows customers to view and quickly select from a vast range of pre-cooked, ready-to-eat dishes, offering speed and convenience—the hallmark of a true Filipino dining experience.
• Signature Breakfast (Silog) Menu: A dedicated section for "Silog" meals, including TAPSILOG, CORN-SILOG, and various LONGSILOG options, makes it a prime location for an authentic Filipino start to the day.
• Expertise in Meats: The restaurant offers a deep selection of beloved Filipino meat dishes, including the flavorful Pork Sisig, traditional Pork Adobo, rich Lechon Belly, and the hearty BEEF KALDERETA (Beef Stew).
• Specialty Goat Dishes: A unique highlight is the offering of traditional goat preparations, such as GOAT ADOBO, GOAT CALDERETA, and PAPAITAN KAMBING, which are highly sought after by those craving authentic regional Filipino flavors.
• Extensive Vegetable and Noodle Selection: The menu boasts a wide range of vegetable dishes like Pinakbet and Laing (Taro Leaves), as well as classic noodle preparations like PANCIT BIHON and PANCIT MALABON, catering to different tastes and dietary preferences.
• Filipino Market Goods: The addition of a "Gabrielle's Etc/Goodies" section featuring popular snacks (Choc-Nut, Clover Chips) and cooking essentials (Lily's Peanut Butter, Pinakurat Vinegar) transforms the restaurant into a cultural one-stop-shop.
• Dessert Favorites: The dessert menu features quintessential Filipino sweets like warm BANANA FRITTERS/TURON (highly praised by customers), creamy LECHE FLAN, and various rice cakes (Suman), perfect for capping off a meal.

Contact Information

For inquiries, placing orders for takeout or catering, or to verify operating hours, please use the contact information provided below.

Address: 1190 N Capitol Ave, San Jose, CA 95132, USA

Phone: (408) 926-4412

What is Worth Choosing

For anyone in California seeking a truly authentic and comprehensive Filipino culinary experience, Gabrielle’s Food Market in San Jose is an essential choice. It is worth choosing for three core reasons that combine to offer unmatched value in the local market.

Firstly, the sheer breadth and depth of the menu offer an unparalleled taste of the Philippines. Unlike restaurants that focus on only a few popular dishes, Gabrielle's provides a complete culinary journey, from traditional breakfast "Silog" plates to regional specialties like various goat dishes and a deep selection of pork and beef stews. This extensive menu ensures that whether you're craving the intense flavor of Pork Sisig, a rich serving of Kare-Kare, or the comforting warmth of Goto/Rice Porridge, you will find an authentic, home-style version here. The ability to choose small, medium, or large sizes further caters to individual needs, whether for a quick, small plate or a family feast.

Secondly, the restaurant’s function as a "Food Market" adds substantial, unique value. The retail section of Filipino snacks, groceries, and essential ingredients like Pinakurat Vinegar allows patrons to seamlessly combine a restaurant visit with a grocery run for specialty cultural items. This dual function positions Gabrielle’s as a community hub, offering convenience and a slice of home for the local Filipino population, and an educational, immersive experience for newcomers to the cuisine.

Lastly, the focus on catering and family-friendliness makes it the ideal location for hosting gatherings. The availability of food in extra-large cups and its turo-turo format means it is perfectly set up for customers to quickly and efficiently order large amounts of food for parties, potlucks, and events. The positive feedback on desserts like the "warm and delicious" Turon highlights the quality of key Filipino favorites, ensuring that an ordered meal, whether for takeout or catering, will be a satisfying success. While one customer review noted a concern regarding freshness of the 'Goto', which emphasizes the importance of quality control for perishable items, the overall consistent popularity and high volume of sales for a turo-turo spot like this often suggests a high turnover of freshly cooked food, making the vast majority of items a reliably satisfying choice.

Gabrielle’s Food Market

1190 N Capitol Ave, San Jose, CA 95132, USA