Tere’s fast food Introduce
In the vibrant and diverse culinary landscape of the California Bay Area, the quest for truly authentic international flavors often leads to delightful, unexpected corners. For residents across San Jose and the wider South Bay, one such destination stands out for bringing the rich, comforting tastes of Venezuela to our community: Tere’s Fast Food. Located on South 1st Street, this establishment isn't just another casual eatery; it is a culinary anchor for those who grew up on these flavors and an exciting, approachable entry point for California locals eager to explore the depth of Latin American gastronomy.
Unlike some of the spicier, chili-focused cuisines of Latin America that Californians are often familiar with, Venezuelan food offers a unique and generally milder flavor profile that emphasizes hearty ingredients like corn, cheese, plantains, and slow-cooked, shredded meats. Tere’s Fast Food has mastered this blend, specializing in the national staples that define the country’s culinary identity. The focus here is on quality ingredients, generous portions, and recipes that evoke the warmth of a home-cooked meal.
Tere’s Fast Food distinguishes itself by offering genuine Venezuelan fare with the speed and convenience that the fast-paced California lifestyle demands, yet without sacrificing authenticity or flavor. The restaurant’s menu is a faithful representation of the country's most beloved street foods and main courses. The atmosphere is consistently described by patrons as welcoming, a crucial element for a place serving comfort food that reminds Venezuelan expatriates of 'home.'
The stars of the show are undoubtedly the Arepas and the Empanadas. The Arepa, a gluten-free pocket made of ground cornmeal, is perfectly grilled to achieve a crispy exterior and a soft, warm interior, then generously stuffed. Visitors can choose from classics like the $16.00 La Reina Pepiada (shredded chicken, avocado, and mayo—a creamy and savory delight) or the traditional $16.00 Pabellón (shredded beef, black beans, and sweet plantains). The Empanadas, crispy deep-fried cornmeal pockets, are equally popular and available in savory fillings like Pollo Deshebrado / Shredded Chicken for $8.00 and the heartier Pabellón option for $10.00.
Beyond the corn-based staples, the menu features full-plate meals that are quintessential Venezuelan fare. For example, the Pabellón Criollo Plate for $24.99 is the country's national dish—a robust mix of rice, black beans, shredded beef, and sweet plantain, often topped with an egg and a sprinkle of cheese. For those seeking a unique savory-sweet experience, the Cachapa Plate for $25.00 offers a fresh corn pancake, slightly sweet, traditionally folded around a large piece of fresh, salty cheese. Tere’s commitment to providing a full spectrum of Venezuelan cuisine makes it an essential stop for adventurous eaters and those craving a true taste of South America right here in San Jose.
The restaurant’s physical location in the heart of San Jose makes it highly accessible for residents throughout the South Bay. Its address at 796 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA places it in a convenient urban setting, easy to reach whether traveling from downtown or the surrounding neighborhoods.
Accessibility is clearly a priority at Tere’s Fast Food, ensuring a comfortable experience for all California patrons. The facility features a Wheelchair accessible entrance, making dining easy for guests with mobility needs. Furthermore, for those driving to pick up a quick meal or to dine in, the provision of a Free parking lot is a major convenience in this bustling area of San Jose, eliminating the common urban stress of searching for street parking.
Understanding the dynamic needs of the San Jose community, Tere’s Fast Food provides multiple service options, blending traditional dining with modern convenience:
- Dine-in: For those who wish to enjoy the warm, welcoming ambiance and a fresh, hot meal on-site.
- Takeout: A quick and easy option for picking up orders to enjoy at home or work.
- Curbside Pickup: An increasingly popular service allowing customers to receive their order without leaving their vehicle.
- Drive-through: Offering maximum convenience for customers on the go, perfect for a speedy lunch or dinner.
- No-contact delivery: Partnering with delivery services to bring authentic Venezuelan meals directly to homes and offices across the region.
Tere’s Fast Food is celebrated for several key highlights that make it a favorite among its dedicated California clientele:
- Authentic Venezuelan Cuisine: Serving staple dishes like Arepas, Pabellón, Cachapas, and Tequeños that are hard to find outside of specialized kitchens.
- Generous Portions and Fair Prices: Customers frequently comment on the satisfying size of the Arepas and Empanadas, providing excellent value for the price.
- Pet-Friendly Policy: Uniquely accommodating for the Bay Area's many dog owners, the restaurant explicitly notes that Dogs are allowed inside and Dogs are allowed outside, making it a great stop during a walk with a four-legged friend.
- Must-Try Appetizers: The Tequeños Cheese Fingers ($15.00 for 5 pieces) are a highly-recommended, popular snack of deep-fried cheese sticks wrapped in dough, perfect for sharing.
- Unique Fast-Food Offerings: The menu includes a Venezuelan twist on American staples, such as the Perro Caliente (Hot Dog) for $9.00, served in the unique, loaded Venezuelan street-food style with chopped onions, cabbage, crispy French fries, and various sauces.
- Authentic Beverages: Offering traditional drinks that complement the food, such as Chicha Venezolana ($15.00), a sweet, thick, non-alcoholic rice or wheat-based beverage.
California residents interested in experiencing the flavors of Tere’s Fast Food or placing an order can reach out using the following information:
- Address: 796 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
- Phone: (209) 550-1966
- Mobile Phone: +1 209-550-1966
For a local Californian user trying Venezuelan cuisine for the first time, Tere's Fast Food is an ideal starting point. The food is described by repeat patrons as "yummy," "fresh," and "full of flavor," with a genuine authenticity that resonates deeply with those who know the cuisine best. The sheer variety ensures there is something for every palate, from the satisfying simplicity of the Arepa La Quesua ($12.00) filled with multiple cheeses, to the richness of the La Buchona Arepa ($17.00) packed with shredded chicken, avocado, ham, yellow cheese, and even a Tequeño (cheese finger).
The culinary journey extends to comforting desserts and substantial main plates. Consider finishing your meal with a slice of Cake Four Milk./ Pastel 4 Leches ($11.99), a Latin American staple. For a larger group or a very hungry individual, the Parrilla 1 Person ($38.00) is a feast—a platter featuring a pound of meat, chorizo, cheese, yuca, fried arepa, fried plantain, house salad, and the signature garlic sauce. This commitment to traditional, hearty, and flavorful meals is what makes Tere’s Fast Food stand out in the competitive San Jose dining scene. It provides more than just a quick meal; it offers a culinary experience, a taste of Venezuelan culture, right in our own California backyard, ready to be enjoyed as a dine-in meal, a convenient drive-through pickup, or a delivered family feast.
Tere’s fast food Menu
Arepas
- Ham And Cheese $15.00
Ham and cheese, mayo
- Pabellón $16.00
An arepa of Pabellón Venezolano is a delicious Venezuelan dish that consists of a corn tortilla filled with shredded beef, black beans, cheese and sweet fried plantains. This is a traditional Venezuelan.
- La Reina Pepiada $16.00
Shredded chicken, avocado, mayo, cilantro
- Arepa La Quesua. $12.00
Full Cheese . Yellow cheese, white cheese and mayo.
- La Domino $12.00
Black beans, white cheese.
- La Pelúa $16.00
Shredded beef, yellow cheese.
- Mixta $16.00
Shredded beef, shredded chicken, yellow cheese.
- La Revuelta $16.00
Scramble egg, cheese, ham, mayo.
- La Buchona $17.00
Shredded chicken, avocado, ham, yellow cheese, mayo. Plus Tequeño ( cheese fingers)
Menu
- Hamburguesa $22.00
Hamburguesa whit Beef, queso e mano, cheddar cheese, bacon, ham, lettuce, tomatoe, onions, homemade souses. Mustard, ketchup, mayo.
- Grilled Chicken Plate. $24.99
served with rice, house salad, fried plantain, cheese and grilled chicken.
- Tilapia Plate $24.99
served with rice, house salad, fried plantain, cheese and grilled fish tilapia
- Cachapa Chicharron $30.00
Cachapa is a typical Venezuelan dish very similar to pancakes, made from ground, very, very tender corn (jojoto). They have a sweet taste and are almost always filled with butter and “queso e´mano”, “queso telita” or “guayanés” cheese. Served two cachapas whit pork belly
- Beef Soup $24.99
It is a delicious mix that includes: beef ribs, typical Caribbean vegetables, plantain, yuca, ocumo, carrot, potato, and our secret spices. Served whit rice.
- Tequeños Cheese Fingers $15.00
Full cheese. 5 unid / pieces.
- Cachapa Plate $25.00
Cachapa is a typical Venezuelan dish very similar to pancakes, made from ground, very, very tender corn (jojoto). They have a sweet taste and are almost always filled with butter and “queso e´mano”, “queso telita” or “guayanés” cheese. Served two cachapas.
- Parrilla 1 Person $38.00
Includes: 1 pound of meat, chorizo, cheese, yuca, fried arepa, fried plantain, house salad, avocado and garlic sauce
- Cachapa Whit Asada. $30.00
Cachapa is a typical Venezuelan dish very similar to pancakes, made from ground, very, very tender corn (jojoto). They have a sweet taste and are almost always filled with butter and “queso e´mano”, “queso telita” or “guayanés” cheese. Served two Cachapas whit Asada.
- Ribeye Plate. $24.99
Rice, house salad, fried plantain and rib eye.
- Pabellón / Criollo Plate $24.99
Rice, black beans, shredded beef, sweet plantain, egg, cheese.
- Perro Caliente. Hoy Dog $9.00
In Venezuela, hot dogs are served with chopped onions, cabbage, crispy French fries and all kinds of sauces.
Empanadas
- Pollo Deshebrado / Shredded Chicken $8.00
Shredded chicken
- Jamón Y Queso / Ham & Cheese $8.00
Ham and cheese.
- Queso / Cheese $7.00
Full cheese
- Dominó $8.00
Black beans, cheese.
- Pabellón $10.00
Shredded beef, beans, cheese, fried plantain.
- La Buchona $8.00
Shredded chicken, cheese,ham.
- Mixta $8.00
Shredded chicken, shredded beef, cheese.
- Carne Deshebrada / Shredded Beef $8.00
Shredded beef.
Postres / Desserts & Bebidas / Drinks
- Cake Four Milk./ Pastel 4 Leches. $11.99
Immerse yourself in the pleasure of our 4 Milks Vanilla Cake from Tere’ fast food. Each slice is a feast of softness and flavor, where the freshness and the mix of flavors will make you feel a delight on your palate.
- Maracuyá Juice $10.99
Naturals juice maracuyá. 24 onz
- Pineapple Juice $10.99
Pineapple juice. 24 onz
- Chicha Venezolana $15.00
Chicha criolla, chicha venezolana or simply chicha is a sweet non-alcoholic drink from Venezuela made mainly from rice or wheat semolina - among other base ingredients - and cow's milk, to which condensed milk, cinnamon, chocolate chips or syrup are usually added. It is a very thick drink that is drunk cold with ice.
Tere’s fast food Details
Service options
- Curbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Drive-through
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
Tere’s fast food Photos










Tere’s fast food Location
Tere’s fast food
796 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA
Tere’s fast food Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1If you’re craving authentic Venezuelan comfort food, Tere’s Fast Food is a must-try! The arepas are perfectly golden and generously stuffed, the empanadas are light and flavorful, and the menu has all the classics from pabellón to cachapas, each made fresh and full of flavor. Portions are hearty, prices are fair, and the welcoming vibe makes you feel right at home. Whether you’re Venezuelan missing the taste of home or just curious to explore new flavors, Tere’s is the perfect spot for delicious, authentic food that keeps you coming back.
September 30 · Emerald Roofing INCI had friend of a friend recommend this place...and oh boy was it yummy!! Would have never known about this corner. I'm not Venezuelan or been to been Venezuela but they tell me it reminds them of home!! The empanadas and arepas are huge. The tequenos are also delicious!
September 16 · Wayne ChangThe Venezuelan fast food place in San Jose downtown - Found ✅The empanadas are for real! Stuffed from beginning to end. Very flavorful food! Original Venezuelan 🇻🇪🔥 Loved it
August 23 · Jesus TeranAmazing restaurant truck, their cachapas are to die for, my Venezuelan wife loves this place because how authentic the food is to where she grew up. The owner doña Tere is a lovely host and cook, plus the service is amazing. My wife and I decided to make this a biweekly treat.
March 14 · Oliver SnellGreat place to grab a bite. Very nice people who went the extra mile brought out our food for us and were very patient in the questions we asked about the cuisine. The food was so different. It was a combination of sweet and savory. I never thought would work, but didn't so many ways. Owners are very nice. Highly recommend you come out and give these folks as much support as you can. Will be back soon.
September 08 · Megan Cottel
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