Eats - Portuguese

Sousa's Portuguese Restaurant
1614 Alum Rock Avenue 
San Jose, CA 95116
(408) 926-9075
Went here on a fluke during the Saturday lunch binge. We all opted for the octopus stew, which turned out to be fantastic—tender, in a mild adobo-like sauce. Sides are potatos and rice, with either chicken soup (simple, but tasty with rice) or an iceberg salad. Desserts were first-class: the flan is about 3" tall and unlike anything I've ever had, and the coconut roll had the perfect texture...somewhat crunchy, somewhat soft, ultra sweet to balance out the coffee which I wished I'd ordered. The waitress told us (and I mean TOLD us to come for the Monday and Friday lunch buffet where there are five entrees to choose from. I should mention that the waitress we had has, oh, a certain ATTITUDE, but she took care of us well. Go here. 07/03/04

Update 7/17/2005: We return for lunch. My friend Scott has the beef stew, which is basically a pile of stew meat flavored with unusual spices. I was craving the octopus stew, which is interestingly tender and strangely spiced—probably the best version of octopus I've had, since it's usually so chewy. If you like thin soups, order the potato and kale soup that comes with the entree, which seizes when you add a few pieces of bread. Service was excellent with the right attitude. Big lunch for two (we didn't eat dinner that night): $28.