Eats - Steakhouse

Cities covered: San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara

Blake's
17 N. San Pedro St.
San Jose, CA
408/298-9221
Overall: ***
The food is so-so, but the bartenders and waiters are pretty cute. Convenient if you're going to a show at the Arena (it's about a 1/4 mile away), but only if you really need to eat prime rib. A better choice is Spiedo next door or 71 Saint Peter down the street. 01/02

The Cats Restaurant
17533 Santa Cruz Highway
Los Gatos CA
408/354-4020
Overall: **
Another local hangout. This is another divey steak joint at foot of the Santa Cruz mountains on Hwy 17. You order when you arrive, and you're seated when your meal is ready to begin. In the meantime, there's usually a live band and friendly barstaff. The steak itself (I almost always order New York) was decent, but not noteworthy. The baked potatos, however, were exceptional—creamy and perfect (the official line from the cook was "we just stick them in the oven"). If you're a nervous driver, don't attempt the left-hand turn back onto Hwy. 17, especially on summer weekends; just go up to the overpass a few miles up the hill. 08/02

Drying Shed
402 Toyon Ave.
San Jose, CA
408/272-1512 (reservations probably a good idea on weekends)
Overall: ***
Some nicely done beef at this down-home local favorite. Thick, accurately cooked-to-order steaks and chops. Salad and potato are good, but the story is the meat. No frills but clean atmosphere ("shed" is pretty accurate, if sheds were the size of a conference hall). Cute busboys and friendly and funny waitstaff. This place is REALLY hard to find if you haven't been here before. If you're heading east from the freeways, it's in the shopping center to the left before the road starts going up into the hills. Map it before going. 08/02

Henry's World Famous Hi-life
301 W. Saint John St.
San Jose CA
408/295-5414
Overall: **
A locally famous, but hard to find dive with good steaks and prime rib. Not fancy at all. The dining room is smallish and dark, but the narrow "patio" that runs along the back is fun and has enough background noise to drown out intimate conversations. Locals hang out at the bar, while families take up the dining room. Parking is in the rear. 05/01

Update 12/02: A friend of mine really loves going here, so I've had two more opportunities to evaluate the food. The quality of the meat is not that good, so proper cooking is important. Unfortunately, this is hit or miss. Twice I've had to send my steak back because it was undercooked and too tough to eat super rare.

Mister Steer
2367 El Camino Real
Santa Clara CA 95050
408/243-2359
Overall: ***
Yes, that's the real name. Mister Steer has the unfortunate history of being the location a boyfriend chose to dump me, but it's still a decent place for red meat. I usually order the prime rib, which is quite good. They have nice warm rolls, which I always ask for more of. Salads are standard. The odd thing about this very family-oriented joint is how much of a throwback it is to the 60s, or what I imagine the 60s were like. The waitresses seem to have been there forever which is always a good sign, there's still a very active bar off to the side, and the decor is an oddly dignified pastiche. Still, I like it and it's a good way to see exactly who your neighbors are. Updated 01/02