Zesty, authentic Mexican food hidden downtown
By Katie Dooling
SAN JOSE -- What could be better than entering a restaurant for the first time and being greeted with a warm smile and a basket of chips?
For the Santa Clara student who enjoys a great Mexican meal, the answer is nothing.
Nothing is better than venturing out of the bubble -- especially when you head down De La Cruz to North 13th Street in San Jose and stop at the brightly stuccoed oasis that is the Gecko Grill.
If you're sick of the endless lines at Henry's, great restaurants like Gecko Grill are only minutes away and offer an even better menu, bar and charming reptilian decor. Just think, if you get in your car or your roommates car that you jacked and drive away, you don't have to stare at the gorgeous view of Alumni Science as you nosh authentic Mexican treats.
Speaking of scenery, the restaurant is covered with -- you guessed it -- geckos. Dozens of them in different sizes and shapes are mounted on neon orange painted walls.
And although there is golf playing on the bar television, the play-by-plays are drowned out by the mariachi music playing in the background. Of course, you can always sit on the patio, and as spring weather approaches, the Grill's outdoor seating provides a mini vacation from your dorm room.
Most entres cost between $7 and $15, but you will get your money's worth. The Gecko Grill serves up tasty Mexican fare in American portions. The breakfast menu is served all day, including breakfast burritos, omelets and huevos rancheros. Lunch and dinner features an array of authentic dishes, from quesadillas and salads to wraps and burritos.
And for you 21-and-over folks, the bar is downright impressive. The Gecko Grill has one hell of a liquor bottle menagerie behind the tin-plated counter, and there's a daily happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m., with their margaritas costing only $3.95.
So instead of sitting minutes away from the rigors of academia, go to the Gecko Grill and pretend it's still spring break. It'll make you feel like you're in a cantina in Cabo.