Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

Steak house · Little Italy ·

Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

Steak house · Little Italy ·

Juicy, flavorful BBQ meats, steaks, and ribs served with garlic bread

Information

301 Sharks Wy, San Jose, CA 95110 Get directions

$20–30

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

25 Best San Jose and South Bay Area Restaurants | Eater SF

"As another long-time Bay Area restaurant, Henry’s World Famous Hi-Life has been cranking out slabs of dry-rubbed, hot-smoked barbeque since the 1960s. The restaurant is known for its juicy, flavorful meat, sure to satisfy carnivores and barbeque fans. Visitors rave about the baby back and spare ribs, and the USDA-choice New York steaks are also a popular choice. For those seeking poultry, barbecue chicken and teriyaki chicken are solid options. Dinner orders are accompanied by a medley of sides, including a salad, baked potatoes, and garlic bread, plus there are plenty of beers on tap." - Octavio Peña

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-san-jose-south-bay-area-restaurants

Henry’s World Famous Hi-Life

Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

The Best Barbecue in the Bay Area, Summer 2024 | Eater SF

"Henry’s has been around for more than 50 years in San Jose, and for good reason: the food here is great. The steaks are certainly a draw, but the ribs are worthy in their own right. While you can certainly get a rack, the pro move is to get the combo chicken and ribs plate to maximize your dinner options. All dishes come with a baked potato, garlic bread, and salad, so arrive hungry." - Eater Staff

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-barbecue-san-francisco-oakland-bay-area-restaurants

Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

A Meat Lover’s Guide to the Best Barbecue Joints in the Bay Area

"Henry’s has been around for more than 50 years in San Jose, and with good reason: the food here is great. The steaks are certainly a draw, but the ribs are worthy in their own right. While you can certainly get a rack, the pro move is to get the combo chicken and ribs plate to maximize your dinner options. All dishes come with a baked potato, garlic bread, and salad, so arrive hungry." - Lauren Saria, Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-barbecue-sf-bay-area-takeout-delivery-san-francisco-oakland

Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

@manvfood

58 Postcards · 19 Cities

Adam visits the historic San Jose landmark for the beloved finger-licking baby back ribs.

Man Vs. Food - California

Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

How Tiki Bars Have Avoided Reckoning With Accusations of Appropriation | Eater SF

"At Henry's Hi-Life, a nearly 60-year-old San Jose bar, longtime bartender James Dillsaver—called 'a legend' by colleague Richie Aranda—retired after 32 years behind the bar; the 72-year-old is heading to Colorado Springs and said, 'Sure, I'm going to miss San Jose,' and 'I'm going to miss this place forever.'" - Eve Batey

https://sf.eater.com/2019/12/2/20991744/tiki-racist-hina-yakatori-paper-cup-ban

Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

Hector T.

Google

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2.5/5) Henry’s World Famous Hi-Life was an okay experience overall. The ribeye was cooked perfectly to my requested temperature, but it lacked flavor. The mushrooms were a disappointment — they tasted bland and looked like they came from a can. I did appreciate their seating and service system; we were short on time before the San Jose Sharks hockey game, and our food came out surprisingly fast. Parking was convenient, which was a big plus. The ribs were tender and had a good portion size even though I only ordered half a rack. The mac and cheese had decent flavor but was a bit watery, and the baked potato was pretty standard — though I did enjoy the touch of local butter and chives. The place itself is cozy, and walking in through the bar gives you a sense of the restaurant’s long history. Prices are on the higher side considering the limited side options and the quality of the cuts. Overall, a decent spot with fast service, but not quite worth the hype.

Vincent M.

Google

Our visit to Henry’s was awesome, just as I remember! It had been a while since I had been there but it had the same feel and the food was amazing as usual! We will be back again soon, for sure. The prime rib and pork chops were delish and the bread is AMAZING!!!

G L.

Google

Henry’s high Life is a San Jose historical staple of the community! They have some great barbecue,steaks, and prime rib. Pretty much you’re not going to leave here hungry and likely with a little leftovers. The prime rib is super tasty, especially the saltiness around the edges, and very moist. Love it. But my favorite of all time here are the baby back ribs. They are cooked to perfection with a perfectly textured outer cage, and falling off the bone meat. March that with their sauces and you’re in heaven! And while not a headliner, their garlic bread is delicious as well. Soaked in garlic and butter and goes so well with your meat! Have a drink at the bar, watch the games on the TVs, and just relax. They have a unique ordering style. You arrive you get a number and you order your food. Then you wait in the bar. Then after some time they’ll seat you. You get a salad and the garlic bread. Then just a few minutes later, your meat comes out. Super friendly staff.

Kevin C.

Google

I went here during my college days ordering the ribs, now years later I couldnt eat as much so I ordered the tri tip sandwich. We were served garlic bread and BBQ. Had a good conservation about whats in it. We sat outside because I had a dog. Our server was attentive and kind, food came out and it was big like a subway footlong. Dog loved pieces of my tri tip. When our bill came we were able to split it. Oh, times change, where my older body couldnt eat just meat. Only suggestion is a TV outside, so I can watch the game with my dog.

Sharkzilla F.

Google

One of the oldest and best barbecue places in San Jose, California hands-down it’s right next to the San Jose Sharks Arena so you could eat there and walk to the game if you like there’s also a park right there and it’s located in Little Italy. So Basically you just walk in and you take a number off the wall wait till your number is called then you order your food off the menu on the wall you wait at the bar area until they call you in like usually like five minutes depending how busy they are Friday, Saturday and Sunday are usually really busy. Just a heads up when you sit down you already have a salad waiting for you with your bread and your drinks. The food usually comes about five minutes later. The service is fast And the food is excellent and the staff there are very friendly. Highly recommended one of my favorite places to eat in San Jose.

Tim

Google

High-quality steaks, chicken, and ribs in the little italy section of San Jose. A little different setup. Go in and take a number. Wait for your number to be called and place your order, where they'll take your name. Wait for your name to be called, and you'll be taken back to your seat. From there, the food comes fast. Note: you order from the wall, but it doesn't list everything (e.g. - Mac n' cheese, which is really good). Ribs were great. Sirloin was decent.

Jeremy M.

Google

I ordered a Burger and wasn’t satisfied because I didn’t like the flavor. The manager over heard me talking to my coworker about I wasn’t going to say anything and he brought me a rack of ribs that were phenomenal! Great place great management! Thanks for the ribs!

julian L.

Google

Their check-in process is a bit unusual, but make sense. When we arrive, we had to get a number. When our number was up, the host came to take our order and we continued to wait at the bar. Then when the table was ready, we got seated and the food came quickly. Unusual, but quite efficient process. I went there specifically for their prime rib. I would say it was average. The pork belly side order was very good! Their Long Island Ice tea was quite strong.

Annie A.

Yelp

Baby in a bar! This place is pretty fun. You have to wait in the front area, which is a bar, to get seated. Then you're taken to the back, which opens up into a very hustlin and bustlin dining area. We opted for the expansive outdoor area though, since we got a screamer (toddler be toddlin). Wow we had awesome service even though we were the only ones outside. The lovely servers came to check on us frequently. Aside from our entrees we also got bread and salad as a starter. It's like a higher class Olive Garden! The Pork Spare Rib and Tri Tip Plate was yummy and filling. I had no idea that this was on a television show, but apparently it was, and glad that it got the exposure it did because it is a great spot that checks off all the boxes, as I see that Food Service and Ambiance are all green and checked off.

JoeandKari C.

Yelp

November 9, 2025 and 6 of us came for dinner. Great bar tender, great service, and luckily plenty of seating too. Restaurant service was fine, but wow has it gotten expensive for the quality. The $58 ribeye was nothing special as it was under seasoned and could've been hotter, and same with the baked potato. The whole rack of ribs was very tender. Probably better if the bbq sauce was on the side allowing the rub to be enjoyed.

Maggie W.

Yelp

Went to Henry's for the first time and I'm glad I did! Parking is hard to find in the nearby streets, though the sharks game was happening at the same time, which may it difficult. We ended up parking at San Pedro Square garage and walked over. Which isn't too bad, tho sketchy at night. You pass by the bar waiting area, take a ticket number, look at the wooden menu wall, and order with the front of house staff member when he calls your number. Then you stay in the waiting area until they call your name again to be seated at an actual table and begin food service. We waited a while. Prices were expensive, BUT the food was very good. They cooked our steak right!!! We got medium rare and they delivered. It's been so long since I've ordered a med rare steak and actually GOT a successfully cooked med rare steak. The ribs and chicken were good too. our meat came with two sides, a salad and baked potato. They gave free bread while waiting. Next time, I would go back to try their porterhouse or prime rib. This is a no frills steakhouse for sure. I docked a star because the ordering process could've been better, apparently there was more on the menu than what was on the wooden boards. But it was really hard to hear the front of house staff in the bar waiting area bc of the crowd and music.

Gerald L.

Yelp

Henry's high Life is a San Jose historical staple of the community! They have some great barbecue,steaks, and prime rib. Pretty much you're not going to leave here hungry and likely with a little leftovers. The prime rib is super tasty, especially the saltiness around the edges, and very moist. Love it. But my favorite of all time here are the baby back ribs. They are cooked to perfection with a perfectly textured outer cage, and falling off the bone meat. March that with their sauces and you're in heaven! And while not a headliner, their garlic bread is delicious as well. Soaked in garlic and butter and goes so well with your meat! Have a drink at the bar, watch the games on the TVs, and just relax. They have a unique ordering style. You arrive you get a number and you order your food. Then you wait in the bar. Then after some time they'll seat you. You get a salad and the garlic bread. Then just a few minutes later, your meat comes out. Super friendly staff.

Adrienne B.

Yelp

I love this place! It's such a close walk to SAP center! When you walk in make sure to grab a number and then wait in the bar area until your number is called. Your order is taken and you wait in the bar area until your table is ready. Your food comes out shortly after you sit down! They have inside and outside seating. Outside seating is covered! Bartenders are generous with shots! My single looked like a triple lol

Carlos G.

Yelp

Great pre sharks game place to eat/drink...great dive bar vibe inside,bbq restaurant in back and outside or inside dining...great staff and steaks ...bbq is good as well Make sure you grab a number!! Number system...hanging on the wall next to the little hallway to the dining room!

Ariel R.

Yelp

Overpriced for quality of experience and quality of their meats. I'd be okay if I didn't eat here for another couple years.

Yuki K.

Yelp

The ordering system is a bit chaotic for a first-timer but they explained quickly. We were led to the bar area with the menu high up on the wall where our orders were taken. We then waited around 5 minutes to be called on the intercom for a table. From there, it was another 5-10 minutes total before all of the food was brought out. Overall the steak is fairly average, as is the rest of the food. We ordered the 20 oz ribeye, cooked medium rare, and cut it against the grain, but even though there were tender pieces, there were also some overly chewy ones. All entrees come with a baked potato with chive butter, a side salad (of which you can choose your own dressing), some garlic bread (though it just tasted like soft buttery toast), and some overly sweet tomato soup to dip the bread in. Additional sides can also be ordered. We got an extra side of pork belly - it came as three slightly crispy but also chewy pieces, none of which were particularly flavorful.

Kimberly O.

Yelp

Henry's Word Famous Hi-Life lived up to the hype. You enter to a vintage and historic bar and a unique process for ordering and how to get seated. The food is a nice mix of BBQ and steakhouse. The food portions is generous and a salad, bread, and potato come with each order. The food was excellent. I had the baby back ribs and have to say they were some of the best ribs I've ever had. Highly recommended!

Alicia N.

Yelp

Went during the prime rib Friday special around 7pm..Waited almost 45 mins- 1 hr to be seated .. as expected bc this place is yummy and really busy !! Service: nice, outgoing Decor: western Texas vibes Free appetizers- butter bread and some type of tomato dipping sauce : 10/10 - soooo gooooooood and addicting - Honestly got me halfway full before the rest of the main course came because we kept asking for more bread Grilled bbq onion : 10/10 - simple but good - they only serve 5 of these per night . First come first serve Mac and cheese: 10/10 - love the wheel shape pasta noodle - the cheese was perfect Chicken and broccoli Alfredo pasta : 10/10 Prime rib with loaded potato and chilli : 10/10 - medium rare :) - love the butter they used in the loaded potato Overall the food was yummy ; every dish was solid ! Would come back! FYI: by the time they call you in to be seated, your food order is less than 5-10 mins ready. You order while you wait for your turn to be seated

David M.

Yelp

Get there early on Shark game nights. This place is small. You wait in line to put in your name to wait in line to put in your order. Absolutely not vegan friendly. What a beautiful thing. Awesomeness meats await. Service was remarkable and the whole process moved along quickly. Delicious and delectably prepared meat that's freshly prepared. Prices are on par. An absolute gem worthy of repeating frequently.

Rachel Y.

Yelp

This restaurant is tucked away near little Tokyo at the end of the street! When you go inside, there is a waiting area so make sure you get your number as soon as you go in! Someone will be there to take your order there before you actually sit in the tables! He did super well explaining all the amazing dishes that we ate and it was all so good! We got the New York 12 oz, Ribeye, cheeseburger, and baby back ribs! As soon as you sit down, you get bread and that melts in your mouth, especially with the sauce! I'd definitely come back for all the fun times and for the quality of food!

Arthur T.

Yelp

Came by for my mom's birthday, and it was extremely underwhelming. First off, super unorganized ordering system. It is hectic and crowded. Take a number, then wait for staff to call and then you order first...then wait for them to call again to be sat. It is a lot of chasing around for the person taking orders (he was very friendly), but just extremely inefficient. I understand wanting to control who comes in and out...and when folks are sat, food can come out faster, but there's definitely a better way of doing it. Ordered some beers while we waited... -had a Barebottle IPA that was a bit on the flatter side for $10 4 of us ordered: -2 prime ribs 12 oz $46.95 ea -1 prime rib 16 oz $61.95 -1 porterhouse $61.95 -half rack baby back ribs $26.95 -mushrooms $6 Including tip, it was almost $350... Only one prime rib was cooked ok. All others were over cooked and undercooked... I personally had the 16 oz prime rib and it was over cooked, but I didn't bother sending it back, but just told them it was over cooked. The porterhouse was overcooked for a medium rare. We definitely had to send it back for a new one...and when we let them know, someone from the back tried to explain to us that it was "their" medium rare. So we asked for rare...and at that point, it was barely cooked...so we had to send it back again to be cooked, then it came out overcooked again. For an established restaurant, I'm a bit shocked service for the meats was that poor, and the quality control was that bad. Baby back ribs and one prime rib were good. Everything else...really not good. 1.5 star meal...rounding up to 2 to be nice. Parking is extremely difficult in the area.

Mark G.

Yelp

If you have never been you should go at least once! Food is good not great. The prices are higher than they should be for what you get. Then again welcome to overpriced Silicon Valley! I tried the BBQ chicken instead of the goto cheese burger and it was a bit dry. Had to use more than normal BBQ sauce (which is very tasty). Regardless I continue to go one or twice a year when I'm in the area or going to a sharks game!

Rosie W.

Yelp

A friend of mine told me about Henry's and how they have a good prime rib deal on Tuesdays. Well, it was a Wednesday, so no deal but we wanted to try it out anyway. The location of this restaurant is tucked away, next to a dark underpass so its easy to miss. It's in a brick building with not many windows; it almost looks like a dive bar really. When you enter the restaurant, you first enter the bar where you pick what you want to eat, then you're seated further inside the restaurant. I ended up getting a new york steak, which was good, but not great. It was like $30, which includes garlic bread (with mysterious red sauce, didn't like it) and also a salad. We also got the prime rib (which wasn't on sale) and it was also good, but not great. If you've ever had Cattlemen's, youll know why this place is good, but not great. Also for the price, I didn't think it was a good deal. Great drinks though, full bar. Great customer service and food came out fast.

Kevin L.

Yelp

I had the cheeseburger....and it was delicious, just like everything else on the menu. I typically get the prime rib or the baby back ribs, but decided to change it up this time around. Definitely worth a visit if you haven't been - good meat, no fancy-ness - just a great meal.

Dominic G.

Yelp

This is a place I recommend everyone try at least once. The restaurant has a very old fashioned vibe and serves large cuts of meat. The food is quite pricey but is great for a special occasion. The meals are humongous so if you are a meat lover this is your place to go. I ordered New York steak which was delicious. The restaurant itself is quite casual but the food is almost to the quality of a steakhouse. Overall I would recommend.

Dave B.

Yelp

Rubber chicken - what a disappointment. Are they microwaving their chicken now? Quality of food is going down.

Meems T.

Yelp

The food is not amazing, nor are service and ambiance top tier, but I can see why people keep coming back. I'd compare it to the Old Spaghetti Factory. It's tried and true and above all else, great value. Where else can you get bread, salad, a side dish and a steak for under $25? As a Bay Area native, I can finally say "I've tried it."

Jason H.

Yelp

The same 'ol Henry's. Nothing's changed. A perfect Filet Mignon, accompanied by a simple, yet nicely baked potato. And don't forget the sauce. Gotta have the sauce. Expect a 90 minute wait on the weekend. That hasn't changed either.

Linda H.

Yelp

The ribs were a little dry but they had good flavor and the staff was very friendly and efficient. The atmosphere gave a pub vibe when you walked in but when you went to the back it was set up more like a restaurant. I really liked their number system and the ordering process was super easy and they were efficient. You ordered then they sat you down and brought the food. Couldn't have been any easier! Plus your meal came with super yummy toasted garlic bread and salad plus baked potato. It was so much food that my husband, my child and I all shared a full rack of ribs. We were all full and we still have two left on the tray! It was a good size serving. I totally thought the price was very reasonable considering now a days you can't even go to a McDonald's without spending $20 or more per person! The full rack of ribs was 60 and I totally feel like it was absolutely worth it! My daughter doesn't each much usually but she had even more ribs than I did... so it was win win situation! The only reason I am not giving 5 stars is because the salad was already turning brown and some of the pieces were a bit mushy which of course isn't appetizing. But we came between lunch and dinner so maybe they still had their "lunch" salad still out from earlier that day. I was the only one who had a salad since the rest of my family aren't real "salad" kind of people lol.

Joe H.

Yelp

Ordered the BBQ Salmon this evening delivered via door dash. The salmon was overcooked to almost no moisture left. The edges were hardened to a crisp. The center, was thicker, and flaked as it should be, but dry from overcooking. I have ordered it in the restaurant. I guess the cook does not watch the salmon from overcooking, since the customer is not in the dining room and won't get kicked back. This was certainly a kickback to the cook for overcooking the salmon. I ordered the meal because of the salmon. It did not make the grade. I have eaten many time in the dining room and never had to send a meal back to the cook.

Thomas F.

Yelp

Had my Birthday dinner there yesterday had the worst porterhouse steak in my life all grisle an tough I could not cut the meat I thought the knife was a butter knife. Anyway beyond that the service was just ok. We paid sixety dollars for that dinner just so disappointed. All the hype about this place. No.

Wesley C.

Yelp

Henry's Hi-Life used to be pretty renowned for their BBQ amongst my friends, but once I tried it out, I think the price is a little too much for the food that you're getting. You order at the door when you get in line which is nice so they'll serve you when you sit down. I really have nothing against the service, I just think the food is... not great. The sauce they have is better than the meat, which is kind of dry. But personally I don't love when I have to cover up meat with sauce, rather than relying on the meat itself. It's unfair to compare it to Texas, but I can only say it's serviceable. The ambiance itself is pretty nice as it's like an old timey place but it still manages to stay clean. I think it's serviceable and the portions are large which are great...

Anna-Marie C.

Yelp

This building is so unique, may have been built in the 1800. Have been here before. Menu is on wall on wall in bar, You put your order in. Then you are seated in dining area. Salad was very tasty. Garlic bread excellent. We ordered 10oz. Filet mignon. Cooked to perfection. It came with nice fluffy baked potato with butter and sour cream. Will definitely return

Briana V.

Yelp

1 word! AMAZING. It was a little bit of a wait but worth it in the end. This is one of the oldest restaurants in SJ so I definitely needed to try it. They start you off with this amazing bread that you just can't stop shoving in your mouth. They made their menu very simple so I went with a steak , loaded bake potato and some Mac. I left feeling full & satisfied. I will be returning and highly recommend

Linda C.

Yelp

Came here with colleagues after a work event. We were craving BBQ and needed a "do-over" after the horrible bbq we had over the weekend a different places. You definitely get your monies worth here. The platter was fairly large and very reasonably priced. The place I tried over the weekend charged $30 for 3 pieces of ribs, some fries and a can of coke. Here you get so much more. The ribs were favorable and not dry. The baked potato was delicious and the garlic bread is one of the best ever. My salad was a little bit too wet, mixed with the dressing it was almost soupy... so I had to pass on the salad. Everything else was good!

Kat E.

Yelp

Best bbq spot in town. While you wait, start with a few drinks or too many drinks. Once seated orders are taken quickly and food comes out pretty quickly. Portions are generous and fun times. Only down side is parking and can be difficult but you can do it

Patrick S.

Yelp

Cool building with deep roots in the local community. Before it was a restaurant this building was a boarding house for newly arrived Italian workers. I only stopped at the bar. I'll have to try the food next time.

Sarah Y.

Yelp

Old school steak joint in the heart of San Jose. Food is consistent, drinks are great, and I love the ambiance. Service is always great. Solid night out.

Bob N.

Yelp

Poor House Bistro has no opened right next door to Henry's. (See my 5-star review of PHB) Poor House has good food, reasonable prices, friendly service, and live music on weekends. It is SO MUCH BETTER than Henry's! Do yourself a favor - skip Henry's and go to PHB, or to Paesano.

Ty W.

Yelp

Great food at a reasonable price with friendly service. Loved the fact that the venue was on the wall and they take your order before you sit down. We really enjoyed it.

Tina K.

Yelp

This feels like you've traveled far far away from San Jose despite being right down the street from SAP. There is street parking with meters, but it can get pretty busy in the area. As far as I know, they don't take reservations. When you walk in, it feels like you walked into a western dive bar - lots of wood and pretty dark. You check in with the host or bartender and put your name on the list. When they call you, you order your food with a person that comes to you and then wait until they call you to take you into the dining room. The menu is on the wall - so pretty straight forward. While you are waiting, you can grab a drink at the bar and hang out. They have a full bar. Their menu is simple, but everything is good! Steaks, chicken, ribs, etc and all the entrees come with bread, a salad, and a baked potato. Their ribs are delicious and I love their chicken. Portions are generous so be ready to take home leftovers. Service is great in the dining room - they are efficient and friendly.

Paolo B.

Yelp

A quintessential and long time establishment located in San Jose that's my go-to in the area for all things baby back ribs, prime rib, and the strongest margaritas. I've been coming here for over a decade, and I can't believe I've never written a review before. I've tried a bunch of things here, but the baby back ribs are the star of the show. Fall off the bone, cooked to perfection, it's just perfect and the way I like em. All dinners come with a house salad, bread, and a baked potato. Fridays and Saturdays are prime rib days. They offer a 12oz and 16oz. Amazing tasting crust, classic prime rib, really enjoy this. My friend and I both got the 12oz which was plenty, and we got an a la carte 1/2 rack. We were stuffed. The things I'm not a huge fan of is their bread, it's borderline burnt half the time, but the bbq sauce is good. The bbq onion and mushrooms are also a skip for me. It's all about the meats Ordering can be confusing, but to simplify, walk in and grab a number. When they call your number, they'll take your order and then you'll continue to wait until your table is ready. Once it's ready, your salads will be waiting at your table, and food orders come out within 10 minutes. While you wait, definitely grab a margarita. These are hella strong and get the job done. With drinks, it's an easy $60-70 dinner but for me totally worth it. Whenever I'm craving classic bbq, this is the spot that comes up first. If you've never been, definitely recommend it.

Lina A.

Yelp

I haven't been here in 7yrs but the food here is still cooked to perfection. Hubby ordered the ribeye steak with baked potato. He asked for the plain butter. I forgot they have a special garnish mix margerine with chives on their baked potaoes. I wasn't a big fan of. I ordered the chicken and baby back ribs which was delicious. I couldn't finish it all. I understand the price of inflation but $70 for a ribeye steak! Thats something you pay at a Mortons Steakhouse. Service and food was great.

Derek L.

Yelp

Finding good barbecue in the Bay Area is really tough and I'm glad I finally found this institution in San Jose. Granted, it still can't beat the stuff I've had in Texas, but it satisfies the soul enough. Both times I've had the meal to go as I don't get too much time to eat lunch during the work day. The move is to call 30 minutes in advance so it's ready for pickup when you arrive. I got the spare ribs once and the baby back ribs the second time. The spare ribs are dry-rubbed and smoked without any glazing. They give you a tomato-based barbecue sauce in a large cup but my favorite is their molasses-based sauce which they gave to me upon request at no extra charge. I appreciate it when barbecue joints don't charge for sauce. Spare ribs are a great deal with about 5 long ribs for under $18.54 which is a steal! The baby back ribs came out to be about $35 so I'd definitely stick with the spare ribs. Also the meal comes with a slab of garlic bread, the most perfect baked potato (with garlic/scallion butter, sour cream), and salad with choice of dressing (I always choose vinaigrette). All in all it's enough food usually for 2 meals and I highly recommend giving them a visit.

Michael M.

Yelp

Although there was a "crowd" when we arrived (before a Sharks game so that is to be expected) it only took about a 20 minute wait between taking our order number and being seated. The prices have gone up significantly since our last visit, but that has become the norm. The BBQ was excellent and plentiful - we had to box leftovers but that gave us something to snack on during the game. We were seated in a quiet spot in the "back room" which we thought was great.

Evangelene G.

Yelp

LOVE-LOVE-LOVE THIS PLACE!!! We were introduced to it when we were youngsters in college at SJSU. We always said one day we would come back when we had a little more money. It's a very popular place to go to before a concert or Sharks game at SAP. If you are not familiar with it, you have to go inside, get a number and wait until your number is called. Once your number is called, you place your order. There's the original menu bard on the wall for reference. Then you indicate where you want to sit: Inside, outside, first available. While you are waiting, belly up to the bar and order a drink. It's very cozy so you can't help but be sociable. Salad and bread comes with your main entree. We tend to order the steak sandwich because it's a good deal. We'll be back whenever we're in the area.

David P.

Yelp

I've lived in San Jose about 20 years. My first time visiting this restaurant. First, the good. They have a nifty patio section to sit outside for food or drinks. The bad. Mediocre food, over-priced (even at lunch). Our server was terrible. He would reach between and around my party to deliver food or drinks. He didn't use trays for drinks but instead clumped all the cups together to get refills...in a post-Covid world, how are you able to return the cups to the right person? Horrible parking. Pay the meters. The restrooms are single use so why are they still labeled M/W ? I couldn't eat my food when it was delivered because I had no utensils or napkin. I ordered the BBQ chicken sandwich...a grilled flavorless breast. And a baked potato. I asked for butter and sour cream and got a huge glob of over-colored dark yellow margarine that was as big as the potato. I won't be back.

Jason Y.

Yelp

Very old school place. Usually packed and sometimes can be a wait. When our son was younger it quite wasn't worth the wait. Now that we're all old enough to sit at the bar you usually can get in quicker. Fast service and super friendly bartender. The food has gotten a bit more $$$ since I've been going but what hasn't. Can be a little popular/"touristy" I still recommend trying it at least once. Lots of meat options.

Amanda C.

Yelp

We have been here before, but this time our service was even more outstanding than usual. We started with a couple of drinks at the bar where Dave served us. Dave was quick and made a great drink! Casey took our order and sat us at our table. He was very communicative and gave a good suggestion for the chive butter for my baked potato. We both had the prime rib which as always was fantastic. We were of course served the bbq/marinara with the bread and our salads as well. They were very nice at confirming I could have the sauce since I have a weird allergy to un-cooked tomatoes. Our waters were kept full and everyone was super attentive!! Would highly recommend!!

Mary N.

Yelp

First time back at Henry's since the pandemic and it brought back so many memories this past weekend. My family and I use to eat here often, so it felt really nostalgic coming back. The interior design still looks the same, haha. You'll order first and then get seated after. We ordered our usual full rack of baby back ribs to share. It will come with a baked potato and a salad to complete your meal. If you are sharing the full rack, you'll have to order additional baked potatoes and side salads (if you want your own). While you wait, they bring out this garlic bread with this marinara sauce that is to die for. So so so much butter on there, but I guess that's why it's so good huh? Haha! The ribs were pull apart and tender. Didn't taste dry at all. Baked potato wasn't anything extraordinary, but was a good addition to the meal. I wish the BBQ sauce had a little bit more tang or spice to it, but I still really enjoyed our meal. If you are in the downtown area and are craving BBQ, check this place out!

Scott M.

Yelp

Simple menu, fast service, great tasting food... love it. Had the prime rib love the house dressing ... blue cheese vinegarette. Experience was awesome.. Will be a regular.

Yun C.

Yelp

We finally came back after many years and we were glad we did. Henry still had the same charm as before! Parking is free on the street on Sundays, but otherwise it's mostly metered parking due to the location In Downtown San Jose. You got it and the host came to get your order before you got seated. They prepared your table and called your name once your table is ready. We forgot that prime ribs were only Fridays and Saturdays only, so we opted the teriyaki steak (sirloin 16 oz) $29.95 came with garlic bread, bbq sauce, salad, and baked potato. Generous portion. Smaller stomach usually would have leftovers. We also like their mushroom (cooked in white wine, really tender and juicy good) and the bbq onion (whole onion slowly cooked in their bbq so it's juicy sweet), great as add on sides. Service was efficient and friendly and now they have both indoor and outdoor seating. We like seating indoor (sj summer is too hot for us to be outside) and we love seeing they prepared the food as their kitchen is open. I hope despite the many hipsters eating places around, Henry's will continue to thrive and become local favorites.

Doris Y.

Yelp

My husband and I have been wanting to come here for a while, he's not from the South Bay so had never been to Henry's so in the past month we have had lunch and dinner there! He finally had his prime rib and it didn't disappoint him, he even went as far as to say that it was better than The House of Prime Rib . We have seated at the bar and bar tenders and server were super friendly, we can't wait to be back!! I love the cozy feeling of the restaurant it has great ambience.

Andres M.

Yelp

The food was good,can't say it's the best BBQ I've had but it's good. The complementary garlic bread was really good and the Cesar dressing was bomb! The whole layout and how you ordered is really bad and unwelcoming. "Take a #, wait in the bar, hurry up and order, wait more, and rush to eat." Not really a kid friendly location for us parents. Although they have a very small kids menu and no French Fry's. (My kids love Fry's) So overall Its an "ok" please

Kerry G.

Yelp

This is not a barbecue place in the way I think of barbecue places. The food is barbecued but they don't have a pulled pork sandwich or plate. I couldn't find collards on the menu either. My baby back ribs were fantastic and the chicken was great too. It was a lot of food. It would be nice to have smaller items and some vegetables on the menu. The way my order was placed is kinda weird too. I picked what I wanted from a menu on the wall, gave my order to the host and when my table was ready I was seated. I met my server who brought toasted sub rolls and took my drink order. I never got a beer list so I had water. My food arrived shortly after I was seated. My server checked on me a few times and took my plate when I was finished. I asked about dessert but they didn't have any.

Sandy W.

Yelp

The BEST BBQ in San Jose and the entire Bay Area! Get the baby back ribs (a half rack is enough to get full), they are excellent. The garlic bread with special tomato based dipping sauce is very tasty as well, it comes automatically with every meal. This is NOT a FANCY place, but this is a DELICIOUS place!

Phil D.

Yelp

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Henry’s World Famous Hi-Life

Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

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The Best Barbecue in the Bay Area, Summer 2024 | Eater SF

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Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

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Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

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Adam visits the historic San Jose landmark for the beloved finger-licking baby back ribs.

Man Vs. Food - California

Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

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How Tiki Bars Have Avoided Reckoning With Accusations of Appropriation | Eater SF

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Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

Hector T.

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Vincent M.

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G L.

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Kevin C.

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Sharkzilla F.

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Tim

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Jeremy M.

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julian L.

Google

Annie A.

Yelp

JoeandKari C.

Yelp

Maggie W.

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Gerald L.

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Adrienne B.

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Carlos G.

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Ariel R.

Yelp

Overpriced for quality of experience and quality of their meats. I'd be okay if I didn't eat here for another couple years.

Yuki K.

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Kimberly O.

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Alicia N.

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David M.

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Rachel Y.

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Arthur T.

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Mark G.

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Rosie W.

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Kevin L.

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Dominic G.

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Dave B.

Yelp

Rubber chicken - what a disappointment. Are they microwaving their chicken now? Quality of food is going down.

Meems T.

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Jason H.

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Linda H.

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Joe H.

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Anna-Marie C.

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Briana V.

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Linda C.

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Kat E.

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Patrick S.

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Sarah Y.

Yelp

Old school steak joint in the heart of San Jose. Food is consistent, drinks are great, and I love the ambiance. Service is always great. Solid night out.

Bob N.

Yelp

Ty W.

Yelp

Great food at a reasonable price with friendly service. Loved the fact that the venue was on the wall and they take your order before you sit down. We really enjoyed it.

Tina K.

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Paolo B.

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Lina A.

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Derek L.

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Michael M.

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Evangelene G.

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David P.

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Jason Y.

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Amanda C.

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Mary N.

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Scott M.

Yelp

Simple menu, fast service, great tasting food... love it. Had the prime rib love the house dressing ... blue cheese vinegarette. Experience was awesome.. Will be a regular.

Yun C.

Yelp

Doris Y.

Yelp

Andres M.

Yelp

Kerry G.

Yelp

Sandy W.

Yelp

Phil D.

Yelp

Food David the bartender Ambiance Price Drinks Chicken Baby backs Location

Henry's World Famous Hi-Life

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25 Best San Jose and South Bay Area Restaurants | Eater SF

The Best Barbecue in the Bay Area, Summer 2024 | Eater SF

A Meat Lover’s Guide to the Best Barbecue Joints in the Bay Area

How Tiki Bars Have Avoided Reckoning With Accusations of Appropriation | Eater SF

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25 Best San Jose and South Bay Area Restaurants | Eater SF

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