Poor House Bistro

I’m no expert on New Orleans and Cajun food but I like the food here! I personally had The Poor House which comes with ham and roast beef. Great of you like a ’meaty’ sandwich. Be prepared this thing will fall apart all over you. But messy be good too! I shared some of the crawfish pasta with someone. Creamy and yummy. AMA this is the best way to eat crawfish cuz otherwise they’re too hard to peel! Shrimp po boy was good but I prefer grilled instead of this mattered and deep fried way. And the fries were hella top salty. They actually got my order wings which I didn’t realize till the food was ready after 15 minutes. So I had to order again! But they made it the next priority so I’ll give them service points for that. Had a few drinks… vodka shots and wine. I know weird combination right? About $10 bucks each. And I enjoyed their live band. Cool courtyard and festive atmosphere. In fact, a few folks dancing. Mostly older folks here. I’ll come back on the right occasion.

Been meaning to come here for a while and finally managed to today. All in all it was a decent experience. Had a bunch of stuff and their gumbo was their stand out item personally. The fish was ok but had a few pieces that were a bit too fishy. Rest of it was fine but nothing spectacular, still at their pricing I'd visit again and try something else on their menu.

Had dinner here on a Friday night and there was a live band! Seating was easy to find, the staff was so friendly and the vibes were great. We tried the jambalaya and the fried shrimp. Both were pretty good! The food came out quickly. Overall a great experience and I’d definitely visit again.

Great food. The fish was so flavorful and crispy. Really good clam chowder in large bowl. Coleslaw delightful. Wonderful creole music. Outdoor seating. Good shade.

Oh my goodness!!! This place is my new favorite local gem! The atmosphere alone is a reason worth going! I came here on a whim because I wanted to get a carryout. While standing there I had some help with what to chose from the menu and got invited to join a lovely table of amazing people including Jay the owner. Amazing human beings here and I wish I lived locally to come here more! The music is a great experience and the food is soo good! Highly recommend the crawfish pasta and jambalaya. I got to learn the history of this restaurant which was so fascinating. Definitely stop by for a good time!

I had an excellent experience the food is very delicious. If you want to take a drink see and hear a live music you have to visit this familiar place

Poor House Bistro is a really fun, easy spot for lunch or dinner. The live music is a great bonus... they always have someone amazing playing. It's absolutely our go-to spot before any Sharks game. We split a po-boy, an order of beignets and a pitcher of PBR pregame and we are good to go! We've come brought our kids and they enjoyed it too. Definitely a must try if you're anywhere near SAP Center (It's only like a 5 or 10 minute walk (safe) from the stadium). Highly recommend.

We came upon this restaurant by accident. It turned out to be such a treasure! There was live music playing and the audience was so friendly to each other. The wait staff was really nice and helpful. The food was ok but the atmosphere more than made up for it

I've walked by this place many times when going to Sharks games, but I finally was early enough that I was able to stop in. I'm so glad I did! The place is very cozy on the inside, and my friend and I were lucky that we were able to grab a table. (There is plenty of seating outside, and while there are a number of tables inside, there is definitely less seating inside.) We had to line up to order food, and although the line went to the door, it moved very quickly. My friend got the vegetarian muffuletta and said it was delicious. (He ordered a half sandwich, and it was HUGE.) I ordered the jambalaya and found it to be quite tasty. It was a large serving. I thought the prices were very reasonable, especially considering how pricey food near SAP can be. The staff, despite it being crowded were very friendly. I highly recommend this place!

I love seafood and cajun food, so naturally Poor House Bistro is one of my most favorite restaurants! I love the Fried Oyster Po' Boy sandwich. It's what sandwich dreams are made of, crispy, breaded, fried savory oyster bites nestled on a bed of cabbage, tangy tartar sauce, piled high onto a soft French roll. My mouth waters whenever I think about it! We also got a side of the red beans and rice, cajun fries and that was also tasty! Service is quick and to the point, you place your order, they hand you a buzzer and after it buzzes you pick up your order. I love the cozy interior of the house, there's plenty of seating indoors and outdoor patio seating. I love that they have live jazz music sometimes, once I was able to catch the great Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers in the patio!

3 stars for the food but 5 for the entertainment and bar vibe. We had dinner here last month. We went early'ish so there was parking in front, but there was a good amount of people, probably because an event (though thankfully not a Sharks game) at the arena. You ordered at the counter and they buzzed you when it was ready. We opted to sit in the bar area to listen to music but it was cold and made dining and people watching less fun than it could have been. They definitely needed some space heaters. The food was meh, possibly because it was tepid. The sandwich was decent, though could have used a side of jus and some salt. Points for a toasted roll. The gumbo (or red beans & rice, I forget which) was very lukewarm and needed some kick. The cornbread was dry. The beignets were okay but again, barely warm, and there was a ton of powdered sugar (don't let the photo fool you, there was an inch on the top and at least another inch in the bottom of the bowl). The entertainment and the bar crowd were the best though. I don't remember the band's name, but the average age of its members was in the 50s. They were jammin' and the audience was groovin'. So much fun. Would I go back for food? Probably not. But to hang out in the bar when it's warmer or they've added space heaters to hear fun music and have a couple of drinks? Absolutely!

This restaurant has had three different locations and is now situated in Little Italy. My only complaint is the lack of parking near the restaurant. I especially love the crawfish étouffée.

I was not a fan of Cajun food till I came here. The food was sooooo good! The service was very nice. Not too crowded. Good volume to have conversations. The outdoor area was nice and warm, even on Christmas week. Little pricey but very worth it.

I'm no expert on New Orleans and Cajun food but I like the food here! I personally had The Poor House which comes with ham and roast beef. Great of you like a 'meaty' sandwich. Be prepared this thing will fall apart all over you. But messy be good too! I shared some of the crawfish pasta with someone. Creamy and yummy. AMA this is the best way to eat crawfish cuz otherwise they're too hard to peel! Shrimp po boy was good but I prefer grilled instead of this mattered and deep fried way. And the fries were hella top salty. They actually got my order wings which I didn't realize till the food was ready after 15 minutes. So I had to order again! But they made it the next priority so I'll give them service points for that. Had a few drinks... vodka shots and wine. I know weird combination right? About $10 bucks each. And I enjoyed their live band. Cool courtyard and festive atmosphere. In fact, a few folks dancing. Mostly older folks here. I'll come back on the right occasion.

Came back as a group and the staff there is always so friendly. They came to check on us often. The food is always great. I like to try their specials. This time it was shrimp n grits.

Food: *Fried Seafood Platter with 2 sides, we picked the cole slaw and cajun potato salad *Chicken and Sausage Gumbo *Aperol Spritz * Beer from Russian River, Narrative, and more Great hospitality. Live music until 9pm. Order food inside and seat yourself

This casual and inviting restaurant serves an awesome menu of creole cuisine with a patio bar offering a good range of cocktails and beer. The venue also features live music entertainment almost every day of the week. I came by during Little Village's Big Easy Block Party & Beer Fest this past Saturday and enjoyed PHB's outdoor stage area filled with lively tunes and plenty of visitors. The bread pudding I ordered had a nice soft and spongy texture, and was creamy and buttery with just the right spice. And the staff was helpful and did a nice job handling the crowd with no shortage of workers on this busy day.

Good vibe, good people, great cooks, great bartenders. Plus live jazx/blues music. Real neighborhood joint you just want to come back too

Stopped by Poor House Bistro for a laid-back meal for the first time. The vibe is great--porch seating, and a casual, welcoming atmosphere. You order at the counter, get handed a buzzer, and when it goes off, you pick up your food yourself. No table service, no check-ins, no refills. Just you, your buzzer, and your tray. We had the shrimp jambalaya and the shredded pork po' boy. Both were delicious. The shrimp were plump and perfectly cooked, and the jambalaya had bold seasoning and a nice kick. The po' boy was generously stuffed, and the pork was flavorful with just the right amount of spice. Definitely comfort food done right. My wife was craving beignets, and while I've made them before at home, we were curious to try theirs for the first time. They came out hot, pillowy, and generously dusted with powdered sugar. Simple and satisfying,it hit the spot and rounded out the meal nicely. One heads-up: it does get loud outside. The spot's right under the flight path, so planes come through often and can drown out the music or conversation. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if you're hoping for a quiet spot. But here's what gave me pause: the tip prompt. I always tip for great service, especially when someone's checking in, refilling drinks, or making the experience smooth. But in this setup, I ordered, paid ,waited and picked up my own food. So I found myself wondering--what exactly am I tipping for? I get supporting local spots and fair wages, and I'm happy to do it when the service matches. But when everything's self-serve, it feels off ,for a tip before I've even tasted the food. Still, it's a cool spot to hang out and grab a drink. Just know what kind of service to expect--and decide for yourself what that's worth.

came here on a weekend before the San Jose Sharks game. You order at the counter and they give you a beeper when your order is ready. They were playing live music which was cool while we hung out in the back with some friends. * my bf got the Red Beans & Rice - Simmered with ham hock, served with corn bread with andouille sausage for $18 * I ordered from the kids menu just because I love corn dogs. Corn dog served with french fries and a drink for $12. Some friends of ours got the (not pictured) Cajun popcorn - Tender shrimp corn meal coated with herbs & spices and fried, served with homemade creole remoulade for $16. This was tasty!

We had a really fun party there this afternoon. With lots of help from Kimberlee, Larry, and lots of other of their staff. The sausage bread was to die for. So are their fries. We had an outdoor table and everything was so perfect!

Amazing music, food and ambience!! Will definitely go again!! Do try the cocktails, they are the best!! Always carry change for tips

I'm always looking for a southern place to eat and I was in town for work so I saw this place. I was hesitant because of the 3 stars but I still thought I'd give it a try. The place is huge with lots of outside seating. They have music but it starts at 6pm. We ordered some red wine and sparking wine. They weren't that bad, something I would get again. We ordered the catfish basket and the New Orleans combination plate that came with gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice, and corn bread. The catfish was cooked perfect and lightly bread coated which was good but the fish lacked seasoning. The gumbo had too much okra and lacked some seasoning, the jambalaya was cooked perfect but also lacked the cajun seasoning, and the chicken was big chunks, the red beans and rice was okay, they could also use some more seasoning as well. The corn bread okay, just needed to be warmer. I'd come back just try a sandwhich, somebody said those are really good and to listen to music.

First time to this restaurant, friend of a friend is a bartender there - Kimberly , so fun, eager to help , quick to laugh! Probably the best part of the restaurant. To be honest , I am 100% Creole so my back ground with their " Creole" food was tainted . I give them A for effort and if you don't know any better ...we'll it was pretty good We started with chicken / sausage gumbo , red beans and rice and a shrimp poboy. Not enough favor in the beans , gumbo was fair and the poboy was definitely large with lettuce and pickles ( it's called dressed in New Orleans) but the shrimp were small , no tomatoes and slathered with a mustard sauce . No Sir! Mayonnaise only , it did it a poor service . But, it was a beautiful day , we sat outside and they had a live band . The bottomless mimosas were delicious!

Good food. Good ambience. My son and husband loved it! Bottle of Cab $38 . Pricey as it's ok.

Prior to the game,we came here,there's live band and ambiance is filled with the smell of roasted garlic,i guess it's coming from next door.Staff are not that welcoming here,but we still gave it a try and ordered the simplest which is beignet.it was smothered with powdered sugar,without it,it was a tasteless dough,there's 3 in an order,we finished one and half,wasted our money.

this place has been beloved for years by many of my friends and relatives so I was super excited to finally try it at its new location. And it totally lived up to the hype! There's plenty of seating outdoor and indoor, in the patio or spread out in the front. It's a great place to grab a bite before a sharks game and has a lot to offer to all types of pallets. I got the shrimp and grits and they were super creamy and delicious. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. Most of the table opted for the barbecue shrimp which they told me was the item to get and that was fantastic as well. Especially after you dip the bread in the sauce. Of course we ended with some beignets. I can't wait to come back and try more things. The crawfish pasta looked especially good.

The service here is great, friendly, and attentive. The space has more than enough chairs and tables! I been here about two times now. For the two times I been here, never had any issue with my food. It was always tasty! I have definitely recommended this place to others and I plan to come back here again. The first time here, I had Fried Seafood Platter & Beignets. Very solid, can't go wrong with them! It was my first time trying beignets. The second time, as shown in my photo: I got a Fried Chicken Sandwich with Creole Slaw. Personally, not a fan of slaw so if I were to order this again, I will be asking for the french fries. My coworker got fries and was kind enough to share some with me and those fries were great. I hope whoever reads this gives this place a try!

Ordered The Drippins sandwich and it was legit and delicious from start to finish! Friend got blackened chicken and Tasso pasta- absolutely superb. Band was playing. Staff was super sweet. It's a good time for any ages. It's an escape from the busy downtown San Jose scene while still being downtown.

I really love coming here for the drinks and the live music. It's always a fun time. I have tried several food items but they have been hit or miss for me. I guess I'm still figuring out the menu a bit as it is quite extensive! The service is typically fast and to the point.

Outdoor live music can't be beat! We grabbed a couple of drinks at the outdoor bar and some food and sat outside in the sun and enjoyed ourselves. I was bummed when they had to relocate, but happy they've found a great home that's just as cozy as the former location.

I love this place! The food is delish! I usually get the blackened chicken wings. They have a nice spicy dry rub. This time I got the Drippins PoBoy. All I can say is that meat was so moist and flavorful! Another bonus is they have free live music on the weekends. You can tip the band - I always do! - what you think is fair. The music makes for a very fun environment. Lots of friendly people there just having a great time!

Fun place for local music. Great patio - checked out Eurotrash and had a great time. Nice shaded area, the standard cocktails and French fries plus some po-boys. Vegan here is the muffalata without the cheese. Pretty good.

Omg it's a favorite over the years. Super cute ambience, live music - but what brings me there every time is their deeply flavorful food. It's just no pretentiousness amazing authentic New Orleans fare. Their bbq shrimp platter is one that will make you soak every last drop with bread and leave a clean plate!! It's that good, don't leave without it. Everything I've tried here has always been great. Today I also got their muffuletta sandwich and WOW - the olive salad is the star and makes this Sicilian inspired sandwich shine. And it's massive! Even a half sandwich will be massive!!!! Also the owner was really nice, I was carrying all the trays and dropped some bread so he offered to bring us new. Also just the general vibe is super friendly. Oh and to your canine buddies too! New location now but somehow feels exactly the same which I'm so happy about!

I was excited to be downtown at lunch time and we chose to drive to Little Italy to try The Poor House Bistro. We loved the food during our visits to New Orleans, so maybe our standard was a bit high. We were both disappointed. Since we are supporters of the area, we will try again and hopefully upgrade this review. You might not be greeted as you enter. Just proceed to the back of the restaurant to order and also pick up your order. Outdoor seating is scattered but ample. There are tables in front of the restaurant and also along the side. You can sometimes find live music on the side patio. The patio decor is lovely featuring a Sicilian carriage. Parking can be a challenge.

Don't recommend. Only gave 3 stars for the friendly staff. First time here before a Sharks game. Ordered a Shark Bite, no alcohol at all, then ordered the popcorn shrimp salad, which was bland and the dressing was too think to poor over the salad. The kids grilled cheese for my daughter had the thickest bread she barely could eat. Very disappointed.

With few and far between Nawlins food spots in the bay, this place can fill your need for some Creole cooking If you're in the San Jose area. The menu has the usual suspects from jambalaya n gumbo to fried catfish n po' boys sammies n muffaletas and of course beignets to top it all off! They also have a bar in the patio and a speakeasy under the Italian museum next door. Order food at the cashier, grab a pager, order a Hurricane or Michelada at the bar, plop a seat at one of many seats and enjoy! Come on a Sunday and watch the game while having some Creole cuisine and some dranks to boot. Wooooohweeeeeee!

We were walking around with our puppy looking for a spot to eat and stumbled upon Pour House in San Jose's Little Italy. We're new to the area, so had never been over here it was a great casual place. It looks like a little house with plenty of patio seating--both on the wraparound porch and a covered patio on the side that seemed set up for live music, complete with heaters and a walk-up bar. We went inside to order, and the girl at the counter was so, so nice. We got po' boys (mine with fried oysters--huge and definitely shareable), and they even made our dog some plain grilled chicken, which was such a thoughtful touch. She told us we could grab drinks at the outside bar, which had three on-theme cocktails: a Hurricane, Pimm's Cup, and Sazerac ( we tried all three and some beer). A couple of minutes later, she appeared again, just as friendly, along with another gentleman--maybe the owner or manager--who chatted with us about the restaurant. It had that real hospitality vibe that you never really get anymore. We were there on a Friday at an odd time between lunch and dinner, and while we ate on the covered patio, a musician started setting up, and the place began filling up fast. We had a great time and will definitely be back--thank you so much!

A very late review for a place that reopened last year after their crazy relocation that moved the actual building a few blocks away from their old location. A staple location in the area, I'm just glad they were able to get things situated to get things up and running again. A constant pre-Shark's game favorite to hop in to grab some food before the game. Can't really go wrong with anything on the menu.. the Po'boy sandwiches are a crowd favorite as well as many of their creole dishes. Finish your meal off with some bread pudding or some beignets.. and you're off and ready to enjoy the rest of your day. The new location has plenty of outdoor seating and the food is prepared quickly. Friendly people and great place to hang out.

F A N T A S T I C! Great vibe - excellent service = (thanks Kennedy and staff), and delicious food! Friendly, engaging patrons = We were in San Jose to see the Sharks vs the Kraken. Even wearing opposing team jerseys, we were welcomed and treated like friends. We opted to dine in their heated outdoor patio area. What a delightful option especially since we don't experience this amazing weather where we reside! The food was delicious and plentiful! Mr. Wonderful had the catfish Po'Boy and it was massive. I had a house salad and a cup of red beans and rice - the servings, also generous. *John - Thanks for recommending The Poor House Bistro! You were 100% spot on! We'll definitely be back. Congratulations Sharks!

Poor House Bistro is essentially a historic house tucked into Little Italy, San Jose. I've only been here once but I'll have to make it back out again. After taking a trip to New Orleans earlier in the year, I had to give this place a try. The person who took my order and who may have been the owner was really friendly as he sifted through all of our orders (I came with a large party of approximately 10 people). I ended up ordering the special - crawfish etoufee and it was absolutely delicious. The roux gave it such great flavor and there was a ton of crawfish meat. Paired with their rice, it was just the perfect meal. There was plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors on a hot summer day, but if you have a big party, outdoors is the best option - just be aware of flies that'll be zooming to taste the delicious food. The place is a little hidden but definitely give it a try - it'll be a delicious meal.

Poor House Bistro is tasty, Louisiana fare in a low key setting that has live music often! We went the day after Fat Tuesday and the jambalaya and shrimp po boy were tasty. It's tucked away from downtown and a perfect stop for a tasty, affordable, Cajun meal. Try the fried catfish app, it's the best I've ever had!

Every time we visit san jose we stop by! This time i gt a shrimp po boy with cajun fries and some clam chowder on the specials menu I dislike the beignets (too thick) Every time the foods a hit no matter what overall

Music, food and atmosphere was amazing. Staff/ service was pleasant and accommodating. Will be back again!

Went for my first time on a Sunday afternoon. Originally tried going to Henry's Hi-Life but it was closed so decided to pop in next door to PHB. The ambience was cool. They had a live musician. The patio was half full, the inside was lonely, which is where I decided to eat bc it was too hot. I ordered the fried seafood platter which was good and the sauces that came with it. My BF ordered some type of beef roll/sandwich. He didn't care for it much, lack of flavor according to him.

Poor of Duty This family home of the Meduri family since the late '50s became (in 2005) the home for their family restaurant "The Poor House Bistro," which specialized in New Orleans-style Cajun/Creole cuisine. It was one of my favorite lunch spots for many years before they were forced to close in 2021 due to the land being sold for the Google Village™, but fortunately they were able to work out a deal and move the entire house into San José's newly formed Little Italy District. And now, 19 months later (Jan '22), they've finally re-opened the restaurant to the public! The one big change is adding their Italian moniker "Meduri" to their name to match the surroundings. The Good: *When you walk in, you'll feel like you never left. The instant feeling of nostalgia hit me almost instantly, and I almost wept tears of joy. :') *Order at the counter like the old location, complete with buzzer service. :) *Friendly staff *Beers (on-tap & bottles), wine, and a full bar available. *Outdoor dining *Outdoor bar, so you don't have to go inside every time you want another drink. *Beignets were maybe even better than before--if possible?? Soft, warm, and yeasty goodness for the soul. *My go-to dish here was always the fried shrimp po' boy & this was 99.8765% to my memory: tons of crispy shrimp, toasty soft bread, and loads of their yummy remoulade sauce. *Sweet potato fries (SPF) are excellent, and we're pretty picky about our SPF; crispy, fluffy, and a nice sweetness. Ask for Cajun seasoning on them for a spicy kick at no extra charge! *Was the preeminent space for pre-game festivity before Sharks games, and I don't see that changing much since their move was almost equidistant from the old location, but in the other direction. *Should still have the space for bands and live music, but see below in "The Meh." The Meh: *No plans for regular live music beyond "special events," per the bartender. *Gumbo was decent, but the broth was severely underseasoned, not thickened enough, and didn't have that great of a depth of flavor. However, on the plus side, they really hooked it up with the #scrimps. The Ugly: *Parking can be an issue as there's only paid parking in the area M-Sat (Sun & Holidays are free). TLDR: The same PHB you've grown to love over the years--IT'S BACK, BABY!!

I almost choked on the Shrimp and Grits. The chef did not remove the tails on the shrimp, why? Was I suppose to dig through the grits to remove the tails. Such a bad experience. I won't eat there again, but the music is good.

Love the PHB!!! The food is consistently delicious although I frequently order the spicy chicken sandwich! it has a real family vibe and they treat their customers like honored guests! Kennedy, the bartender is great and always treats us well! Jay and Jeff are real people and are present and always available to chat and say hi. The music is always top notch and the performers always deliver the best variety of music in the S. Bay! You won't be disappointed! Seating can be limited so get there early!

Walking into this restaurant you immediately feel a kind vibe from the staff who are quick to smile and check on you without being intrusive, the food that came out was delicious and clearly made with fresh ingredients, each dish had a nice depth of flavor that showed the kitchen really knows what they are doing and the portion sizes were generous enough to leave me feeling full but not overwhelmed, the taste was well balanced and everything was cooked to perfection which is not always easy to find, I especially appreciated how they kept the menu varied enough to appeal to different tastes and it was obvious they cared about quality over just quantity, it was a pleasant meal from start to finish and I left feeling like I got more than just good food but also a friendly experience that made the visit worthwhile.

I was referred by my friend Bruce who promotes festivals. I ordered the $25 shrimp, not the best trust me, I've had better, Only 9. The place was empty the cashier was not very friendly. Terrible piece of real estate whoever planned it, no Parking. Not a great place to refer to my friends. One of the musicians setting up, Rich said its a minimum wage gig. They're right it is a poor house.

2nd visit and the experience did not get better I ordered the BBQ shrimp - although tasty, it was 9 shrimp for $25!! And plain toasted bread with no butter or garlic. My daughter had the crawfish pasta and it was tasty and a good portion. My son had the crawfish boil and it too was a sizeable portion. They had better luck with their choices than me . Drinks are served in an outside bar in plastic cups so I don't recommend a mixed drink.i ended up leaving hungry

Always great food whatever you order! It's all really good food! Really nice staff! Wonderful place for live music with amazing musicians!

Love Poor House Bistro. Long time favorite. Great food, music and friendly staff! Not to mention the backyard bar and Abita beer on tap.

Because Henry's high life was closed came next door! It was really nice the people are all so nice will definitely come again

Awesome spot on a Sunday afternoon. Rocking live band. Nice older crowd. Fun space. This is currently my favorite bar in San Jose.

Still hands down super yumm! A place with bread pudding always has my vote! Yummy spices on their fish fry and the corn bread is yumm too! Parking ample but metered, also located in "Little Italy" area of SJ which is literally one block but they are working hard to represent so bravo to that. Nice seating inside and out, you can bring your pupper too and seat outside! I do miss the music from the old joint but as for the food... a must if you're in downtown!

Everything on the Menu is great. Please bring back the Chicken Parmesan sandwich... that was my favorite thing on the menu. Please message me when you guys bring it back or put it on a specials menu again. Thank. Great job Poor House.