I came with my sorority sisters and our waiter Harvey suggested the corn soup. It was temperature hot, just how I like it, smooth and creamy, seasoned to perfection, with I believe roasted corn and it was just the right amount! I also had the handmade corn tortillas on the side which I dipped in the soup. It was so good, I believe thisnis the first time I ate an entire bowl of soup at any establishment ... wait, I do eat all of the miso soup at Benihana's but that's about it. I was so full and it wasn't even a huge bowl! I also had a beer, I can't remember the name but it paired well with the soup too. I couldn't even order anything else because I was full. Thank you Harvey for the great recommendation other sorors who didn't like their soup or chicken tacos opted for the corn soup and was not disappointed If you haven't guessed it yet....GET THE CORN SOUP! We came on a Friday it was busy, lively, and overall a nice time read more

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Stopped by for happy hours and got a couple of appetizers from the regular menu. The spicy margaritas were a bit disappointing. It was first for me not wanting to continue drinking. The happy hour guacamole with chips and tacos were pretty good. I love ceviche and caramari so we got them off the regular menu for ~$19 each. The caramari was pretty sad. Very small soggy oily and chewy with 1/2 of portions being onion.... The ceviche was also not something me being a ceviche lover would want to finish.. The chips were good though. read more

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Delicious flaky wheat tortillas and quick service. The interior design is very pleasant - even the bathrooms look very clean and modern! That being said, the other dishes did not shine. The spicy margarita tasted only of lime juice. The salsa for the chips lacked any spice or depth and had too much sweetness. Even their special "spicy" salsa did not have much spice or flavor. The meats were also rather bland. I would not come back for the food, but it could be a nice place to sit and have a beer! read more

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TLDR; I think the place is waste of time and money. The service was very underwhelming. We sat on the table for almost 40 mins before which we could place the order and had to even remind them about drinks that nobody brought all this time. When asked to followup on drinks the server suggested the staff is hangover. This comment seemed highly unprofessional for their coworkers. We ordered guac and chips and street corn for starters. I was quite disappointed by the portion size of Guac for $15. It seemed like half an avocado. At the same time, the street corn was nothing like "street". It lacked salt, and didn't contain any tajin like spicy flavors. For entrees we got chicken enchiladas, chicken torta, mushroom quesadillas, and chili relleno. After 30-40 mins when the food came I must say NOTHING WAS WARM. The taste seemed good, but it seemed like it was sitting in the kitchen for at least 15 mins since it was cooked (or brought out of the microwave). There were house-made chips with the torta, but nothing about them seemed house-made. There were only 4 parties seated on a Sunday lunch time which should have given us some hints but likely didn't. I will not recommend this place and will never attempt to visit again. read more

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disclaimer: we have not eaten here. however, someone at the bar next to us ordered chips and guac, and chips looked realllll crispy! we ordered a couple drinks at the bar, and they were terrible haha. another disclaimer: we ventured away from the margarita options. read more

Olla Cocina - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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We came in around 4pm on a Saturday afternoon to pregame for a comedy show downtown. We were shocked to see they have happy hour specials EVERY DAY from 3-6pm. So of course we ordered some half off house margaritas and $5 tacos from the happy hour menu. Additionally I ordered chicken enchiladas verde because I was looking to have a full meal. As a gluten-free girlie, I appreciate that the menu indicates which items contain wheat. My enchiladas were fine - the chicken inside was a bit dry, but the verde sauce was decent. Out of all the happy hour taco options, my husband liked the Al pastor the most. Our server was incredibly nice and very friendly. The place wasn't super busy at the time and he was able to be very attentive. However, I did notice later that the happy hour menu states that every happy hour order comes with free chips and salsa which were never brought out to us. The food portion sizes were good though so I didn't need the extra carbs. We would absolutely come here again for drinks (especially at the happy hour prices), but I could pass on the food. read more

Olla Cocina - Chicken enchiladas verde - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

I'm torn with this review. We came here on Thursday night after work and sadly, there were only 2 other tables the entire evening from 5:30 pm to 8 pm. They need more customers or I don't see how they will survive. The food was tasty and fresh. The portions for the entrees were generous and the margaritas were tasty. The beet salad is like nothing I've ever had before. Roasted beets with an ancho sauce (not spicy), crema, pumpkin seeds and orange segments. It was absolutely fabulous. Even though the place was basically empty, we only saw our waitress at the beginning and once we got our food it was quite some time before we were checked on. Very pretty girl and I really like their uniforms (good styling choice) but they should be a scootch more attentive with water offerings & checking to make sure the patrons are good. What disappointed me and almost got a 2 star review is that I asked for fresh avocado on the Chile Relleno and got a 1/4 of a nearly hard avocado with the hefty price of $5.95!!! I've never seen such an exorbitant charge for avocado. To top it off, I don't like when establishments just bring the charge machine with no view of the bill prior. I'm blindly tipping (of which the 2% added on would've affected the percentage) and had I seen the charge for the avocado I would've requested a deduction. I would recommend the food to people, just be aware of some of the charges and always ask to see your receipt before calculating your tip. Never trust the auto calculation at any place, I've caught many that are wrong. read more

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I've been to Olla before for dinner, and I gotta say, I'm pretty impressed with their weekend brunch too. The vibe was on point--it's like you're eating outside in the open air, but you're actually inside. They've got this chill atmosphere with nice décor that sets the mood. Plus, there's a full bar with dozens of tequilas, and they even have a private room if you're planning a party or something. Let's get to the food. First, I tried the sopes poblanos. I wasn't totally sure what they were, but it turns out they're these thick corn cakes with a bunch of delicious toppings. You only get two, but trust me, they're super filling. The flavors were on point, and I was left pretty satisfied. Next, I went for the street corn. If you haven't had it before, it's grilled corn that's shaved off the cob, mixed with spices and stuff. It was sweet, but they threw in something sour which just wasn't my thing. I would've liked it better without that sour twist, but hey, that's just me. Then, I had the quesabirria, which is basically a beefy, cheesy, grilled taco. The corn tortillas were soaked in beef consommé, stuffed with steak, then grilled to crispy perfection. The crunch was amazing, and dipping it in the consommé just made it even better. Definitely a winner. For dessert, I had the flan--and man, this was legit. It was homemade and super creamy, topped with some whipped cream that was absolutely chef's kiss. There were a few fresh strawberries on the side, but they were a little too sour for my taste. Still, the flan itself was so good it didn't even matter. The service here was great, too. Our waiter was super friendly, knew the menu, and gave solid recommendations. I wasn't sure if I wanted rice, but he suggested I hold off and see if I was full from the other dishes. If I needed it, he said it would be fast to bring it out. Props for being chill about it. Overall, if you're looking for a spot that's got great food, a cool vibe, and solid service, this place is a winner. Totally recommend it. read more

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This is slowly becoming our new favorite happy hour in San Pedro Square. $8 margaritas, $12 chicken quesadillas, and good vibes. This time, it was Renee that made our experience awesome, and we will be back! read more

Olla Cocina - Happy hour menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

Big fan of their ample indoor and outdoor seating; it's a great setup for any kind of hangout. My friend and I made it just in time to catch the last half hour of their daily happy hour (3-6 PM), which was a nice bonus. We ordered the chicken and beef quesadillas, margaritas, and white sangria. I'll definitely be back soon! read more

Michilada is gross and no ice. don't like it!! Restaurant is cute. Nice decor and clean. Waiter was nice and attentive. read more

Olla Cocina - I put my own ice in here. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

I have been to San Pedro Square a lot and have walked past this restaurant many times. It always seemed busy and I love Mexican food so I wanted to try it out. When I saw that it was participating in San Jose Restaurant Week, I decided to finally visit. Before I get into the details of the food itself, I have to start with the following: thus far in my life, I have not had a stellar experience at a Mexican restaurant that did not start off the meal with complimentary chips and salsa. Please don't come for me for simply stating my truth that is based on my personal experience. I also want to be very clear that correlation does not equal causation. I understand this economy is rough and I still always keep an open mind when the meal doesn't begin with chips and salsa. However, I will go ahead and say that certainly a jinx seems to activate whenever this thing happens. For my meal, I got their calamari, cauliflower enchiladas, and churros. The calamari was obviously just refried but what really spoiled the dish was that it was salted to the nth degree. It was to the point where I felt like it was a chore to finish the dish. I appreciated the variation with cauliflower enchiladas, which is not something I've seen at other restaurants. However, in terms of taste, they were not really any better than the enchiladas you could get at a standard Tex-Mex grill. The churros had a very rough texture as if they had also been refried as well as a bland flavor. I may sound harsh but the churros at Costco had more flavor then the ones here. I'm glad I gave this place a try but I probably won't be back here. I would rather go to other Mexican restaurants in San Jose. read more

Honestly the appetizers were better than the main dishes. I ordered the quesabirria and there was hardly any cheese. The meat wasn't soft and it was a little spicy but lacked flavor. The only thing going for it was the consume - that was pretty good. My friend ordered the mushroom quesadilla and that also had no cheese which seems like a pretty important part of the quesadilla. Probably wouldn't come here again. read more

Olla Cocina - Quesabirria tacos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

So sad to hear this place closed down. I went there with my family on a random Friday night and the food was amazing and the drinks were excellent. I'm hoping it's just temporary. read more

Had a fab time here with the team. Great location, decent food selection, quirky interior design. Our server was excellent. He recommended shrimp tacos which were absolutely delicious. Our appetizers and dessert were also yummy - very good chips and guac, and churros to die for to wrap it up. Overall, I really enjoyed it here! read more

What we tried: prickly pear margarita:5 star Empanadas: 5 stars. So fresh and delicious! Spicy shrimp tacos: 5 stars. You just have to try it and understand the taste of freshness. And then the trio dessert with flan, churros and ice cream was the star of the show. Make sure to save room. Service was excellent. Our server Frank was so kind, attentive and knowledgeable that added to our positive experience much more and we were greeted by the manager Parviz who was genuinely caring and helpful in creating a positive experience for us. We will be back to Olla Cocina . Thank you to all the staff and management. read more

Olla Cocina - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

A colleague suggested this restaurant and I really liked it so I brought a friend here a week later and she really liked it too! It's a lively place and on the weekend can get busy so make open table reservations online. The food is really good. I recommend the chicken enchiladas verdes. Their chips, guacamole and salsa are very good too. read more

Olla Cocina - Chicken enchiladas verdes with rice and beans - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

Came here for Tuesday lunch with a group of 6, and we were on a tight schedule for a 45 min lunch break. It wasn't too busy, so they were able to seat us quickly and get our orders in. I got my red pozole in a large bowl, and the pork shoulder was very tender! Definitely hit the spot for a slightly could day! read more

Time for an updated review! I still absolutely LOVE Olla Cocinq for their happy hour (every day by the way!). I mostly stick to the happy hour menu. The margarita carafes are the best deal for drinks in my opinion. Get the spicy one, it's not crazy spicy and the Tajin rim is fantastic with the rest of the drink! Onto the food, I absolutely recommend the guacamole and chips since they also give you salsa. Chips and salsa aren't included so the guacamole is a must have! We had a new item tonight, the shrimp tacos and I am obsessed. I'll be back just for these. Cooked to perfection, amazing sauce, crunchy and refreshing cabbage and pico de gallo to complement it and a creamy sauce as well. The past several times I've had the same server, I think his name is Mateo, and he is just fantastic! Always gives great recommendations and I don't feel like he's just trying to sell me the expensive stuff (especially if I'm only here for a margarita). One of the managers, Chase, stopped by to check on our experience which really added to our time here! I wish I had photos of the amazing tacos and margaritas but you'll just have to trust me and see for yourself! read more

Mateo was awesome! The customer service was great and he really cared. Plus, the food was amazing, and the place was clean and comfy. read more

Olla Cocina - Baja fish tacos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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Today's visit was fantastic! Juan went above and beyond with our service. Food & drinks and were all delicious. Service overall was 5 ! Rene & Parviz are also honorable mentions for today's great experience. Highly recommend! read more

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It's a trap! Margaritas. Super tart. Didn't taste like fresh lime juice. Expected better for $14 Food. Came before our drinks did. Fish tacos were soggy, bland. Corn tortillas were cold and dry. Both dishes were not hot. Luke warm at best. Hard pass on this one, move along. read more

I came here on a date on Saturday before the Sharks game and although the food and drinks were good, the service was pretty slow and one of the items we ordered was forgotten. We ordered a house margarita, a mocktail, al pastor tacos and fish tacos, and guacamole. We sat at the bar, and the bartender forgot about our guacamole. The food was good though! We really liked the tacos and the drinks were great. If the service had been a little quicker, we would have ordered another round, but we were cutting it close and needed to run over to the game. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to go to Olla Cocina if I wasn't going to something else in the area, but it's a good sit-down option if you're already here and there is parking in the garage right across the street. read more

Loved the carne asada plate! The rice and beans were cooked to perfection and the meat wasn't burnt at all. Such a delicious plate of food and the owner was such a nice person! The staff were very friendly and I love the decor, they really aim to make it authentic as possible. The only issue I had was the pricing even though the food was delicious and drinks were good. My bill came up to 100+ seem to be much for two drinks and two plates but regardless the food was delicious and this will for sure be a once in a while, date night for me and the wife. read more

Olla Cocina - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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Subject: Formal Demand for Immediate Rectification of Unauthorized Charges Dear Mr. Parviz, Thank you for your response on Yelp and Google and your follow-up phone call. I appreciate the effort to address my concerns; however, I am compelled to formally address a significant and unresolved issue that has now escalated beyond a mere mistake. Despite your assurances regarding the rectification of the billing discrepancy, I was dismayed to find that my credit card was charged an additional amount of $172.33 without my authorization. Upon examination of the attached receipt, it is evident that this charge includes an unauthorized gratuity, purportedly added under the authority of your assistant general manager, Mr. Guy Cavichia, and the server, Mr. Victor C., who operate under your supervision. The unauthorized charge violates established consumer rights as it constitutes a breach of trust and may be classified as fraudulent conduct. It is a fundamental principle that customers have the right to dictate the amount of gratuity they wish to provide. Imposing such charges without explicit consent is legally questionable and ethically indefensible. Moreover, I directly engaged with Mr. Guy Cavichia, who acknowledged that the refund for the fraudulent tip was processed. Nevertheless, the unauthorized amount remains charged to my account, representing an egregious violation of standard business practices and potentially contravening consumer protection statutes. **Key Considerations:** 1. The original fraudulent bill amounted to $357.02; however, Mr. Victor C. levied an additional $185, constituting a clear overcharge that contravenes ethical and legal standards. 2. The unauthorized charge was executed by Mr. Victor C. and Mr. Guy Cavichia, both acting within the scope of their employment and under your direct oversight. 3. Imposing a gratuity without a customer's consent is conclusively deemed fraudulent and represents a breach of consumer protection laws. 4. This incident signifies a deliberate and coordinated attempt to perpetrate fraud against a customer, embodying unlawful and unethical conduct. **Demanded Remediation:** 1. Immediate reversal of the unauthorized charges, accompanied by a written confirmation of the refund. 2. A formal written acknowledgment of the unauthorized charge and a commitment to implement corrective measures to preclude the recurrence of such incidents. 3. A thorough review of the conduct of the assistant general manager and the server implicated in this incident, ensuring accountability and preventing future misconduct. Please be advised that failure to resolve this matter expeditiously may compel me to pursue formal complaints with the appropriate regulatory bodies, including but not limited to the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), and local law enforcement authorities. Furthermore, I reserve the unequivocal right to initiate legal proceedings should this matter remain unresolved. Given the gravity of this situation, I trust you will address this matter with the seriousness it warrants and take immediate action to restore integrity and trust in your establishment. I expect a written response confirming the completion of the requested actions within three (3) business days. Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter. Sincerely, Rouzbeh "RZ" Mokhtari read more

Olla Cocina - Mr. Guy Cavichia, who acknowledged that the refund for the fraudulent tip was processed. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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This restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating and was one of the busier spots on a Monday night. Service was friendly, and the food came out quickly. The menu leans toward American-Mexican fusion. I ordered four tacos with a side of rice and beans -- the total was over $47 before tax, which felt pricey for the portion and quality. The taste was just okay. Overall, not bad, but not quite worth the premium. read more

okay all the pictures look very yellow bc all the lights inside are quite yellow ‍ food was okay I suppose ? pretty standard, maybe a bit overpriced asked for my steak medium rare but they also gave a pretty thin slice so it ended up being kinda well done LOL tip - the sauce goes on top so ask for it on the side if you're not a fan service was good though read more

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Be Careful ! YOU CAN DIE!. Yesterday, while dining at this restaurant with friends, I discovered a blade inside my food. I only realized it after biting into something unusually hard. I consider myself extremely lucky that I didn't swallow it--because the consequences could have been life-threatening. The restaurant manager did apologize, but this level of negligence is unacceptable. I'm sharing this so that others stay alert and hopefully prevent anyone else from facing such a dangerous situation. Please be cautious. Your safety matters. read more

Olla Cocina - Blade found in food - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

I was at the restaurant for another event so was really looking forward to celebrating Valentines there. The Food was good but the service was horrible. They sat us down at a table that was dirty and sticky. We didn't get plates or utensils even after our food arrived. We ordered an appetizer that never arrived and instead we got a drink that we cancelled shortly after ordering. We didn't get the bill until we paid. Once we got the printed receipt we discovered we were charged for the appetizers that didn't arrive. I'm sure it was an honest mistake but definitely in line with the overall experience. Overall the place felt very disorganized and the experience was mediocre at best. read more

Olla Cocina - Mushroom impenadas - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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Came here once to try out the food since the decor is top notch, and it looks like a fun place. Tried the mole dish and split it with my friend, and while the service was very attentive, the food didn't really stand out. Most likely, I'll come here to drink but would not really care for the food unless someone else had a birthday dinner here read more

TL;DR: Come here if you're looking to enjoy a classy night of good food that's bound to please everyone. Skip out on the Birria and order the Chile Relleno if you're looking for something filling yet refreshing. Otherwise, be forewarned you will be charged an extra 5% to account for the employee's "living wage"-- a charge that is added pre-tip. parking: - Even though I arrived here on a Friday evening, we had no trouble finding free street parking about a 5-minute walk away. wait time: - zero wait time as the location was big enough to accommodate several parties at the same time. ambiance: - There is a beautiful outdoor eating area that is perfect for enjoying San Jose's usual cool weather. The indoor area is just as nice with it's modern and classy high-ceiling concept. service: - fast and thoughtful. food: [Worth It] - Polanco Poloma Alcoholic Drink: Perfectly sweetened with the right amount of alcohol to get a small buzz if you're a tiny adult :) - Chips & Salsa: Freshly made chips and salsa. The chips were a bit oily and hard for my taste but if you don't mind that, then you'll love it! - Chile Relleno: Shocking this dish was the BEST thing I had here. Even though it came with rice and lots of heavy sauce, it left a surprisingly refreshing aftertaste. If I wasn't already full with everything else I ordered, I would've eaten the entire plate! [Not Worth It] - Quesabirria with Consume: I've tasted birria before and this was not it. If anything, this was a diluted and sad version of the real thing :( restroom: - Extremely clean and modern with a hint of gold and brass accents littered throughout the stalls. read more

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Beautiful setting on closed street on San Pedro Square. Staff are welcoming and the perfect blend of attentive and letting you enjoy your meal. I had the caesar salad - which was excellent. Not a fan of the dressing - glad asked for it on the side. My friend ordered the tacos with carne asada. All was delicious. Tacos were small- more like an appetizer. Had to work, but cocktails looked good! read more

Food: 5/5 The nachos were amazing! I would definitely order again. Service: 5/5 Server was very attentive & friendly. Ambiance: 5/5 The ideal atmosphere for a nice festive lunch/dinner with friends! read more

Olla Cocina - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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Stopped by for a quick bite before a meeting. The staff was friendly, and the restaurant is pretty open for larger groups (we had 8 in ours). I had the Pablano Caesar Salad and added some chicken. The salad was a nice size, and they were pretty generous with the chicken (kinda surprising, honestly). My ding here comes from the inability to split group tickets. Our waiter mentioned he wasn't able to split the ticket beyond two separate tickets. We used Apple Pay, but were surprised to find we weren't able to pay a certain amount through the restaurant's pay service. It may be a part of their settings to ensure they receive payment. If I were in a management position, I would consider tickets to be separated beyond two tickets, or allowing customers to pay separately using their digital payment service. This may improve the group dining experience, overall. read more

Olla Cocina - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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Been here before and loved it. Came by again on a Friday after checking their web page, parked in DT San Jose which is not easy and then walked to the restaurant to find out they were closed for a private party. Not Cool. If I had not checked your site then my bad. I suppose I could have called and done a double check But your web site should be up to date. Very disappointing and cost us time we did not have. read more

I visited Olla Cocina on Sunday prior to attending an event at SAP. I had looked at the reviews and was excited for my meal. I'll start with the best part of the meal: the salsa, guacamole and chips and the street corn. Sadly that's where it ends. We ordered the ceviche and it was bland. No amount of lime and salsa could salvage it. The mole enchiladas and tamales were disappointing due to the taste of the mole. It didn't taste fresh or even have a good taste. The fish tacos were mediocre and I don't know if it's due to the cold tortilla that they came on. We did get a couple of cocktails and they were so sweet that it made them not enjoyable. Service was ok. There was a delay in getting our food and our server was letting us know. The restaurant was busy and I'm glad that I had made a reservation. read more

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Perfect spot for a nice warm sunny day in SJ. In the heart of San Pedro square Olla has both indoor and outdoor seating. The service was great and I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The margaritas were very fresh, it felt as if they had just pick the limes off the tree. Loved the fresh chips and guacamole, and believe me, you can mess up chips & guacamole. Wasn't all that impressed w/ their birria taco but on the other hand the fish tacos were on point. There is also a weekday happy hour menu, perfect for when you get off work:) read more

Olla Cocina - Homemade Salsa & Chips - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

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We went here on a Tuesday during lunch and were seated upon entering. Food came out fast and staff was friendly. We got the Chips/guacamole and the corn as our appetizers. The chips are crunchy and fresh. Just standard chips. The corn was also good, dipped it in the chips. We got birria tacos and tamales as well as pozole. Birria meat was super juicy and tender. It came with 2 tacos. The pozole was tangy, salty, and savoury. It had chunks of meat and fried tortilla strips. I enjoyed my visit and will come back! read more

Olla Cocina - Pozole Homemade Salsa & Chips tamales birria tacos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

The food at Olla is top notch!! It is so delicious!! I always come here for good food!! I actually started coming here back in 2023 and never stopped! The service was amazing, our waiter Mateo was amazing! He kept on checking on us and was very kind!. The place is also very inviting, it's beautiful! Definitely Instagram worthy!! read more

Olla Cocina - The frozen margaritas are the best - Cocktail Bars Near Me - San Jose, California

Came at Friday evening for quick bites prior to our show at 7pm, atmosphere is great, service is fast, and best of all, they have Happy Hours until 6pm so we ordered a few items from the HH menu. Can't beat $5 Sangria and Draft beers! read more

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