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    Vahl's Bar and Coctail

    3.5 (98 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Vahl's Bar and Coctail Photos

    Business Info

    VAHL'S BAR AND COCTAIL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Live music
    Juke Box
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Vahl's Bar and Coctail

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    Ravioli.
    Kim B.

    Husband saw Vahl's from the train and wanted to try it. Up for something new we headed down from Dublin. Vahl's has been around for years. The decor appears to be original. Though they have several TVs in the bar showing sports. It looks like they have a bunch of regulars. The staff was friendly. They only had a lunch menu available so we missed some items. Apparently they have steaks and chicken cordon blue. Would have like the larger selection. Our food was served quickly. Dinner included garlic bread and a side salad or soup. The salad was crisp and fresh, iceberg lettuce and tomatoes. The ravioli dinner had 8 round ravioli in a red sauce. The liver and onion included a scoop of mashed potatoes and veggies. The liver was tender and the onions were grilled well. I can see the attraction Vahl's is as a neighborhood restruant.

    Meg T.

    I used to come here for lunch and jumbo swirl lollipops as a kid in the 90s but now I love to frequent it for the bar and karaoke. If you've been here, you know it's a true gem. The selfish part of me wants to keep it secret, but honestly, everyone should be able to experience Vahl's.

    The back patio is the bulk of seating for now
    George S.

    This is probably the best restaurant in Alviso. I wish I got to experience it before Covid hit and I hope someday I can. They have a reduced menu but the ham sandwich I got was definitely better than expected. I went with my friend and Pet Morrigan. Everybody loved Morrigan, even the stray cats in the area and I didn't meet one grumpy, ill polite soul. Vahls has an older crowd but definitely a friendly group of commoners worth getting to know.

    Vahl's restaurant - retro in Alviso Old timers know and love Vahl's in Alviso, a san jose neighborhood next to Santa Clara. Once this was the place to celebrate prom nights, birthdays, and holidays. Though mrs Vahl passed at 99 in 2004, her spirit remains alive and well in the restaurant that hasn't changed over the years. Red check tablecloths, artwork from local artist, a wall sized European tapestry of parrots on one wall, and so one. They have excellent karaoke on the weekends, as well as one evening a week, usually with a keyboardist playing accompaniment. Put on your pillbox hat, your retro clothes, and come for casual, not crowded or noisy atmosphere and homey comfort food. If you want a nice place to go after church. Or an early dinner...they close at 8pm. Have a retro party or a laid back meal. Chat with Elba the gracious host waitress who had worked there since she was a girl. She tells wonderful stories about Mrs Vahl. Reasonable prices. 3 of us went for a meal, drinks. Appetizers, and dessert. $100! In summer I recommend the shrimp louis salad. A huge clam shaped bowl filled with abundant shrimp over lettuce. They also serve liver and onions, an old timey meal, a great calamari steak Yum! Travel down Lafayette to El Dorado, turn left, park and come on in. Closed mon and Tue. Bon appetit! 1513 El Dorado St, Alviso, CA 95002

    the outside of the restaurant
    Ann L.

    Three of us went to Vahl's to check it out 6/29/06. It's been in business since 1941 so it has a long history in the town of Alviso. It wasn't very busy when we went around 12:15pm for lunch. You get free bread w/ butter after we ordered. Then soup of the day which was french onion. I thought it was ok, not too salty. A slice of bread was in the soup, but I didn't eat it. Main dishes not too long a wait. Lunch special seem to change daily and what's on the menu is not what is available that day. I wanted baked lasagna or linguine w/ clam sauce, but both not available. I picked the meatloaf lunch special $10. My dish was pretty tasty. A small slab of meatloaf w/ gravy on top, small scoop of mashed potatoes (instant), and a scoop of zucchini-which was pretty good. I finished everything. Dessert included w/ lunch special. I picked the sherbet which was pretty light and refreshing. Credit Cards taken now. Ladies room had two stalls and was decent. Two sinks too. Would recommend if in the area and wanted old fashion American food.

    Vahls
    J F.

    OMG if you love kitch you have to come here. It's a throwback to... Well, a long time ago. There's karaoke starting around 5 or so and its a hoot with a very regular crowd of over 70 or so. The decor is fascinating. The whole dining room is pepto bismol pink with gingham vinyl tablecloths. Awesome. Have a drink in the bar and have fun. The menu is truly expensive for what you get. Pan fried steak with blanched zucchini and a tiny baked potato for $27?? The fried shrimp is actually coconut shrimp and imagine what that tastes like with cocktail sauce on it, just imagine. Let's say we didn't stay for dessert.

    Beef-Tongue Appetizer

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    6 years ago

    We LOVE Vahls! Frank and Elva are the best! The food is good but the atmosphere is everything! So glad we found this place!

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    Ask the Community - Vahl's Bar and Coctail

    Is Vahl's still open in 2021? And if so, is there a way to see their current menu online (since they don't really have an official website)?

    Vahl's is still open but the dining room is closed. The bar is open with limited food offerings, when I've been there the kitchen closes at 5pm. The menu seems to have 3 or 4 offerings, a hamburger, a linguica sandwich both with potato salad.… Read more

    Is it still open ? Old reviews and pictures

    Yes! Had great valentine's day dinner there. Closed monday and Tuesday. Otherwise open for lunch and dinner.

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    Horsefeather - Fried Chicken & Three

    Horsefeather

    4.1(215 reviews)
    10.0 mi

    Always have a good time at Horsefeather…read more - Would recommend making reservations, this place gets packed in the evenings - Good spot for a date, with the family, or to catch up with a friend - Small groups are better (4 or less) as the tables are not large - They have a happy hour 3-5 pm with some options for cocktails and bites - Wide range of cocktails on the menu, beers, mocktails, and non alcoholic beer as well - The Korean fried chicken sliders were delicious and very filling! 2 can share if you're looking for a snack - The jalapeño poppers were fire, would def get again I'll be back to try more of the menu.

    4.5 stars rounded up…read more Horsefeather's decor & low ceiling is giving 1970s in your favorite Aunt's basement vibes. It's cozy & weirdly familiar (even though I wasn't born in that decade.) For a menu that's a little all over the place (I mean that in the best way possible; Loco Moco *and* Chilaquiles on one menu is diabolical), every single dish we ordered was prepared just right. If you care about your waistline, do not get the Umami Fries with curried ketchup; that pile of deliciousness will have you addicted like a fiend with its tangy, savory flavoring. Deviled Eggs were standard, if not for the hint of kimchi. I didn't try the Chicken & Waffles or BLT my table ordered. I ate my fair share of Lemon Butter Prawns; a side comes with six pieces & trust me, you won't want to share. The Loco Moco was incredible -- earthy mushroom gravy over sticky sushi rice and a chuck & brisket patty. Topped with an egg (made over medium like I requested) & finished with a side of arugula salad (my favorite greens) & I was full for days (just kidding, hours.) We ordered a lightly-dressed Caesar Salad with avocado just to cleanse our palates from all the rich textures & flavors. I'll be back for dinner STAT, so please save me a seat.

    Photos
    Horsefeather - Dining area

    Dining area

    Horsefeather - Deviled Eggs

    Deviled Eggs

    Horsefeather - Umami Fries

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    Umami Fries

    Bloom - Churro Waffle

    Bloom

    4.3(1.8k reviews)
    6.8 mi
    $$

    That would be our server, Emily. She was outstanding, no matter how busy she was, she made us feel…read moreHeard and appreciated she was terrific. Now, a couple of points to cover. 1. It will be busy you will have to wait, but let me tell you the turnover of the tables by the staff is its own ballet. And once you are shown to your table the wait will be worth it. Point number two order potatoes that are fried in duck fat and sprinkled with garlic and parsley. *if all. I did was return in the future for those potatoes and nothing more the trip is worth it. Now the place is loud and busy and you would not want it any other way the energy is contagious the "Ambiance" is simple you are glad to be there and the employees are glad you are there too.

    Popular American brunch spot, well-lit and decent indoor and outdoor seating. Servers are friendly…read moreand helpful. Didn't need a reservation to sit, but I assume it's much more crowded on the weekends. Parking was fine. Ordered French toast, avocado toast with poached egg, carnitas Benedict, and Churro waffles. Honestly, everything was a bit average and lacking flavor. The churro waffles were by far the favorite and the best deal, price to taste-wise. Definitely get it if you're gonna try anything here. Otherwise, Bloom was slightly lackluster for me. Nothing terrible, but I prefer Sweet Maple as a brunch spot.

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    Bloom - Brunch with my girl! Hee

    Brunch with my girl! Hee

    Bloom - Croissant French toast

    Croissant French toast

    Bloom - Carnitas Bene w/ avocado, pickled onion, house English muffin, poached eggs, salsas, house potatoes | $25

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    Carnitas Bene w/ avocado, pickled onion, house English muffin, poached eggs, salsas, house potatoes | $25

    Vahl's Bar and Coctail - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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