Sonia's Kitchen

All the hallmarks of a fantastic Philly Cheese Steak: warm, greasy, gooey and filled with lots meat, all at reasonable prices.

Nathaniel

1 year ago en

Legit best burger in San Jose. She's making magic over there. Get the monarch burger and throw some bacon on that. Thank me later.

Brian

1 year ago en

I first ate at Sonia's Kitchen in 1978 and they were amazing. They used to have chili burgers and lumpia, and apparently they no longer sell these. They were in a blue building that looked like a converted service station. I ate there until the building shut down and I moved out of state. I am just now seeing they are still open. The closure 30+ years ago must have been for remodeling. My favorite steak sandwich was steak and mushroom. Used to get a large one for less than$4

Yodoc50

1 year ago en

Family owned business hand down probably the best or at least one of the best burgers you'll ever have in your life!!! The mixture of mayo with ketchup is perfect. The burgers are always so juicy. The cheese and the patty taste great. Your only regret is wishing you didn't buy more. Everytime I come here I buy AT LEAST 2 double cheeseburgers two of them!! The burger just melts in your mouth it's unbelievable delicious! On top of that Sonia is very friendly!:)

Carlos

1 year ago en

We love this place and often bring friends and family.This is the best I've had and I have been a customer for many years.

Brandon

1 year ago en

Who does not love a good cheese steak? Everything in it is melty goodness! I was able to try a local establishment called Sonia's kitchen that has been part of San Jose history for almost forty years, serving since 1981. When the original owner wanted to sell it, Ms. Elpidia Bataclan Barrera was convinced by her Mom to purchase it. Elpidia is over eighty five years old and still shows up to work every day. She was super nice and helpful when I ordered my sandwich. They have four metal tables for outside dining, but I opt to take it home to eat since we are still shelter in place. I ordered the large combo steak sandwich, which included steak, bell peppers, onions and provolone cheese. I also added mushrooms top of everything else. First off, the sandwich was huge! I had to use a can of Coke for size comparisons. I love how toasted the bread was, it makes every bite crunchy. There was plenty of meat in the sandwich. The meat was tender and was perfectly cooked. There was a great balance of flavor, it was perfectly spiced. They have great locations, right next to SJSU off of E William St. And S Eight St. in San Jose, CA. They are opened from 11 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday, closed on Saturday and Sunday. It's cash only some come prepared. If you are in downtown SJ and looking a quick meal, this is a great spot. It took only less than ten minutes to make my sandwich.

Sean

2 years ago en

Best steak sandwiches in the world been coming there since I was a little boy will continue to go in there until the day it end

Eddie

3 years ago en

Been eating here as a kid in the 90s. Place always put a smile on my face. The owners are real sweet and welcoming. I always loved the steak and mushroom sandwich growing up, still do! Highly recommend!

Jason

4 years ago en

Interesting tidbit, grandparents actually used to own the market across the street (though without any name really). Almost every time we came to visit them in store, we would hop on over to Sonya’s for some steak sandwiches. Beautiful taste every time, I loved them as a wee child. The lady that owned it was also wonderful. It’s been a long while since I’ve been back there, but I hope to take a trip down memory lane.

Lone

4 years ago en

One of my favorite mom n pop food joints in DT San Jose pistrami sandwich with everything and extra mayo I will be very sad if this place ever closes

Zeroxoz

4 years ago en

The second resturant I visited when I attended college. There is seating outside so most of us purchase our food and take it back to the dorm except in good weather. The food is delicious. The menu has expanded to include burgers and fries but the philly style sandwiches are so good. There is a vegetarian option.

Monica

4 years ago en

Pretty damn good!!!!The owner is really kid friendly, gave my son a Capri sun and he was happy about it :)

Cancel

4 years ago en

The bread is perfectly suited to a cheesesteak sandwich. Not a very healthy option, but it's delicious. I only wish they stayed open a bit later into the evening.

Daniel

4 years ago en

Located in SJ's South University neighborhood, this Old Skool family-owned sammich shop that's been serving up tasty, greasy cheesesteaks for nearly forty years (since 1981!) now. Clientele is mostly SJSU students, which explains why they're only open on weekdays.The medium-sized sandwiches are nicely proportioned with meat, cheese and one's choice of toppings (e.g., peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc). The bread is pillowy soft, but just a touch too thick to meet my perfect sandwich ratio. Beef is greasy, tasty and has a bit of gristle which gives it that urban flavor one occasionally desires.Sides consist of a meager selection of Lay's®, Dorito's®―and not much else. Drink selection is also lacking. I'd recommend bouncing across the street to the Spartan Market while they prepare the sammiches for a better selection of drinks and chips.Overall this is a solid 3.5-star location rounded down for lack of sides, but otherwise friendly service, tasty chiw and decent prices will keep me coming back for hopefully another forty years.

John

5 years ago en

this is a great little hole-in-the-wall place here in downtown San Jose. It's pretty much just greasy bar food Howard say but the burritos are really good and the quesadillas are even better. I would definitely say this is a nice top if you just looking for a quick bite to eat at a reasonable price. Maybe you stop there are very polite and seem always excited to see you when you walk in.

William

5 years ago en

Sonia's Kitchen has consistently been giving great tasting sandwiches for the past twenty years that I've been coming here. My go to sandwich is the Combo Cheese Steak with Mushrooms and extra Provolone. Give Sonia's a try, you'll appreciate the love and flavor people enjoy.

Gilbert

5 years ago en

The bombest sandwiches around. My aunt and I used to always go walking there and I would enjoy the best BLT I’ve ever had in my life with a nice slurpee by my side in the summer heat. We have kept this tradition on for 5 years now, during the summer we leave her apartment, go to 7-11, then to Sonia’s, and take our food to a nearby park.

El

5 years ago en

I got here at early an hour before they opened 10:am. I was waiting out front in parking spot, they opened 30 min early for me. I ordered a family size steak sandwich with provolone half w/onions. The cost was $25 w/tax. It was about 2 feet long they had cut it in half to fit it in the a bag. The bread was so soft & fluffy. The steak itself was greasy but great tasting & a lil fatty. All in all it's a great spot to get a fast bit to eat thats going to fill you up. I come to Sonia's every time I'm working in the area. A must try if you never have!

Mario

5 years ago en

Good food and fair prices. I ordered the pepper & onion cheesesteak well worth the price. They have no indoor seating, very tiny place. Only 4 tables outside to sit. I will return....weather permitting....lol

Bill

5 years ago en

Best philly cheesesteakes around this area. Such an incredible hole in the wall. I have not had a burger yet but a coworker said they are very good.

John

6 years ago en

I've been coming to this since place since I was a child best Philly cheese steaks this side of the Mississippi

Carl

6 years ago en

I can remember eating here as a kid, it's a must have when we visit San Jose. Love love love it!

Missy

6 years ago en

I've been going there for years, love the Mushroom Swiss, steak sandwich. They take phone orders, so your food is ready by the time you get there.

Rens

7 years ago en

Been going here for 12 years. The best cheese steak around. It's a pity they're not open on the weekends or extended hours. But, being that it's family owned and operated, I can cut some slack. If you're in the area M-F, 11-5, then stop on in for the freshest cheese steak around.

Chris

7 years ago en

Awesome hole in the wall. Looks like it used to be a gas station. Sonia is a staple in the neighborhood and has been here for more than 20 years! I don't think she has raised the prices that much during that time! Great pastrami and hoaggies. They have a very good following and all walks of life eat here. Great little dive!

SanJose

11 years ago en