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Aqui Cal-Mex

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1145 Lincoln Ave (at at Willow St)
San Jose, CA 95125

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(408) 995-0381
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Reviews
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Best

Aqui has become our favorite restaurant. The one in Willow Glen is the one we usually go to, but we like the one in Campbell also, and the food is consistant. Not only is the food...

Worst

Whoever said this restaurant was cheap must be a millionaire. $4.50 for a small bowl of guac? The food was bland and the chips were clearly store bought. If you're looking for ...

Healthy and Delish :) 4/30/2010

Y-U-M!!!! I LOVE AQUI! Cal-Mex food is easy to do but few do it right. My health conscious friends loves this place, as does my friend who makes it a point to only eat delicious food with complete disregard for calories. The CA wrap is just the right portion size and the bbq burrito with green rice is a great twist to a standard burrito. The sangria is a nice ""punch in the face"" (in a good way) and the margaritas are equally as strong. I've been to the Cupertino and San Jose locations and both have comparable good food and nice facilities. Pros: Healthy food, variety more
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Aqui, our favorite restaurant 11/8/2008

Aqui has become our favorite restaurant. The one in Willow Glen is the one we usually go to, but we like the one in Campbell also, and the food is consistant. Not only is the food great, the prices are good, the drinks are good, and ALL the people that work there are outstanding. Everybody is cheerfull and helpfull. I'm not crazy about the new aluminum chairs. It does get pretty busy sometimes, but it is well worth it. more
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Amazing 5/11/2008

This place is great! \r Food quality is excellent; service is prompt; prices are reasonable.\r \r The lines can be a little long on Friday & Saturday night but the food still comes up within 10 minutes or so..\r \r Menu is pretty basic, some things aren't my favorites but others are great.\r Try the specials; the Mahi-Mahi on Fridays is great. Pros: Great food, service+ they have a bar Cons: Long lines & sometimes trouble finding a table more
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Great trendy mexican food 3/21/2007

I enjoy going to Aqui's quite a bit. The resturant is very well designed with cool art and decor. They have a nice outdoor patio with a small fireplace, fountain and heat lamps. I have tried quite a few of their dishes and each one has been very good. They have a good selection of creative daily specials and, overall, their prices are excellent. I highly reccommend whichever soup they happen to be serving, they have all been wonderful. The low down: Large creative dishes, great prices, healthy menu selections, tasty custom desserts. Pros: Great menu, good prices, nice ambience Cons: Can get a bit crowded during dinner time more
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A nice quick service restaurant 7/8/2006

\r So it's not traditional mexican as I would label it. It's definitely got a great Tex-Mex flare. The food is quality, the variety can meet anyone's needs. \r \r The restaurant is busy at peak meal times, so seating can be a problem, but it's busy for a reason, good food at reasonable prices. I usually spend around $8.50, and leave feeling satisified.\r \r Pros: Great menu variety Cons: Seating layout and can be noisy when crowded more
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Cheap 4 Star Eats 4/22/2006

Did I mention 4 stars?? Aqui is probably the only 4 star rated restaurant for dinners under 7 bucks. The nightly dinner specials are works of art thought out daily by Rob Francis, the mastermind behind the culinary feast at Aqui. Examples of Aqui's Cal Mex dishes include: grilled tuna kalamata olive tostada, and ahi tuna wasabi spring roll. Its Mexican with a twist - A BIG TWIST, part California, Asian, and Southwest all rolled together to make a fantastic taste sensation on the cheap. Give me my dinner special on the back patio and I'm in heaven. Pros: The Food, The Price, The Patio Cons: Willow Glen more
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Good Mexican Casual Dining with a CA twist 3/7/2006

This is a good little casual dinning spot for either lunch or dinner if you're looking for Mexican Food with a California Twist. The menu reads more like a Wolfgang Puck than a traditional mexican resturant. The food here is good but the margaritas are even better. This is an order at the counter, seat yoursef, and pick up your food place. Seating here depending upon the time can either be really really easy or really really hard. Portion sizes are good and the pricing is reasonable for a ""Puck"" like place, but not cheap on mexican food standards. Overall I would say good place to stop by if in the neighborhood but nothing worth driving out of your for. Pros: Margaritas, Food Quantity Cons: Seating, Serve Yourself more
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Why was this rated so high? 6/24/2005

Bad food that you have to serve yourself at a high price. I tried this place based solely on the recommendations of this site. That was a mistake. It was some of the worst Mexican I've had, and I've had a whole lot of Mexican. After having lunch here, I spent the rest of the day trying to hold it down. It was not a pleasant experience. Also, I have a real problem with having to serve yourself when you pay $30 for a simple lunch for 2 - no alcohol. Pros: nice dinning area Cons: bad food, expensive, no service more
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Not a good find. 6/21/2005

Whoever said this restaurant was cheap must be a millionaire. $4.50 for a small bowl of guac? The food was bland and the chips were clearly store bought. If you're looking for authentic Mexican food, this is NOT the place. It's a weak attempt at gourmet Mexican, but falls far short. You'd be better off at a taqueria down the street. On the plus side, the lemonade was good and patio dining fine. Pros: Good lemonade Cons: Expensive, Bad Value, Flavorless food more
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Great Food, Great Service, Great Value 5/26/2005

Aqui is the best. Innovative food that tastes great for a great price. Nice folks working there! We eat there at least once if not twice a week. Try the Ropa Viejo & the daily Agua Fresca. YUM. Pros: Great Prices, Great Atmosphere, Excellent Food Cons: Noisy sometimes, Long lines, Parking problems more
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LOVE it. 1/12/2005

This is the best place to eat in the bay area if you're on a budget. Even if you're not, it's still a great place. The food is a light California take on classic Mexican dishes. Great for the diet and the wallet! They also have this fruit juice drink that is awesome. I forget the name, but it's on the menu... fresh fruit juice mixed with something good... Trust me, it's killer. I love Aqui, as you can probably tell. :) Pros: inexpensive, good parking, great location more
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wasnt happening 7/8/2004

Im sorry, but I walked into unorganized place with friends and had to leave place was a zoo, rude people cutting thru this and that people with trays. Not happening cant say anything about the food yet. Might come back another time I left sorry Pros: food?, price?, location Cons: , self serve, self seating more
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fabulous food and value 6/24/2004

Aqui is by far my favorite restaurant in Willow Glen. I look forward to trying each of the daily specials that are always unique and presented with flair, all for under $10! The staff are friendly and helpful, and I have gotten to know them over the 5+ years I have been going there. In the evenings, it is a relaxing treat to sit in the stylish outdoor patio, savoring every bite of one of their delicious meals. Don't forget the dessert - the chocolate cake with espresso whip cream is always a favorite. Pros: unique food, affordable, stylish more
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Excellent, interesting food 7/23/2003

This is the place to go for a different taste. Imagine a base of traditional mexican fare such as a chicken tamale, and combine it with a bit of Thai Peanut sauce for a combination that was out of this world. Or how about a quesadilla with goat cheese or an ahi tuna taco. Meals are pretty inexpensive and there is always something left on your plate. Margaritas (many different ones to choose from) are a must to compliment your lunch or dinner. Was too full for dessert but the choices looked super appetizing. Try this place and you won't be disappointed. Pros: Food, Price, Seating more
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The Perfect Casual Restaurant 5/5/2003

Good food, fresh ingredients, friendly service, clean, good price...what more can you ask from a restaurant? The service and atmosphere was what you'd expect from a four star restaurant, and not all who worked there were 18 year old indifferent newbies like you find at Fresh Baja (my other favorite Mexican restaurant). For something different, try their daily specials...you'll be pleasantly surprised. Pros: really friendly servi, ce more
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A Cut Above 1/16/2003

I can't believe Aqui is listed below Chubby's Broiler. Aqui is really too good for the class of restaurtants listed here. It's only because their prices are so reasonable that it qualifies. It should be No. 1 in this list! Pros: fast service, No tips, creative dishes Cons: parking-Willow Glen more
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healthy fast food 10/14/2002

Food was great and healthy, if your looking for a meal that's not typical fast food fare, this is the place. If you go when it's busy there could be a long wait for a table, the only downside. more
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Best Cal Mex! 10/3/2002

I've been there several time and have found that the service is always very fast and friendly and the food is one of a kind. I tried a sip of my boyfriend's margarita and for the way it is served, I was quite impressed! Pros: Service, Variety, Large Portions Cons: Noisy more
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Good Value 9/10/2002

Very good steak salad...good value and good service..love the salsa bar Pros: Salsa bar more
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pretty patio, fabulous food 7/19/2002

The patio dining at Aqui is absolutely perfect for a summer night- or lazy weekend afternoon- or an outdoor break from the stuffy office during lunch. Terrific food at terrific prices. I've had almost everything on the menu and have never been disappointed. The best value going for high quality/low cost dining. And the indoor art adds to the overall enjoyment of my meals. Tasty decor to go with the tasty food. Pros: great food, kid-friendly, pretty patio Cons: order at counter, busy Friday nights more
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Menu for Aqui Cal-Mex


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Editorial

  • The Scene
    The margaritas are one of the main reasons to visit, and the fresh fruit liquados are another. It's a chichi Willow Glen spot, with lots of colorful artwork and decor that has...

  • 12/29/2003 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday To Thursday From 11:00 AM To 09:00 PM Friday From 11:00 AM To 09:30 PM Saturday To Sunday From 10:00 AM To 09:30 PM
  • Payments: American Express, Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Willow Glen
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