Hobee’s, North San Jose
Hobee's Restaurant in North San Jose
After our early morning bike ride on the levees at Alviso, I really fancied a bowl of oatmeal and Hobee’s is the best place for that. The nearest Hobee’s to Alviso on the way home is at River Oaks Parkway. This branch is a bit off the beaten track but it happens to be within walking distance of where I work.
As it is Mother’s Day, we were expecting a few people around but hoped Hobee’s at River Oaks would be less crowded. It was just after 9 when we pulled into the car park but already it was crowded. Tom did manage to find a parking spot where the bikes on the back of the car didn’t impede anybody.
Inside it was full but, as the wait was only 10 minutes, we decided to put our names down. We found a shady spot on a bench outside while we waited. It seemed we were called in no time at all.
Inside Mother’s Day helium balloons decorated the place. Over the cash registers by the entrance though, was a banner which said ‘Happy Birthday’. That might reference the fact that Hobee’s is celebrating 25 years of being in business. On the tables, a handwritten sign in the plant pot said ‘HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!’ While we were looking through the menu, I was presented with a huge chocolate covered strawberry, decorated with a swirl of whipped cream and served on a small plate. It was delicious. Tom asked where his was and was told to come back on Father’s Day.
The Hobee’s menu always has specials on the front cover. Today’s specials all make reference to mother in some way. Tom chose Mother’s Special Salmon Omie served with coffee cake instead of hash browns. I, of course, went for the oatmeal.
This is one of the better Hobee’s – not that I have been to all of them. There are nine altogether and I’ve only been to five. I like the way this one is set out. There are no booths or seats up at a counter, just pine tables and chairs. Apart from the seasonal Mother’s Day decorations, the normal decor is big, bright prints of fruits and vegetable on the walls.
Hobee’s oatmeal is self serve from a bar. What I really like about their oatmeal are the sides to go on top. Today I was spoilt for choice with seven bowls to pick from. Beside the brown sugar, there were raisins, shredded coconut, cranberries, flaked almonds, mixed nut nibbles and walnut halves You can also help yourself to a piece of muffin. Sometimes it is small pieces of their famous coffee cake on offer. And, of course, you can visit the bar as often as you like.
Those are the good points but today I have three gripes. The oatmeal was very runny (but it tasted fine); the piece of muffin I had was stale and there was no milk. I did ask for milk and was promised someone would bring me some to the table. It never arrived but it was OK because there was milk on the table for coffee so I just used that.
I was a bit disappointed when I visited the restroom to find only one, very small picture of a couple of plums, on the wall. The restroom was very clean though with hot water and piped music playing softly in the background. There could, of course, have been the same music in the restaurant but due to the volume of noise out there it was impossible to hear.
We both enjoyed our breakfasts and we will come back to Hobee’s again and again.
Related posts:
- Southern Kitchen, Monterey Highway, San Jose
- Pete’s Family Restaurant, South San Jose
- Hobees, Sunnyvale
- The Blue Coffee Pot, Kayenta, AZ
- Hobee’s Stanford Restaurant
May 17 2009 07:15 pm | Breakfast Log
