Sonia’s Kitchen is one of my favorite places of all time. I’ve been a huge fan ever since my first foray into the place, which was somewhere about late 1987.
Now, I will say in spite of being a regular there for 35ish years, I’ve never, and I mean NEVER had anything besides the cheesesteak sandwich. Why? Because it is THAT good! Seriously. That being said, I cannot attest to anything other than their cheesesteak sandwiches.
Now, I LOVE cheesesteak sandwiches and I have eaten them at many an establishment over the years, but Sonia’s are the one by which all others are measured. And they have yet to be bested. What is amazing is that they have remained consistent, as in exactly the same today as they were in the mid-80’s. That is saying something!
Now, I have my gripes with them too… Primarily the hours of operation: Monday- Friday, 11am – 4pm. Back in the day they were open later, and you could grab a sandwich after work, but as the employees aged (and passed away, sadly), there are only two of them left, and I guess that’s all the business they can handle themselves. The situation being what it is, anytime I have a day off during the week, we make it a point to make the trek. And I never regret it. When I first started going there, I worked maybe a mile from the place. A year or so later, I moved downtown and I only had to go about 6 blocks, an easy bike ride. Now it takes a 15-20 minute drive to get there from home, and it is worth every mile!
Nowadays I really try to relish each visit, knowing each time could be my last. The proprietor is at an age, she could’ve retired 15 years ago easily, and the cook has been there every single time I’ve been there, at the same grill. He’s no spring chicken either, but he still whips up a mean sandwich! They started with 4, now it’s just the two of them and I’ve NEVER seen an “outsider” working the shop, not a single time. She works the counter, he works the kitchen, and that’s it. So, yesterday’s sandwich may have been my last. I certainly hope not, but I know such a thing of beauty cannot last forever.
So if ever find yourself in San Jose, and you’re a fan of cheesesteak sandwiches, you owe it to yourself to stop in at Sonia’s Kitchen. They are on William St., between 9th and 10th streets. As my pops likes to say, “you better get, while the getting is good!”. The best kept secret in San Jose. Don’t let the look of the place fool you, it’s a diamond in the rough!
Thanks for stopping by!
The Boring Old Man 