With the return of jazz, blues and salsa to the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest Friday through Sunday (August 9-11), jambalaya, barbecue, tacos and sweet potato pie also return, along with new booths selling West African jollof, lumpia, grilled and raw oysters, alligator bites and more.
Nearly 30 food and drink vendors will be set up in and near the Plaza de Cesar Chavez downtown, convenient to the Main Stage, the Blues/Big Easy Stage and the nearby Latin/Tropical Stage (on Park Avenue).
If you plan on visiting the Swing Stage frequently, there are plenty of options for eating and drinking in San Pedro Square and near the venue.
Here are our recommendations for the top 10 music acts you should definitely check out. And if you want to plan your snack between sets, here is the list of vendors for the festival with menu details. You’ll find old favorites and some newbies.
MAIN STAGE, BLUES STAGE and LATIN STAGE
>>>NEW PROVIDERS AT THE FESTIVAL
From Lillie Mae: This longtime South Bay favorite makes its festival debut with chicken, fried catfish, grilled brisket, mac & cheese, fried okra, grape Kool-Aid and sweet potato tarts.
Oysters in sauce: Grilled oysters with seafood (crab, shrimp, scallops), raw oyster shots, garlic noodles and garlic fried rice
Uncle Papa’s BBQ: Ribs, Chicken, Tri-Tip Sandwiches or Sliders, Brisket Sandwiches, Jalapeno Poppers, Hot Links, Mac & Cheese, Potato Salad
California Cheesesteak: Cheesesteaks, French fries, baked potatoes, chicken, fried okra, onion rings, nachos, loaded fries, Kool Cup drinks
Hal’s NY Hot Dogs: Hot dogs, hot links, sausages, vegan hot dogs and sliders with chopped cheese
Delicious cuisine: Noodles with garlic shrimps, fried chicken wings, spring rolls, noodle delight
La Fenice Pizza: Pizza from the wood oven
Street Stix: Filipino street food including grilled pork skewers, lobster balls, pork lumpia, turon with ube glaze and melon juice
Planeta Palette: Paleta ice cream on a stick
Oysters in sauce: Grilled oysters with seafood (crab, shrimp, scallops), raw oyster shots, garlic noodles and garlic fried rice
Cajun dishes from Louisiana: Catfish, Snapper, Shrimp, Alligator Bites, Frog Legs, Jambalaya, Hush Puppies, Po Boys, Lemonade, Sweet Tea
Shrimps are not easy: Vampiro Tacos (chorizo, shrimp), OG Tacos, Street Tacos, chopped cheese
Grillzillas: Burgers, fries, buffalo chicken sandwiches
Rosario’s Tacos: Quesabirria Tacos
Jollof cuisine: West African style Jollof rice bowls with various toppings
Checo’s Rescue Ranch: Slushies
Ohana Whip Wagon: Dole pineapple soft ice cream, mini donuts
Rainbow ice cream from Italy: Dairy-free, fat-free Italian ice cream
>>RETURNING FESTIVAL FAVORITES
Lord of the Ribs BBQ: Ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, hot links, Texas sausages, chili, potato salad, loaded nachos
Nita Bee’s treats: Salmon burgers, funnel cakes, pies (sweet potato, pecan), cobbler (peach, apple, berry), banana pudding, cookies
Poor House Bistro: Po boys, sliders, nachos, salads, bread pudding
Ribs N Things BBQ and Soul Food: Braised pork chops, oxtail, meatloaf, ribs, sausage, gumbo, turkey legs, potato salad, sweet potato pie, banana pudding
Howard Gumbo: Seafood gumbo, fried catfish, gumbo fries
Old Tyme Kettle Korn: Kettle corn, caramel kettle corn and roasted peanuts in the shell.
Seymart: Catfish, snapper, chicken wings, shrimp, oysters, calamari, breaded okra and hush puppies, potato salad
Hot and sizzling grill: Greek Gyros, Philly Cheesesteak, Sausages
Chick N Bros: Nashville-Style Chicken Sandwiches
The juicer: Frosts (lime, watermelon, mango, red hibiscus), fresh lemonade, iced tea and Arnold Palmer Freezes.
Soft ice cream from Twisted K: Eleven soft ice cream flavors, plus a vegan version and Dole Whip
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