About

Cajun Restaurant
Established Since 2005!

chris cain playing guitar
jc smith singing in mic

Live MUSIC DAILY

We love to spotlight talented musicians here at PHB and we are one of the only venues here in Downtown San Jose offering FREE, LIVE MUSIC DAILY! Stop on over and enjoy some great Cajun food and a brew.

Let those “BLUES HEAL YOU!” – John Lee Hooker

New Orleans – Cajun
“Ya U Right!”

plate of rice
breaded prawns

We like our blues cool & our food tasty-hot!

The Poor House Bistro offer the best New Orleans Cuisine this side of the “Big Easy.”

Our Namesake is derived from the classic New Orleans sandwich called the Po Boy (Poor), served inside a Victorian family home (House), turned into a restaurant (Bistro). We also serve Muffaletta sandwiches, seafood fry, grilled burgers, pasta and salad that are delicious! Our cooks are among the best at delivering tasty dishes in lickety-quick speed and they love to make your taste-buds happy!

TESTIMONIALS

Alyssa W.

They have a brunch menu on Sunday (10am - 2pm) with some tasty options. My boyfriend had the jambalaya scramble with a side of grits. I went with the New Orleans combo from the main menu. We got an order of beignets, too. All of the food was super tasty. They also had live music, so that was neat. Overall, a great spot to have lunch or dinner. We will be back soon, for sure.

Martha J.

I went to the Fountain Blues Festival and found this great food. So then I went to the Poor House Bistro on Sunday June 25, 2017 they had a great music The Ned Band was playing and they were awesome. It is located near the Sap center on Autumn street which is a one way street. Parking was ok. The building is a Victorian house, there is sitting inside and there is sitting outside. The seating outside is very nice. The place was clean. The woman's bathroom is inside just one person at a time, the men's restroom is downstairs outside. So you have to go inside order your food and pay then they'll give you a pager so when your food is ready you have to go pick it up. I had the Authentic New Orleans Hot Po Boys that was great, it was very tasty with good flavor, I also had the Beignets that were pretty good. They do have a pretty good selection of beer and some wine. The pricing is very reasonable. They do keep the place very clean, the busboy comes around all the time and cleans the tables. The staff is very nice. If you want some great food and listen to some great blues music this is the place. Music and food to satisfy your soul.

Rose C.

Great place to get po boy sandwiches and listen to live music. And bonus points for having its own parking lot. For being in downtown San Jose, that's kinda rare. I love their fried oyster po boy. The tartar sauce that comes with it goes well with the fried oysters. When I have a big appetite, I go for the fried seafood platter. It comes with shrimp, oysters and catfish served with two sides (your choice of creole slaw, cajun potato salad or french fries). The food here is great. But the real selling point for me is the live music. The bands perform in the outside patio area. You can find their calendar here: poorhousebistro.com/cale….  I love listening to live music here. And there's no cover charge. Isn't that awesome!

Victoria L.

Man oh man! I had the Jambalaya special with shrimp and it was oh so flavorful! We also got po' boys, crawfish pasta, blackened chicken wings and potato salad and cajun fries! More than enough for 6 people to share. Makes me want to take a trip to Nola! It was open mic night and live music is always a plus. Anyway, GET THE JAMBALAYA.

Kim W.

Found this little place attending the WOF conference at SAP center. It's quite a gem! The food is wonderfully seasoned, just like Nawlins (New Orleans). I had the combo plate because I just couldn't decide on the gumbo or jambalaya! Gumbo was flavorful, I spiced mine up with Tabasco. Jambalaya had good chunks of chicken and sausage, nice tomato flavor and the red beans n rice complimented the combo.  Cornbread muffin was moist, can't stand when bread is dry! Kudos to the cooks..it will be a place we frequent when in San Jose.

Trina B.

I love this place! I've been here about once every week or two for the last 3 years. They have music almost every night,  the food is spicy and delicious,  and they have a good beer selection that is even better now that they've opened a full bar. I love coming in on Wednesday, Friday,  or Saturday for some great blues bands and typically order the spicy chicken po' boy or BBQ shrimp plate, which is quite spicy so be warned! If you don't like loud music sit inside or on the front patio. Parking can fill up, so go around the back to the small dirt lot for additional parking. I'll be happy to return many times in the future!

Amy G.

I have now been to the PHB twice for a 40th and 50th birthday party recently. The event space is so perfect for this type of event.  I did a lot of looking for event spaces and for what you get at poor house bistro the price can NOT be beat. The staff is very flexible and so wonderful! And wow the food is so good. I did not think I was a fan of  New Orleans type food and now I dream of going there for a shrimp Po boy and bread pudding. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to have a party or enjoy a delicious meal!

Laurel H.

his place is my go-to place for comfort food. The food is great and the have live music every couple days. I personally love their pasta dish. It's been awhile since I've gone to brunch here but as I recall it's also excellent. They've got the most amazing French toast. My friends are also fans of their beer selection!

Rick R.

Wow unbelievable .... got to have it 100%.. This place is a gem food great environment great feel great life is great...

Carol M.

Great unique ambiance!!   Warm and inviting...homey, clean and tasteful. Excellent home cajun cooking!!!! Happy wait staff.   Great band!!!!! A place you can relax and be yourself, party, dance…enjoy.

Tim E.

I lived in the New Orleans area for 15 years I moved up to San Jose around 2008. PHB without a doubt consistently nails the New Orleans look, taste and feel! I just had a cup of gumbo on a nice rainy day and it was awesome! Their Beignets are better than Cafe Du Monde! Great music most every night and it's near the Shark tank! A must!

William L.

My go to spot for sharks pre-gaming. Great outdoor patio with live blues. Po- boy sandwiches are delicious huge and reasonably priced. Love this spot.

Eddie W.

Close to the Sharks Stadium. Price point is fair what for you get. Flavors are delicious. Execution is good. Outdoor area is great + bar area is nice. Dog friendly. Overall Thoughts. A great place that we stumbled upon!

Melissa F.

Great atmosphere great music planes flying over and best of all great food! Cool old craftsman house turned restaurant. Live music  just a block away from the Sap center.

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