The James Logan Courier

By Hailey Galbreath, Courier Staff Writer

Being Portuguese myself, I am accustomed to authentic Portuguese food and flavors. So it was to my great pleasure that a friend of my mothers recommended the restaurant to us after dining there herself. After dining there, however, I must admit I expected much more from Sousa’s, the little Portuguese restaurant in Alum Rock, San Jose.

The restaurant definitely has a homey feel to it. Pictures of the owners and their family cover the walls, as well as old-fashioned Portuguese decorations lining the interior. It is impeccably clean, and well organized.

The service is quick and efficient, but with little or no interaction between consumer and host/hostess. This may be due to the language barrier, as most of the hosts speak English as a second language. Nonetheless, they provide service in a quick and timely manner.

The food, for me, was the one downfall of the restaurant. The Bacalhau, which is a signature dish of salted cod in Portugal, was dry and overcooked. The vegetables were of frozen quality and the dishes seemed to be lacking in the spices and flavor of authentic Portuguese cuisine. It is however served in heaping portions, so be sure to go on an empty stomach if you do decide to stop by.

The prices range from nine dollars to $19, which is fairly reasonable for the amount of food given to you.



1614 Alum Rock Ave
San Jose, CA 95116
(408) 926-9075