If you are keen to have the beef version of an omakase Sawa Sushi experience, head over to Alexander’s Steakhouse for their decadent $150 tasting menu. Interested in spending less, or even a lot more? Flip over to the a la carte menu where you can order caviar, lobster, scallops, and Hyogo A5 Kobe steak. Yes, that’s actual Kobe beef— unlike most places, Alexander’s has the gold certification plaque on display to prove it.

The talented crew behind Los Gatos’ The Lexington House opened this new brasserie in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose a few months ago. Food standouts include the “burnt” French onion soup, mussels, and lamb. While the bar staff’s strength is mixing up amazing cocktails, the wine and beer selection is nothing to scoff at for a brasserie.

While Lillie Mae’s near the San Jose airport is the go-to for soul food for many in the area, (especially for the restaurant’s chicken and waffles), sometimes you’re in a rush and want more options with your waffles. Located down the block from Levi’s Stadium, Butter & Zeus is a temple to waffle sandwiches. You read that correctly, waffle sandwiches. Offering savory waffle combinations, such as a Loco Moco and the cheeseburger waffle, as well as sweet “churro” waffles and s’mores waffles, you are sure to get your waffle itch scratched here.

All-you-can-eat meat and football seem like a match made in heaven. While visitors from Colorado are familiar with the Brazilian churrasco steakhouse, North Carolinians have been denied access to Fogo’s meat induced sweats. The meat, presented and cut for you tableside, will keep coming as long as you keep your button green side up, so remember to turn it over and save room for dessert. (more info on how it works here). Its location in Santana Row also puts you in the middle of several other options for food and drink should a sirloin and filet mignon overdose not appeal.

A Southern California chain that has finally migrated north, Gen Korean shines with its meat selection as far as all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ joints go. While weekend wait times can run into the hours, coming at off-peak hours for lunch and dinner typically gets you seated quickly. Additionally, the two-hour time limit for dining helps prevent people from lingering and eating the restaurant’s entire supply of meat. Don’t forget to wear something that you won't mind smelling like smoke and grilled meat for hours afterward.

Tensions between the U.S. and Cuba are easing, but until the embargo is lifted, load up on tostones, papas rellenas, and some oxtail at this Cuban spot frequented by those living and working in San Jose and Santa Clara. If you need a pick-me-up, finish your meal with a double Cubano coffee. Sadly, they don’t sell Cuban cigars.

If you have to be in Santa Clara for a football game, you might as well go put some of the best ramen you will ever taste in California in your mouth. A crowd forms before the restaurant even opens for lunch and dinner, so make a beeline into the waiting area and put your name on the clipboard. But don’t worry if you’re not in the top 15, because table turnover is only about 45 minutes. You’ll regret it if you don’t add-on a double order of pork. If the dinner line is too much for you, step next door to Iroriya, Orenchi’s sister robata grill restaurant.

On the sausage front, San Francisco has Rosamunde, and San Jose has Original Gravity Public House. Situated in the middle of downtown San Jose, this spot is easy to get to via public transit and specializes in beer, cider, and mead. The selection changes daily, resting heavily on Northern California beers, so return visits before game day are encouraged for beer nerds. On the food side, over a dozen different sausages are on the menu, including Andouille, bratwurst, and garlic-artichoke, as well as a trio of grilled cheese sandwich options and poutine.

The name is punny and possibly offensive, the terse service borders on rude, they only accept cash, and the old men standing by the windows chain smoking could be a turn-off. Yet, despite all that, this pho restaurant is busy come dinner time. The bowls of hot pho coming from the kitchen are some of the best in San Jose. Adventurous dinners will be disappointed at the lack of ox penis on the menu as can be found at Bun Bo Hue An Nam, but for a majority of people, Pho Kim Long’s rare beef pho will be more than enough.

For out-of-staters looking for a sushi experience in the South Bay, Sawa Sushi requires reservations and offers an omakase only menu. The sashimi heavy menu, chosen and created for you by the chef based on the fish he has received, can run over $150 per person. In other words, this is serious sushi business; if you want Americanized rolls and other options, you would be better off at Seto Japanese or Yuki Sushi.

Looking for steins of beer and German food? Teske’s is your spot. The San Jose beer garden has been serving locals for over 20 years with German beers and brandies and sausages and schnitzels. And while the more refined Nashmarkt in Campbell might be the newer kid on the block serving related Austrian fare, Teske’s Germania always feels like coming home whether you’re a local or tourist.