Britannia Arms Almaden - San Jose

I visited this place for the first time to grab a quick drink, and I was impressed. The interior was very nice—clean and spacious. I really liked the bar area, which had a vast selection of draft beers, bottled beers, and canned options, along with plenty of spirits. The bartender was laid-back, and the service was friendly. Although I didn’t order any food, I checked out the menu online, and the pictures didn’t look too appealing. I have to admit, I'm not familiar with British cuisine, and my personal rule is if I haven't heard much about it, it probably isn't that great. But maybe I'm wrong! Aside from that, it was a nice experience. I had three drinks for $20, which is not bad at all. I definitely recommend stopping by if you're driving along the freeway or if you live in the area.

Full disclosure: My uncle's business (Outer Limits Amusement runs the jukebox in this pub. Today, my uncle and I went horseback riding in Milpitas at Ed Levin Park as both a belated birthday gift to myself and as research for some of my upcoming books. And I had an AWESOME time! Anyway, after the ride, my uncle was in the mood for New England clam chowder, and he LOVES Britannia Arms's chowder. Because it was warm (and warmer still on horseback in the bright sun , I wasn't in the mood for soup but actually craved a good burger, so I got the Brit Burger with cheese and a side of fries. And it was good. (Why is it burgers at restaurants are always so much better than I can make them at home? The atmosphere at the Brit is pleasant. People were eating outdoors or on the bottom level indoors, but my uncle and I went up the ramp and sat alongside the bar. Men were clustered around the bar, watching the Olympics and a soccer match, and music was playing overhead. My uncle asked about the singer, and that began a conversation between all of us around the bar about groups. All in all, it was a good lunch. Good food. Fun atmosphere. Lively music discussion. The next time I go, I'll have to try some authentic British fare. Fish and chips, here I come!

It's a decent spot for a dive bar. Trivia Tuesday is enjoyable, and I highly recommend the homemade chips and dip. However, there aren't many gluten-free food options available.

I've been coming here for years, and it's always a great experience. While it hasn't changed much over time, that's actually a positive. The beer is excellent, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is really enjoyable.

Yummy food and great staff. Even got water for my puppy.