While talking about food, I brought up how over Thanksgiving I went to Henry’s Hi-Life and really liked their ribs.  She happened to remember the restaurant on the episode of “Man V. Food” and then exclaimed “then you gotta go to smoke eaters!”  “The place with the super hot wings?”  “YES! they’re the best!”

Well it usually doesn’t take a cute girl to get me to go try out a place, but it doesn’t hurt.  We actually had an argument on the plane about where the best hot wings in San Jose were, which would have been settled had only one of us known that Cluck U and Smoke Eaters are the same place.  This I only discovered upon arriving at the storefront by Santa Clara University in a Safeway plaza.

Having watched Adam on Man V. Food agonize over the famed Hellfire Challenge, I decided to go for the lesser evil, the Inferno.

Oh boy are the wings really good.  I forget where Inferno stands on the scale, but I remember it being somewhere in the middle of their 7 levels of hotness.  Still, it was enough to feel a kick but mild enough to make me think I could actually take on the Hellfire challenge next time in.  That could be dangerous.

Also recommend their loaded nachos to add something crunchy to your meal.  They’ve got about a dozen or so beers on tap and a bunch of televisions to catch the game.  Cold beer, hot wings, and a football game.  That’s the perfect trio.

So thank you, 24F, for reminding me of this San Jose dive.

Because we can’t all afford a $250 flight to eat the best ribs out there!  We’re not all investment bankers with food cravings like a pregnant woman.  Well, fear not, regular folk.  Just because it’s the best only in this humble city, doesn’t mean it’s not good.  It can still be very good… nay, awesome.  It still means plenty when I say that Henry’s has some of the best ribs in the South Bay and one of the few charmingly unique eating experiences left in the area.

Henry’s is an eating institution in San Jose.  Located next door to HP Pavilion, it’s a sporting fan’s HQ for beer and ribs when the Sharks are playing.  Even on an off-night, the bar area is filled with patrons, most of whom are waiting for tables inside.  You’ll have to be aware of their procedure for table calling.

When you come in, there is a box of numbers at the end of the bar.  Grab one of those, and just like at a deli, they will call out numbers one at a time.  Once your number is called, they will take your order for those in your party, so take a look at the menu and figure out what you want beforehand.  After that, they’ll call your name when your table is ready and food will be served up very quickly after.

Definitely recommend the half rack of ribs (or full if you’re sharing).  They’re smoked to perfection–bones come clean out of the tender meat.  They’re smoked slowly under a low heat for a long time and then cooked to order in their brick oven before you’re even seated.  While the meat’s really good, it can be overshadowed by their baked potato.  The seasoned butter that goes inside it is YUM.  People also say good things about their pre-meal garlic bread as well.

Their other offerings include steaks, prime rib, beef ribs, and salmon.  Tasted the salmon and thought it was just all right.  For my money, I’d rather go with the BBQ ribs every time.

Of course, I have to mention that Man V. Food featured this place in their San Jose episode.  To see what Adam Richman said about this place, look on Henry’s website for the video.

For a noteworthy dining experience in Downtown San Jose, you really should check out Henry’s Hi-Life and have a taste of their “world famous” ribs.

Henry’s Hi-Life
301 W St John St
San Jose, CA 95110