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    Bar Tako

    4.0 (32 reviews)
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    Updated 2 weeks ago

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    Theresa D.

    Rip Olla Cocina. Let's see what this new Japanese-mexican fusion pop up is about. Fish tacos were fabulous 10/10, an order comes with 3 tacos, the fish is pretty substantial and the cole slaw was classic. Our server recommended the asada skewer, and he was right, it was my favorite item we tried! Tender and flavorful. The shrimp was good but the beef was better. The salmon tartare was good but we wished it had a sauce on top or on the bottom. At the end of the meal, we had some sticker shock because we realized each taco was about $5-7 for some nice tacos. The server mentioned the chef was planning to expand the menu which is a good move!! If they offered larger entrees, I can see this place being popular before a sharks game. Ambiance was ok since the interior was the same as olla cocina

    Tako aka grilled octopus
    Judy C.

    A solid place for dinner and wonderful concept that I'd like to see more of. The space was airy and would be great on a warm day. Drinks were tasty. I had the cdmx mule and it was really refreshing. Service was friendly and standard. For two people, we split several dishes. Salmon tartar - a tasty mango salmon tartar but didn't pick up on the shiso in the pico Tuna tataki - the tamarind and tuna pairing with the jalapeño was innovative and good. The menu said there would be furikake on this but we did not see any Hamachi crudo - beautiful presentation and flavors Furikake elote - the flavor was delicious but there was barely any furikake. This was also a difficult dish to eat as the corn was still on the cob but not finger friendly due to the sauce. Tako taco - the octopus were tender and nicely done. Not sure about the bean puree on the side Togarashi shrimp - on their own, kinda meh but the accompanying mole aioli took this dish up a notch

    Fish Taco trio
    Taryn R.

    Had the best little unexpected gem moment at Bar Tako in downtown San Jose. It's a super cute Mexican pop-up that somehow feels both low key and perfectly put together at the same time. The menu is small but intentional, which honestly makes everything feel like a safe bet (and it was). We ordered the trio of fish tacos, the ceviche, and the elote, and every single thing hit. Drinks. Elite. I got the Hana Fresca and it absolutely delivered, refreshing, flavorful, and one of those drinks you immediately want another of before you're even halfway through. The staff was friendly and knew their stuff without being over the top. Food came out fast, drinks came out fast, and it wasn't overly busy which made the whole experience feel easy and relaxed. The space itself is really open with huge barn-style windows, tons of indoor and outdoor seating, and just a great airy vibe, especially with warmer nights coming in. Also worth noting, bathrooms were clean and fully stocked. Just a solid experience all around. 10/10, would absolutely come back and do it all over again.

    Katrina V.

    I recently caught wind of Bar Tako on Yelp and noticed this restaurant had taken the place of Olla Cucina. Loved that Bar Tako had the atmosphere and vibe that I liked about the previous place. Their food concept was also much more unique as they fused Mexican and Japanese flavors. I made dinner reservations for 5pm on a Friday, but my husband and I could've gotten away without one during the time. I chose a standard table when I made the reservation, but I appreciated that we were given the choice to sit indoor or outdoor. The weather was beautiful, so we opted for a table along the street. Service was fine. The wait staff was friendly and helpful, but I felt like there was a lot of waiting around to get a server's attention. I had a refreshing cocktail called Momo Mode that I would highly recommend. Made me feel nostalgic for my time in Japan because of the sweet plum wine. Do not sleep on the naranja ice. It was actually a delight eating it after consuming the drink. We ordered the grilled shrimp, furikake elote, and fish tacos and received them in this order respectively. I thought that each dish got better and better - the grilled shrimp being my least favorite and the fish tacos being the best. The furikake elote was delicious and flavorful, but I thought it was a bit pricey on the dinner menu for just being corn riblets. The tacos were excellent. Loved their fresh, house corn tortillas. The fish was lightly battered and the sauces were great. I ultimately enjoyed trying Bar Tako at least once, and if anything I'd be more inclined to come back and try more cocktails. I was informed that Bar Tako was a pop-up for the time being, so check it out before it transitions to the next thing!

    Carne Asada w/ skirt steak, tamari stewed tomatoes, cotija, tortillas ($22)
    Cherylynn N.

    4.5 STARS *Stabs corn rib with fork* "Is this how you eat it?" *Cue in Three 6 Mafia* "Slob on my knob like corn...". *Spits out corn kernel* In all seriousness, don't sleep on the furikake elote (corn ribs) at Bar Tako! Last Friday, Bar Tako softly opened inside the former Olla Cocina space. Walk-ins only. Indoor and outdoor seating. M E N U Mexican Robata, Mexican flavors with Japanese grilling techniques. Skewers are binchōtan charcoal grilled. Full bar. On Shark game days, they have a special: beer + shot + breakfast carne asada taco (forgot to ask the price). F O O D * Hamachi Crudo w/ salsa verde, blood orange ($19): https://tinyurl.com/337ywaf6 Buttery hamachi, thinly sliced and lightly dressed with mildly tangy salsa verde, complemented by sweet blood orange segments. A crunchy component like bubu arare (Japanese rice cracker) would elevate the crudo. * Furikake Elote w/ kewpie, lime, chili, cotija ($9): https://tinyurl.com/2f76dvua Juicy corn kernels (served as corn ribs) with bold tangy, sweet, creamy, umami-rich flavors. Loved the smoky char from the grill. * Shoyu Short Rib Tamal w/ ancho chili sauce, pickled ginger ($15): https://tinyurl.com/2ma75vja Fluffy, moist masa generously filled with meltingly tender shredded short ribs, topped with a rich earthy sauce and pickled ginger for a tangy sweet contrast. * Carne Asada w/ skirt steak, tamari stewed tomatoes, cotija, tortillas ($22): https://tinyurl.com/5aa2xv9x Our fav robata, the [medium rare] steak was hella tender and juicy with a clean smoky flavor. The accompaniments were not needed. Served with soft housemade masa tortillas. * Togarashi Shrimp w/ beer glaze, mole aioli, tortillas ($18) Large, firm shrimp with a deeply earthy mole for dipping. It was good but the shrimp could use more togarashi for spice. * Tsukune: Pork, chicken, shiso, yuzu kosho, tortillas ($18): https://tinyurl.com/yk5bzun4 Least fav, the "meatballs" were dry and very salty. I think incorporating a dipping sauce with egg yolk would provide moisture. * Fish Tacos w/ white fish, lemon aioli, jalapeño, cabbage slaw (3 pc-$15): https://tinyurl.com/3zk55czb Best value dish, I liked the flaky fish and flavor + texture of the fixings but found the batter overly crunchy. S E R V I C E Awesome hospitality, staff were friendly and attentive. Prompt food service. A M B I A N C E Trendy, spacious indoor-outdoor space with several dining areas. Front patio is partially covered and great for people watching at the historic San Pedro Square. Overall, a strong soft opening with just a few tweaks needed to push it to a perfect five. Giving 4.5 stars, rounded up for exceptional service and for offering something unique in Man Jose.

    Hamachi crudo
    Sofy Y.

    Great new spot to have opened up in San Pedro Square area. Definitely needed something that wowed me! The ambiance in here is nice, warm wood tones and high ceilings, with good indoor/outdoor seating. Our server Jeffrey was exceptional, though the restaurant just opened, he was very knowledgeable, and the host was very friendly and inviting as well. Cocktails are inventive and flavorful, I had a hard time choosing! For food, we shared the hamachi crudo(refreshing, not reinventing the wheel but a goood staple app), tender and fresh. Sweet potatoes had good texture and accoutrement. Shoyu short rib tamal was insane. Silky, warm, rich in flavor, good pairing with the mole. We also shared the carne asada yalitori, which it came with 3-4 tortillas instead of 2. For 2 drinks and 4 food items our bill was about $100 after tax and tip. I would say the quality, presentation, flavor, and service made it worth it, though the portions are on the smaller end. Clean bathrooms too. I can't wait to come back here and try a bunch of their other offerings!

    House margarita and Momo Mode
    Chaela N.

    Stopped by Bar Tako for happy hour on a Friday evening. We were quickly seated as a group of 4. All of the happy hour items are decently priced and nicely portioned to share. The initial drink I wanted to order was out of stock, so our waiter suggested the Momo mode and I'm so glad I went with his rec. it was a well balanced cocktail! I'd come back to try more from their regular menu.

    Momo Mode
    Jo P.

    Service was great - they were good about bringing water and clearing the tables. Came on a Tuesday evening and it wasn't that busy which made the space more open. It's simple decor but still felt high end with the lighting. Food was 10/10 - surprisingly the Purple potato was our fav dish but not one is the dishes were disappointing. The drinks were really good. Momo mode and Coco con Matcha were so refreshing.

    Togarashi Shrimp Tacos
 beer, mole aioli, onion, cilantro
    Brett W.

    It's a nice modern feel with a touch of class. There's even sidewalk seating so you can people watch. The staff was nice, polite and greeted me and sat me promptly. The waitress mentioned that each dish is kind of small so typically people order three or more items.I had the Salmon Tartar mango shiso pico de gallo, chips. The salmon part was delicious, the pico de gallo was mid. I then had the Togarashi Shrimp Tacos beer, mole aioli, onion, cilantro. The shrimp were a nice size but were not that sweet/flavorful. The spices they used sort of made up for what the shrimp lacked. All in all it's a bit on the pricey side for my taste.

    Receipt
    Melissa F.

    I came here on weekday with my friend and was excited to try the food here but left a little disappointed. I ordered the Robata veggies listed at $16 dollars on the menu, but was charged $18. Additionally, the menu specifically said the Robata vegetables included mushroom but my order didn't have mushrooms. The service was slow which would've been fine but they brought the wrong dish for my friend so they had to take it back. We ordered chips and salsa + guac, which came with a very small plate of chips, then was charged extra for more chips (I think that's a little greedy, but that's just me). On the plus, the margarita pitcher was worth it. Unfortunately because of the up charge on my order and slow service, I wouldn't recommend.

    Tako Fish tacos

    Was super excited to try this restaurant since it was a popup, but found the food so-so. The great- service was super friendly, and dishes came out super fast! Dishes ordered: Sikil Pa'k- this pumpkin seed dip was amazing. I could eat it with lettuce, with any vegetable, and with bread or rice. It was just that addictive and the best dish of the night. Fish tacos- fish is perfectly fried, crispy and moist Tako- so-so. Octopus is wonderfully tender, but dip and beans are pretty salty Togarashi shrimp- shrimp nicely grilled, and mole aioli is delicious. But otherwise so-so Elote- most disappointing dish of the night, because although it's beautifully charred it came out cold, which could only mean they batch cooked (which is fine), but didn't bother to heat it up before serving. Overall the tortillas weren't that great, which is what detracted from the tacos. They were thick and a bit soggy...so not the nicest texture... Drinks: Momo Mode tastes like candy! Get this one! Tako Tropic- still pleasant but not as nice as Momo Mode. Shisloma- not much shiso flavor but definitely heavily smoky from the mezcal. Verdict: Glad I visited but won't be back, unless it's purely for the pumpkin seed dips.

    Hana Fresca

    Had the best little unexpected gem moment at Bar Tako in downtown San Jose. It's a super cute Mexican pop up that somehow feels both low key and perfectly put together at the same time. The menu is small but intentional, which honestly makes everything feel like a safe bet (and it was). We ordered the trio of fish tacos, the ceviche, and the elote, and every single thing hit. Drinks. Elite. I got the Hana Fresca and it absolutely delivered, refreshing, flavorful, and one of those drinks you immediately want another of before you're even halfway through. The staff was friendly and knew their stuff without being over the top. Food came out fast, drinks came out fast, and it wasn't overly busy which made the whole experience feel easy and relaxed. The space itself is really open with huge barn style windows, tons of indoor and outdoor seating, and just a great airy vibe, especially with warmer nights coming in. Also worth noting, bathrooms were clean and fully stocked. Just a solid experience all around. 10/10, would absolutely come back and do it all over again.

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    Bar Tako - japanese - Updated June 2026

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