wow words do not do justice to this meal. some of the tastiest food in the south bay is in an incredibly unassuming restaurant next to the VTA station. Jubba is serving up some of the best food i've ever had. As a newbie to somali food, I am now hooked. we came in on a friday around 6:15 and there was a steady group of people enjoying their food. we ordered at the counter and took a seat outside to enjoy the weather 1 Sambusa 1 chicken wrap 1 beef plate the sambusa arrived first and initially I thought Samosa in my head. But the sambusa has a better structure, holding its shape after multiple bites. the Dough is softer but still crispy. it came with beef , chilies and other vegetables. so so good. the perfect appetizer for us. it came with a spicy green sauce that seemed to be the common sauce for every dish then the stars of the show. The sizzling hot beef plate served with veggies, rice and a salad was unbelievable. add on a lemon and some more greens sauce and you're in for a treat. the rice alone was so flavorful and it tasted like there was meat drippings on top. the beef was so tender and fell apart in 1 bite. I was blown away with the dish the chicken wrap... man. I'm not sure what kind of bread, pita was used but it was fantastic. a huge wrap with lettuce, onion chicken, sauce and other veggies. It was so messy and hard to eat with your hands so we resorted to eating with a fork and knife. Unreal. Unreal. massive portions again which are a theme here. But holy smokes this was so good. The chicken has a nice char, but is also juicy and saucy. the spongy pita neutralizes the bombardment of flavor from the meat, and the veggies compliment everything with some crunch and texture. Service was great and very helpful. They were extremely friendly and a delight to talk with. We will be back 5/5 read more

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We took my 76-year-old basketball buddy to Jubba for his birthday. We invited our other young bball buddies with a diverse pallet. Turns out, it was quite a generational feast! My Gen Y friends rate it 3.5 stars while my old buddy and I give it a solid 4. Food (3.5-4 stars) + The chicken wrap ($11-14) was the star: huge, flavorful, and the two sauces--spicy green and creamy white yogurt based sauce--made it even better. + Sambusa appetizer ($3) was fantastic. It's like a samosa with meat and various spices filling. It's better than many Indian ones I've had. ~ Sports Plate ($35-44) was large and tasty, with tender beef atop yellow rice and those same great sauces. Great spices but it's lacking some heat. I wonder if we can get it spicy? ~ Beef suqaar ($17-26) was just okay--flavors a bit standard and the meat a bit tough. It comes with a choice of starch I think. We picked the jeera which is like a crepe/tortilla. This dish is like an African version of Fajitas. Service/Ambiance (3 stars) + They bring the food to the table after you order at the counter. ~ The ambiance feels a bit dated, more '80s strip mall than cozy, but it's a unique, authentic experience. - No free water--bottled water ($1-2) or soft drinks only. We had a great time, but next time, I'll bring my own water! read more

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Jubba -- first time trying this place out, and I would say the food was very well seasoned and full of flavor. Every bite was tasteful and enjoyable. I do wish the tilapia plate we ordered had more fish because the portion was pretty small, but the rice was absolutely delightful. After eating, we didn't feel heavy or bloated; it was very fulfilling. The only downside was that all of the tables were very sticky, and I wish they were cleaner. I also wish they offered more refreshing drinks that complemented the food instead of just sodas. Overall, I would definitely come back again. read more

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I was influenced by TikTok which can be a risky move. But this delivered! The food was absolutely FANTASTIC! We got a chicken wrap, a chicken plate (my favorite) and their sambusa. Flavorful, filling and huge portions. And affordable. It's tucked away in the corner next to an AC transit stop. It's worth it!!! read more

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Weird location, across the street from the VTA station and in a residential neighborhood. This was my first time trying Somali food and I liked it. The restaurant was empty at lunch time. I got the sports plate with basmati rice, chopati like roti with chicken/beef. This feeds 2 people and was a lot of food! The seasoning was good and the green sauce on the side for the salad was nice with a little kick to it. I also tried some of the fish was good too. Can't wait to go back to try other dishes. Indoor seating only. Street parking only. read more

Jubba - Side of Chopati - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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Came here for a birthday lunch for a good friend turning 78. To my surprise, it was one of the best chicken wraps that I ever have tasted. Well seasoned, excellent portion size, great price ($12.99), and the sauces that came with it hit the spot! read more

Jubba - Chicken Wrap - African Near Me - San Jose, California

We know that Somalia has some of the highest mean annual temperatures in the world + hot/humid , dry + hot, unpleasant weather. Didn't anticipate that would match the experience had on 3/17/26 when I arrived to have an early dinner with my friend @ 5 p.m. Minus one star for this. Maybe we were hoping they'd turn on the ceiling fan, which was directly about us, but nope. Maybe we could've asked, but as paying customers, that should've been given. Knowing we were going through a heat wave that week! There were a few other patrons ordering for pickup and some of them even stood outside in the shade to beat the restaurant's dry and humid atmosphere. I chose this place based on the positive reviews and my friend had raved this rest had been around for 15+ years now and is simply the best. Not sure I had the best cooked meal (which I ended up taking leftovers home). I picked the Sports Plate (combo of steak + chicken) with a side of Chapati (bread). It did state this was big enough to feed two persons and it didn't disappoint on this part. $43.98 for the Sports Plate and $4 for a water bottle (which I didn't want to buy due to microplastics, but gave in bc the rest of the drinks were all sugar) and it was indeed a very hot day. First few bites of the chicken & steak were flavorful, filled with spices. But the following day, I encountered some tough tendons/fat or chewy meat. One star deducted here. Parking is plenty, but shared right next to the Caltrain, conveniently located for those getting off and wanting a quick and delicious meal. I do recommend for everyone to try this location, don't let my experience deter you from having an even better one. read more

Jubba - My Sports Plate was split into two and I was only able to capture the steak. Wrapped in the foil is the warm Chapati - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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Wow, what an amazing hidden gem!! I've been wanting to try this restaurant for quite sometime and today was the day. Jubba is located across from the Ohlone/Chynoweth VTA station and next door to the Ohlone beauty salon, within a lovely neighborhood. I have read so many amazing reviews about Jubba, so I was really excited about trying it. When we entered, it wasn't very busy. There were a few customers having lunch. There were a lot of tables and seating. This was my first time trying Somali cuisine. We walked up to the front desk and were given menus to look over. The young man helping us was very nice and welcoming. I decided to try the Beef Suqaar with Injera. My husband ordered the beef steak with Injera. We ordered a side of chapati and two Sambusas. We also got two bottles of water. We were told to find a table and they would bring us our food. We sat down and noticed they had a hot tea self serve station. The tea was complimentary. It was so flavorful and sweet. There must have been cloves, cinnamon and other spices in it. It was delicious and soothing. It took about 15 minutes for our food to arrive. Everything looked and smelled amazing. My beef Suqaar was absolutely incredible. So full of flavor and spices. And it went perfectly with the fluffy Injera. My husband loved his beef steak. It was the same as mine but with bigger pieces of the beef. The meat was so juicy and I loved the veggies mixed in it. There were onions, peppers, carrots, tomatoes and green beans with a delicious sauce with many different spices. The chapati was very good and also went well with the beef. The Sambusas were delicious and stuffed with spiced ground beef and onions. It was very flavorful and had a hint of spicy heat to it. It came with a green sauce that was very spicy. My husband loved the green sauce. You also got a side of green sauce with your entree, with a small amount of salad with ranch dressing. Before we left, the owner stopped by our table to ask us how everything was. She was so sweet. I told her that this meal was one of the best I've ever had. And honestly, it really was. I will most definitely come back here again. My husband wants to try the goat next time and I'd like to try the chicken. Thank you Jubba for a superb meal!! read more

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Affordable, casual somali spot! Would recommend trying this place and will be coming back to try more! FOOD We ordered the beef wrap and chicken wrap. Both were really delicious but if I had to choose between the two, beef wrap! It was smokier and more tender than the chicken. The seasoning here is on point!!! The wraps also come with green and white sauce. I loved the white sauce. One of green sauces spilled on the way back home but the wraps are still good without the sauce! SERVICE We called in for a phone order pick-up. We were about a 20 minute drive away and our food still wasn't ready when we got there. We waited for an extra 10-15 minutes, even though the place didn't seem that busy. So definitely expect a wait if you plan on eating here. Friendly service though! read more

Came here for dinner on a Saturday and the place was packed. Had to wait a while in line to order and then close to an hour for the food to arrive at the table. Definitely was worth the wait, but may not be the best sit down choice if you're in a rush since the table space was also a bit limited. I had the chicken suqaar with chapati and the plate was massive! Had plenty of leftovers to take home, and every part of the plate was delicious. Fish dishes also looked interesting and have heard good things about their sambusas, so definitely will be back to try more dishes. Note: no water cups, have to buy water bottles read more

Jubba - Chicken suqaar with chapati - African Near Me - San Jose, California

This is one of my favorite restaurants in San Jose! I genuinely crave it monthly. This unassuming location is right by the VTA Station. A little outdated interior, but gets the job done. It can get really busy, so I recommend ordering ahead if you don't plan to dine-in. The staff here are nice and work quickly! My recommendation is the Beef Suqaar! Each piece of beef is soooo tender and juicy. Flavored so well without being overwhelming or salty. I enjoy this with the rice and salad! As the beef gets fatty, it's a good balance. The green sauce is super spicy, but a really nice creamy kick! (I personally can't handle the heat) read more

Jubba - Beef Suqaar - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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This is truly an amazing hole in the wall! My boyfriend introduced this place to me since I've never tried Somalian food and it was absolutely DELICIOUS. This is probably one of the best food I've had in a while.... When you walk in, you can place your order and then take a seat. My boyfriend and I shared the sports plate with goat & beef and rice & chapati. It was definitely more than enough food for the both of us - we even managed to take some home. Both the beef and goat were delicious but the beef was my favorite. The green sauce is spicy but addicting. The seasoning that they use for the meat and veggies is just soooo good. It's such a wonderful blend. They also offer complimentary hot tea. I'm not sure what it's made up of, but it has a lot of spices in it. I'm definitely coming back for more! read more

Jubba - Sports Plate with beef and goat + chapati - African Near Me - San Jose, California

This place was awesome, I wanted to try it after seeing it on TikTok. We got the chicken wrap and beef wrap. Each was about $20 but it's a big wrap so you get what you pay for. They were both so delicious with lots of flavor and juicy meat. We ordered over the phone at about 12:33 and picked it up at 1:08, and it was still warm! I saw some reviews about service being slow but there's only one man cooking there, so expect a wait but please be patient as he is cooking with love. Inside was clean and nice lighting, very quiet. Right in front of VTA so there's lots of parking. read more

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Update : won't go here anymore , dirty , got stomach issues even without eating their special sauces , just sandwich. read more

Jubba - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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Nice place. Amazing food. Would recommend everyone. One of the best place to get halal food.

This was my first time trying Somali cuisine. I ordered the goat cutlet with chapati. Based on what I read online, I was expecting Somali cuisine to taste somewhere in between Ethiopian and Indian, but actually it was quite different. The preparation and spices used tasted more like Middle Eastern or Central Asian to me. They provided a spicy green sauce on the side. There is a self-serve station with free chai. It is just like Indian masala chai but without the milk. read more

Jubba - Roasted Goat Cutlet - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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Swung by on a Friday night, decent amount of people dining in. The two of us shared a sports plate with both injera and chapati. We went with beef instead of lamb. The sports plate was great! Very flavorful and hefty portion. I liked having both the injera and chapati for texture variety. Tried the mandazi as well since they were sold out of the sambusas and it was alright. Enjoyed the complimentary chai! Service is on the slower end, we ended up waiting an hour for our entree to arrive. Definitely not a spot for a quick grab-and-go meal so be sure to account for that. read more

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I probably never would have discovered this hidden gem if it weren't for a friend's recommendation--but I'm so glad I did! The location is a little strange (inside an apartment complex / in front of the VTA light-rail park and ride), but the food more than makes up for it. If you love African cuisine, this place is a must-try. It's a small, cozy spot that seems very popular, so be patient--the food takes a little time to come out, but it's absolutely worth the wait. It's pure comfort food. Portions are generous--you definitely get your money's worth. I had a beef wrap and could barely finish half of it! The beef is incredibly tender, and the spices are perfectly balanced--flavorful without being overwhelming. And it's the best chapatti I've ever had! I'm already planning my next visit. If you're looking for hearty, delicious, and authentic African food, don't miss this spot! read more

Jubba - Jubba Beef Wrap - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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Pretty good flavorful food with free tea (very hot, very sweet) Order at the counter with a simplified numbered menu. My beef suqaar came with crispy cubes of beef and a tangy sauce. It was tasty and would order it again. I wasn't a huge fan of the goat dish. It wasn't bad but not memorable. The spaghetti was interesting. I enjoyed the mandazi and chapati, both breads were cooked well and flavorful In general, serving size was large, especially for the sides. Some dishes can get very spicy. The beef one wasn't but the goat one was. read more

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Chapati was decent, it tastes like a pancake. The sambusa was okay. My favorite is the beef suqaar, great flavor combination with the rice and veggies. The green sauce and lemon also puts everything together. They also provide free hot chai tea upon request. Service was decent, my order took about 15 minutes with no line. Meals are pricey. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Ample parking. Bathroom is available. read more

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I've been to Jubba many times over the years, and somehow I'm only reviewing them now. They are one of my favorite restaurants (halal or otherwise) in the Bay Area, as well as being my intro to Somali food. My favorite dish is the Roasted Goat Cutlet, which reminds me of similar Indian dishes but with its unique blend of spices. The meat is super-flavorful and is complemented by the salad and sauce. The rice is a classic side, but the chapati is another good option. The other menu items are great as well. Chicken or beef are more approachable to anyone not familiar with goat (though I think more people should eat it :-) And the mandazi & sambusa are good appetizers. No matter what, the portions are good so you will be satiated. Another highlight of Jubba is the free hot tea. It is a sweetened, spiced black tea that completes any meal. The ambiance is cozy & traditional, and the service is friendly. The food can take a bit of time but it's worth the wait. While the location is a bit out of the way for most, I promise that Jubba is worth it! read more

Jubba - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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I got the chicken wrap and honestly it was really good ! It had great flavor and was very filling! A+ ! But unfortunately it took really long for just one wrap and the customer service wasn't the best. The younger lady there was very friendly and had a great attitude and spirit. On the other hand when we would ask questions to the older lady we were met with what seemed to be an attitude. This was our first time here and maybe it wasn't her best day so I understand but it was unfortunate that this was our first impression. Other than the place was very lively and in good spirits! read more

Who would've thought that you could find a Somali restaurant in San Jose? And who could imagine that this understated restaurant located at a VTA light rail station would be so popular? The menu here featured platters with a choice of grilled meat and a side, and I tried the Roasted Goat Cutlet and the Grilled Fish. I was a bigger fan of the fish fillet, as the goat chunks were rather boney and sinewy, but both were flavored with a tasty spice mixture and were topped with a variety of chopped vegetables including onions, peppers, and tomatoes. The plates were also served with chopped lettuce in a creamy dressing, a lemon wedge, and a spicy green sauce. On the side, the Injera was a round, spongey flatbread made of teff. Unlike the Ethiopian version, the injera here wasn't sour and had a rather neutral flavor. My favorite side was the Chapati, a chewy whole wheat flatbread with a nutty, earthy flavor (similar to the Indian chapati). Overall, the food here was good though not outstanding, and the setting could definitely have been cleaner. The prices may once have been a good value, but are now quite expensive for the quality and portions of the food. read more

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I have not been back here in years and maybe the quality and flavor isn't as good as I remembered it. The place needs better ventilation since it was smoky sitting in the restaurant. As for the food, it came out quick and portion is huge. The food came out hot, and packs with heat and flavorful. I love the fried samosas. It's filled with beef and onions. The hostess brought us extra plates and utensils to share. I definitely recommend trying this place if you're adventure and love spicy and flavorful food! read more

Jubba - The fried samosa. $3/piece - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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Went to Jubba for the first time last week despite having grown up in South San Jose from childhood through high school. Came with 3 friends and we all had a great experience. Upon arriving we ordered at the counter where the lady at the register very kindly answered any questions we had and gave recommendations on the menu. I got the beef suqaar as did one of my other friends, and the other two ordered the chicken wrap and the goat cutlet. All the food came out fresh and piping hot. It was all delicious and well spiced, balanced out by the carbs and complimented with the green sauce provided on the side which was spicier than it looked. Atmosphere was very casual, and it's kind of fun to watch the lightrail trains pass by out the window. They also have a complimentary tea that's a little sweet and nicely spiced with overall balanced flavors. In terms of pricing, some of the meals were around $20-25 which is not bad for the Bay Area, but the wrap at $13 was probably the most worth it and it was definitely large and filling enough to constitute a meal The one thing I wish that was different was that they provided water. The drink dispenser only had the tea and though there was bottled water in the fridge by the register, it appeared that was only for purchase. That said I overall very much recommend Jubba for anyone interested in their food! read more

Jubba - Beef Suqaar with injera - African Near Me - San Jose, California

This is one of the Bay's hidden gem restaurants. Somalian food is very difficult to come by, but they serve non-westernized well executed dishes. The sambusas are the best I've had out of all the other Somalian restaurants I've been to. The juiciness, depth, and crispy are unbeatable. They really stuff the crap out of it and the sauces paired add a nice refreshing acidity. The Kay Kay beef and the Goat were on the dry and chewy side, but the flavors were on point and were layered with the spices. If they can hone in on the temperature and timing of the cook, this would make Jubba unstoppable (though they have no competition in the south bay right now). Ambiance reminds me of your average diner vibe. I knocked down 5 of their sambusas in a sitting a few weeks after having it in person and it was still amazing as takeout. Be warned that the sauce it very spicy. I'll be back! read more

2:13pm I ordered my $44 sports plate of goat, injira (roti), and spiced rice. 29 minutes later 2:42pm We receive our sports plate. We devour it and it's delicious, flavorful contents of meat, veggie, and protein. Some of the goat is somewhat overcooked, and there are not many fatty pieces. Nonetheless, the majority of the goat meat is excellent, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. The veggies are Kirkland vegetable medleys, but they are perfectly sautéed and absolutely delicious. The injira and rice are so addicting. They add another flavorful element to the dish. The free chai is excellent. Treat yourself to some in the back of the restaurant! 3:12pm I leave Jubba satisfied. Was the wait worth it? I don't know; if I didn't have an open day or the food wasn't up to snuff, I'd be annoyed and give this place a 3/5. But since I I had time to spare today and the food was pretty damn good, I bumped it up to 4/5. Just come in expecting to wait 30 minutes to eat a delicious, local, San Jose-exclusive Somalian meal. read more

Jubba - Sports Plate with only goat, rice, and injira - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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Wanted to try this place for a long time based on great reviews here but left not so impressed. The restaurant felt just average, and the service was painfully slow -- it took ages for our food to arrive, and no water was ever offered. The chicken tasted like it had just come out of the fridge, which was off-putting at the first bite. On the bright side, the pasta and rice dishes were surprisingly good -- perfectly cooked and full of flavor. With a bit of attention to freshness, service, and overall upkeep, this place could be much better. read more

I'm so glad we found this place. This family owned restaurant is a gem and a one of kind place in a sea of mediocre restaurants. Customer service was excellent and made you feel like family. The food is the star of the show. Everything was cooked well and had tremendous flavor. Portions are big as well. We had the chicken roll, even though simple ingredients but were all made well. The goat plate included my favorite the rice, so much flavor. We will try to be back soon, and try other dishes. read more

Jubba - Roasted goat plate - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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Surprised I haven't given Jubba a review yet, I've been coming here for years. The only place that hasn't price gouged their food. It's not only affordable but tastes SO GOOD. You will not find any of these flavors anywhere else in San Jose, authentic and delicious Somalian dishes. I highly recommend easing your way into it with a chicken wrap with some green sauce. Everyone working there is extremely helpful and accommodating and provides excellent service. You can tell it's family owned by the level of pride they put into their restaurant. Huge portions, great taste, and low cost. Check it out at least once. read more

Jubba - Chicken wrap - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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So my buddy made a surprised visit from the City to hang out with me & I thought coming to Jubba for dinner is an excellent choice since he has not had Somali food before & Jubba is listed on SF Chronicle's Top 100 for 2025. We walk in & the place was full. No seats anywhere. The deal is to order at the front then take your # card to a table & wait to be served. We ordered 5 pcs of Sambusa, 1 chapati, 1 Mandazi along with sides of goat, pasta & chicken. The delicious aroma was driving my buddy mad as he was starving. My buddy said he wants to eat everything & he pretty did - a stack of empty plates piled neatly for the busboy. He says he will bring his girlfriend back since the VTA light rail literally stops outside of Jubba. read more

Jubba - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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I've been going to Jubba since a really long time always ordered the sports plate. This time wanted to order something different so went for the sandwich. The flavor was amazing, the meat here is always juicy. Would highly recommend sports plate if you are super hungry. The chai / tea has a unique taste really hard to find something like this anywhere else. read more

Jubba - Jubba Beef Wrap - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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The portions are huge, and the flavors are good without being overly spicy. The crowd is lively, and the place stays busy. Service is a bit slow, but that's understandable given the limited staff. they do not give out water. They do sell water for two dollars a bottle so beware if you eat too much other green spicy sauce. They offer a free chai tea. read more

This is my second time back and I'm surprised that I didn't write a review the first time. I got the chicken wrap and I still can't stop thinking about how perfect this was. The green sauce is a bit spicy but I just kept on pouring it onto my wrap. It is a small store located at the corner of the VTA, truly a hidden gem. read more

Jubba - African Near Me - San Jose, California

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I'd been wondering what all the rave was about with Jubba and had it bookmarked for the longest time. We finally decided to visit this weekend, and OMG, the food here is soooo good! This was also our first time trying Somali cuisine, and it did not disappoint. I highly recommend the Jubba Beef Wrap! We also tried the Chicken Suqaar, and while both dishes were packed with flavor, we preferred the beef. The meats were tender and paired perfectly with the spicy green sauce, which elevated the flavors even more. I loved how the spices were beautifully balanced, and the fresh vegetables added a nice contrast. We just had one small hiccup: we waited about 30-40 minutes for our food, and when we arrived promptly at our pickup time, we were told that the sambusa wasn't available. While it wasn't a huge issue, it would've been nice to be notified earlier. They did offer to make sambusas, but it would have taken an additional 30 minutes. The dining area is pretty compact, so I'd recommend to-go, as other Yelpers have recommended. Regardless, the food is SO worth it! read more

Jubba - Chicken Suqaar - African Near Me - San Jose, California

Lived in SJ my whole life and I've only recently tried this place and to say the least, I'm hooked! The beef wrap is so simple, yet it's one of the best things I've ever eaten. One thing though, if you do decide to dine in, be prepared for an almost unbearably long wait. We checked on our meal twice and were about to check again when they walked out with our food. Don't think we'll ever dine in again, so Door Dash it is! read more

Jubba has very generous portions. Got the jubba chicken wrap and beef suqar, both were pretty good but would recommend the jubba chicken wrap more. The marination on the chicken just tasted more flavorful and was very tender/moist the beef was pretty good but I felt like the flavor was lacking one thing but honestly unsure of what it was. The rice for me on the plate wasnt my favorite, the rice just felt alittle too dry and alittle under for me but the sauce and the vegetables were great. The mandazi and the sambusa is a MUST have, I would say it was probably the best part of the meal. The mandazi was soft and doughy but also crispy enough to get the chew on the outside. Overall a great experience would come again! read more

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Went there for lunch in December 2025 and I'd totally go again. The restaurant is located just across from the VTA station. The staff that worked there were very nice, easy to talk to. I had the Tilapia Fillets, and I can say the dish was amazing. Well worth the money paid for. Update: Went again on 12/12 and had some Beef Suqaar. Absolutely amazing and will come again. read more

Amazing service and tasty food . Great portion size . All the items were perfect. Must try halal spot read more

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Great find! Found this spot on google and figured I haven't had Somali food so why not. I knew to expect an out of the ordinary spot and found it fairly easily. I came right when they opened and ordered the chicken wrap. I got it to go and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw how large it was. This puts a 'mission burrito' to shame and I got like three meals out of it. The seasoning was amazing and the staff were beyond gracious and friendly. I will definitely be back next time in this area to try more from the menu. read more