California > Santa Clara: The Hut

[Chris Allingham]

The Hut
3200 The Alameda
Santa Clara CA 95050

The Hut - Santa Clara, CA

We offer a variety of freshly smoked meats daily, fresh salads and daily specials using quality ingredients that are organic and sourced locally when possible....

www.thehutsantaclara.com

The Hut is located across the street from Santa Clara University. For more than 70 years, it served as a just barely off-campus dive bar serving beer to thirsty students and faculty. The Hut closed in 2016, much to everyone's disappointment, but reopened in 2018 with a fresh remodel and a full kitchen and bar.

There's something for everyone on the menu, but the selection is not overwhelming. Barbecued sandwiches include tri-tip (their specialty), pulled pork, and pulled chicken. There's also a grilled cheese sandwich (adding meat is optional), a fried chicken sandwich, a 1/2 pound burger, and a Beyond burger. Meat-only options include tri-tip, 1/2 chicken, and baby back ribs. Throw in a few salads, chicken wings, street tacos, fried buffalo cauliflower, a couple of options for the kids, sides including chili, fries, onion rings, beans, slaw, and side salad, and a brownie or choc chip cookie for dessert and you've got plenty of choices to fill your belly. Oh, and a fully stocked bar with spirits, wine, and household & local craft beers.

We went on a Tuesday morning around 11:30 am. Just a few people in the restaurant at that time. There's no on-site parking, and street parking was difficult as one would expect adjacent to a university, but we found a spot a short two blocks away and walked over. Service was quick and friendly.

First place goes to the French fries. Hot and very crispy, just as they should be. Second place goes to the tri-tip sandwich. Sliced and arranged perfectly on a crispy French roll, buttered and toasted, with a sweet tomato-based sauce on the side. We thought the meat could have been seasoned more aggressively, but still it was delicious. Third place goes to the pulled pork sandwich. It's usually served with slaw and pickles, but I asked for it plain--just meat and sauce on a sesame seed bun. The tomato-based sauce had more of a kick than the side sauce served with the tri-tip. The meat was uneven, some eating moist, some eating dry. The bottom bun was toasted just short of burned, but edible. Some great tasting pickle chips and a bit of pickled red onion was served on the side. For dessert, it was a no-nut brownie. Big, moist and tasty, but strangely crisp on the bottom and stuck to the parchment paper it was served on.

There's a nice covered side patio with TV for outside dining, but it was too cold for us to enjoy it so we ate inside.

Meats are cooked on an Ole Hickory Pit in a back room adjacent to the kitchen.

Bottom line: If you're in the area of Santa Clara University and want some barbecue, consider having a tri-tip sammie and a draft beer at The Hut. Those are probably your best bets.

Here are a few pics for your enjoyment!