California > San Jose: Armadillo Willy's BBQ (CLOSED)

[Chris Allingham]

So this is my long-time, go-to BBQ restaurant for when I don't feel like making barbecue myself. It's not as good as it used to be, but it does scratch the itch, if you know what I mean. I like the sandwiches, but the plate dinners are good, too. Don't miss the fries (ask for them crispy) and the corn muffins.

You can get discount coupons by "liking" Willy's on Facebook or by joining their E-Club which sends out coupons by e-mail.

Also, little known fact...AAA members get a 10% off the total order. Cannot be used with other promotions or coupons.

www.armadillowillys.com

Locations in San Jose (2), Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Los Altos, Dublin, and San Mateo.

Former locations now closed: Capitola, Gilroy and Roseville (Roadhouse BBQ concept), Sacramento (Flying Pig concept).

 

[Chris Allingham]

In the interest of accurate info, I checked the official AAA discount list and found that Armadillo Willy's is no longer listed. However, when you present your AAA card they do give the 10% discount.

Just be aware that at some point they may decide to stop offering this undocumented discount.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Chris Allingham]

Not long after I wrote "not as good as it used to be", I got an e-mail from the owner asking about my recent experiences and what I thought could be improved. We had a great e-mail exchange. Willy's is in the process of making some major changes to its menu, including an a la carte approach where a sandwich can be ordered without any sides, resulting in lower prices.

I'm looking forward to experiencing the changes and improvements first-hand!

Regards,
Chris

 

[Tim L.]

I REALLY wanted to like this place, based primarily on your use of their rub in one of the recipes in the cooking section, but was not at all impressed with the brisket I had at the Dublin location over Christmas. I admit it was late at night, and perhaps they're slow that time of year, but it was VERY chewy. Not at all tender. And not really that tasty either.

It was a sad day for me because I was starving and I made the family drive there "late" at night on our way home to Livermore from Stoneridge in Pleasonton.

Anyway, maybe that's why they've shut some branches. Perhaps it will be motivation to turn it around.

 

[Mike Rubin]

Cupertino location is closed, which is weird because it was always mobbed when I worked in the neighborhood.

Brisket is the star at Willy's locations, generally, but the fries are what I crave between visits. Best in the Valley.

 

[Chris Allingham]

Brisket is the star at Willy's locations, generally, but the fries are what I crave between visits. Best in the Valley.

Yeah, I could sit down with a big basket of their fries and ketchup and be a very happy man!

I had not heard about Cupertino closing, that's too bad, it was a good location. Can't find any info on why it closed. As you probably know, Cupertino was the site of the very first Willy's (but at a smaller location down the street). I hope they open at another suitable location. If not...that's a bummer.

 

[Chris Allingham]

Well, my bad. I emailed my contact at Armadillo Willy's BBQ and he says they closed the Cupertino location in 2018! I guess it's been longer since I've been there than I remember! They decided to focus resources at other locations. Frankly, I'm glad to hear the closure was not related to pandemic issues.

 

[Chris Allingham]

I learned yesterday that 43-year old Armadillo Willy's BBQ abruptly closed their Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and San Jose locations yesterday, after having closed another San Jose location in 2022 and their Los Altos and Dublin locations earlier this year. This leaves only the San Mateo location open for now.

My interest in barbecue began at Armadillo Willy's BBQ in 1989 as a customer when I moved to Mountain View and started eating barbecue at the Los Altos location. It was there that I learned to barbecue when Paul Kirk flew out from Kansas City to hold an all-day barbecue class sponsored by the California BBQ Association in the Armadillo Willy's parking lot.

I have made a lot of barbecue in my own backyard since that class, I've eaten barbecue at some of the best joints in America, and I've judged some incredible barbecue as a KCBS Master Certified Barbecue Judge...but I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Armadillo Willy's and the barbecue I've enjoyed there over the past 36 years. It seems only a matter of time before the San Mateo location will close and with it a beloved local restaurant chain whose founders brought good quality Texas-style barbecue to hungry fans throughout our area.