New Rubio's Now Open in West San Jose + CONTEST

Late last week Rubio's launched a new location near Westgate Mall with a charity event benefiting San Jose non-profits. The doors are now open to all, and they are using this particular location to test a more upscale design direction. I paid them a visit yesterday, and it definitely looks nicer than the other Rubio's I've been in. The menu is displayed across 4 ultra-high quality LCDs... I didn't realize they were screens until the photos changed. The service was quick and friendly despite the crowd and the quality was spot on. Usually it takes a few weeks to get everything rolling smoothly with new restaurants, but it seems like this location is already running at full steam.

CONTEST: Now for the fun stuff! To help promote this new location, on Tuesday, Nov 9th at noon they will be giving away $10 gift certificates through The San Jose Blog's Twitter Page. There will be TEN (10) winners!! This will likely be the easiest contest in the world. Just follow us on twitter and when you see the Rubio's post at noon, just "retweet" the post. The first 10 people to retweet will win a gift certificate! 

Carlsbad, CA – October 26, 2010 – Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill will open its fifth location in the San Jose area on Thursday, November 4th, at 1010 El Paseo de Saratoga, San Jose. The San Diego-based chain is introducing a new, more upscale design at its San Jose restaurant, featuring a rich sensory experience of aromas, exhibition cooking, music and decorative patterns that compliment the complex flavors of Rubio’s food.

To celebrate the grand opening, Rubio’s will host a fundraising event on Wednesday, November 3^rd from 5:00-8:00 p.m., to benefit Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley. The San Jose based non-profits’ mission is to bring communities and volunteers together to rehabilitate the homes of low income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, so that they may live in warmth, safety and independence. For a donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, the public can enjoy delicious Beach Mex^® cuisine, and Rubio’s will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the local charity.

At 10 a.m. Thursday, November 4^th, the restaurant’s doors will open to Rubio’s fans who crave the flavor of Baja-inspired food in the relaxed yet festive atmosphere of coastal Mexico. Headlining the menu will be Rubio’s World Famous Fish Tacos^®, Grilled Gourmet Tacos^SM, the Big Burrito Especial^SM with chargrilled chicken or steak, freshly-made salads and Rubio’s proprietary HealthMex^® line of tacos and burritos, which are under 700 calories, less than 30% of which come from fat.

“When I opened my first restaurant in San Diego 27 years ago, people traveled from miles away to savor one of our World Famous Fish Tacos,” said co-founder Ralph Rubio. “Since then, our reputation for distinct flavors and unique products has quickly spread, and our following of loyal fans continues to grow.”

Guests can easily find the new Rubio’s in San Jose near the crossing of Saratoga Ave and Campbell Blvd. The popular San Diego chain is introducing a new restaurant design in San Jose that includes eco-friendly features such as countertops and panels made of a recycled material called marmoleum, an open kitchen, and LED lighting that uses less energy.  Rubio’s is also introducing digital menu boards to better showcase the food and provide more flexibility to accommodate seasonal offerings. A new floor design allows guests to intuitively move from the front door to the ordering area, to the salsa bar, and eventually into the dining room where a relaxed, beach and water-centric atmosphere of the Baja coast awaits.

“We’re excited to introduce this new restaurant design to San Jose,” said Rubio. “We’re anxious to see how the community responds to our latest effort to bring together the unforgettable flavors, sights and sounds of the Baja coast for a quick but relaxed dining experience.”