SJMADE Happening Right Now!

Showroom San Jose at San Pedro Square Market Today, April 21st The Usuals will be closed. We are "all hands on deck"  at San Pedro Square Market for the opening of our new t-shirt bar, Showroom San Jose! Join us for our grand opening from 11a-8p today! Lusardi Building 87 North San Pedro Street San Jose, CA 95126 The bi-annual San Jose Made (SJMADE) with SJEats vendor and food truck event is happening at the same time throughout San Pedro Square. SJMADE w SJEATS, SPRING 2012 April 21, 2012, 11am to 8pm San Pedro Square SJMADE (11a to 8p) THREE buildings at San Pedro Square: 151 W. Santa Clara Street (previously Spiedo Ristorante) The Perazzo building at 87 N. San Pedro Street (San Pedro Square Market) The Lusardi building at 87 N. San Pedro Street (San Pedro Square Market) FARMERS MARKET (10a to 2p) Introducing the NEW urban San Pedro Square Farmers Market on West St. John Street. SJ EATS San Jose's landmark food event, is back with surprises. Enjoy the day's festivities at the new San Pedro Square Market with eleven independent restaurants, a new urban Farmers Market and food trucks from Moveable Feast! Find SJEATS along W. St. John Street atSan Pedro Square Market AFTER the Farmers Market. FOOD TRUCKS (5 pm to 8 pm) Eat on Monday KoJa Kitchen Pollo Fritto Project Cupcake Soulnese Tandoori Chicken USA  RESTAURANTS at San Pedro Square Market (11 am to late) B2 Coffee Blush Raw Bar & Lounge Crepe-Paris Little Chef Counter On a Roll Pizza Bocca Lupo Robee's Falafel San Pedro Square Market Bar Treatbot Veggie Box Vino Vino   FREE ADMISSION * OPEN TO THE PUBLIC * RAIN OR SHINE For more information about SJMADE, send us an email at:sanjosemade@gmail.com. For more information about SJEATS, contact us atinfo@mvblfeast.com or visit www.mvblfeast.com.

SJMADE + SJeats @ San Pedro Square This Saturday!

This weekend is going to mark an epic milestone for San Pedro Square. Three events are going to be happening on the same day: SJMADE, SJ EATS, and the new Saturday Farmer's Market. The icing on the cake is two brand new eateries opening in the San Pedro Square Market, Treatbot Karaoke Ice Cream and Blush Raw Bar and Lounge. This brings the grand total number of places to eat in the market to 10.

For everyone waiting to see what retail Downtown could be like, this is it. SJMADE is bringing dozens of local vendors into two locations, the San Pedro Square Market and a pop up location on Santa Clara Street. If you want to support local entrepreneurs, designers, and craftsmen, this is going to be the event for you. The last few SJMADE events have been a tremendous success, yet I somehow think this is going to top them all.

SJ EATS (run by Moveable Feast's Ryan Sebastian) is bringing 6 food trucks to the event. These include the 1st place winner of the San Jose Taco Festival, KoJa Kitchen--I tried it, phenomenal--and the 2nd place winner, Soulnese. If you're wondering where Treatbot is on the list below, it now has a permanent "truck" inside of the Market.

I think after Saturday it will become very difficult to question the potential of the San Pedro Square Market. The inflection point was hit last week with the first Farmer's Market and this event is going to show thousands of people exactly where Downtown is headed. It's not even optimism anymore, it's a done deal... this place is officially awesome and it only gets better with events like this. Can't wait!

San Jose Made (SJMADE) is a vendor fair where local San Jose makers, labels, brands, small businesses, and artists showcase and sell current projects and goods.

For the Spring 2012 installation of SJMADE, we are hosted by San Pedro Square Market in Downtown San Jose. On April 21st, our SJMADE vendors are showcasing goods alongside various San Pedro Square Market merchants.

TWO San Pedro Square locations:
151 W. Santa Clara Street (previously Spiedo Ristorante)
87 N. San Pedro Street (San Pedro Square Market)
SEE OUR VENDOR LIST!

FARMERS MARKET (10a to 2p)
Introducing the NEW urban San Pedro Square Farmers Market on West St. John Street.

SJ EATS
San Jose's landmark food event, is back with surprises. Enjoy the day's festivities at the new San Pedro Square Market with eleven independent restaurants, a new urban Farmers Market and food trucks from Moveable Feast! Find SJEATS along W. St. John Street at San Pedro Square Market.

FOOD TRUCKS (5 pm to 8 pm)
Eat on Monday
KoJa Kitchen
Pollo Fritto
Project Cupcake
Soulnese
Tandoori Chicken USA
RESTAURANTS at San Pedro Square Market (11 am to late)
B2 Coffee
Blush Raw Bar & Lounge
Crepe-Paris
Little Chef Counter
On a Roll
Pizza Bocca Lupo
Robee's Falafel
San Pedro Square Market Bar
Treatbot
Veggie Box
Vino Vino

FREE ADMISSION • OPEN TO THE PUBLIC • RAIN OR SHINE

For more information about SJMADE, send us an email at: sanjosemade@gmail.com.

For more information about SJEATS, contact us at info@mvblfeast.com or visitwww.mvblfeast.com.

SJMADE with SJEATS @ San Pedro Square Market

If you're reading this right now, you need to step away from the computer, grab the family, and get to this event below. Come see Downtown San Jose's future!

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SJMADE with SJEATS

San Jose, California

September 17 & 18, 2011

San Pedro Square Market

PRESS RELEASE

San Jose Made (SJMADE) found its roots in San Jose, CA, where brother and sister, Mike and Marie Millares of The Usuals, ran small trunk shows featuring products from local brands. The small trunk shows have, since, grown into larger-scale vendor shows for locals who are building independent brands, creating collections, or designing goods in the San Francisco South Bay Area. SJMADE events house vendor and artist booths alongside live music performances by local acts. In response to the growing demand for local goods, SJMADE partnered with SJEATS hoping to continue this unique homegrown shopping and food experience in San Jose, CA.

Some of the Bay Area’s best food trucks are coming to San Pedro Square Market for SJMADE with SJEATS, a vendor and food truck festival based in San Jose, CA. Cuisines spanning the globe will be represented, from Filipino street food to chrome karaoke ice cream trucks. SJEATS was founded by husband and wife team, Ryan and Christine Sebastian. The couple operates Moveable Feast, a traveling food truck and live music event. Thousands of people have attended Moveable Feast events to sample local fare from gourmet food trucks with a helping of live music.

SJMADE with SJEATS is scheduled to run 11:00a to 7:00p on Saturday and Sunday, September 17th and 18th at San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose. Admission is free. The growing schedule of vendors and food trucks is available online at: http://www.sanjosemade.com.

SJMADE with SJEATS @ San Pedro Square Market!

Of all the events I have plugged this year so far, I have to say I am the most excited about the one below. It will usher in a new, major permanent attraction in San Jose. At the San Pedro Square Market sign lighting last week, Sam Liccardo said this was the beginning of Downtown's second renaissance. I think he's right, and the event coming next weekend will show you why.

I actually see this event as a combination of 3 main attractions:

1.) SJMADE - They will be showcasing local vendors (including The Usuals), south bay culture, San Jose art, and live music. This is a great way to support our burgeoning arts, fashion, and crafts community.

2.) SJEATS - The best food trucks in the Bay Area will be gathering along St. John Street right in front of the Market. They'll also be providing some entertainment.

3.) San Pedro Square Market Soft Launch - You will be able to try out the wine bar also featuring plates of fine cheeses and cold cuts, enjoy a mojito or craft beer at the San Pedro Square Bar, have a pizza baked in a hand-made brick oven imported from Naples at Pizza Bocca Lupo, or maybe even get a haircut at Crewners. This will give you a good sample of what's coming with an ambiance you just can't beat.

If you're reading this blog right now, then you have to mark your calendar for this event. Bring the whole family!

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SJMADE with SJEATS
San Jose, California
September 17 & 18, 2011
San Pedro Square Market

PRESS RELEASE

San Jose Made (SJMADE) found its roots in San Jose, CA, where brother and sister, Mike and Marie Millares of The Usuals, ran small trunk shows featuring products from local brands. The small trunk shows have, since, grown into larger-scale vendor shows for locals who are building independent brands, creating collections, or designing goods in the San Francisco South Bay Area. SJMADE events house vendor and artist booths alongside live music performances by local acts. In response to the growing demand for local goods, SJMADE partnered with SJEATS hoping to continue this unique homegrown shopping and food experience in San Jose, CA.

Some of the Bay Area’s best food trucks are coming to San Pedro Square Market for SJMADE with SJEATS, a vendor and food truck festival based in San Jose, CA. Cuisines spanning the globe will be represented, from Filipino street food to chrome karaoke ice cream trucks. SJEATS was founded by husband and wife team, Ryan and Christine Sebastian. The couple operates Moveable Feast, a traveling food truck and live music event. Thousands of people have attended Moveable Feast events to sample local fare from gourmet food trucks with a helping of live music.

SJMADE with SJEATS is scheduled to run 11:00a to 7:00p on Saturday and Sunday, September 17th and 18th at San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose. Admission is free. The growing schedule of vendors and food trucks is available online at: http://www.sanjosemade.com.

SJ Eats v3.0 Tomorrow! 5-9pm

The best in street food is coming back to SJ. Bring some friends and spread out amongst the trucks and share what you bring back! There will be some great live music and painting as well.

An The Go - Garlic Noodles
Babaloo - Organic Cuban
Bills Hot Dogs - Street Dogs
Cabana Dave's - World Cuisine
Chairman Bao - Steamed and Baked Buns
Little Green Cyclo - Vietnamese Street Food
Senor Sisig - Filipino Fusion
Tikka Bytes - Indian
Treatbot - Karaoke Ice Cream
Wow - Filipino Silogs

FREE ADMISSION

Parking is available at the nearby Market Street garage. Go green and take VTA, bike or walk to the event.

Have a food truck and want to attend future events?
http://mvbl.org/ and click "Vendor Application"

175 West St. John Street

San Jose, CA

Saturday, June 18 · 5:00pm - 9:00pm

SJ Eats 2.0 - Today!

More food trucks. 300% more space. Held at the Peralta Adobe in San Pedro Square, the historical heart of the city. We are bringing some of the best food trucks and carts in the Bay. Site of the soon to be open San Pedro Square Market. FREE admission.

LUNCH (11a-3p)

Babaloo - Organic Cuban

Bill's Beer Steamed Hot Dog Cart

Cabana Dave's - Globally Inspired

Curry Up Now - Indian Street Food

Hapa SF - Organic Filipino

Iz It - Hawaiianese

Louisiana Territory - Cajun

MoBowl - Rice Bowls

MoGo BBQ - Korean Mexican

No Way Jose - Mexican

Seoul on Wheels - Nontraditional Korean

Tac-Gos - Mexican

Treatbot - Karaoke Ice Cream

Wow - Filipino Silogs

DINNER (5p-9p)

An The Go - Noodles

Curry Up Now - Indian Street Food

House of Siam - Thai

Kara's Cupcakes - Dessert

Little Green Cyclo - Vietnamese

Louisiana Territory - Cajun

MoGo BBQ - Korean Mexican

No Way Jose - Mexican

Southern Sandwich - Southern BBQ

Tikka Bytes - Custom Indian

Treatbot - Karaoke Ice Cream

Quick Dog - Hot Dogs

Wow - Filipino Silogs

LIVE MUSIC 1st Run(12pm-3pm)

12p-12:30p Christian Vela from Los Hot Boxers(Latin)

12:30p-1:00p TBA

1:00p-1:45p Native Brew(World)

1:45p-2:00p Musical Break

2:00p-2:30p Troy Curtis(Acoustic)

2:30p-3:00p Lani Grooves(R&B/Soul)

LIVE MUSIC 2nd Run(5pm-9pm)

5p-6p Jam session featuring local mc's and members of Panthelion, Citabria, Rebelskamp, and much more!

6p-6:30p Rebelskamp(Jam Band)

6:30p-7:00p Aivar(Reggae/Rock)

7:00p-7:30p My People's(Reggae)

7:30p-8:00p Cado(Latin)

8:00p-8:45p Paolos/Elias(Reggae)

At 5pm there will be a jam session with members of Panthelion, Citabria, Rebelskamp, and much more. We are going to create a drum circle cypher with some of the illest local mc's around! Make sure to come and watch this magic unfold.

Wednesday Wishlist: For SJ to Host the Best Food Truck Events Ever

While it may have started out as some sort of fad, I think it's pretty clear that gourmet food trucks are here to stay. These trucks allows restauranteurs to keep their overhead low and bring their food to any location with street access. By removing many of the price and location barriers of setting up a restaurant, what you essentially get are true entrepreneurs putting out some of the most creative food experiences out there... all on wheels. Entrepreneurship and creativity is what San Jose thrives on, so what better place to host the ultimate food truck experience?

Thankfully, this is one wish that I think will happen in 2011. SJ Eats 1.0 last month was a learning experience that proved there is a market for food truck events in San Jose. This Saturday, brace yourself for SJ Eats 2.0. More trucks, more space, local music, and maybe even a sneak peak at what San Pedro Square will be like after the Urban Market opens up. Below is the list of food trucks that have been announced so far:

LUNCH (11a-3p) More to come!
Babaloo - Organic Cuban
Bill's Beer Steamed Hot Dog Cart
Cabana Dave's - Globally Inspired
Curry Up Now - Indian Street Food
Hapa SF - Organic Filipino
Iz It - Hawaiianese
Louisiana Territory - Cajun
MoBowl - Rice Bowls
MoGo BBQ - Korean Mexican
Rib Whip
Seoul on Wheels - Nontraditional Korean
Treatbot - Karaoke Ice Cream
Wow - Filipino Silogs

DINNER (5p-9p) More to come!
Curry Up Now - Indian Street Food
Kara's Cupcakes - Dessert
Little Green Cyclo - Vietnamese
Louisiana Territory - Cajun
MoGo BBQ - Korean Mexican
No Way Jose - Mexican
Senor Sisig - Filipino Fusion
Southern Sandwich - Southern BBQ
Tikka Bytes - Custom Indian
Treatbot - Karaoke Ice Cream
Quick Dog - Hot Dogs
Wow - Filipino Silogs
House of Siam
Toasty Melts

For more info, check out their Facebook page right over here. 

SJ Eats 2.0 - May 7th

Downtown San Jose's 2nd mass-food truck experience is coming on May 7th! Ryan describes some of the improvements below, but basically there are going to be even more food trucks to help keep the lines short, the lines will be managed much better, the area will be 3 times larger than before, and there is even going to be some music this time around. Every day they are announcing more trucks at their facebook page right over here. My recommendation would be to come early so you can sample as many trucks as possible! The lineup already looks pretty amazing.

Photograph by Andre Rubang

A Note from SJ Eats

Monday, April 4, 2011: Thank you for making SJ Eats the largest grassroots event ever held in Downtown SJ. Almost 10K people attempted to attend on Sat, April 2nd. We were set up to handle maybe half that. Many passed by only to leave in frustration due to extremely long wait times & chaotic lines. I want to sincerely apologize for the substandard experiences many of you endured. We have learned from Saturday and plan to implement several changes.

Long Wait Times — The massive attendance at SJ Eats is proof that San Jose has an incredible pent up demand for quality street food. The only way to meet this demand is to increase supply. For this reason, SJ Eats is immediately entering talks with City staff to start a weekly street food meet up in Downtown.

Line Management — We are investing in line management hardware to bring order to the chaotic system displayed at the lunch session.

These changes along with the addition of live music will help push SJ Eats to meet its true potential as a social connector for San Jose. If you have any suggestions, please comment HERE. We hope to see you in May at the next SJ Eats!

Ryan Sebastian, Organizer

SJMADE + SJEATS

I have never been more proud to be a San Josean. Yesterday the SJMADE and SJEATS events took place and both were completely packed with people coming to support local vendors. SJMADE was entirely comprised of local store owners, artists, and purveyors of San Jose made and inspired goods. The two locations where this took place were entirely filled to capacity throughout the event. To give you an idea of how many people were there, it took me 10 minutes to walk from one side of the old Tied House building to the other. Half way through, all vendors selling food were completely sold out and by the end of the night many of the most popular products were entirely gone.

Going on at the same time was SJEATS. This was the very first event of it's kind in the South Bay and was run by Ryan Sebastian, the proprietor behind San Jose's famous Treatbot Karaoke Ice Cream Truck. It shares some similarities to Off the Grid in SF, featuring multiple gourmet food trucks. The difference was in the number of people. Just about every truck has a 1-2 hour line. Chairman Bao I think hit a 3 hour wait at one point. By the time I got there for lunch, 4 trucks were completely sold out of all food. Dinner was just as crazy with people lining up an hour before the trucks even got there. Despite the long waits, people were smiling, laughing, and having a great time. I went with a pretty large group, so we split up and went to 4 different trucks and then shared everything (and yes, the food was obscenely good). Also, several of the food trucks said this was the busiest they have ever been, period. Some claimed to sell twice as much product as they ever have at any event int the past, including Off the Grid.

What happened to the people tired of waiting for the food trucks? They cleaned house across the San Pedro Square restaurants, which were the busiest I have seen them... ever. By 2pm, The Mmoon was entirely sold out of empanadas. They had to close down for 2 hours and even after reopening they were down to only vegetarian options. La Pinata had a one hour wait. Satori was full, as were Peggie Su's, Los Cubanos, and San Pedro Bistro and Wine Bar.

For those who still fail to see Downtown San Jose's potential, these two events were pretty much proof that the surface hasn't even been scratched on what Downtown can become. One of the highlights for me was getting a glimpse of what San Pedro Square could become after the urban market opens up. When high-quality and unique products and services come together, the people will surely follow.