Batch 22 co-owners Amy Wong + Lawrance Combs inside their new Los Gatos bakery. | Photo via Maggie T Photography + Batch 22 Bakery
Looking for the next new restaurant hitting the great 408’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in San Jose — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the cuisine curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it. Batch 22 Bakery | Cookies | We love sweet news. This Los Gatos shop is the first-ever permanent location for the brand known for its rotating menu of “pudgy,” 6-ounce cookies. Batch 22 is now rolling out big, tasty treats in elevated classic + innovative flavors like ube dulcey, cookies + cream, and chocolate chip. Get there early — these treats sell out fast.
The Pressroom | California cuisine + cocktails | Reservations | Extra, extra. This buzzy new spot in the historic 1884 Lyndon Building pays homage to the history of local journalism and the former headquarters of the “Times-Mercury” and “The Mercury News.”
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Trivia Night | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Britannia Arms Almaden | Free | The night will include performances from three local drag superstars — drop knowledge so you don’t “sashay away.”
BNM: Kawaii K-Pop Night | 5-9 p.m. | Garden at the Flea | Free | Shop from anime and K-Pop-themed vendors, watch fun dance performances, and grab a snack from local food trucks.
Goodies: 2000s Hip-Hop Nite | 9 p.m. | The Ritz | $19+ | Let me see you, one-two step — dance the night away to hits that were probably on shuffle on your iPod.
Saturday, June 21
2025 Alameda County Fair | Through Sunday, July 6 | 12-11 p.m. | Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton | $17+ | Celebrate summer with corn dogs, funnel cakes, carnival rides, concerts, tasting events, live entertainment, racing pigs, and more at this 113-year-old fair.
Slam Jose | Saturday, June 21-Sunday, June 22 | Plaza de Cesar Chavez | Free | The 3x3 basketball festival returns to downtown San Jose; the action is free to watch, but if you want to ball for big prizes, team registration costs $250.
Make Music Day San José | San Jose Museum of Art | $20 | Usher in the summer solstice with performances and music-making events — this is free with museum admission.
“Steve Jobs” Screening | 7 p.m. | 3 Below Theaters and Lounge | $16 | This portrayal of “innovation, obsession, and genius” dives behind the scenes of three iconic product launches to explore the Bay Area icon who reshaped modern technology.
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San Jose officials rejected a developer’s plan to build a pair of high-rise housing towers connected by a skyway near Winchester Boulevard + Hedding Street. Residents’ concerns about height and access to public transportation contributed to the decision. (The Mercury News)
Holiday
Juneteenth is today. Observe the day with the Juneteenth Community Celebration at the Children’s Discovery Museum, the music and dance event at San Jose Museum of Art, or these celebrations across the Bay Area. (The Mercury News)
Opening
Tsujita Artisan Noodle — a Tokyo-founded ramen restaurant — will open its first Bay Area location this Saturday, June 21 on Moorpark Avenue near Mitsuwa Marketplace. The menu will feature rich, flavorful broth + noodles and loaded rice bowls. It’ll be open daily starting at 11 a.m. (KRON)
Sports
San Jose just scored another major sporting event. The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) selected SJ’s 18,000-seat PayPal Park as the host venue of the 2025 NWSL Championship on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. General public tickets will be available in August, or fans can sign up for presale perks.
Civic
Eleven vote centers are open in SJ ahead of the District 3 runoff election on Tuesday, June 24, and more will open this Saturday, June 21. Locals will vote between candidates Gabby Chavez-Lopez and Anthony Tordillos to replace the seat left vacant by Omar Torres. Find the center nearest you. (SFGate)
Announced
Hot dog — the Bay Area’s competitive eating legend Joey Chesnut will return to the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on the Fourth of July. The SJSU alum was banned from last year’s competition due to a contract dispute. Until then, Chesnut had won 16 of the 17 events. (The Mercury News)
Biz
The city approved the construction of a new Chick-fil-A restaurant at West San Carlos and Race streets but with conditions, including that it will be built without a drive-thru. Locals worry the fast food eatery may displace Taqueria Eduardo, a taco shop that’s been in the neighborhood for 20+ years. (ABC7 + San Jose Spotlight)
Arts
Author + artist Ricardo Cortez will unveil a public art project at the corner of Montgomery and San Fernando streets during an opening reception on Thursday, June 26. The project highlights milestones of SJ’s rich history — here’s a sneak peek.
Closing
Texas-based home goods retailer At Home filed for bankruptcy and will shutter 26 “underperforming” stores across 12 states, including the location on Newhall Drive in San Jose. The local store is among eight closing in California. (ABC10)
State
Several new laws go into effect in California on Tuesday, July 1, including increases to minimum wage in Bay Area cities like Alameda, Fremont, and Milpitas. Other laws cover consumer protections, mental health resources for students in grades 7-12, and expanded accessibility to fertility treatments. Read more. (KTVU)
Try This
Dr. Funk recently debuted Trivia Mondays — themed trivia nights in collaboration with Risky Quizness. So far, the events have included “The Mummy” and “Spongebob Squarepants” trivia, each with $8 mai tai deals. Participants will be asked 40 questions, and costumes are encouraged.
Environment
Increased energy capacity from a new solar power plant in Merced County is allowing San Jose Clean Energy to expand its Solar Access Program to low-income San Jose residents at a 20% discount. The program will now be able to serve an additional 150 customers with 100% renewable energy.
Number
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The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
With summer around the corner, the Bay Area’s foodie night markets are ready to shine. Don’t miss these open-air food events in the great 408 this season:
Gordon Biersch Night Market | Thursdays | 5-9 p.m. | Gordon Biersch in Japantown | Peruse a rotating selection of 8-10 food trucks, arts, and merch vendors alongside live music and beer.
Berryessa Night Market | Fridays | 5-9 p.m. | Garden at the Flea | Enjoy themed events like Salsa y Cerveza Night on Aug. 15 with salsa music + free dance lessons.
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