Henry's Hi-Life
8.2Friend Score / 10#7 of 16 Restaurants in San Jose
Known forBaby back ribsSpare ribsNew York steakRibeye
A no-frills BBQ and steak house in an 1880s former hotel by SAP Center, family-run since 1960. Dry-rub ribs, big steaks, old wooden bar where you order before sitting down — it's San Jose's time capsule and locals will fight for it. Closed Mondays, and it books solid before Sharks games.
Key facts
| Hours | Tue–Thu 11:30–14:00 Tue–Thu 16:30–20:30 Fri–Fri 11:30–14:00 Fri–Fri 16:00–21:00 Sat–Sat 15:00–21:00 Sun–Sun 16:00–20:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | 5-minute walk from Diridon Station (Caltrain/Amtrak/light rail) and SAP Center |
| Time needed | 1-1.5 hours |
| Best time to go | Non-game weeknights; avoid the pre-Sharks-game crush unless you arrive very early |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.2/10- Value7.5
- iconic7.0
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level7.0
- Authenticity9.0
- Accessibility8.0
Frequently asked questions
- Should I go to Henry's before a Sharks game?
- It's a 5-minute walk from SAP Center, so yes — but so does everyone else. Arrive right when doors open on game nights or you'll wait out the whole first period.
- What should I order at Henry's Hi-Life?
- The baby back ribs are the calling card, and the prime rib runs Friday and Saturday nights only. Dinners come with the classic sides — this is not a small-plates place.
- Does Henry's Hi-Life take reservations?
- It's largely first-come, first-served — call ahead for large groups. The bar-first ordering system keeps things moving even when there's a line.
- How expensive is Henry's Hi-Life?
- Mid-range steakhouse pricing — most rib and steak dinners land in the $25-45 range with sides included. For the portions and the history, locals consider it fair.
- How do I get to Henry's Hi-Life without a car?
- It's about a 5-minute walk from Diridon Station, which has Caltrain, Amtrak, ACE, and VTA light rail. That makes it one of the most transit-friendly old restaurants in the city.
- What is Henry's Hi-Life known for?
- Dry-rub, hot-smoked BBQ ribs and old-school steaks, served in a creaky 1880s building that used to be a hotel. It's been family-run since 1960 and barely changed — that's the charm.
- How does ordering work at Henry's Hi-Life?
- Old-school: you order and wait at the bar first, then get seated when your table's ready. Roll with it — it's part of the ritual, and the bar is half the atmosphere.
- Is Henry's Hi-Life open on Mondays?
- No, it's closed Mondays. Tuesday through Friday it does lunch and dinner service with a mid-afternoon break; Saturday opens at 3pm and Sunday at 4pm.
Nearby in Ask San Jose
- Peralta Adobe – Fallon House Historic SiteMuseum0.35 km · 4 min walk
- San Jose Fire MuseumMuseum0.38 km · 5 min walk
- San Pedro Square MarketMarket0.42 km · 5 min walk
- SAP CenterAttraction0.58 km · 7 min walk
- Guadalupe River Park & GardensPark0.64 km · 8 min walk
Where to stay near Henry's Hi-Life
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