La Perla Taqueria

La Perla Taqueria was a family restaurant on McGinness Avenue in East San Jose, opened in 1985 and closed at the end of 2025.

History

José Huitron and his wife, Ana, opened La Perla in 1985, according to San José Spotlight. Branches on Bascom Avenue and in Hayward were short-lived, but the original on McGinness Avenue lasted four decades and became a family-style gathering place, decorated with hand-painted walls, hacienda-style arches and antiques. The menu included enchiladas, chiles rellenos, margaritas and holiday tamales.

Closure

In December 2025 the owners announced that the restaurant would close on December 29. Huitron told San José Spotlight that sales had fallen by about half over two years and that rent, utilities and permit fees had become unsustainable. He and NBC Bay Area both cited fear of immigration enforcement, which he said had kept many Latino families from eating out. NBC Bay Area, which spelled his surname Guitron, reported a farewell party on December 26.

Reviews

References

1. "Beloved 40-year-old East San Jose restaurant to close". San José Spotlight. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
2. "East San Jose taqueria to close after over 4 decades in business". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved 2026-10-10.