College peers, loud cheers, and pints of beers is what customers at Peanuts Deluxe Cafe, a San José State staple, can expect to see as the cafe soft launched its newly-renovated space last week.
Commonly referred to as “Peanuts,” the cafe is located on East San Fernando Street, across from the College of Graduate Studies building.
The restaurant went through a number of changes to bring a new look, feel and even more food.
Owner Joseph Huh said there are multiple new aspects to look forward to with the new renovations after this summer.
“I feel like I got a lot more cleaner ingredients than before, and healthier options. The food in my kitchen is pretty much all revamped so everything is clean,” Huh said. “I added some new menu items such as fried chicken, chili chicken wings and katsu rice plates while still having our popular breakfast items,” he said.
Huh said he plans to also add ambience and increase foot traffic near the cafe.
He also said he’s going to buy a new jukebox with a better sound system, and there will be sports games broadcast inside the restaurant.
Outlets for charging stations have also been implemented for every table so students or other patrons can use Peanuts as a place to do work or study.
Stephanie Nguyen, Joseph Huh’s girlfriend and SJSU alumna, said she helps manage the cafe when she isn’t working at her human resources job.
Nguyen also said she frequented Peanuts when she was a student.
“I was here almost every other day for their breakfast, tacos and pints of beer. You really can’t go wrong here,” Nyguen said.
She said after her husband came back from a month-long trip to Korea, he was inspired to add Korean fried chicken to the menu.
“He keeps telling me how he can’t wait for someone to order it [Korean fried chicken] on the menu, and for people to keep ordering it,” Nguyen said. “We had one customer where she ordered it the first time and tried it, and then got three orders of it to go.”
Jonathan Resendiz, business senior and member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, said Peanuts has been a staple for the frat for quite a while.
“When I went before it was revamped the environment felt very ‘homey.’ I went with my brothers from Kappa Sigma, and we just got fries and beer,” Resendiz said. “I do plan to continue to go to Peanuts now that it’s been remodeled. We actually already went a little over a week ago to see their renovations, and we all enjoyed the environment and new vibe,” he said.
San José resident Naomi Martin was once a frequent Peanuts customer as she lived a block away from the cafe.
Martin said while the Peanuts of the past had a “homey” feel, she would go back to see the new renovations.
“Peanuts always felt like a snapshot of SJSU history. The walls were covered with pictures and memorabilia, it felt very homey,” Martin said. “I would definitely go back now that they’re reopened to check out the new look and food,” she said.
Huh said there is currently no grand opening date, but will continue to stay in their soft re-opening stage until all the “little things (are) in order.”
