San Jose Restaurante Mexicano, 5400 Forest Drive: Early March 2023 10 comments
My memory is that this building was built to be a Redbone Alley, and after that it was a barbecue joint, and I believe briefly a jazz club before moving to mexican food as Pancho's. When the San Jose in the current Pasta Fresca building closed, Pancho's re-flagged as San Jose, and operated there for a number of years.
When commenter Larry mentioned that the San Jose had closed as was moving to the Sparkleberry location, I figured that another operation, perhaps an Asian buffet, would be in the space before long. I was quite surprised then that when I went by to get some pictures, the building was in the process of being knocked down. I guess I shouldn't be *too* surprised: It was an odd structure, with a mostly unused second floor which must have cost a lot to heat and cool. There are no signs indicating what, if anything, is to be built here once the lot is vacant.
There is apparently still electricity to the ornamental pool pump system, and it is beeping quite forlornly about the water level being low.
(Hat tip to commenter Larry)
10 Responses to 'San Jose Restaurante Mexicano, 5400 Forest Drive: Early March 2023'
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Brian
21 Mar 24 at 9:18 am
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The BBQ restaurant was called Corky's. Originally a single restaurant out of Memphis, TN, the owner decided it would be a great idea to franchise, and opened a number of locations in Tennessee as well as others in random spots, including Columbia for some odd reason. It did not go well, and there was a lot of mismanagement and disorganization. I recall going to the Corky's here and they were out of pulled pork. You know, the kind of thing that people order when they go to a BBQ restaurant. It closed shortly after that, along with a number of their other franchise locations.
Matthew
21 Mar 24 at 10:32 am
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Man that was one ugly building. I only went once, I think when it was Red Bone, just had a few beers. The San Jose thing was odd. I remember they were originally in the old Godfather's, sort across from Cardinal Newman, then it seemed like moved back and forth between this, and the old Godfather's.
Mr. Bill
22 Mar 24 at 1:42 pm
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Wasn’t Poncho’s the same thing as San Jose just under a different name? LOL reason I ask is because the few times I ate there under the Poncho’s name back like 2015-2016 they used the exact same San Jose menus used in their other franchises, so I completely understood why they reflagged it as such because it was a San Jose just under another name.
Logan
22 Mar 24 at 5:58 pm
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The first business I recall in this building was Red Bone Alley. It was the first Red Bone we enjoyed eating at; following its closure we ate at the one in Sumter a few times, in conjunction with visits to Swan Lake and Iris Gardens; then it closed, so we've been a few times to the original one in Florence, in conjunction with visits to the fun Palmetto Peddlers antique mall and Barnes and Noble. After Red Bone closed in Columbia we, having ties to Memphis, were excited that a Pancho's opened in this building, but much to our dismay it was not the Memphis Panchos at all, and in fact, was not very good at all. I don't think we ever tried the San Jose.
Payne
22 Mar 24 at 10:19 pm
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My understanding was that the Pancho's branding was to avoid clashing with the San Jose (apparently under different ownership) in the Pasta Fresca building, and when that closed, they took their preferred name.
ted
22 Mar 24 at 11:06 pm
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A note on this building, according to Richland County tax maps it was owned solely by infamous San Jose restauranteur Greg Leon who died in prison last year. I’d imagine this is estate related. I could see a fast food spot going here, but based off current trends I could definitely see an oil change place being built ont his site.
Larry
23 Mar 24 at 4:20 pm
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San Jose, the OG purveyor of terrible "Mexican" food.
Dan R
31 Mar 24 at 7:31 am
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San Jose and Panchos were once owned by different brothers, Tony, Greg and Eric with the same exact menu. I think other family members are owners of some of them now.
Anyway, I ate at Redbone Alley when they first opened only because I won a $50 gift card off of WNOK. Was that back in 94 or 95? I ate at the San Jose and Panchos too many times to count when I lived closer to that side of town.
With Checkers expanding in Columbia, I could see that going there. But like Larry said maybe an oil change spot. Or who knows how about another car wash? Is there one close to there besides the formally Franks on the corner of Trenholm and Forest?
Sidney
2 May 24 at 8:49 pm
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@Sidney, there is a car wash at the entrance to Walmart already where Regions bank once stood.
The rumors I’ve seen about this spot is future multi tenant property anchored by Starbucks and Chipotle. I’d have to assume of Chipotle is locating here they are moving out of Trenholm Plaza. I doubt Starbucks would be leaving TP after just undergoing a major renovation.
Larry
2 May 24 at 10:39 pm
I remember eating there when it opened as Redbone Alley. Sad to see that building get torn down, but moreso as a curiousity than any nostalgia... it was oddly shaped and WAY too big for any restaurant nowadays. I think when we ate there, we ate on the 2nd floor.