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Food - Gao's BBQ & Cran - San Jose, Milpitas, CA

Gao's BBQ & Cran - San Jose

4.1 (11)
$31 to $50
Chinese
1741 N Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035-2730

Make a booking

A photo of Gao's BBQ & Cran - San Jose restaurant

Gao's BBQ & Cran - San Jose

4.1
$31 to $50
Chinese
Milpitas

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 6 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for groups
  • Innovative
  • Great for craft beers
Welcome to Gao's BBQ & Crab at 1741 N Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas
🅿️免费停车场🅿️ 驻唱歌手 🎙️烧烤店🔥深夜食堂 羊肉串 麻辣小龙虾🦞网红手抓海鲜 扎啤🍺
🅿️Free Parking 🅿️ Live Music Open Late
Chinese Lamb/Beef/Pork Skewer Draft Beer🍺 Cajun Seafood Pawns 🦐 Crawfish🦞Snow Crab Legs Blue Crab🦀️ King Crab Legs Lobster
Skewer + CAJUN

About The Cuisine
Gao's Crab and Kabob specializes in Northern Chinese barbecue and seafood which primarily features a range of grilled meats and vegetables on skewers, seafood boils accompanied by a host of side dishes and alcohol. The flavors have originated from the old Silk Road of Western China, also sharing similarities with Korean BBQ and Japanese Izakayas. This cuisine type is prevalent throughout China and is a favorite destination for large groups and the late-night crowd.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Chinese, Barbecue, Seafood
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 17:00–02:00 Sat, Sun 12:00–02:00
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Videos

Shared by creators who recently dined at this restaurant.

  • Profile image

    teawithjxsmine

    seafood boil + bbq limited time deal 🦀 📍gao’s bbq & crab - milpitas, ca @gaosbbqandcrab.official has a new limited time special! for $88, you have a choice of: 🦀 snow crab cluster + lobster tail OR 🦞 3lbs of live crawfish PLUS: their house bbq (chicken, beef & lamb skewers, chicken skin & corn kernels), choice of 1 main entree (we got kimchi fried rice), golden fried buns & your choice of 2 brown sugar milk teas, 1 soju or 2 cocktails. this could feed 2-3 people. don’t miss out on this deal! ty @gaosbbqandcrab.official for inviting me 🧡

  • Profile image

    trexeatseverything

    Just had an unforgettable feast at Gao BBQ! @gaosbbqandcrab.official The crab boil was rich, buttery, and packed with flavor, while the beef and lamb skewers were perfectly seasoned and grilled to perfection. Every bite was a delicious explosion of spices! Beyond the food, the restaurant’s vibrant neon lights and lively atmosphere made the whole experience even better—perfect for a fun night out. Whether you’re craving bold flavors or just a great spot to hang out, this place is a must-visit. Can’t wait to come back! . . #SeafoodLovers #BBQHeaven #FoodieAdventures #GaoBBQ #foodie #chineseskewers #skewers #chinesebbq #chinese #seafoodboil #crabboil

  • Profile image

    foodwithlumin

    @gaosbbqandcrab.official in milpitas! well seasoned skewers + vibrant atmosphere = a good meal :) the $1 lamb skewer happy hour deal is hard to beat and was our favorite. the skewers come cooked so they can take a while but we munched on some sunflower seeds while waiting 🌻 • big lamb skewer ($1) ⭐️ • special tofu skewer ($4.20) • grilled gluten skewer ($4.20) • northern dan dan noodle ($14.40) ⭐️ • yong zhou fried rice ($15.60) • sliced potato skewer ($3.60 for 2) ⭐️ • chicken gizzard skewers ($4.80 for 2) • corn kernels ($7.80 for 10) ⭐️ • pepper beef skewer ($4.50)

  • Profile image

    foodieclubsf

    @gaosbbqandcrab.official • This place definitely a hidden gem with a variety of delicious food, ranging from kebabs to crab broil. The kebabs were delicious and juicy. The dan dan noodles was my favorite. It wasn’t the normal spicy noodles. It was tart and delicious. The crawfish was huge and tasty. Everything was just so good! • Pro tip: definitely get $1 lamb skewers during happy hour! • Must try: Dan dan noodles Tendon skewers Lamb skewers Crawfish Chicken heart and gizzard skewers Corn skewees

  • Profile image

    teawithjxsmine

    LOOKING FOR THE BEST HAPPY HOUR DEAL?! 📍 GAO’s Kabob & Crab - Milpitas, CA @gaosbbqandcrab.official has the best Happy Hour special with $1 lamb skewers! Valid M-F from 5pm-6:30 & on the weekends from 12pm-6:30pm. This is the spot to be for late night skewers! They also carry seafood boil & some yummy entrees. Items Featured: 🦀 Snow Crab Combo A 🦀 Lamb Kabobs 🦀 Pepper Beef Kabobs 🦀 Chicken Kabobs 🦀 Chicken Skin 🦀 Corn Kernels 🦀 Northern Dan Dan Noodles 🦀 Golden Buns 🦀 Yogurt Soju Cocktail Thanks @gaosbbqandcrab.official for inviting me 💛

  • Profile image

    foodswithnina

    📍GAOS Kabob & Crab We meat again 🍖 @gaosbbqandcrab.official has some of my favorite chinese skewers in town! The vibes are just there, and is the perfect late night spot 😉 They open until 2AM, so you know it’s a vibe! Reminds me of those late nights out in China with friends! The food is good, the vibes are great, and service is fast! What more can you ask for? I love the beef skewers, they’re my fav! I recommend eating them as soon as they come out, they taste the best fresh 🔥 Make sure to come by and check out what they’re all about! 🔥🍖 They also have locations in Texas, so you know I gotta visit them when I go back home 🫶 . . . follow @foodswithnina for more foodie and bay area activities 🤍

  • Profile image

    nickichews

    📍 @gaosbbqandcrab.official 🦀 This spot in Milpitas has BOTH Chinese BBQ skewers & seafood boils! Honestly, we’d never been to anything like this before. Really strong charcoal bbq flavors and spices on the skewers, and the seafood boils were a really fun pairing. Would definitely recommend coming here with some friends and ordering their beer tower as well! Super affordable pricing for all of the food, and a fun/upbeat environment definitely makes it worth! #seafoodboil #chinesefood #chinesebbq #sffoodie

  • Profile image

    livingwlinda

    📌Save this for authentic Chinese BBQ Follow @livingwlinda for travel & food content 🌸 @gaosbbqandcrab.official is the spot if you want 💣 seafood boil, BBQ skewers, drinks, and fun vibes. A great place to hangout with your friends for a night out or just stopping by for a quick bite for lunch. Everything I tried here was 🔥 100% will be coming back! List of what I got and ratings below. 📍 1741 N Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035 Open 7 days a week (Mon-Fri 5pm-2am & Sat-Sun 12pm-2am) What I got: • Snow crab combo for 2-3 ppl $75.99 - (5/5) • 2 lbs of Crawfish $41.99 - (4/5) • Garlic Scallop $20 - (5/5) • Garlic Grilled Oysters $10 - (4/5) • King of Eggplant $10 - (4/5) • Fried Cold Noodle $8 - (3.5/5) • Assortment of Skewers $3-16 - (4/5) • Banana Dessert $4 - (4/5) • Homemade Yogurt Soju $13 - (5/5) #gaoskabobandcrab #milipitas #seafoodboil #chinesebbq

  • Profile image

    carleeconsumes

    🍢Skewered🍢Gotta check out @gaosbbqandcrab.official ! From juicy skewers to seafood boils, this spot is perfect for your next foodie adventure with friends or family 🦀🍢! Featured: -Assorted BBQ Skewers (Lamb, Beef Tongue, Chicken Skins, Corn Kernels, Pepper Beef, Squid) -Snowcrab Combo -Golden Buns -Fried Cold Noodle -Soju -Beer Tower KREW:$$ 📍Milpitas, CA • • • • • • • 💌 Thank you for having us! #yelp #bayarea #foodiefinds #skewers #chinesebbq #sanjose #seafoodlover #foodie #foodstagram #foodieadventures #yumyum #eeeeeats #tastyeats #skewered #crabfest

  • Profile image

    lynniethefoodie

    [bay] How many skewers can you eat? 😍 At @gaosbbqandcrab.official, there’s a bunch of Chinese bbq skewers to choose from! You’ve got your classic beef, pork, and lamb 🥩 Or if you’re feeling a little adventurous, there’s even grilled organs/intestines and fried silkworm pupae 😅 I also love their grilled seafood and veggies 🌽Everything is so flavorful, and it’s such a fun dining experience to do with friends! Thank you @gaosbbqandcrab.official for having me ❤️ Featured: @gaosbbqandcrab.official assorted bbq skewers 🍢

Videos are powered by Seekeasy. How this content is generated

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Gao's BBQ & Cran - San Jose.

4.1

4.1
(11)
  • 4.0Food
  • 4.0Service
  • 4.0Ambience
  • 3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

11 Reviews
  1. Candice

    San Francisco Bay Area3 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 10 October 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Mediocre at best If you must go, make a reservation so at least you don’t have to wait There are much better skewers places out there

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  2. Beth

    Portland / Oregon2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 14 June 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    What a fu. Experience for food! The Knocks game was on and that made the experience that much more fun too!

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  3. Patty Gold

    San Francisco Bay Area4 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 26 March 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The meats are over grilled and dry. The service was attentive

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  4. Yvette Gold

    San Francisco Bay Area2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 6 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food. Higher quality type of boiling crab. Much more selection and great prices.

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  5. Angela Gold

    San Francisco Bay Area12 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 11 September 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    It is a good place for group gathering. Food is too salty for our tasty. Maybe the food would be good if we have ordered more drinks.

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  6. Caroline Gold

    San Francisco Bay Area5 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 6 August 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Meat is very overcooked and service was mid. When dropping off the skewers, we weren't told what each skewer was, we had to guess. Food came in waves so our noodles came first and then there was a long break between that and getting our skewers. Noodles were also very overcooked. With everything being so overcooked, makes you wonder if the food is fresh or if they are reheating leftover food. Not a great impression.

    1 person found this helpful

  7. RReviewer Gold

    San Francisco Bay Area18 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 5 June 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    A different kind of restaurant - fun experience, but not for everyone. Sunflower seed appetizer as you sit down is creative. No plates, no forks, just hands and flimsy food-service gloves. Food is a huge assortment of skewered meats and other stuff. Also crab boils, which I wasn't really a fan of. I would go back and just stick with the skewers.

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  8. Jojo

    San Francisco Bay Area39 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on 3 April 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was salty and very spicy., hence hard to eat. The curry spices reek as you enter the front door. Lost my appetite right there and then. Although I tried the food anyway, will not return because of the spices.

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  9. Brit

    San Francisco Bay Area11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 11 March 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was a very unique experience. Went there with a friend, we were able to try multiple items and they weren't large plates so it wasn't overwhelming. The food was really good, the environment was super relaxed, but energetic, It was a great time, I would definitely go back again. Best part, it stays open late.

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  10. DDLO

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 15 February 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    great for a change from usual asian food. We were seated promptly and the ordering was thru an app so worked out well. There was some delay in food being served but the place was packed so no complaints. Will definitely return to try more dishes!

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Chinese, Barbecue, Seafood
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 17:00–02:00 Sat, Sun 12:00–02:00
  • Phone number
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Casual Dress

FAQs

Gao's quickly fills up during happy hour and evening/late‑night service, while mid‑afternoon visits can be noticeably quieter, for example, a reviewer walked right in on a Saturday around 4 pm.

Gao's delivers a neon-lit, night‑market–style vibe, big screens, music and occasional live singers create a lively late‑night scene that's great for groups and friends.

Casual dress is the guide, comfortable, relaxed clothing is perfectly appropriate for Gao's.

Gao's really shines at the start of happy hour, around 5:00 pm when the $1 lamb and $2 wagyu skewer deals run, and if you prefer it quieter, weekend afternoons (about 4 pm Saturday or ~12:30 pm Sunday) had easy seating.

Yes, Gao's is family-friendly: kids 12 and under receive a free kids' meal (chicken tenders, fries, and a kid's drink), and several reviewers note it as a good spot for family dinners.

Sunday midday is a good bet, one party reported being seated right away around 12:30 PM and enjoying the happy-hour skewers.

Yes, guests recommend Gao's as a fun, casual date-night spot, thanks to its neon-lit late-night atmosphere, drinks, and live entertainment.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. San Jose / Silicon Valley
  5. Milpitas

Make a booking

A photo of Gao's BBQ & Cran - San Jose restaurant

Gao's BBQ & Cran - San Jose

4.1
$31 to $50
Chinese
Milpitas

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 6 times today
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