I brought burnt almond cake

[KamaAina]

After six years, I have just discovered that San Jose does, in fact, have a signature dessert. Who knew?

[kentauros]

1. Sounds more like a Cake Wreck

So, is it "burnt-almonds" cake, or burnt "almond-cake"? That sounds easy enough for anyone to do

[KamaAina]

2. "burnt-almonds"

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_29471894/super-bowl-50-three-silicon-valley-food-specialties

San Jose's signature dessert was invented decades ago and still reigns as the region's most popular cake for birthdays and special occasions. The cake (usually white, but now also available in chocolate or marble) is frosted with a custard-whipped cream mixture and topped with an addictive toasted or caramelized almond crunch.

Owner-baker Tony Peters founded Peters' Bakery in 1936 and is responsible for this creation. He trained a cousin-baker, Clarence Sota, who opened Dick's Bakery in 1947 and started making a variation there. You'll find slices, cupcakes, layer cakes and large party-size versions at both of these fabulously old-school bakeries, which are still owned by the original families.

The main difference: Peters' Bakery toasts the almonds, while Dick's caramelizes them.

Can't make it out to one of the bakeries? Uh, maybe your hotel concierge will make a stop on his or her way to work. You could always ask.

[kentauros]

3. In other words, "burnt" is the absolutely wrong word to use.

In reality, it's a "Toasted-Almond Cake"

[BlueJazz]

4. Looks mighty nice. I know a certain DUer that would make short work of that delicious morsel.

[mackerel]

5. Does SJ have anything else?

[KamaAina]

6. The Eggo waffle and Chuck E. Cheese both had their origins here. :-)

But the linked article mostly extols the virtues of our Mexican and Vietnamese food (we have the largest Vietnamese population outside Vietnam; two of ten city councilmembers are named Nguyen! ).

[mackerel]

7. Yeah Stockton has all that too. Except for the City Council persons.

Good Pho houses too. Where do you the best Pho in San Jose?

[KamaAina]

8. I have no idea.

Unlike the comidas, it is difficult to find Vietnamese outside the East Side areas where the Vietnamese neighborhoods are. And I don't drive, the kiss of death in a place that once had a powerful city manager whose goal was to make SJ into "the Los Angeles of the north". He succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.