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Original Joe's
3.40/5 (28 reviews)

301 S 1st St
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 292-7030

Category: Italian


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28 Reviews
REVIEW #1 Ronald D.
Avg. Entree: $20-30
Rating: 		April 9, 2008
Great steaks!

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REVIEW #2 Justin Y.
Avg. Entree: $15-20
Rating: 		December 8, 2007
This is an offshoot of the first Original Joe's in San Francisco started by Jo and Lou Rocca. This branch, started by their son, Babe, and now run by his two sons, is as original as you can get. I've been going since SJSU days in early 1970's, and it is a great bet for steaks, roast beef, veal (piccata and shanks) and service that is fast and served up with a bit of moxie. As other diners have mentioned, there is a wait if you go between 6 and 8PM on either Friday or Saturday. Favorite specials may sell out early. I like everything about this slightly pricey joint except the marinara sauce. Whatever I order, I skip the side of pasta unless I get it with another type of sauce.

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REVIEW #3 Lucia N.
Avg. Entree: $20-30
Rating: 		June 3, 2004
This restaurant when i went there was very impressive to me. It was my first time to see male waiters dressed so nice (like tuxedos black and white) of all ages serving and seating us. I felt pretty good getting served by them and the food is to die for... hmmm the steak i had was soooo good. My date at that time had lamb and he loved it also. Pricey but well worth it. I give it 5 stars... Good to take your date.

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REVIEW #4 Eric B.
Avg. Entree: $15-20
Rating: 		March 12, 2004
Food is great , Service sucks at times as they get very busy, but I think it's worth the wait. Great place to grab a steak or burger after the show or game!!! Bring CASH!

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REVIEW #5 Andrew J.
Avg. Entree: $15-20
Rating: 		March 4, 2004
great food here! Great steaks! STEAKS!!! its all about the steaks

here. Worth the price in every way!

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REVIEW #6 David L.
Avg. Entree: $15-20
Rating: 		January 19, 2004
After reading the reviews for this restaurant and going to this restaurant, I feel that it must have gone down hill significantly.

<br> I went with some friends to this restaurant for dinner. We waited for our food for almost 2 hours (all we had were simple entrees). The staff basically ignored us the entire time that we were there.

<br> The food was nothing to write home about either. We had a few of their different italian sandwiches and 1 of the pasta meals.

<br> Extremely disappointing. Though they are open late, there are many other options that come to mind in the same area.

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REVIEW #7 Andrew J.
Avg. Entree: $15-20
Rating: 		January 12, 2004
great food here! Great steaks! STEAKS!!! its all about the steaks here. Worth the price in every way!

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REVIEW #8 Richard B.
Avg. Entree: $20-30
Rating: 		May 5, 2003
I’ve eaten at this place several times. I don’t understand why it’s so popular! The food is expensive and it taste like it came from a can. The decor is ok a bit of a throw back to the 50’s. The service has always been rude, at least to me (they were actually joking about my friends bitter divorce, which he didn’t find funny).



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REVIEW #9 Julie M.
Avg. Entree: $15-20
Rating: 		June 29, 2002
I don't understand OJ's popularity except for maybe truck drivers.

The food is only fair, the servers are rude and the place is a dump. Their wine by the glass comes out of a bar gun. You get a big piece of meat on a plate and there are really no sides. The pasta is bland. The salad dressing is bland. Go next door

to Il Fornaio and get a great meal with clean and pleasant surroundings. Completely over rated.

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REVIEW #10
Avg. Entree: $30-40
Rating: 		August 26, 2000
If you find yourself in downtown San Jose, then you have to go to Original Joe's, which is a landmark in it's own right. The fare is mostly Italian, from Spagetti to Eggplant Parmagane. The price is a bit on the high end, and the atmosphere a bit on the hectic side as waiters and waitresses scurry about. Bring a bib if you eat the spagetti or ravioli! The dishes have generous portions. Dining on the weekends or at lunch time will mean a bit of a wait.



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REVIEW #11 Casey S.
Avg. Entree: $20-30
Rating: 		March 31, 2000
This is an offshoot of the first Original Joe's in San Francisco started by Jo and Lou Rocca. This branch, started by their son, Babe, and now run by his two sons, is as original as you can get. I've been going since SJSU days in early 1970's, and it is a great bet for steaks, roast beef, veal (piccata and shanks) and service that is fast and served up with a bit of moxie. As other diners have mentioned, there is a wait if you go between 6 and 8PM on either Friday or Saturday. Favorite specials may sell out early. I like everything about this slightly pricey joint except the marinara sauce. Whatever I order, I skip the side of pasta unless I get it with another type of sauce. Mangia! (Disclaimer: These are cousins by marriage.)

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REVIEW #12
Rating: 		March 16, 2000
Original Joe's has to be, by far, one of my favorite restaurants. The food is excellent. The spagetti napoletana is great and the chicken soup is the best I've ever had (especially to dip the bread in). The service is great too. They give you everything you need as quickly as possible even though it's always packed. Not to mention the fat hookups of free food we get. But believe me, if you have to pay, it's worth it. And when you are starving at 2 in the morning, it sure beats Denny's.

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REVIEW #13 Shawn D.
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		December 2, 1999
I guess you either love it or you hate it. No, it's a "California" Italin place at all, it's just straight up spagetti, ravioli, and veal. No angel hair shrimp clam sauce type stuff. But the food is really good. Yes, it's crowed and noisy, but I think that makes it one of the few places in San Jo that has a really urban feel. There are a ton of places like this up in the city, but this is the one we have down here. It's up to you whether this is your kind of joint or not. Open late, I love that.

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REVIEW #14
Avg. Entree: $20-30
Rating: 		August 4, 1998
I was weaned on marinara sauce. I teethed on Nana's biscotti. I'll only eat sauce made by a relative--or at Original Joe's. When relatives hit town, (or when I can't live another day without Veal Parmigiana)we go to OJs. You don't need to order the Prime Rib; the Roast Beef is better than 9 out of 10 Prime Ribs you'll find in steakhouse chains. (And the decor isn't 40s nostalgia - it's the real thing; they've been around that long.)

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REVIEW #15
Avg. Entree: $5-10
Rating: 		April 28, 1998
My wife and I went there recently based on some(most) of the reviews here, and we were not disappointed. Both of us are Vegetarians. My wife had Eggplan Paramigiana and I had Pasta Primavera with a vegetarian, garlicky sauce. Wife liked her dish ok. I loved mine. It was wonderful. Atmosphere was more lively than noisy. Waitstaff was efficient and courteous. Price, I guess it is a bit pricey. But, hey if Olive Garden can charge as much, then I am sure OJ's food is worth much more. My humble opinion, of course.

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REVIEW #16 Mary A.
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		October 13, 1997
I don't understand why this restaurant is " Italian restaurant". Tasty and juicy lamb and beef but very bad spaghetti and tomato sauce. Spaghetti is soooo soft and the sauce seems from a can.However, waiters are very friendly and I like the atmosphere. I may go again and try veal dish.

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REVIEW #17 Frederick S.
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		September 16, 1997
I've gone to this restaurant a _lot_ since I've moved to the SJSU/downtown San Jose area. I have to say that I'm very mystified by some of the poor reviews of the food or service given by certain people above. The waiters are as friendly as any place I've eaten at. They aren't stuffy, which is perhaps what some people expect at a place where some entrees cost $20+ but they aren't arrogant, either. As for the food, it's expensive but it's worth the price. I generally go for the Veal Parmigian, the Mostacilli, or a steak, and I'm never disappointed. One problem they do have at OJ's is that it's often crowded - though that ought to tell you something. Come at a popular time and you'll often find yourself waiting 45 minutes for a table. Even spots at the counter may require a wait, particularly if you're waiting for two or three adjacent spaces.

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REVIEW #18 Lance H.
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		May 11, 1997
The Veal Picatta can't be missed. I get the chance to go to OJ's, more often than some and know I have to overlook the staff's attitude, on any given evening. But, if you are aware that the attitudes are there, and that there is typically a wait, and you can get over these drawbacks, you'll be able to enjoy, as I, the dishes that the restaurant puts out. What can I say.. I am willing to go the extra mile for a good meal!

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REVIEW #19
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		April 17, 1997
Apparently, you have to go here a few times to catch on to what all the fuss is. I'm still debating on whether I should return for a second try. Yes, the portions are huge, but they must be serving liquid PMS to the help. I couldn't wait to get out of that loud, cramped, overrated hole.

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REVIEW #20
Avg. Entree: $10-15
Rating: 		February 2, 1997
What can a vegetarian expect at an Italian restaurant? Simply the best eggplant parmigian I ever ate. The garlic bread was to die for, and if I do, it will be with one hell of a smile on my face. Ambience? Hustle, hustle, and more hustle. This place isn't noisy, it's alive, which is more than I can say for most restaurants here. If you want to be coddled, avoid this place. If you want a great place that makes you glad to be alive, this is it.

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