Original Joe's Italian Restaurant

our friends and my husband and I planned a special Xmas dinner here on Saturday evening. We had a horrible experience. We ordered prime rib, pork chops, and a veal dish. Nothing had any taste or seasoning. Like the other gentleman said you wouldn't want to take it home. The service was also lousy, had to ask for everything including place settings. Bad, sad experience. $200 for junk!! more

I only gave it 1 star because 0 stars isn't an option. Don't bother. Years ago our family celebrated special events at Joe's, and years ago it as good. How long can a restaurant rest on it's laurels? Chef Boy-r-dee Ravioli, tough steaks, marinara straight from the can... not even the jar! And nothing beats a waiter with attitude, who could give a damn about serving you or EARNING his tip, dripping SWEAT off his brow onto your dinner plate!!!! Thanks but no thanks. Pros: ? Cons: Waiter sweating in my dinner? more

When I finally convinced my ex to take me to this place, I was unpleasantly surprised. There was nowhere to park, we had to wait for a table for over 45 minutes even though we had a reservation, the food was cold, and I had a very unpleasant experience at the table that the manager tried to solve by rolling his eyes and asking if we wanted to change tables- we had not complained up until that point... more

I love this place. They have a original Joes in San Francisco. So I used to the great atmosphere and great... more

I love this place. They have a original Joes in San Francisco. So I used to the great atmosphere and great service. Plus the food is grrrreat! more

I'm a huge fan of Original Joe's. It feels like one of the Sopranos might be sitting in the booth next to... more

I'm a huge fan of Original Joe's. It feels like one of the Sopranos might be sitting in the booth next to you, and they have some of the nicest, q... more

Joe's recently re-opened after being closed all summer for remodeling. Still the same great italian food with new booths, counter-tops and stools. Glad to have them back. Always fun. Cons: Always a wait during peak hours more

i heard such great things about oj's. but, i got to be honest, it wasn't that great. what's ironic is that even though servings are so huge you can't finish, you don't want to take the leftovers home with you. Pros: cool interior, old school feel Cons: food is mediocre more

Large family style portions. Couples try the Petite Filet Mignon and the Sauteed Scallops (I recommend ravioli on the side). Do not forget the Antipasto salad and garlic bread for large groups. Pros: Noisy Cons: Great food more

This place is a landmark. If you want to feel like you're eating in one of those restaurants you've seen in a gangster film this is it - complete with wise-guy waiters. The food is good - not great but good. The service can range from fair to good - again, not great but good. The wait can be long on weekends.\r \r As I've already mentioned, I've always thought the atmosphere is very classic in a ""God Father"" sort of way. It's really a fun place to go once in awhile. It's OK for kids. There's plenty of noise so they probably won't bother anyone. It's in downtown San Jose so parking pretty much is horrible and is almost never free. more

My girlfriends and I made reservations for a birthday dinner since we heard it was a great place for large groups with a great menu. The service was good, I'll admit that, but the food was decent, if that! I could make tastier dishes at home! I tried adding salt and pepper, and some cheese to jazz up the dish since it was completely bland, but nothing helped. It was just oily and flavorless. Everyone else was also extremely disappointed with their selection. We all (12 of us) ordered different items and no one liked anything. The place was also super packed and extremely loud. The meal averaged $25-30 bucks/person, tip included. \r \r \r If you're looking for an Italian restaurant good for large groups, I'd recommend Maggiano's or Buca di Beppo over this place anyday! Pros: Good Service Cons: every dish was bland, very loud and crowded, parking can be an issue since its in DT more

After driving for 5 hours from LA needless to say we were hungry. We decided to try Joe's for some Italian--BIG MISTAKE! The Decor looked very old, dark, and cheap but I after looking at their menu I thought that perhaps dishes priced around $18 will make up for it. I was wrong!\r \r After our very UNFRIENDLY WAITER who said ""Everything is good"" couldn't recommend anything in particular, I finally settled on the $24 Veal Parmesian. The veal was not bad, but the spaghetti with tomato sauce looked and tasted like it was just brought from a school cafeteria!!! Also, our friend just had lunch and came along for the company, but she was told that SHE HAD TO PAY $4 JUST TO BE THERE!!! I've never heard of this before! So she ordered a $7 slice of ""Tiramisu"" instead--and it was the farthest thing from Tiramisu we've ever had! California Pizza Kitchen's is 10 times better! This was dry sponge cake layered with a thin coat of coco mixed with whipped cream and some more sponge cake and whipped cream on top! \r \r If you think that I've been spoiled by Los Angeles eateries, this is not the case at all. I've eaten at many hole-in-the-wall places which were much better than Joe's! \r \r The only reason I'm writing this review is because this was the absolute WORST RESTAURANT I've ever been to and I've never regretted leaving $40 bucks as much as I did that time.\r \r I don't know how this place stays in business, but it shouldn'!\r DON' T Waste Your Money! Go Somewhere Else. You'll thank me later =)\r Pros: Ummmm, convenient location? Cons: Service, Ambiance, and FOOD! need I say more? more

You don't see places like this anymore. Menu is truly old school and the portions are large. Side of pasta (or baked potato) comes w/entree. Half portions of pasta's available for the kids. One of the few places left still offering the ""Half & half"" (Half Spag, half ravioli). The bread is excellent. NY Steak rocks. Meatball & steak sandwiches rock. Atmosphere is truly classic 70's with all the wait staff in black ties. Stays open late. It wouldn't be downtown SJ without O-Joe's. Pros: OPEN LATE Cons: IT'S NOT 24-Hour more

I've been wanting to try joes for a while, now that I have I realize that I wasn't missing much. The food is mediocre and the server was a bit surly. I might go back, but only because it's open late. more

Let me just start with the best free Cheesecake ever ;) Huge mile high and strawberry drizzle. Broiled Chicken breast - out of this world. Caprese salad with happy balls of buffalo cheese - yum. The wine was excellent, the steak was nice, the eggs were fluffy, the steak fries were crisp, the ravioli was simply divine. I highly recommend this crazy place. The wait staff wears suits and bow ties, their is s dinner counter at which oyu can drink wine, the booths are loverly the green lighting with the plants has a bit of a Vegas feel. Joe is too sweet. I loved, loved, loved it and will be back the next time I am in San Jose. Pros: atmosphere, service, food more

I love going to OJ late, even with the wait. My favorite dish is the pasta primavera with red sauce. You only need a 3/4 portion, and I usually take home half of that. The spamoni is so good, and I am not usually a huge fan of spamoni. Pros: Lots of food, open late Cons: Crowded, Parking. more

There's a reason why Original Joe's is always packed, the food is awesome. Don't worry about going away hungry either, you get enough food to leave you feeling full for at least 24 hours. Pasta, steak, doesn't matter, it's all mighty tasty at Original Joes. Pros: Portions, Price, Food Cons: Crowds, Parking more

Expensive NY strip steak which came out medium well rather than medium rare, and the sides weren't terribly interesting. Service was so-so; did get some attitude from the waiter at one point. The food is mediocore at best. The place is ridiculously overpriced given the food and service. Pros: Retro Cons: Food, Price more

Every time I'm in San Jose, I make it a point to dine at Joe's. The wait is usually long, so make your way back to the bar and enjoy what I like to call a ""Home Pour"". The bartender is always very generous on the amount of Tanqurey I get in my cocktail. A few of these and you don't really notice the wait. You just sit waiting for your name to be called by the Matre Dei. His voice sounds like he's calling the home stretch at Bay Meadows. Once seated, get a bottle of the house red and a order of mushrooms. I always order the Sweetbreads, but other tastes have always met my high standards. The wait staff is attentive and most have been there for 10+ years. Pros: Food, Stiff Drinks, Atmosphere Cons: wait more