Original Joe's - San Jose

Ohhhh this is the place to be at!!! Please try to make a reservation if possible! But the food and the drinks are just top tier!!! Service is a little slow only because it's a huge place and lot of tables. Me and my boyfriend first started at the diner style bar where you can watch the cooks make the food and it really is a sight to see! Ended up at a table for two right by the entrance which was okay but understandable with how busy it was the night we went. When you go, try the steak fry calamari! You won't regret! I had the pasta primavera and it was delicious and filling. My boyfriend had the steak and it was great!! Parking is around the corner and across the street. Visited on Feb 15th, 2025 around 630pm.

Don't listen to the haters. This old school Italian restaurant is amazing! The service was awesome, guys in black hustling all over the restaurant. The food was as good and better than it was the first time I ate here 40+ years ago. The ambiance is rich, leather and lights, with the smell of Nani's tomato sauce and garlic billowing out of the kitchen. I couldn't stop drooling as the people next to us got served, HOT, amazing, aromatic, garlic, tomato, ravioli, meatballs..... Abbondanza!!! This place is an icon and not to be missed if you're in San Jose!Skip it if you're looking for a trendy, chain-like, bright light infused experience.

Last night, after attending an event at the SAP Center, we decided to have dinner at Original Joe's. In hindsight, the lack of a wait at 10:30 PM should have been a warning sign. We were seated immediately and ordered drinks. My husband asked for a Vespa but was told they were out of Lillet, so he had to choose something else. I ordered a gin martini and was surprised to receive it with a lemon peel instead of olives--an odd touch.For our meal, I ordered the Joe's Special with mushrooms, while my husband chose the veal Parmesan with ravioli. I also had a cup of minestrone, which was delicious and brought back fond childhood memories of dining there with my grandparents. My husband's Caesar salad was just okay--not as good as I remember it being. His veal Parmesan was well-prepared, but my Joe's Special left something to be desired. The mushrooms were served whole rather than sliced, which seemed like an unnecessary oversight. The dish also seemed lighter on eggs than usual--perhaps due to rising costs.Overall, the food was about the same as I remember, but it lacked the care and passion that once made it special. I don't think I'll be returning anytime soon, which is disappointing. Maybe I'll give it another try in ten years--if it's still around.

Great service, upscale decor, full menu and quality fare. A true staple in downtown San Jose and a must try for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Joe's is an old school Italian place. It's all dark woods and carpet, complete with a back room "hideout" a long kitchen bar and a sense of history that may have included some interesting business dealing. I went with friends on the way to San Jose Christmas in the Park. It's s great location for anything going on in downtown San Jose and close to all kinds of parking. There were plenty of Italian food offerings in the menu, along with options for those who might not be able to eat as much dairy or carbs. Since I was looking forward to Italian, I went with the half spaghetti, half ravioli with an added meatball. I loved the pasta texture and ravioli flavor. The meat sauce was tasty but needed the salt and texture of Parmesan cheese to finish it for me. Same with the garlic bread. Service here was decent. We got our food relatively quickly, but we did wait longer toward the end of the meal and for the check as the place got busier. Still, I would come back for the food and proximity to downtown.

We were looking forward to having dinner at Original Joe's since our friends to us about the restaurant. We called for reserve a table for three but they only take reservations for parties of seven or more for dinner reservations. They suggested we show up fifteen minutes before the requested time and had no problem snagging a table within ten minutes on Saturday night. They were decorated for the holidays and had a festive vibe. The restaurant was busy and tables were filled. Great atmosphere ~ happy place to be!We ordered the calamari for an appetizer. It was a generous portion with freshly made tartar sauce. We also had the fettuccine, cheese ravioli, crab cakes and the oriental chicken salad. The portions were generous and we were thrilled with our choices. The only regret was not saving room for dessert!Our waitress was fantastic! She had so many tables and stayed on top of refilling drinks and bring our dishes in a timely manner. It was the perfect place to grab dinner and drinks before the Opera. We look forward to our next visit.

Very disappointed in this Original Joe's location. I know it's a treasured historic landmark with lots of memories for people, but the food and service there was mediocre at best. We were really surprised because the original Joe's in SF North Beach is so good in comparison. Most of the pasta dishes were bland. They tried to make the bland linguine and clams better by just putting red peppers in it but that just makes it spicy not tasty. I could not even eat it. The hamburger, which is what they are known for at this location, was nothing special and it was agreed that it would've been better on a different type of bread. The bread it was served with was rock hard and can shred the roof of your mouth. Recommend eating it open faced if you must. The service was also questionable and inattentive. The one thing I enjoyed was the old style historic atmosphere, but that is not enough to make up for the food, prices, and service.

It's been a while since I've gone out to dinner here. I must admit a few years back when the ownership changed the food was not as good as it was prior. Well, I decided to give them another go and I have to say the quality has improved. I do miss the old dishes as it added old world charm to the decor.We got garlic fries which were promptly brought! I was happy to see the linguine and clams back in the menu! So it was a must. It was so flavorful and lots of clams! We also go chicken parmigiana with a side of ravioli. So good! We couldn't finish our main courses and took them to go. They were just as good as the night before. I'm happy to see the quality return to this local favorite.

It's been ages since I was last in the area, so when we came for a Sharks game, we had to hit up Original Joe's. The calamari steak is my go to, with a side of ravioli . It did not disappoint. The serving size was huge. I was excited to take some back for a midnight snack after the game. The sauce on the ravioli is so good, I could drink it. My dining companions loved their food, too. One had the meatball sandwich which was gigantic with a very generous mound of fries. Another had the Italian sausage sandwich and the the other the dinner ravioli . The restaurant was decorated modestly for Christmas . It's a popular spot with no reservations. We were there when doors opened and it quickly filled with patrons. We were pleased with our promptly we were served .

Love, love, LOVE this wonderful old-school, vintage Italian American place. First established in SJ in the 1950's, it's truly like stepping back in time as you walk through the doors. Dear OJ's Management, please don't ever change a thing about this San Jose icon! (Except to consider bringing back the lunch service ;) Love Original Joe's!!