"It may not be the original Original Joe’s (that one opened on Taylor Street in the Tenderloin in SF in 1937, and has since moved to North Beach), but this location, which has been open since 1956, offers the same timeless, satisfying Italian-American comfort food in a multi-room restaurant with classic leather chairs, polished wood, and servers clad in white shirts, black vests, and bow ties. It all makes you feel like time is standing still, in a good way. Despite its classic vibes, the kitchen at Joe’s isn’t afraid to put fresh spins on old favorites, like the blue caesar salad, which swaps creamy blue cheese for the usual parmesan, or the crispy-crusted chicken parmigiana, topped with melted monterey jack cheese rather than the usual mozzarella." - gabi moskowitz, patrick wong