Marin Joe's Restaurant

I'm not sure what makes you feel like you've stepped into a time machine more, the decor, the menu, or the servers. Regardless, it's a quaint place. The food though doesn't match the price. The bread on the chicken sandwich was very stale and hard to chew through (similar to the table bread). The side of meatballs were incredibly soft and lacked all texture. They had decent flavor but the texture was hard to get past. The pasta dishes were actually very good and my family thoroughly enjoyed the fettuccine and ravioli, both with a white cream sauce We ordered garlic bread as an appetizer and never received it. All in all it was a fine experience. Overall disappointed with the food but it was fun stepping into a time machine for a meal.

We ordered two steaks, well done! It was one of the best steaks I ever ate in my life. Well cooked, still juicy and no burnt sides. The steak portion was very large, almost double size of the other restaurants. Very police serverse, great customer service. I will defiantly go back to this place over and over.

Marin Joe's is one of those restaurants that I have seen on the side of the 101 freeway for literally as long as I can remember. I didn't realize that it is a Marin County institution and good restaurant until I sat in the lively waiting area of the restaurant waiting for a salad Joe's had donated for me to take to a charity event. I promised myself I'd eat there soon. Soon, turned out to be last night. My three companions and I got lucky and were able to sit in a large comfortable booth right away. It was 6:00pm on a Monday night. I've been told that the restaurant is quite crowded on weekends with long waits. Reservations are for parties of seven (7) or more. We enjoyed the easy going 50s ambiance, good martinis, the chefs in their toque hats cooking where we could see them and of course, the delicious food. Our waitress was attentive and friendly. She recommended to the two of us who had the steak special that the chefs tended to under cook meat, so we ordered the steaks "medium" and got the Medium Rare we really wanted. They were perfect actually. The Cherry Pie was fresh and good. All in all, this is a fine place to eat.

OK if you wanna feel of the 1960s original Joe’s this place has it the food‘s amazing the servings are gigantic. The desserts are fantastic. One of the only three places I know that do a true Zabaione!! let’s make sure the owner knows we love the place. Please don’t change it. That’s the reason. The parking lot is full every single night.

This place is great!! The food was perfect. The atmosphere was super cool and the wait staff was top notch!!

You cannot get the dining experience you get at Marin Joe's anywhere in San Francisco or the Bay area. It's pure old school class.. all the waiters. the valet guy .the owner greet you ..and are friendly.. the food is top notch. The waiters remember you.. The atmosphere is amazing.. There's no place like it. It's a wonderful dining experience. That doesn't exist anymore. This place has history and a well-oiled machine and backbone that a lot of restaurants don't have.

Huge portions, great food, friendly staff. What else could you want? We had the prime rib (excellent, better than House of Prime Rib) and lasagna (also excellent, maybe on the sweet side). We went for the pesto sauce on the pasta, which was perhaps the best pesto I've ever had.

Was one of the few places open past 9pm. What a find! Great classic old Italian atmosphere. Everyone that works there appears to be a family that’s been there a long time. Great service. HUGE portions and it was all cooked and seasoned deliciously. I ordered the cheese omelet and it came with a side of fresh veggies and French fries. Friends ordered the club and could only make it through half. I will def be back!

Aw I just found out this place permanently closed :( I came for date night a few months ago. Such a romantic spot. Food wasn't phenomenal but the the aesthetic was everything. Quaint, moody and sophisticated. Perfect for date nights. It will be missed.

We took my Father-in-Law on Father's Day. My Father-in-Law remembers bringing dates here back in the 70's. Too bad they were closing today after selling the business. Sad to see a Family owned business and "Marin Staple" Our food and service were excellent. We had the Pork Chops and Ribeye Steak. Both were flavorful and cooked to perfection! The ambience was "Old School". Which we like. Sad to see places like this go away. They will be missed!!!

The service is great, the food is plentiful and the vibe is old school. I'm a big Joe's fan. I grew up going to Joe's of Westlake. While I do love the new original joes, this takes me way back to Joe's of Westlake. The food is good ole Italian and like I said the waiter awesome. We all got our food quickly and it was delicious! Parking is adequate for the location size. Would 100% come back. Also the Joe's special Spinach?!? NO WORDS. JUST TRY IT!

From the 60's to about 10 years ago this place was great. But after the father died, the kids took over and downhill from there. So good thing it sold, just hoping this new owner makes it more like Westlake or North Beach Joes, but a little less corp. tasting. Also he needs to not bring back the rude waiters, which are about 50%. Oh, and how about being open for lunch too and at least 5 days a week !

I just found out they closed! So sad, long time customer, great old school dimly lit ambiance and food. Table-side Caesar salads were the best, raviolis, sourdough bread etc. Will def miss the sound of clinking of glassware, flatware, friendly conversations emanating from the old-time booths and counter service. This one hurts. So what if staff were sometimes cranky.. is part of the atmosphere. Lockdown affected many restaurants in an already difficult industry. Thank you to the Owners and Staff - wish you all well, we will miss you.

This place gets 5 stars for old school charm and quirkiness but the decor needs a refresh and so does the menu. Servers are friendly and witty with a wry humor of folks that know their dry martinis and steak dinners. Even the valet parkers are charming and cool. I loved my martini but that was the highlight of the meal. The Caesar salad was nice but a little soggy, the petrole sole suffered from a similar water logged tendency. I want to come back to find the perfect dish but am in no hurry.

I took a nice drive with family to this really nice restaurant called Marin Joes restaurant really great Ambiance the service was amazing and the food was Epic I ordered the porterhouse with a side of ravioli with Parmesan cheese on top now let me tell you the Aujus is extremely delicious and definitely on point the real deal . The flavors from it and the porterhouse comes together so smoothly . The Au jus is extremely delicious and addictive you just can't stop won't stop. So yeah we're done this way. Come on through. You definitely will enjoy it because they do it right here. Well, I'm not trying to be rude, but I have to attend to my epic food now.

I like the service and ambiance at the bar, but the food is heavy on the red sauce and a bit too Americanized after my recent travels to Italy. I prefer to go here for drinks and eat elsewhere.

Marin Staple. Marin Hall of Fame. Cant go wrong with a Burger & Martini Old school Marin, bottom line Joes is Goated.

It was a Thursday night and when we arrived, I asked how long the wait would be for 3 people and we were told "20 minutes" and waited an hour. Then, after we were seated, we waited a long time to order. Our server forgot the garlic bread and ended up not charging us for it. My husband had a steak that was all gristle. I had capellini Napoletana, which was fine. Our son had the broiled hamburger, which was also fine. Then it took a long time to get the check. We won't be back.

We went last month because we wanted to try this local classic but were not impressed. Our waitress was wonderful and friendly, and the food came out quick. However, food was just okay, and the dessert that she highly recommended was very disappointing and stale. The furniture and building itself could definitely use some updating and parking can be tricky. I'm happy they're been able to stick around for such a long time for those who enjoy it, but we'll probably not come back any time soon.

I love the old school feel of Marin Joe's, friendly owners and staff. Remember the days of Peppermill and Max's Cafe. Such happy memories were made in Corte Madera - nostalgic. I'm happy Marin Joe's is still here serving authentic Italian fare with strong martinis. Check out their Mesquite broiler, can't miss it. It's a great view when sitting at the bar. It gets busy here, almost every night they're open. Valet is available. If you choose to self-park, there's ample parking in their adjacent lot up the hill. 'Til we meet again ~ cheers and see you on Yelp (SYOY)!

Fun place and excellent food. Old and a bit shopworn which adds to the charm. Waitstaff cannot be beat, and great menu and quality of food fabulous!

Where to start? Well, I guess I'll start in the parking lot, where my family and were greeted warmly and personably. We walked into the place where we were greeted by more smiles as the hosts brought to our seats. What a cool place! We've lived in Marin for about 6 years now and have always been told we should try this place out. And I think I've found my new favorite spot! Our waiter was great! Very friendly, we had our son with us and he was great with him As well! We both ordered the prime rib, delish! We'll be back, thanks for a great meal Marin joes!

Valet service was very helpful. The ambiance was warm and nostalgic. The meal was prepared before my eyes and made my mouth water.

A great classic that makes me feel nostalgic for homemade Italian food with great staff. I have to say, we had reservations for 6:45pm and we were on time and had to wait 30 minutes for our table. Not good when you are hangry. Our waiter, Pete, who has been at Marin Joe's forever was absolutely great! He totally changed my mood instantly. Loved his personality & his candor. Great characters that work at Marin Joe's. Ambiance at the bar area was casual with the tv playing SF 49er's vs Las Vegas Raiders. Not too loud but just right. Food was 9 out of 10! Great great great Italian food. I would have given a 10 if I got the fresh pasta but even still... mouth watering, hot, spiced right perfect & delicious! Thank you for your giving us a place to gather and have great food.

My parents have been going to Marin Joes for over 60 years so in turn myself and my family have been going there for over 50 years. I hope the new owners keep it much the same food wise and ambience wise, with the same employees as well, because those are the reasons we continue to come.

As always it is perfect! I had the Caesar salad, then Chicken Parm with Spaghetti and Meat sauce. All is delicious! Dessert was Zabaglione, and that is a very special dish and difficult to find. A superb meal, and so much fun sitting at the counter and watching the grill. Such a great dinner. Highly recommended!

My family has been to this old school Marin restaraunt a handful of times. Each time, the food has been great and the atmosphere lively. Get ready to step back in a time and enjoy some fantastic traditional Italian recipes. They also have amazing cocktails. Each part of the restaurant has a different vibe. From the counter to the main restaurant to the back room, it's a fun throw back experience. The portion sizes are also old school legit. Highly recommend!

Awesome dinner experience at Marin Joes. I enjoyed a blended classic margarita with Casamigos. Quite simple, but strong and refreshing. I enjoyed service from Lisa at the service counter. I heard this place is known for its mesquite grilled options, but I decided to try their pasta. I really enjoyed the Pesto Gnocchi and added perhaps a bit too much parmesan (there's actually never too much parmesan!:) Fries were also hot & right out of the fryer, thick style. Very old-style family restaurant. Diner feel with better food and waiters that have worked there forever. Totally enjoyed it and loved the generous portions!

I've been coming here for probably 40 years or more. It was a staple in my childhood and now in my own child's core memories. Love the veal Parmesan and the special spinach. I wish they still made it at the table! Can't believe some of the servers have been there for decades. This place is iconic don't ever change. The blonde hostess at the front desk however, was a royal b - and not friendly at all - like super disrespectful, condescending and rude. I really hope management sees this because we almost walked out because of her - uncalled for rudeness to everyone.

Food was decent. Restaurant was absolutely filthy. Floor was covered in crumbs, open kitchen and counter was a mess. Not one, but TWO cockroaches crawled right next to me in my booth. I wanted to send this privately, but until they do a deep cleaning and train staff properly to be follow proper sanitation I would avoid 100%.

My waiter was the greatest Jimmy was here 43 years ago.. Amazing food great waiter and I so highly recommend this restaurant absolutely the very best

The food is delicious. We had a Caesar salad (excellent) and chicken cacciatore (also excellent). The wait staff are people who have worked at the restaurant for years, and it was fun watching them greet their long-term customers.

My husband wanted to try again ( not great the first time ) Marin Joe restaurant for his birthday. It was again a big disappointment. We ordered the caesar salad ( it was swimming in dressing ) I ordered the filet mignon ( half of the filet was fat ) the french fries were not crisp and the veggies were over cooked. For the price the restaurant charges it is not worth it plus the décor is very old and the sits are not confortable. We will not be back.

Always a good time and good meal at Marin Joes! The hamburgers are my go to for lunch to dinner time meals. But the breakfast is always great too. The staff is very friendly and will give you specials and their favorites. They've got a nice bar if you're going to celebrate something, or just want to unwind. Nice booths for groups of 4 and tables set up in the back room for larger groups.

From the cordial valet parking to the generous cocktails, very professional old style waiters, the pasta, steak + seafood menu with warm, Italian touches, Marin Joe's is a true classic. With Rolando on the mesquite grill, you can't go wrong here - whether you're at the counter or in a booth with Jimmy or Billy at your service - you can't go wrong here. It's the kind of restaurant Sinatra and his crew would have loved. It's fun.

On Saturday night the 23rd my husband and I had a great time at Marin Joe's. We started in the bar and Mike and KC, the bartenders, are absolutely fantastic. Not only attentive and great mixologists but funny and entertaining too. We had so much fun while we were at the bar. In fact after our meal we returned to the bar for a nightcap. Great environment. We will return. The only reason I am not giving 5 stars is I thought the food was a little bland. The shrimp was overdone and the sauce on Ravioli was not very flavorful. Adequate but not what I would expect from Marin Joe's. When we return I will order something else.

I had a really disappointing experience here. The service was rude and dismissive -- when I asked about a delay in my order, the server -- while placing her hand on my shoulder -- responded in a condescending tone and blamed me for taking time to decide. I ended up asking for the check and taking my food to go because I felt completely unwelcome. I understand that busy nights happen, but basic respect shouldn't be optional. Also, your servers should not be touching customers -- that's a boundary issue and something that should be addressed in basic training.

You want in the front door and step into another era. It's the 80s again! This is a classic Bay Area eatery. There's a piano player at the bar, the bartenders are friendly, and the waiters are all business. It's great. The food, however, is not great. I ordered the spaghetti and the noodles were way overcooked. The meatballs were like 50% breadcrumbs. The red sauce was soupy and mostly tasteless. My friend had the ravioli and was similarly disappointed. The burgers, according to my other two friends, were good. If they could nail the food, it could be an epic place.

I ordered for a dinner at 7:30 P.M. it was delivered by a nice man. I ordered the Filet Mignon dinner for $58.00 with mushrooms and a side of chard. I also ordered a side of spaghetti with meat sauce. For dessert Lemon Tartufo. The Filet was hard to cut and was not trimmed it was cooked "medium" which at "Marin Joe's means "Medium Rare"! I ate maybe half the steak because I got bothered wrestling with it and for a filet mignon you're supposed to be able to cut the meat with a butter knife. The chard was chopped and was good better than the spinach! I opened the spaghetti and tasted it a little later and was extremely surprised that they had changed the recipe or someone had added sugar to the sauce. Why change something when it's the backbone of your Restaurant. I wanted to cry! My grandparents and my uncle and aunts had all come to this Restaurant and my family went to school with the owners! Why? Please go back to the original sauce and even though some people don't eat bread would it hurt to put a slice or two in the package to go it's Italian we are eating and people that order pasta and two sides and a dessert certainly you can give them a piece of your bread? Why don't you have your "Tiramisu" on the to go menu? It's the best I ever had! I found that out one night when they ran out of the "Lemon Tartofo"? Tonight the dessert was better than the whole dinner which set me back $113.00 with a 15% tip I usually give 20% but if the food is not up to par I don't add on more money to the tip. Please don't destroy a very famous restaurant that everyone including "Joe Di Maggie and his new bride Marilyn Monroe, ate at during their honeymoon! And many old school marinites have been going to for years. When my husband was alive he always stopped at "Joe's" to get a veal cutlet. He always said" it's the best"! He has been gone now almost four years and when we went through Marin back during his last summer. Where did we stop " Marin Joe's"! Please look at what I wrote and consider it as I come from a family of foodies. Celebrities used to come to our home when I was a child just to eat! I know my food. Keep "Joe's" Alive for another 50 years!

I've been coming here at Marin Joe's for more than 7 years, and the experience is always, and I mean ALWAYS amazing. One of the cook's named "Fernando" is so talented. I had to give him my complements after me and my family finished eating. Our server "Barney" was so funny and nice. The inside of the restaurant is so, and I mean SO beautiful. The drinks are impeccable. One of my kids said that the lasagna was yummy. Overall, the food, the service, and the ambiance were amazing.

We came in to e joy and steak sandwich and watch a 49r game. We weren't allowed to eat in the bar, except where you couldn't see the game. The bar was not busy at all. So, we ordered steak to go, and left. We arrived at our boat, walked down the dock, and the whole bag broke, soaked with grease! All they did was wrap in paper, and put in a bag. We've been going to Joes in many locations...this one simply doesn't care about treatment of customers. Too bad. Even staff told us the owner (woman) wasn't very nice...they apologized for her being rude.

Always a great place to eat. Marin Joes has been a staple in Marin county for years. Great food and customer service.

French fries are great. Burgers just ok. Try the filet! Huge portion and cooked perfectly. Red chowder on Fridays good. Service was amazing. Parking sucks. Get there early. No reservations available online.

Closing at 10 p.m. Marin Joe's is one of Marin's few late-night dining destinations. Seriously. Arriving just before closing I was seated at a booth (love) then prompted to order quickly (didn't love) because the kitchen was closing. Look, if you're going to rush me along perhaps chip away at those prices because there's no fun to be had in ordering rapidly, being served quick, then prompted to pay and leave without lingering when you're spending restaurant prices for an experience that screams "you should've gotten it to-go". I wolfed down my Chicken Caesar ($16) while others did the same with their Calamari Doré ($24) and Half Spaghetti /Half Ravioli ($19). Our wine? We couldn't drink that fast so we left it. People familiar with the "Joe's" restaurant concept will find all of that here. Aside from prices, the menu and service are straight out of the 1970's if not earlier and that's not a bad thing. The food tasted good enough and the experience practically screams for you to have a gin cocktail but if this is the experience you want plan ahead. Marin's "late-night" restaurant isn't really open very late and seems to start closing even earlier.

We went for an early dinner on the way back from a Cal game when the Bay Bridge was shut down due to an accident. We've been before and it's very old fashioned, like the old Westlake Joe's. Green vinyl booths, old waiters, lots of liver and onions on the menu. My lasagne was hearty but obviously microwaved and lukewarm. My husband said his sweetbreads were good but not crispy enough. My son's veal parm was tasty but his ravs only had a dollop of sauce, which was odd. They forgot my minestrone soup order altogether. It's a nice old school place but the chef needs to step up his game.

There is no better value, period. It comes down to simple respect. The owners respect the staff. The staff respects the customer. The customers respect the staff and each other. Everyone is polite and having a good time and making sure everyone else is having a good time. It even starts outside with the valets, then in the bar with the bartenders. Mutual respect. We all could use a little more these days.

A great culinary experience. Love to sit at the counter and watch the chefs prepare the delicious food. I really wish they were open for lunch like they used to be before covid. I believe there is no place in the world that makes a better burger. Needs nothing but catsup!

"Mediocre" is a nice word for the overpriced food here. I had fettuccine and my husband had ravioli + spaghetti, and both looked and tasted like bigger portions of Lean Cuisine meals. The lighting and the service were pleasant.

After running errands in Marin in the afternoon, my BFF and I decided to get an early dinner at Marin Joe's Restaurant on our way back to San Francisco. We were immediately greeted and seated. We had a charming and helpful server by the name of Pamela. The service was quick! We started with Calamari and fries. For our entree, we ordered Eggplant Parmesan, and Joe's Special. For dessert, I had the cheesecake. I ordered a glass of wine, Sangiovese. Everything was delicious! I loved the Eggplant Parmesan! Marin Joe's is one of my family's favorite stops for dinners!

We enjoyed dinner with my son and his girlfriend tonight. The Manhatten we started with was delish. My son enjoyed his steak. Our charming Italian waiter was a winner. I was disappointed that the " the joes special spinach" was made with frozen spinach. A bit shameful considering the $7 price tag. It would be better not to put your name on that . I'd return for the old school vibe but I'll skip the spinach. Grazi prego!

Good old fashioned diner, great bar with cheese snacks. Nice open fire to keep you cosy . Parking is still a pain but manageable.

Best restaurant in Marin County. My girlfriend and I come here 3 times a week, the service the quality of the beef, seafood and the Italian dishes always consistently great! Ceaser salad is our favorite or we get something from the grill, shout out to Rolando the cook! You won't be disappointed I strongly recommend "Marin Joe's" -Perry

Ambience is fine. We are "blue hairs" ourselves, so no problem with that. But, $13 EACH for a glass of red and a glass of white? Give me a break. The food itself? Ok, but not worth it. Give me Westlake Joe's any day. I'm done with this place.

I have passed by Marin Joe's for years driving on 101. A few weeks ago, from a delicious aroma blew out from Marin Joe's as I was stuck in traffic. Decided to come by to try them. Placed an order online on 1/29 and picked up at 530pm. Order was ready with a friendly lady handing me my bag. Disappointed that the food was so-so. They definitely need to work on their food presentation. As you scroll through Yelp, the presentation of food doesn't look appetizing. You do however get huge portions with decent prices. OK food if you are hungry and wanted to try a local Marin spot.

Great atmosphere, great drinks, solid food. Charcoal grill added nice flavor to the steak. It has a jazzy, old dinner type of vibe. Good for a double date or group dinner

We go to Marin Joe's every new year eve for dinner with family & friends. They are the best!!!

Old school Marin! IYKYK. Sam at the bar, Chris at the counter and Rolando on the grill make our experience perfect. We've been coming here for over a decade and it is consistent.