Original Joe's
Italian restaurant · North Beach
601 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Highlights
Old-school Italian-American institution with classic entrees, steaks, and seafood.
Old-school Italian-American institution with classic entrees, steaks, and seafood.
"Original Joe's has two main draws. First, a dining room that's fun enough for birthdays, a wedding, and even the occasional rap video shoot. And second, the spicy vodka rigatoni, which is mandatory for every visit to this old-school Italian American spot in North Beach. The chicken parmigiana and gigantic meatballs are solid enough but not anything out of the ordinary. As long as your expectations are set to "a fun night out with one fantastic pasta," you'll be very happy you decided to brave the wait to get a table (unless you’re lucky enough to score a reservation)." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong
"The one dish that's likely to be on every table at this North Beach old-school Italian restaurant (besides the bread) is the spicy rigatoni vodka. Each noodle is draped in a sauce that's creamy, tangy, and spicy all at the same time. Sure, you can add grilled chicken or sauteed prawns, but we prefer the pasta to fly solo without any distractions." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong
"When Zanze’s closed in 2020, we thought we’d have to reckon with a cruel new fluffy cheesecake-less world. But now, you can get a slice for dessert at Original Joe’s (and their sister restaurant Little Original Joe’s). What sets this cheesecake apart is just how whipped and airy it is—light enough that you can probably down a couple of slices with no issue Raspberry syrup is offered at this North Beach old-school Italian spot, but we think a naked slice of Zanze’s is perfect as is, so ask for it on the side." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong
"Original Joe’s feels like a place that got frozen in time and never unstuck. There are old framed photos covering every square inch of the walls. Menus are heavy enough to hold open a door. And the ramekins of butter even arrive with a decorative image of a mustachioed man that we can only assume is Joe himself. Get the spicy rigatoni, a chicken caesar, and a martini, and sip it while people-watching the East Coast tourists and 10-person birthday parties from your shiny maroon booth." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong
"Original Joe’s has been a family-run operation since it opened in the 1930s, and they’ve done a great job in ensuring other families feel welcome at the Italian North Beach restaurant as well. Roomy leather booths and perfect-for-a-big-group tables make it easy to sneak in a high chair or to give a moody preteen their space to sulk. Solid steak, seafood, pasta, and burgers all in stomach-stretching portion sizes ensure kids and adults will have something they’ll want to eat and likely take some home for seconds." - julia chen 1, patrick wong
