Original Joe's San Jose

Italian restaurant · SoFA

Original Joe's San Jose

Italian restaurant · SoFA

1

301 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113

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Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null
Original Joe's San Jose by null

Highlights

Classic Italian-American landmark with burgers, bowls & steaks  

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301 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113 Get directions

sanjoseoriginaljoes.com
@sj_original_joes

$30–50 · Menu

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301 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113 Get directions

+1 408 292 7030
sanjoseoriginaljoes.com
@sj_original_joes
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@OriginalJoesSJ

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 9, 2025

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Exciting Restaurants to Try in San Jose 2025 | Eater

"After 69 years in downtown San Jose, the Rocca family is still running the show at Original Joe’s. Joe’s Special — ground beef with eggs and spinach — remains a staple on the menu, at this American-Italian stalwart where zhuzhed up burgers, sauteed chicken liver with mushrooms, seafood fettuccini, and a 27-ounce Kansas City N.Y. strip steak. The clubby, brick and wood-paneled front room gives way to a U-shaped back bar where friends meeting for after-work drinks join families tucking into heaping plates of pasta and meatballs." - Christina Marie Mueller

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View Postcard for Original Joe's San Jose

W S

Google
I arrived at Original Joe's, joining a colleague who had eaten here many times. For a Monday night, it was busy, which is a good sign. The place has traditional booth style seating and staff dressed very smartly. It felt like you were walking back in time. We were jet-lagged massively so we didn't eat a great deal but what we did have was reasonably nice. The menu is all Italian-America. We landed on a simple prawn pasta. The prawns were the largest prawns I've seen or had in a pasta dish before! Prices are reasonable and service was quick. Had I been better rested, I may have sampled some of their drinks. Next time.

Joshua Hsieh

Google
A very great place for dinning. The service employee are very friendly and welcoming (Jennifer H). Drinks and Foods are also great that I rarely enjoy a delicious Sirloin as OJ served this evening. Location is also closed to the center Hotel area in San Jose. Very recommended dinner place in town.

Toby Clearwater

Google
This is an example of a restaurant that is coasting along on an old reputation. Many people who visit here are longtime customers who do not realize that this place is no longer worth the price. The food was mediocre at best. The service was absolutely a notch below what I would expect at a Denny's or a Waffle House. The price for what was received revealed there are much better eating options than here. Now go make new memories somewhere else and skip this place.

American Angler

Google
Down in San Jose for the Maguire's all West Summer Custom Rod and Bike Show at the Berryessa Highlands Pavillion helping my pal Petroff Yakdonovitch set up his Customod 67 Impala SS 427 with a factory L72 option, the only one made! After setting up the car, we went out to celebrate at the Original Joe's, and it was an amazing dinner! 5 stars ☆☆☆☆☆

Paul Drew

Google
Delicious and filling. Every person at our table loved their food. The Prime Rib was out of control with some very potent horseradish.

Tere

Google
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.

Michael Baur

Google
I tried to eat here at 7:00 pm on Monday May 19th I was a single diner and was sat near the broiler. I'd heard online that the burgers were good and that they also served poutine. When a server asked if I'd like a menu, I asked if I could get some poutine, and they ejected me shortly after. It was pretty bizarre. I checked online again down the street and the Google map showed they served it, I will never return.

Mark Kelley

Google
Excellent old-school kind of place. Great vibe and cool staff. The “Rib Steak” is a monster of a piece of meat. Don’t miss out on the prime rib, either. The best i’ve had. So tender and delicious.
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Alyssa M.

Yelp
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.
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Tony B.

Yelp
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.
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Karen T.

Yelp
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.
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Mary S.

Yelp
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.
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Terry C.

Yelp
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.
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Nancy O.

Yelp
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.
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Theresa M.

Yelp
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.
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Becky E.

Yelp
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 .
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Lisa W.

Yelp
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.
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Jenni G.

Yelp
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!!
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Katrina V.

Yelp
There's something so comforting about Original Joe's especially during Christmas. My husband and I decided to grab dinner at Original Joe's prior to checking out Christmas in the Park. We hadn't been to Original Joe's in over 5 years, and it's nice to know that it's still a San Jose gem. We headed to the restaurant around 5pm, and the place was packed because an opera had just ended. We decided to brave the 45 minute wait and joined the waitlist. However, the hostess suggested we keep an eye out for the bar, which was open seating. The hostess did us a solid and alerted us when 2 seats freed up at the bar, so our total wait was 10 minutes. We had a main server at the bar, and he was highly attentive. In general, I thought that the staff members were friendly. Bonus points that our food came out in a timely manner especially with how busy it was. I thought that dinner was great. I ordered the seafood fettuccine, and my husband got the prime rib. My fettuccine came in a rich red sauce, and it was loaded with clams, muscles, and shrimp. My husband got a 30oz medium rare steak, which came as a generous, thick cut that was sharable between the two of us. I ordered an the eggnog cocktail, and it was no joke! The drink was delicious but boozy.
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Cherry H.

Yelp
Food: *Prime Rib *Porterhouse Tip: always choose the ravioli for your side! It's so good! We picked garlic bread as a starter. This is a popular spot for birthday celebrations. They also serve holiday drinks. I ordered the Peppermint Patty under their Christmas Cocktails menu. Overall a nice spot to enjoy pastas or steaks while catching up with friends.
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Lindsey Z.

Yelp
We dined at Original Joe's before our Broadway show and I have to say it was the best decision. They don't take reservations so even though it was a Friday night at 5pm we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table. The ambiance is great! Reminds me of being at an old Italian restaurant in New York . Our waiter was very attentive and helpful when it came to the menu and questions we had. Now the food...it was delicious! I mean...no complaints. I ordered the lasagna which was packed with flavor and I even had left overs. I look forward to going back!
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Kevin H.

Yelp
Food was great-get anything on the menu & you'll be happy. Atmosphere was a busy Italian restaurant. Not high end and stuffy, but middle ground and good food and great setting. It's chill. Service was prompt and not overbearing-they knew how to read the table.
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Alexa K.

Yelp
This is definitely a traditional Bay Area spot, as I have many family members who grew up in the area and know and love this place. While it is a well-known establishment, it didn't blow me away. My husband and I went to this location right when they opened on a week day and we got seated right away. We did not opt to get any appetizers, and stuck with entrees only. I got the pesto pasta, and my husband got the chicken parmesan. The pesto was good and fresh. The sauce on the chicken parmesan definitely tasted homemade. The food was good but not outstanding. That was the extent of our visit. The waiter was friendly. The ambiance was nice - it was a quiet late afternoon. Parking was across the street - we ended up having to pay because we couldn't find close street parking.
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Veronica B.

Yelp
The food, service and ambiance were amazing! We ate the chicken parm, Alfredo with shrimp and veal, delicious! Rafael was helpful with suggestions and provided excellent service. This is our first time eating here and definitely would want to come again. Thanks for a great dinner Original Joe's!! PS the garlic bread, yum!
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Jae D.

Yelp
Beware they now charge for Bread! It's not displayed anywhere nor did our Server tell us in advance! And did not offer to remove the charge from the check! He says yeah we charge for bread now like it was nothing. Double bread (4) baskets $30! Secondly we had reservations for a large group at 5:30 they tool a large walk in party which inconvenienced our party with a 50 minute delay the receptionist was very apologetic however that should have been said to us when we arrived not cool! The ambiance is still old school and the food is still very good but they lack in other areas. Lastly to the person who took the Christmas gift that was mistakenly left behind due to the chaos in the restaurant shame on you!! For not turning it into the desk. Christmas is for giving not taking. Karma will come for you.

Molly S.

Yelp
I took my Father here for his birthday. Great food, service and ambiance. We have been wanting to come here for ages and I'm glad that we finally did. I love the old school vibe of this place.
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Brooke A.

Yelp
Original Joe's has been around for a long time, and there's a lot of fanfare over this restaurant. I really enjoyed my dinner here - solid portions, classic options, friendly staff. I didn't think anything was out of this world spectacular, but as the name suggests, it's the perfect place for some comforting Italian food. I came here for a business dinner on a Friday, and although we could not make a reservation because we were a small group, we were seated quickly without more than a five minute wait. Service was also quick, and we were able to put in our drink orders within a few minutes of sitting down. I got the chicken Parmesan, which came with two big portions of chicken, both generously, breaded and abundant in sauce. It also came with a side. I got vegetables, which were well cooked and soft. I was happy with my meal and happy that I had leftovers for tomorrow.
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Danelle S.

Yelp
Excellent good! Impeccable service! A classic Italian steakhouse. It is pricey but the portions are huge! You definitely get what you pay for!
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Ron G.

Yelp
I do love the place, service is great, ambience meh... but there's no way I can justify $22 for a hamburger, particularly THAT hamburger, and I find $60 for prime rib to be even crazier. But, it's downtown dining at its best around here.
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Robin D.

Yelp
I hadn't been here since before the pandemic. We got there at 5:20 and only had to wait 20 minutes. Once we got seated, the place got very crowded and kind of loud. Our server, Chris was very nice, and made us laugh. Great sense of humor. I got the Lychee Martini, which ROCKED, and my friend Chris got Prosecco. I got the Cheese Ravioli with marinara, which was okay. The pasta was not Al dente, otherwise I would have given 5 stars. The sauce was just okay as well. Chris got the Steak and Sausage Rigatoni, and said hers WAS Al dente. She liked it a lot. To actually have REAL sourdough was a treat. Enjoyable. We will be back.
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Torri M.

Yelp
Hubby and I had just attended an event and were starved... He had nostalgic memories of this spot. Fir it It was apparently the place to go for special occasions 'back in the day'. I had heard people talk about it off an on thought the few years I've been here and so 'starving' seemed like a special enough occasion to try it for the first time. It was crowded. Every table filled with noisy folks. The wait was less than 20 minutes at 7:00 PM on a Friday. They seem very efficient at moving folks in and out. I will say that our table was not cleaned when we were shown to it and red sauce was on my booth. When we mentioned it this was quickly resolved. The hostess and waiter we had were nice and friendly. Service was great for the first part of our meal then they seemed to forget us for a bit. The interior looks like what an 'upscale' dated diner. With tables and booths. There is lots of dark wood... everything somehow works out charmingly. The loud diner acoustics are not too bad once they sit you a booth. We ordered a lot of different things off the menu. I do this when trying a new place; want to get a feel for what they are best at. Well... Original Joe's is not 'best at' anything that I tasted. I realize that Original Joe's is a 'diner' but the menu prices and ambiance led me to believe it was going to be a bit better food than your standard diner fare. They specialize in 'Italian' fare. I think I should correct that to Americanized Italian fare. The garlic bread was perhaps the best thing we tried... everything else (pats, scampi, ravioli, deserts, appetizers, etc.) was 'meh' to disappointing. The ravioli was borderline bad (closed to canned ravioli in taste). The shrimp overcooked and super tiny? The desert was the most watered flavorless tiramisu I'd ever had, and I could just go on and on... Our bill was close to 200 dollars. For the quality of food we received.... It felt like robbery. Definitely disappointing. I'd give the service and ambiance four stars and the food two stars overall. I did see that they are open to 10 every night which is cool and could be useful. Will I go back? Provably not. I won't seek it out or take out of town visitors... but I'm not violently opposed to it.
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Paula B.

Yelp
The food was not good! This is not authentic Italian but commercialized Italian. The antipasto platter had pre sliced cheese squares from Costco on it. Do not waste your money at this place but go next door to il Fornaio way better and about the same cost,
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Kevin R.

Yelp
Original Joe's San Jose has been an institution in downtown for years. The food, service, and ambiance hasn't changed at all and that's what I love about this place. Is this the best food in the area? No, arguably it isn't the best food on the block. However, that's not why I come here. Sometimes you just want to eat in a comfortable and familiar environment that has been a staple for many years.
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Devin B.

Yelp
Now I must admit I was skeptical based on the reviews on Yelp about giving this place a go. Yet, after our first night of cheer competition, lots of hungry parents we were ready for food and Original Joes was able to set up a space for 15 plus people in the matter of a 5 min walk! We ended up with a smaller group upon arrival which just gave us more space. The menu is extensive with everything from burgers and sandos to steaks and pasta and everything in between. The first night was so good we ended up back here for night two!!! A first for me to go to the same restaurant two times in a row while visiting somewhere new!! Night one was a craving snatcher where I had to order one of the massive steaks on the menu and ended up with a 30oz porter house! The steaks were grilled to perfection to the level of doneness you requested. With garlic butter and chimichurri sauce to accompany the steak you had a flavor bomb each bite. Admittedly the steaks were not seasoned prior to cooking so the added sauces allowed you to customize the flavor you prefer I would have liked more of a SPG (salt pepper garlic) coating on the meat prior to cooking but that's my preference it did not take away from the meal one bit and I ate that steak damn near bone and all! Night two was smaller group and again we were seated upon arrival no hesitation. Today's craving was for a burger and I fell upon the Original Joes Famous Hamburger. If this place has been in operation for 68 plus years it's a must to try one of their original items. Upon arrival I was taken aback, the burger is served on a French roll not a hamburger bun. The meat is perfectly cooked to your preference and has Swiss cheese. Now first bite was juicy as heck!! Which worked good in softening the bread up. Again the meat was not seasoned so a little salt and pepper along with some of the garlic Parmesan from the garlic fries and it was spot on. Each of the nights we were treated with pleasant service from the matire d to the busy staff and waiter and waitress!
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Nick O.

Yelp
Love this place. The old school style and feel is very laid back. Great food and great atmosphere. Management is fantastic and so nice and generous every time I go. Very welcoming! I can never decide what to order because it's all so good!
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Christina N.

Yelp
A solid, classic Italian restaurant especially if you're coming to stuff yourself with a lot of food. The burrata salad was generous in portion, and went well with the prosciutto, butter lettuce and watermelon. The melon however, were a little on the hard side and needed to ripen a bit more. The pasta was delicious as well. Make sure you add a meatball to go with it. Restaurant gets crowded but staff were attentive. Drinks are great too. It's not a super fancy place, but great for a filling dinner!
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Mike S.

Yelp
I love the milanese sauce at this place! I usually have it on the veal, but decided to get it tonight over the filet of sole. Wow... it was so good and they give you so much fish! I had a side of veggies which didn't fit on the plate, but highly recommend with a side of fries to lap up the sauce. To finish, had the cheesecake and the eruption cake which was my favorite. Michelle and her team are always friendly and fun and this place is such an establishment in San Jose! Parking can be a bit tough, but there are parking lots all around.
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Chris C.

Yelp
Food was good. But The staff/server we ended with, needed constant reminders. He seemed like he didn't care for his job or assumed we'd be shitty tippers and leave. He was ready to leave and didn't ask if we wanted anything else. I added salad and an appetizer. Like the kitchen was on fire but not really. Much to his loss, I typically tip 30-50% for excellent service. This was an older guy. We picked up our own leftover boxes as well. Only going back for the porterhouse.
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Danielle M.

Yelp
OJ's is my home away from home when I'm in town. The service is career, professional and the chicken noodle soup is my comfort go-to. Family oriented surroundings make for a delicately lit and enjoyable setting if dining in. Otherwise, take out is just as well! I appreciate the hospitality and of course the soup. Makes me feel better when I'm home sick. It's a home away from home. Tip of the hat.
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Craig S.

Yelp
First of all, I wanna preface everything saying the food is absolutely fabulous. And I wanna say before I continue that I'm 70 years old. The service level in the restaurant is horrible so don't go there expecting prompt service as some of the waiters Shouldn't be waiting tables anymore or should have smaller amount of tables to service. I appreciate the loyalty the Restaurant has for their staff, but accordingly they should adjust the work loads so the customers don't pay the price. We waited 20 minutes for drinks And had to put our food order in at the same time as we feared we'd have to wait another 20 minutes for the wait to come back. The people there are great, but they definitely need to fine-tune their service levels and although they do a good business This will affect them.
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Ciera L.

Yelp
Had a private event upstairs and it was amazing. Staff were helpful, food options were great, and 50 people fit comfortably. Highly recommend for private events. Great space and decor.
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Steve L.

Yelp
Great selection of americana food with an Italian sort of twist. I got a cheeseburger and fries that was so big. I couldn't eat the whole thing. See the picture below where I took half of it Back to the hotel. The atmosphere and service was also outstanding. If you're looking for a good dinner downtown San Jose this is an excellent choice. Pricing is a little on the steep side however, you get what you pay for. We also had the bruschetta as an appetizer, and it was magnificent
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Ervin A.

Yelp
I feel like a character in Goodfellas at Original Joe's, and that's an awesome feeling! The lighting is dark, and the place is packed with people eating large portions of delicious food. The pictures on the wall are very nostalgic, which is strange since they're from a time long before I was even born. Our waiter was really nice and even packed up our leftovers for us. He noticed I was on my phone googling the menu and came over to answer any questions. He gave us his recommendations, and they did not disappoint. Soon, I'm going to be a regular here and I know it. I can't believe I slept on such a classic Italian spot, having lived in San Jose most my life. I wish I knew the waiters name so management could recognize him for his awesome service. All I can say is he was very tall and looked like he was in his 30s!
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Fa S.

Yelp
An institution in Downtown San Jose. Simply superb. Ambiance, food, servers. Raviolis are a must as a side with steak. Charcoal grilled steaks are flavorful. Also, the cheeseburger sandwich is one of the best high end burgers ever. Just go.
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Sky L.

Yelp
The service was slow even though we arrived within 15 minutes after opening on a Sunday (4pm), it took over an hour to get our food. The prime rib was already lukewarm and getting cold by the time it was brought out to me. The prime rib was soft and tender but unfortunately not warm and the fat immediately floated on the cold au jus. My partners steak was still hot when it came out, so definitely issues with their timing on bringing out the dishes (and they had over an hour to do it!). The taste itself was ok. I might come back to try something other than the prime rib and maybe it'll be better. But just don't expect to be in and out of this place at a reasonable time.

Joe W.

Yelp
Wasn't sure what to expect. Retro decor, great service and fantastic steaks and the meatball platter was great. Worth a visit
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Terry B.

Yelp
We enjoy OJ's everytime we eat there. Their prices have gone up a lot but everywhere has. I had the Fried Prawns and they were delicious. Our waiter was attentive and pleasant. The only criticism I have was the dinner salad. I was looking forward to this but was very disappointed. Usually it's loaded with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers but that night the tomatoes were not ripe and the cucumbers small. They need to pick up their game in this area. Other than that it was a good time.
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Incognit 0.

Yelp
The food here is great! Had the Halibut and it was perfect and juicy. The sauce was very tasty. I ordered this with the fries. My friend ordered a hamburger and he also enjoyed it. This place is always super busy so don't be in a hurry. Delicious!
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Mikey H.

Yelp
I was hungry and had just left a wake. Not only did I need to eat, but I also needed to collect my thoughts. Drove into downtown and just decided to come here since it had been a while. Still same great vibe with old world/old school charm! The friendly hostess told me to grab a seat at the counter and someone would take care of me, and Gary did! Ordered a shrimp cocktail, half spaghetti and half ravioli with a meatball, and a glass of the Malbec. Everything came out in a timely manner and was sooo good! During this time, it was comforting to be here, well, except for the loudmouth at the counter. Just order your food and shut-up! LOL! It was fun to think about the times I'd been here in the past. Where I sat, but I've always had spaghetti and a meatball. I may have had a steak at one point, and their prime rib looks delicious! Definitely worth checking out!

Rosio G.

Yelp
Very good sautéed mushrooms the service was great as well we did have to wait a little to get seated

Rachel N.

Yelp
Looked forward to dining here. Disappointed. Dingy restaurant and had a feel of old. Not a good old. Halibut was dry. Chicken on pesto sandwich was cracker dry and pesto had no flavor, not sure how you do that but don't share. Asian Chicken salad was good. Two pasta dishes - alfredo with italian sausage (add $5) (sausage was dry, tasteless like cardboard - a hot link from Costco would have been better value/tastier); Joe's special with mostacioli (fancy word for larger penne tube with smooth exterior) was meh. And why charge $5 for bread/butter when you're serving pasta and need to sop the sauce? You had one job. Ojs has been here a long time, keep up this quality of presentation/taste and it won't. Do better. Waiter - was fine.
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Elena K.

Yelp
What a great spot! Always crowded so come early otherwise expect a long wait. The bar fills up at 4pm when they open. Dinners are most delicious. We enjoyed a few chicken entrees with sides of pasta and NY Cheesecake for dessert. I'd recommend everything we had.
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G. R.

Yelp
Numerous visits for dinner - and each time has been perfection. The staff (especially Frank, who has been there 43 years to my knowledge) is always spot on. Their professionalism is so appreciated and rare these days. But here at Original Joe's the food and ambience, as well as the service are all terrific.
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Diana V.

Yelp
I've been around San Jose for over 10 years and can't believe I just checked out Original Joes for the first time. Major face palm! Overall, a really great mom & pops type of Italian food! Not too fancy, not too casual. The food was simple but delicious! We got the meatball appetizer platter & Caprese salad. So delicious with a side of French bread. This place is great for a pre or post concert dinner/lunch in the downtown area. The service is great, staff are tentative. I've been back since!
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Nancy M.

Yelp
We went for a graduation dinner. Im recently diagnosed with Celiacs and was really worried about cross contamination. I called ahead and the receptionist was very helpful and checked with the kitchen- even gave me some possible menu items. When we arrived, I let our server, Jenny, know and she was such a reassuring help! She was completely familiar with the menu and what was safe for me. I had the grilled pork chop and baked potato - delicious! My husband enjoyed his veal cutlet with beef ravioli. I just wish we lived closer! We'll definitely be back. -Celiacs & gluten free options
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Big B.

Yelp
The steak was excellent, and I enjoyed it for my 21st birthday. I had trouble finishing it because I was too drunk, but that steak was fantastic. Also the service was fast.
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Sylvia M.

Yelp
FOOD REVIEW: Disappointing. I was hoping the 3- star rating was not as accurate as it was, but I had to even go down a star. In town and Joe's was next to our hotel so after reading reviews we decided to at least try it and see for ourselves. We ordered the Chicken Pesto and Meatball sandwiches and the Penne with Broccoli and Chicken. It was all extremely bland. I loaded my pesto sandwich up with salt and pepper to try and even get a little bit of flavor out of it to no avail. The portions are huge, but it doesn't matter when the food has minimal flavor. For the price, I expected big flavor - very disappointing. If you like seasoned and good flavor food, this isn't the place. Im surprised how busy this place is. We arrived at 4:07p and they opened at 4pm... it was packed by 5. SERVICE REVIEW: Very good service. Our server was very polite, checked on us while we waited, extremely pleasant.