Original Joe's Walnut Creek

Our family had a early dinner before Valentine's Day. We had a reservation and we were promptly seated. The place was packed for 3:45pm!! We started with the famous fried calamari, it was fine. We've had better ones! We also ordered 2 pasta entrees and 1 Salmon entree. Pasta dishes portions are big enough to share. They tasted good. Overall it was a good experience. The desserts were good.

We made a reservation a month in advance. Dinner was so tasty. They have something for everyone. Cocktail 🍸🍹 and appetizers were amazing, as were the main courses! Service was OK. They are busy so understandable. So happy they are open and doing well. But reservations are a must unless you are blessed with patience. 💁

This is my favorite new restaurant in Walnut Creek. Delicious food, great drinks, and attentive service. They have the best calamari, but the prime rib dip, spicy rigatoni and burgers are also amazing. I don’t think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. Since it’s new and delicious, wait times are long and I highly recommend a reservation. There is bar seating, you can line up for bar tables or grab an open spot at the bar counter if you don’t have a reservation. The desserts are great and the affogato is prepared table side as always. So glad to have this in the east bay.

Original Joe’s is a cool, classic spot that I was finally able to check out after hearing so many good things. The atmosphere definitely lives up to the hype, old-school, lively, and full of character. It feels like a true San Francisco staple with a timeless charm that makes the experience feel special right from the start. I highly recommend making a reservation, as the place gets busy and for good reason. There’s a steady buzz throughout the restaurant, and it’s clearly a go-to for both locals and visitors. The energy adds to the experience and makes it a fun place to dine, especially if you enjoy a more traditional, bustling setting. The service was good, attentive, friendly, and efficient without feeling rushed. Everything moved smoothly, and the staff did a good job keeping things on track despite how busy it was. That level of consistency definitely adds to the overall enjoyment of the meal. The food was good overall, though I’ll be honest. I’ve had better pasta at other places. While everything was well-prepared and satisfying, I found myself trying to figure out what the real “wow” factor was that everyone talks about. That said, the dishes were still comforting and enjoyable, and nothing missed the mark. Original Joe’s delivers a good dining experience with good food, good service, and a great atmosphere. While it may not completely blow you away flavor-wise, it’s absolutely worth visiting for the vibe alone, and I’d happily go back to try other items on the menu.

Third time's a charm. Tried twice to go for dinner, only to be told it's an hour and a half wait. They don't take rezzies. So we went late afternoon on a Tuesday. The place was hoppin. Since we were first timers, we went for what we thought they were best known for: the meatballs, ceasar salads, prime rib dip, spicy rigatoni, chicken marsala, mashed pots. The CM was the best I have ever had in my life. No lie. The sauce is amazing. Not thick/gooey, very flavorful. The prime rib sandwich however could use improvement. The meat was dry, not flavor-forward. And the bread kinda crumbled/fell apart upon dipping. Loved the vibe here. Loved our waiter. They changed out our silverware after every course and de-crumbed our table (former waitress here.. bonus points for that detail!!)

Original Joe’s in Walnut Creek is an absolute must—from the moment the food hit the table, I knew I was in for something special. Everything was Fresh, Flavorful, and cooked perfectly, and each bite just kept getting better. You can tell the kitchen takes real pride in what they serve, because the quality shows all the way through. But what truly took this experience over the top was the service. Luis and Melanie G. were beyond Amazing—top tier in every way. Friendly, attentive, professional, and genuinely made us feel welcomed and taken care of the entire time. They were on point without hovering, and they brought such a great vibe to the night. If you’re looking for an incredible meal with exceptional service, Original Joe’s Walnut Creek is it. 10/10—can’t wait to come back!

Service was wonderful, the terrace is the perfect spot on a sunny day as today! Inside can get crowded and more noisy, so I highly recommend the terrace! Our food was very good too! And portions were good! Dessert was beyond expected! We will definitely come back!

We love Original Joe's! We visited both the San Francisco location & the Walnut Creek new location this week. Both are great and special in many ways. We enjoyed the SF location on Sunday afternoon. It was busy and festive. The service was great! We had the crab cake appetizer which was the best I have ever had! We also enjoyed the spicy chicken parmeson with a side of ravioli. Definitely enough to share. We were a party of four. Two appetizers, 4 entrees & 4 glasses of wine $400 plus tip. Not cheap but very good. Delicious food & wonderful experience. We visited the Walnut Creek location the following Wednesday afternoon around 2:30pm. We thought it might be a quiet time to visit. The restaurant was very busy & lively! Looks like a huge success. Could not resist having the crab cake appetizer again. We ordered two and also tried enjoyed the clam chowder ( 2 bowls) and a bottle of wine @ $35. Our bill was $140 plus tip. Again, not cheap but very delicious & excellent experience. Highly recommend & so grateful they opened the Walnut Creek location as I am a Walnut Creek gal. Photos are from Walnut Creek.

From the moment you walk in, the old-school Italian atmosphere makes you feel welcome and taken care of. The service is attentive, friendly, and professional without feeling rushed. The food is consistently excellent--generous portions, rich flavors, and everything tastes freshly made. The steak was cooked perfectly, the pasta dishes are great as well I got the JOE'S SPICY RIGATONI. You definitely get great value for the quality and portion sizes.

I've eaten here a few times now and like a phoenix from the flames it has arisen from its delayed opening schedule and filled the much-needed void of 'The Place to Be' left by the Walnut Creek Yacht Club (and then some). Most recently I got lunch with a friend and we enjoyed everything we ate (they must put something addictive in the spicy rigatoni because I could eat a bucket of it), all the while attended to by Jacob, who toed the exact right line between being helpful, convivial, and charming while also giving my friend and I space to catch up and dine at a leisurely pace. He had recommendations when we asked, was genuinely interested in our having a good time, and even managed to get us bespoke aioli made without eggs (a request so outlandish we almost didn't inquire about it -- but anaphylactic shock would have put a real damper on the meal so thanks Jacob for ensuring it didn't happen that day). They also used to have a delicious garden basil martini on the cocktail menu that seems to have disappeared, which is a shame. BUT all the other drinks are so good it doesn't really matter. Get a dole whip slushie (or five), which is the Long Island iced tea of blended drinks.

Jacob was a fantastic Waiter. He really listened to each person in our group and made it very fun celebrating a birthday. The food was delicious, especially the Crab Louie. Thanks Jacob for your great service!

My husband and I came here on a Thursday night and even though it looked pretty busy, we were able to get seated right away. We sat next to the kitchen and it was pretty cool and entertaining seeing all the dishes get prepared and organized. Everything we ordered was really good! Our server warns us that the zucchini fries and fried calamari were huge portions but we still wanted to try them. He was not wrong but we didn't have any regrets, since they still tasted really good as leftovers. The rigatoni was super creamy and had a nice, little kick. The seafood pasta was very flavorful and they didn't skimp on the seafood. We never really order dessert but we had to after seeing them make so many. It was soooo good, very rich and a perfect, sweet dish after all the salty appetizers and entrees. We'll definitely be back to try their other dishes! Overall ambiance was nice but can get very loud. Our server never checked in on us after we placed our orders (except to drop off the dessert menu and check lol) but all the other staff were super attentive.

We scored a last minute reservation after contemplating possibly popping by and trying to get on a waitlist. So glad we had a reservation. The restaurant was full, bustling with the entire waiting area full around 4:00pm on a Saturday. It took maybe 15 minutes to get checked in and get seated. It was a little chaotic in the front area. If you have noise sensitivities, this place is not for you. Once seated, our server Roy was awesome. He was very attentive, patient with our questions and had a great vibe. Service was spectacular. We were a little overwhelmed with all the yummy choices and he gave us to the space to take our time with each selection coming out at different times. Let's start with the bread basket variety. I am not a fan of butter at all, but the spread that came with the bread was fantastic. Loved that there were three different types of bread. We also ordered the classic martini and coconut margarita. Both were excellent. We moved on to the mussels and zucchini fries. The epic mound of zucchini fries didn't disappoint! So light and airy, yet crispy. A definitely must. The mussels had great flavor but we did notice quite a number of the shells were empty. We finished with the house made short rib gnocchi. The pillowiest gnocchi we both have ever had, 10/10. Overall, we had an amazing dining experience. Highly recommend reservations. It's also very busy and loud on a Saturday afternoon. It might be overstimulating for those with sensory sensitivities.

Amazing service and bustling We love the SF location and the Walnut Creek location was just as good We will be back!

Came for lunch today to celebrate my birthday. OJ's never disappoints. Place was bustling at 1:00pm. Everyone was enjoying their meals. Wait staff are very professional. I ordered Arancini as appetizer, really delicious. Cup of chowder that was okay, I've eaten better. My main was the Joe's egg dipped sole. Perfectly cooked. Ravioli side that is delicious. My wife had veal piccata that was generous and very good. We ended the meal with a light dessert I forget the name. They are round pillows if dough with a couple dipping sauces. Brought home probably 1 full dinner of food. All these good things wrapped in a traditional old world diner house feel is a perfec

I've been trying to get here since grand opening & FINALLY got a reservation on my birthday! What a great spot, with great staff.. Everyone was so friendly, even wishing me a happy birthday. Walking past the bar, I mentioned wanting the strongest drink possible & they confirmed they can make it happen. They even offered to drive me home or finish my drink if I couldn't since I had to drive home. That's what I call customer service, lol! Jose was our server & he was excellent! When I asked him about the house salad, he named all the toppings & every dressing on earth without hesitation lol. He also recommended the coconut margarita, which was really good! We sat on the terrace on a gorgeous day to enjoy this delicious food. I had the lasagna, but didn't know it would be huge like that. Salad was great, lasagna was perfection! More than enough for left overs. I topped it off with an Italian margarita before leaving & it got the party started. Fantastic experience, food, & birthday! Say YES to Original Joe's if ur in the Creek!

This is a great place! Definitely a repeat!!! Service was EXCELLENT! Food was delish and an awesome treat with the sparkles!!! I especially loved their espresso martini!!! The food was tasty and presentation was impressive. This is my first time there. I will come back and try other dishes.

I had to see what the hype was and why they always had a line! We couldn't get a reservations so we waited in line. It wasn't too bad for during the week probably about 20 minutes! The restaurant is huge and packed!!! We finally got seating at the bar which was comfy and perfect for a kids free date night. I had the coconut margarita and let me tell you... it was like I was on vacation!!! Creamy yummy with grated lime garnish. My husband had a caprese martini that I wasn't a fan of but I can see why others might like it. All the bartenders were above and beyond kind and so helpful going over the menu. I ended up ordering chicken saltimbocca which was a little on the salty side which I was earned but absolutely delicious. I couldn't believe it comes with a full side of pasta or ravioli. The portions are phenomenal. To start we got the zucchini strings. They forgot to mention it was a huge tower. HUGE. DEF LOVE THE PLACE AND WILL BE BACK FOR MORE. GET THOSE DRINKS READY!!!!

Wonderful new spot in Walnut Creek and got to enjoy brunch with girlfriends. Our server Carlito was fabulous. The four of us sat outside and enjoyed the sunny weather having our latte and coffees. We had the fried zucchini to share and ordered a crabcake eggs benedict, a regular eggs benedict, and lobster rolls that came with fried chips. Everything was delish! Great spot, spacious, and friendly. Worth going back!

Stopped here just to see if we would even have a chance of getting a table and we were able to sit at the bar and waited about 5 minutes. We just had some appetizers and drinks as we were about to go shopping. The dip was ok felt like it could be creamier it was very chunky under the melted cheese maybe it's better with the crab. They also gave us a bread basket. The bartenders are what gave us the best experience. Very friendly honest and very attentive. I had. Blood orange drink that was very refreshing. The winner for me was the Hugo spritz obsessed one of the best spritz I have had. We didn't get a chance to try more food but we will be back for sure. Prianna and Mo were great and made it fun to sit at the bar and would answer any questions we had. Can't wait to come back and try their entrees!

Came here for a Sunday afternoon lunch date with friends. I loved everything about this place. It was packed for a Sunday, which made me glad we'd made reservations. The place is swanky without being over board. You definitely can wear jeans and shorts durning the day and cocktail dresses and suits at night in this place. The wait staff are very professional and attentive. The food was delicious and amazing. I think the price per dish was just about right. Food all around is expensive, but the amount served and the quality of the food makes the price a steal We got the highly recommended zucchini fries and calamari to start, crab eggs benny and eggplant Parmesan with a spritzer to top off a Sunday funday date.

The ambiance was amazing really pretty inside. Most of the food was good but i would not recommend the meatballs unfortunately. Zucchini fries 100/10, meatballs 2/10, Vodka Pasta with shrimp 8/10, Pesto Pasta with pancetta 7/10, old fashioned coconut margaritas 7/10, butter cake 10/10. Service was top tier. Good for occasions like today was valentines but for the price would prob opt for better italian food

This is a lively and bustling place. I came here for my birthday dinner and Valentine's Day. Servers are attentive and prompt even on a super busy day. The crab cake was my favorite. It's so meaty and fresh and the beurre blanc sauce is so flavorful. The steaks were cooked to our desired temp and the addition of Gorgonzola topping was perfection. And finally the butter cake is so delicious. My husband indulged in it even though he's not big on sweets. So happy they opened this location.

Came for lunch on a saturday and was surprised there wasn't a wait. We were able to get seated right away. Got the gnocchi and ravioli and the portions were huge. Both dishes were very good.

I finally came in after not being able to make a decent reservation at a decent hour I'd normally eat. Hubs and I decided to just walk in right at opening without a reservation and take our chances. Although there was a line to check in, the bar area room had immediate seating. The manager saw that we picked a seat in the middle when he said there's a great spot near the window, right near the open fire place. It was perfect. Water and bread basket came immediately as did our server. She came bearing gifts of amazing recommendations. Prime rib French dip with fries and clam chowder for Hubs and Crab Roll and house made chips for me. Oh. M. Gee. It was love at 1st bite for both of us. THIS is why you can't get a reservation and that even as a walk in on normal weekends the wait is HOURS long. Their food was amazing. Never expected to love a dungessness crab roll this much. Perfectly seasoned and not too heavy of the mayonnaise nor was it drowned in butter like other crab roll places. The chips though. Oh their chips I could munch on all day. Thinly sliced potatoes and salted just enough. Not oily at all. Although I was full, their bombolino was that. So b0mb. Hot donuts with chocolate and raspberry sauce for you to drizzle or dip, whatever your heart desires. Did I tell you that the donuts were tossed in cinnamon sugar? Yes, yes. It was the dessert that hit the spot. Need to come back and try their tiramisu and butter cake.

After trying for weeks, I finally scored a dinner reservation! The trick is to tap on the notification once it appears on your screen. Any slight delay will cause you to lose your spot. It's like buying BTS 'Arirang' concert tickets -- don't hesitate, be on point and stay persistent. If not, you're not going to see BTS lol. Just a warning, this is located in one of the busiest areas in Walnut Creek. There is street parking all over downtown, but looking for a parking spot on the street is like trying to get a reservation here. It's a double-edged sword! The good news, there is a parking garage near the restaurant and all the stores. We were seated immediately after checking in. The restaurant gives intimate vibes, warm lighting, and a great setting for a perfect date night. It's family friendly too. I did observe that the tables were too close together. If you're expecting some personal space, this isn't for you. The service was excellent. Our server was very attentive and welcoming. The food was delicious. It was on the pricey side but worth the money spent. I ordered a couple drinks -- Appetizers: Zucchini Fries (This will feed at least a table of 3-4), Beef Carpaccio, and Arancini. Dinner: Veal Dirty Saltimbocca and Chicken Parmigiana Dessert: Joe's Warm Butter Cake (Highly recommended!) Everything on our table was delicious and all the portions were perfect with exception of the zucchini fries which was more than what we expected! Overall dining experience at Original Joes was worth the wait. You might have better luck finding a lunch reservation, but it seems to be limited as well, even on weekdays!

We had the absolute BEST experience at Original Joe's thanks to Matthew. From the moment we sat down, his service was next level. The food was already going to be great, but Matthew truly elevated the entire night. We were planning to order dishes that family members had previously recommended, but he confidently suggested the farfalle pasta and the calamari appetizer instead -- and WOW. Both were outstanding. The calamari was perfectly cooked and flavorful, and the farfalle was hands down one of the best pasta dishes we've had. His cocktail recommendations were just as impressive. Every drink he suggested was perfectly balanced and paired beautifully with our meal. What really stood out, though, was how attentive, warm, and knowledgeable he was. He didn't just "serve" us -- he curated the experience. Because of Matthew, we're already planning our next visit. Outstanding service like that is rare. We will absolutely be back -- and we'll be asking for Matthew!

Finally got the opportunity to come out and visit their new location. The quality and flavor is amazing, not that I expected anything less. We started off with their truffle fries and ordered the tomahawk, which was the perfect amount for 2 with the creamed corn and broccolini. Their half size portion of their pasta was quite large so I found that worth the price. We also ordered two espresso martinis, their butter cake, which came with a sparkler to mark our anniversary, and their mango sorbet. The drop in 1 star came from making a reservation in advance for standard seating for 2. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to bring our toddler last minute so I made an adjustment to the reservation, which I'm grateful they were able to accommodate, however, the reservation changed to outdoor seating that I wasn't made aware of until we arrived and I was worried it would be a little chilly for my toddler. The host did let me know that the patio is equipped with heaters and it actually ended up being way better than I expected. It did get a little too warm to the point where my toddler removed her sweater but overall a wonderful experience! And shoutout to our servers for being so amazing and attentive throughout the entire evening. They really rocked it and made this such a fantastic experience for our first time at this location.

Weekends are extra busy, so I recommend making a reservation unless you're prepared for a 1-2 hour wait. I love the atmosphere of Original Joe's. Everything is so bright and polished, and it's an absolute visual looking at the bar display with little bowls of neat cocktail garnishes. The menu leans classic but the presentation feels elevated and stylish. We ordered the little gem caesar salad, spicy vodka rigatoni, and prime rib dip to share between two people. The salad was crisp and fresh, layered with parmesan, crunchy croutons, and a couple of briny anchovies. The rigatoni--arguably their most popular dish--met my expectations and had a noticeable kick (from the calabrian chili paste, I assume?) though I wasn't blown away by it. I absolutely loved the prime rib dip. We added provolone and caramelized onions, which is a must imo! The crusty bread softens slightly after dipping in the au jus, and the creamy horseradish really complements the savory short rib, rich provolone, and sweet caramelized onions. The fries that come with the prime rib dip were forgotten, but the staff kindly comped the entree after we brought it to their attention. I will say that service seemed to be struggling. There was plenty of outdoor seating that was not filled likely due to being understaffed. Even so, the food was amazing, and it made for a perfect, leisurely Sunday lunch. I look forward to returning for dinner sometime.

We were in Walnut Creek on Saturday afternoon and we thought we'd stop by and give it a try. We walked in around 4:30 it was packed!!!! They put our name on the waitlist and said it would be an hour wait, but 20 minutes later they texted us saying our table was ready. Our server Charlie was absolutely amazing, very professional, friendly and attentive. It was a full house, very busy and Charlie made us feel like we were her only customers. We ordered the lasagna, ribeye steak with Ravioli, clam chowder soup, wedge salad, glass of wine and an ice tea. The lasagna was full of meat and just the right amount of cheese, it was delicious. The ribeye was so tender and absolutely bursting with flavors, so good!! Everything was so tasty, we enjoyed every bite. Somehow we made room for dessert, which was very yummy!! I'm a big fan of original Joe's, this place from the ambiance, service and food was everything I expected and then some. I will definitely be back. If you're in the area, it's a must!!! Stop by and give it a try!!

Original Joe's Walnut Creek is fantastic! The space is large with numerous dining and seating areas that are both indoor and outdoor. The service is 5-star, providing recommendations to boxing your leftovers. It seems to always be busy so I definitely recommend booking reservations at least 3 days in advance! The food was great. The menu included options for everyone from salads, pasta, steak, chicken and seafood. I recommend going with a large group and ordering family style so you can try as many items on the menu as possible! The portion sizes are large and can feed 2 people (most items I've had). The drink menu is extensive with signature cocktails, a large beer tap list and plenty of wine to choose from. Everytime we are in the area, we plan to stop by!

Finally able to fully enjoy a full-service meal here! While in the area, we stopped in without reservations close to their opening hours (11a on weekdays, 10a on Sat/Sunday with weekend brunch from 10a-2p). We put our name in for 2 at a counter or bar top spot, and we anticipated waiting around 20-30 minutes. To our surprise there were a few spots that opened in the bar-side room. What a treat! The staff was excellent and the room was poppin' with excitement. We shared from the lunch menu: an order of bread for the table, the Chinese Chicken Salad, and the Joe's Famous Hamburger Sandwich with fries. And of course a few drinks including an Aperol Spritz and Espresso Martini. The portion sizes are perfect for sharing with another or if getting the Zucchini Fries, (for the table!) I noticed everyone ordering those and also the Joe's Prime Rib Dip ~ a must for next time! The drinks were quickly served and well-made, the salad crisp, fresh, and full of hearty pieces of rotisserie chicken, and the Joe's Famous Hamburger Sandwich...no notes. Get it grilled and add cheese (on request) with a side of grilled onions :)) Wowee already can't wait to come back! So exciting to have a location close-by in the East Bay!

We walked in on a Saturday morning. We didn't have to wait to eat in the bar/lounge area, there were a lot of open tables. Good and friendly service. We had the brunch menu: Dungeness crab eggs Benedict and the toast with prosciutto and persimmon (we added maple syrup to it and it was good!). The zucchini fries were a literal mountain. It was marvelous and the fries with the dip were a perfect pair!! The bread basket features at least 3 breads, which were yummy but I wish the bread was warm. Beautiful space, nice atmosphere. It's classy but not fussy. We loved our experience here!! Will definitely come back! It's located next to the Lifetime gym. We parked by Macy's and walked over.

Came here on a friend's suggestion for a weeknight dinner, thinking weeknight wouldn't be super busy but very thankful my friend was able to snag a reservation for us because it was packed! And for good reason. Food was delish! A bit on the pricey for me but a great choice to celebrate a special occasion and very family friendly. The only thing is, it's a bit loud, I felt like I had to talk over all the people in the place to have a conversation with my friend so maybe not so great as an intimate occasion. Jared was our server and took good care of us, and didn't rush us at all. While the food was a bit pricey for me, the portions are generous and everything tasted great. Overall had a great time and would recommend for your next special occasion!

This was the 2nd time coming to the restaurant in Walnut Creek. I usually go to the Original Joes in Daly City. This location is a bit more fancier vibes and loud music at dinner time. I had a girls dinner for a late Galentines. We enjoyed the service. We also got dessert with a sparkler my niece enjoyed. We will definitely come back again for another gathering.

First time here. Did not disappoint. Came for a weekday lunch and was promptly seated at the bar to drink i had a Shirley temple though i did try their tequila slushie cocktail that was tasty but would have filled me up quickly. To eat i had the 16oz ribeye with truffle butter and a side ceasar salad. I may do the garlic butter instead next time but the ribeye was excellent, perfectly cooked to medium rare. The side Caesar was delish as well. Oh I can't wait to be back and try much much more on the menu. Service was excellent !

I'm confused as I write this review. Service was superb as usual, food was ok. Zucchini fries and dole whip drink were the best. Carlo is always the best server in the world even though we sadly didn't have him tonight, our server was still amazing. A bummer was that all three chicken parms were cold What blew us away was honestly the birthday celebration at the end. We had a party of 9 and this was the happy birthday dessert they gave. Maybe I'm confused as any other restaurant gives a slice of cake, maybe tiramisu, a scoop of ice cream, but for ORIGINAL JOE'S I kinda expected a little more. Added a photo so you could see. I'll give it 4 stars since all other times we've been here the food and service was great. Shocked that this is how they celebrate a birthday.

This is a really good restaurant. The atmosphere is very cosmopolitan and polished. Even the bathrooms are great, with full length doors in the stalls. The service was friendly and efficient. The basket of starter bread was excellent with a variety of thin and thick breads. Our fried calamari appetizer was excellent. Some of the tentacles may have been a tiny bit chewy, but overall the breading was very light, and the calamari was crispy. Two dipping sauces were also wonderful. My prime rib plate was perfect. The cream, spinach and mashed potatoes were also great. My dining companions had the French dip sandwich, which was also rated very well, and the braised red wine short ribs, with very tender meat and creamy mashed potatoes. (The highlighted horseradish wasn't that noticeable though for the short ribs.) my companions' hamburger was noted as one of the best they'd had, perfectly done. I had the Faux Groni cocktail. Very nice. For dessert we had the butter cake and the tiramisu. Both were excellent and well presented. I was very happy with my dining experience here. Judging by the number of large number of people here on a weekday afternoon, this place is very popular and seems well received. Great job!

A great brunch at OJs out on the patio! Perfect weather to enjoy the sun and great food. Service was impeccable as always. We started with the amazing tower of zucchini fries!! A must get. The crab cake was amazing- huge and all crab! The beet salad was a classic well done with goat cheese nuts and greens. The burrata toast was good but forgettable. Drinks were so inventive. I had a basil martini! Yum!

Finally tried Original Joe's in Walnut Creek! We were able to get seated right away on a Tuesday night but you can also make reservations online. The space was clean and upscale and the service was quick and friendly. What we ordered: -zucchini fries -steamed mussels -fried calamari -arancini -seafood fra diavolo -chicken parmigiana -joe's spicy rigatoni -house made baked lasagna -side of truffle fries They offer complimentary bread as well. Everything was delicious and can be shared. Would recommend going with a big group so you can try more food or just plan on going again :)

Cute diner! Gives a more upscale but definitely diner vibes. They were crazy booked! We made a reservation for 9pm. It was the only option for a larger party. Possibly due to the holidays. I have to note that their floor was really slippery (in heels), so not sure if that's just the flooring or if it was an isolated issue. Any how, we tried the viral zucchini fires. Yummy! Everything else was pretty good. Service was good too! Parking is available at the parking garage. Prices are a little high in my opinion for average food.

I love Original Joe's and wanted to treat my stepmother to a meal after we visited family in the hospital, it's been rough over the past few months, so we needed a break and to treat ourselves. What better way to enjoy the day than a great meal at Original Joe's. So, when Original Joe's took over Westlake Joe's, they kept a lot of the same things but made changes. When they built this O.J.'s, they modeled some of the bar areas to look like the classic booths and bar at Original Joe's Westlake. The light fixtures and booths are beautiful and it's a cozy restaurant. We ordered the calamari, which was huge. Then the crab louie, the burger and fries and a few drinks. I'm in my happy place with delicious food, we had a great time. Service was so friendly, when we asked about the cocktails coming out - our waitress offered us a sample of the margarita. Just a little sample, but gave us beautiful stemware for tasting. That's classy. So, if you see me at an Original Joe's (in SF, Westlake or Walnut Creek), I'm probably celebrating something. I'll come up with a reason for it :)

We were hesitant going here for dinner without a reservation, but the line moves relatively quick and you can always order drinks at the bar in the meantime (which is what we did)! You can tell everyone working there is experiences and knows how to handle the rush. The vibes, drinks, complimentary bread basket, and all the food we ordered (except for the zucchini fries which seem to be overhyped) was excellent! Not sure if I would classify this as an Italian restaurant, but it is definitely up there as an American restaurant in downtown Walnut Creek.

Original Joe's is a must visit! My husband and I went to Walnut Creek as a last hurrah before going back to work after the holidays. We have our usual restaurants that we like to visit but we had been eager to try Original Joe's. If you've tried to make a reservation, I'm sure you've noticed how difficult it is to find a table. We took a chance and gave our name to the hostess for the first available seating. Since there were only two of us and it was in between lunch and dinner time, we didn't have too long of a wait for a seat at the counter. The only complaint we had was we received a text to let us know we could be seated. We had stepped out of the restaurant and were in one of the nearby stores when we received the text. From the time we received the text and returned to the host stand was a total of 5 minutes. We were told by the hostess since we didn't text back to say we were on our way, our seat had been given away because more than 10 minutes had passed. This was not true as evidenced by the time stamp when we received the text and the current time. However, we didn't want to make a scene by complaining. We were able to get seated at the counter after a few more minutes. The restaurant has a very cozy yet bustling vibe. It was very busy and no tables were empty for long. Our server Bailey was delightful. She was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. She brought our food and drinks promptly. The food was amazing! We started with the minestrone which was so flavorful and hearty. I liked putting the crunchy crostini in my soup for a little something extra. After enjoying the soup I had the Marry Me Farfalle and it was delicious. My husband had the house made gnocchi with short rib ragu which he devoured. We took a peek at the dessert menu but were way too full to order anything. Maybe next time!

Have heard a lot abt this place since they came to Walnut Creek. Came at 4pm on a Friday for two people and there was no wait. We were seated at the heated patio and it was actually pretty warm. The complimentary bread came cold and seemed stale. We asked for a second basket warmed and it was still cold when they brought it. My friend got the salmon and said it was bland so she had to salt it. I got the short rib and thought it was tender but the horseradish is pretty random/uncomplimentary. I think the inside of the restaurant is super cute and I understand the appeal, but the food didn't rly wow me. The service was pretty good though. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing but it was off the specialties so I just expected it to be better. If I come back, hope I try something new

My friend and I popped in for lunch after shopping. We got lucky and were seated at the counter within about 10 mins. It's busy, so if you do not have reservations be prepared to wait. If you have a large party, be prepared to wait even longer. Big portions, perfect for sharing. We had the spicy rigatoni and zucchini fries. This is the second time I've tried these items and both are delicious. Service was great. The server was really attentive. Drinks are delicious. We had a coconut margarita and dirty martini extra dry with Tito's vodka. I recommend this place.

I ordered the House Made Baked Lasagna ($26.95), and overall it was a solid choice. The lasagna was good and definitely something I'd order again! Layers of pasta with classic meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Delicious. It came out nice and hot, which I always appreciate, and felt hearty and comforting. We sat outside on the patio as the wait for indoor seating was really long. It was pretty cold and unfortunately there were no space heaters, which took away from the experience a bit. That was really the main downside. Food wise, Original Joe's delivered, but the patio setup could use some improvement in cooler weather. Still a good spot, and I'd come back, especially if sitting indoors or on a warmer night.

The food was amazing! The minestrone soup reminded me of my childhood as well as the raviolis. Everyone in our party of six loved what they ordered. It was a little slow getting our meals but they were hustling for sure. The staff was very attentive. There was a variety of music. It was kind of loud which made people talk over the music. But as soon as we started eating all was well. LOL There's a parking lot almost next door to the restaurant. For some reason there wasn't a charge. We lucked out.

My friends and I attempted a walk in a couple days before new years and thankfully only waited less than an hour. I heard reservations are hard to make, so if you have time to spare I think walking in and waiting is worth it because the food definitely makes it worth it. Note - if you order the zucchini fries, because it's the staple here, please know that it is a mountain size order so make sure you're sharing otherwise you'll be packing majority of it to go. My friends and I ordered different entrees and we all enjoyed what we got. My friends got the eggplant Parmesan, another the lasagna, and the other the chicken parm, and I ordered the ravioli and everything tasted amazing so you can't go wrong with anything here. We had attentive servers and they were very accommodating and understanding

So the Walnut Creek location is a beautiful location so it seems more upper class, so dress classy. Must make reservations way ahead of time bec this location is always full. Or, plan on getting your name on the list a few hours in advanced. It's very hard to get a table at this location. It's always very busy. Appetizers have huge servings. All the food was amazing!!! Portions were really worth it!

Excellent! I've been an original Joe's fan since way back in the San Francisco location. All their locations lol. I still enjoy the San Francisco vibe but the food here is equally as good. My husband had the short rib gnocchi and I had the crab Louie both were absolutely delicious. Excellent service too! I mentioned that it was really cold with the air conditioning on and to my surprise, they actually reduced it, which hardly ever happens when I go to a restaurant and ask. We will definitely be back!

Original Joe's is an institution, and I'm embarrassed to say my entire 33 years living in the Bay Area that December 2025 was the first time I ever actually dined in. The portion sizes DO NOT PLAY. They're huge! My group of 3 came in during peak holiday season and instead of a waitlist where they call your name when a table is ready, you waited in line that wrapped around the lobby of the restaurant for the next available table. Even though the line looked daunting, the workers there knew what they were doing and it was a lot faster than I thought it'd be. I thought we'd be waiting for an hour, but in reality it was only 20 minutes. We were seating in the bar area at a small round table. The entire restaurant gives that old school, classy vibe, and TVs were plentiful in the area to watch the sports that were playing. The table next to us had a huge dish of zuchinni fries that our eyes locked in on right away, and it was an automatic order without us even having to discuss amongst ourselves. In addition to the zuchinni fries, we also got the classic Spaghetti + Meatballs and Joe's Spicy Rigatoni. As a spicy lover, I was surprised at the kick that Spicy Rigatoni actually had! I'm used to it not being enough, but I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed my dinner. Ask for Deen the Cocktail Making Machine when you sit at the bar! He's FANTASTIC!

Unfortunately the food here was underwhelming. Everything aside from the zucchini fries and the dirty saltimbocca came out lukewarm. The bread basket felt like it came straight out of the refrigerator. The service was also very rushed and the food was not timed and came out all at once. I might come back on a weeknight to see if the service and food is better, but overall pretty disappointed given the positive reviews.

Joe Cool! It's so cool that Original Joe's is now in Walnut Creek and much closer than San Jose and San Francisco! Always been one of my favorite historical restaurants in the Bay Area! So, I checked it out! I ordered Marry Me pasta, calamari and for dessert warm butter cake! The pasta was saucy and flavorful! The pasta was tender and that's a big deal for me! I will definitely say YES and marry this pasta! The calamari was served like Mount Everest! It was huge and overwhelming! It was crispy and tasty! This appetizer could be easily good for 4 people. But it was too steep to climb so I took the rest home! And finally, the warm butter cake as suggested by the server! This butter cake was delicious, soft, and buttery! I see why it was highly recommended! Lastly, the restaurant is spacious with a nice layout! But the parking could be tricky. Nevertheless it's a minor challenge. I will definitely return and try out other items! So, thank you for coming to Walnut Creek!

This place is busy - definitely come right when they open if you want a seat that's not in the bar area on weekends. It'll fill up by lunch time. Food was okay: I had the Joe's Special and it was tasty enough. Staff was super friendly and attentive. Definitely will try their dinner menu if I can get a reservation one of these days.

PROS: same menu as the other locations with the same good value portions and service. CONS: food is not as tasty with slight alterations. Will be back--if we can get an rsvp!

Original Joe's serves hearty Italian-American favorites with bold flavors and a cozy, welcoming vibe always satisfying.