Original Joe’s Westlake
Italian restaurant · Daly City ·
Traditional Italian-American entrees, steaks, seafood, and iconic comfort food
Traditional Italian-American entrees, steaks, seafood, and iconic comfort food
"It may not be the original Original Joe’s (that one opened on Taylor Street in the Tenderloin in SF in 1937, and has since moved to North Beach), but this location, which has been open since 1956, offers the same timeless, satisfying Italian-American comfort food in a multi-room restaurant with classic leather chairs, polished wood, and servers clad in white shirts, black vests, and bow ties. It all makes you feel like time is standing still, in a good way. Despite its classic vibes, the kitchen at Joe’s isn’t afraid to put fresh spins on old favorites, like the blue caesar salad, which swaps creamy blue cheese for the usual parmesan, or the crispy-crusted chicken parmigiana, topped with melted monterey jack cheese rather than the usual mozzarella." - gabi moskowitz, patrick wong
"It may not be the original Original Joe’s (that one opened on Taylor Street in the Tenderloin in SF in 1937, and has since moved to North Beach), but this location, which has been open since 1956, offers the same timeless, satisfying Italian-American comfort food in a multi-room restaurant with classic leather chairs, polished wood, and servers clad in white shirts, black vests, and bowties. It all makes you feel like time is standing still, in a good way. The warm sourdough with butter is complimentary–a rare treat these days. If you’re dining with a group, share the crab and jumbo shrimp cocktails. Despite its classic vibes, the kitchen at Joe’s isn’t afraid to put fresh spins on old favorites, like the blue Caesar, which swaps creamy blue cheese for the usual parmesan or the crispy-crusted chicken Parmigiana, topped with melted Monterey jack cheese rather than the usual mozzarella." - Gabi Moskowitz
"This Italian American institution slings steak with a side of ravioli. The original Original Joe’s in North Beach has a brick corner fireplace in the front room, but real ones know the biggest Joe’s with the biggest fireplace is the Westlake location — technically in Daly City. It’s worth the trip for the midcentury glam details, including a distinctive trapezoidal fireplace with a tall black chimney in the bar, and a long glass fireplace built into a stone wall of the front room." - Becky Duffett, Eater Staff
"Original Joe’s is an Italian restaurant mini-chain that will add Zanze’s Cheesecakes to its menu." - Lauren Saria
"Situated in West Portal on the hump between San Francisco and Daly City, Westlake Joe’s was where Moscone’s family used to drive for meals when he was growing up; it also once served the steak a la Bruno, the bloody, tender preparation later offered as an off‑menu favorite at the North Beach Joe’s." - Paolo Bicchieri
