However, we have a group of about 30 coming on Sunday afternoon, June 24 to honor a friend. being a bit hazy due to the fires it was less desirable. Original Joe's - San Jose accepts credit cards. I had the New York Cut and it was perfect, my wife's prime rib wason target. The menu, far from trendy, still runs to huge portions of old favorites, from spaghetti with meatballs to eggplant Parmigiana. Ordered hubby beef ravioli to go which he begged for as he is working today. They have similar food and I believe a private room. -- Metro Bars & Clubs, June 16, 20102009 BEST OF SILICON VALLEY Reader Survey Winner - First PlaceBest Late-Night EatsThe Rocca family opened the original Original Joe's in San Francisco in 1937. Even so, the business realities of the industry have shifted in San Jose, Rocca said. Sentimental diners can relax. We each had the chicken Parmesan which was very good. Search Cart Cart expand/collapse. Original Joes in San Jose have a direct number. Known as a staple for San Jose residences this classy and classic rat-pack-style diner, featuring tuxedo-clad waiters is one of a kind. Chicken cacciatora ($18.95), smothered in a mellow tomato sauce laden with peppers and onions, is a homey, appealing dish. Whether you have a preference for vegetarian or pasta or seafood, or old-school dishes like veal scallopini or liver and mushrooms, this place fits the bill. We tried not to change things too much, said Matt Rocca, co-owner with brother Brad Rocca. Original Joe's San Jose is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travelers: Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant? Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Featured items. Dinner selections consist of salad, mostacioli, vegetables, soft drinks, tea and coffee, $32. Very impressive restaurant with an unbelievable team - highly recommend a visit. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Many of the original dishes are still on the menu, including the Joes Special, a hefty scramble of eggs, ground chuck and fresh spinach ($12.95) large enough to serve two. Descended from the first Original Joe's founded in 1937 in San Francisco, the San Jose Original Joe's was the first San Francisco based restaurant to open in San Jose in the South San Francisco Bay Area now known world wide as the heart of Silicon Valley. The chicken Parmesan was very tasty, hot and fresh. I think Joes business is going to improve, even with us closed for lunch, Rocca said. Say it ain't so! Original Joe's. Original Joe's. Address: 301 S 1st St. (408) 292-7030 To Go Orders and Delivery . The service is great and they take pride in what they do. Thank you, Rosa. Sidewalk dining was the available option but due to the air qualitybeing a bit hazy due to the fires it was less desirable. to Aryn & Dante as they made the meal so much better. COME ON DOWN!!!! I had the prime ribalways a litmus test when offeredwith a side of ravioli because its roots are Italian. Search. We ordered a double serving and they were tender and juicy. Longtime patrons come to get their fix of home-style Italian-American food and reassure themselves that the old place hasnt lost its populist soul. I have been a few with friends and family. Choice of soup or salad with entrees, You may bring your own dessert and we will serve it for you. 301 S 1st St San Jose, CA 95113 A local tradition since 1956. But did most people notice? My order needed more seasoning, though. Waiter asked us if you wanted bread and we said sure but I never heard that we were going to get charged $5 just to have a basket of bread. As I was by myself, I ate at the bar. Best meal in a long time! The chicken Parmesan was very tasty, hot and fresh. Harriette Cole: I don't want the neighbor's kids at my house, Ask Amy: I feel guilty for not speaking up about my co-worker's activities, Ask Amy: I'm your cabin housekeeper, and you apparently have no idea what I do. For the first two years, they brought the bread in daily from San Francisco by Greyhound bus. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive updates, events, discounts and giveaways right in your inbox! I had the calamari - certainly more generous than I would expect. His wife ordered the chicken cacciatore and it was great (she passed it around). His column covers the people and events surrounding the cultural scene in Silicon Valley. Eggplant Parmigiana: lightly breaded slices of eggplant were generously sized and not oily at all. But do what I ask. Be sure to wait for the staff to pick up your money/cards when paying. Lots of hand sanitizer available nearby as we paid for our order. Four Points by Sheraton Hotels in San Jose, InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in San Jose, Hotels near Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, Hotels near Almaden Quicksilver County Park, Hotels near (SJC) Mineta San Jose Intl Airport, Hotels near (OAK) Metropolitan Oakland Intl Airport, Greek Restaurants for Large Groups in San Jose, Italian Restaurants for Special Occasions in San Jose, Italian Restaurants with Private Dining in San Jose, Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in San Jose. And the guy whos been therefor ten years is the rookie. Established in 1956 by the Rocca Family, Original Joe's Restaurant in San Jose, California has been the cornerstone of an ever-changing downtown and the growth of Silicon Valley. Service was awesome. San Jose Sharks' Joe Thornton (19), San Jose Sharks' Joe Pavelski (8), and San Jose Sharks' Brent Burns (88) celebrate with San Jose Sharks' Patrick Marleau (12), center, 499 goal against . The move comes after several other restaurants have added either a surcharge or raised prices to keep up with the new $15-an-hour minimum wage in San Jose. Locals avoid those and at least ten knew the bartender by name in my visit. After a three-month closure for remodeling, OJ's reopened boasting completely new bathrooms, tables, booths and dcor, along with three 47-inch flat-panel HDTVs in the upstairs bar. Original Joe's has been a San Jose staple for over half a century. Restaurants / Nightlife / Hotels / Attractions / Lifestyle / News / Events / Places / Giveaways / Jobs. We specialize in traditional, authentic Italian food, prepared as our family always has, & served with SF flair & a smile. Over priced, poor service and terrible food. Menu for Original Joe's - San Jose: Reviews and photos of Original Joe-S Famous Hamburger, Chicken Parmigiana, Veal Parmigiana A bit of a disappointment since we dont eat veal all the frequently. I enjoyed my cheese ravioli. seating is old-style tall booths, which give space and privacy. Been there for decades. Drinks are delightfully old-fashioned, with a legendary Manhattan.---------------------Regulars stop in to this San Jose institution to sip classic cocktails, including the bar's famous Manhattan, and catch up with the affable bartenders. Youll be glad you did. The move comes after. All Rights Reserved. Not off the beaten path, but still excellent. Advertise with us | Contact us | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map, Known as a staple for San Jose residences this classy and classic rat-pack-style diner, featuring tuxedo-clad waiters. Original Joes closing for lunch? They didnt even say that theyare sorry. The brownie dessert, which we all shared, was perfect. We enjoyed our dinner We both had cocktails; my husband also had a glass of wine. Check the apparel of the best Italian restaurant in San Francisco . Get deals at Original Joe's hotels nearby Original Joe's hotels online! Original Joe's, a longtime anchor restaurant in downtown San Jose, is laying off 15 people and cutting its weekday lunchtime service, blaming the cuts on the city's $15 minimum wage,. Stein, of course, is a frequent TV news commentator and prolific author, though hes probably still best known as the economics teacher in Ferris Buellers Day Off. San Jose State President Mary Papazian will moderate the discussion, which is open to the public. We watched it being cooked. Hope this answers your question. The accompanying tartar sauce added a nice zing and flavor. Be sure to check us out to find out more about our feature meals. As the restaurant is now outside in the downtown are San Jose, there are some interesting street people one will now see from time to time when dining. He says downtown is now an evening and weekend attraction. Would dismantling Interstate 980 repair damage to Black neighborhoods? From the homemade chicken soup to the Veal Scaloppini, Sinatra would be right at home. A bit of a disappointment since we dont eat veal all the frequently. Does Original Joe's San Jose offer takeout? Eggplant Parmigiana: lightly breaded slices of eggplant were generously sized and not oily at all. When I go here I like tograb a newspaper and just sit back in a corner booth and people watch.More, Now that Original Joes was finally open and serving the full menu we drove to Downtown San Jose to order some good Italian food. The average cubicle dweller probably would rather spend 30 minutes on the company gyms elliptical trainer than chow down on a carb-heavy plate of pasta. If you don't your reservation is null and void and it annoys the staff, which is completely understandable. Established in 1956 by the Rocca Family, Original Joe's Restaurant in San Jose, California has been the cornerstone of an ever-changing downtown and the growth of Silicon Valley. (LiPo Ching/Mercury News). Later the owners took us "back of house" to see how this incredible restaurant works. Can you do a reservation for us in the back room? Waiting diners are stacked up at the entrance or cooling their heels in the bar. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). They don't take reservations but you can call and see since you have a part of 12. All well packed in plastic containers and stayed warm. I was trying to opt for a local good gastropub as this advertised as what the locals avoid. The Dish: Time seems to stand still at this downtown institution that continues to serve the . Yes, Original Joe's - San Jose has outdoor seating. Get Original Joe's San Jose reviews, rating, hours, phone number, directions and more. . There are more places than ever to have lunch in downtown San Jose, but most are grab-and-go eateries that are minimally staffed. Rocca predicts other downtown restaurants will eventually make the same tough decision to close during lunch hours. The chicken parm is also delicious and highly recommended. Have been to Original Joe's many times. 2008-2023 Zomato Ltd. All rights reserved. Veal scallopini sec blanketed in mushrooms ($25.95) practically overflowed its platter one evening. And now that the restaurant's summer-long remodel is complete, the place feels new again. Metro, Silicon Valley's Weekly Newspaper, September 26, 2007Original Joes in San Jose could be said to have been conceived in 1954 when Lou Rocca's only child Lou Babe Rocca Jr. married Marie Ann Sole who in 1955 had son Matt followed soon after by Brad. Not your well beaten path tourist location. Better were the hot steak fries, thick and well-salted, with creamy interiors. A perfect space became available in San Joses bustling downtown where Appleton's Clothing Store for women had just closed its doors. Its just as well few people have much room for dessert after an OJs meal. Is Original Joe's - San Jose currently offering delivery or takeout? 301 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113 +1 408-292-7030 Website Menu Closed now : See all hours See all (188) Food Service Value Atmosphere Food and ambience Local cuisine, Italian, American, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options "We each had the chicken Parmesan which." "The lasagna is mouth watering and the s." Tickets free for students, but $20 for everyone else are available at www.hammertheatre.com. The Dish: Time seems to stand still at this downtown institution that continues to serve the hearty, home-style Italian-American food of the 1950s in a bustling dining room. Original Joe's San Jose . Within 20 minutes or so our dinner was ready to go. Its a Wednesday evening, and the downtown San Jose restaurant is jammed. Cheese ravioli ($15.95) were pleasant with a generous filling. Lunchtime regulars who enjoy midday cocktails and throwing dice in the bar are certainly unhappy with the change and have been giving Rocca an earful after employees were informed on Jan. 11 and word started to spread. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? Every few minutes, a loudspeaker breaks into the cacophony of conversation and clattering dishes to call yet another party to its table. Veterans in the restaurant industry doing the serving and bartending. We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Lots of hand sanitizer available nearby as we paid for our order. Overall a much better eating experience, quality food than the chains (Buca) and locally owned. David Bird, who served as its dean since 2003 after a 14-year tenure in the same position at Grace Church in Washington, D.C. An evening service and celebration was held last Sunday for Bird, who gained a reputation for his strong advocacy of social programs in the community during his leadership of the cathedral, which overlooks St. James Park in downtown San Jose. Original Joe's, which has served downtown customers for 63 years, now plans to stop serving the lunch-hour crowd because owners say they will lose money by staying open. Featuring a huge menu of huge dishes, it's one more reason to party late downtown2007 BEST OF SILICON VALLEY Staff Pick and Reader Survey Winner - First PlaceBest ItalianOriginal Joe's is the go-to late nightspot for drinks and Italian-American food. But then it was a very long 22 minuteagonizing wait for the waiter to ever acknowledge us again. Just a real loss. 2023 Team San Jose. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. Indeed, while there was a good crowd Friday shortly after noon, the dining room was nearly empty by 2 p.m. (the bar, it should be noted, was still doing brisk business). NONPROFIT HEROES: The Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits paid tribute to its Change Maker recipients for 2018 at a breakfast held last week at the Sobrato Center for Nonprofits in San Jose. My wifes salad was also very good. "Been coming here for over 50 years. Popular for drinks and appetizers before Sharks games and concerts, it's easy to slip into a booth at OJ's and let time slip away. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. , which give space and privacy very long 22 minuteagonizing wait for the waiter ever! Sidewalk dining was the available option but due to the fires it was great ( she passed it ). 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