The best veal ever . A lot of restaurants have been removing this dish. And I'm so glad that Joe decided to keep it on their menu because it is one of the best feels it is mouth watering. Some people overcook it and it's like chewing on rubber. This Joe's is amazing and the portions are very nice if you have a chance to come on in here even if you don't like the veal try something else. Don't forget to hit the mushrooms too. Those are delicious. read more

ZERO STARS My friends and I came here to celebrate our best friend's graduation, but unfortunately we never even got the chance to eat. We checked in and were told the wait would be about 20-30 minutes. However, we noticed that other parties who arrived after us were seated before us, and we were given different explanations regarding seating. What was supposed to be a special and happy occasion turned into a disappointing experience. After waiting and seeing others accommodated ahead of us, we ultimately decided to leave and find somewhere else to celebrate. I can't say for certain why this happened, but the experience left us wondering if we were treated differently because we are Black. Regardless of the reason, we left feeling overlooked and unwelcome, and it put a damper on what should have been a memorable graduation celebration for our best friend. Unfortunately, we will not be returning. read more

Joe's Italian Cuisine - Italian Near Me - Escondido, California

If I could give this place 0 stars, I would. Unfortunately, we never got the chance to eat here because we were never seated. We came to celebrate a graduation, so this was supposed to be a special occasion. Instead, it turned into a very disappointing experience. The only explanations I could come up with were either that we were a group of five, which somehow seemed too difficult to accommodate, or something even more concerning. We checked in with the host at 5:24 p.m. and were told the wait would be 20-30 minutes. I asked if we could sit outside, and the host went to check in the back. When she returned, she told us they were full inside so they couldn't do the outdoor seating, so we would have to wait. While we were waiting, a family of three came in. When I went inside to check on our status, I saw they were being seated before us. They were placed in a booth designed for four, with a high chair added for their baby. Shortly afterward, another customer arrived with a dog and asked to sit outside. Despite being told earlier that we couldn't be seated outside. I asked why the family had been seated before us, and the waiter told me that the booth wasn't suitable for a party of five. When I asked how much longer our wait would be, I was told it would be another 20-30 minutes. The inconsistent explanations and the way other parties who arrived after us were seated left us feeling overlooked and unwelcome. We ultimately left without eating, and what should have been a joyful graduation celebration ended with us having to find another place to eat. I can't say for certain why we were treated this way, but the experience left us questioning whether we were treated differently because we are black. Regardless of the reason, the customer service was disappointing, and I won't be returning. I'm pretty sure they won't care. read more

Joe's Italian Cuisine - Italian Near Me - Escondido, California

So happy Joe's legacy lives on. My condolences to the family, Joe loved his family and restaurant that his love and passion is passed down into the food. It's as if he is still watching after his Love the food and ambiance is one of a kind. The small cozy dinning room is decorated with pictures and a piece of home Joe brought with him from the main land. Service is always good. Slow dining pace good for dates or just to pass the time. read more

Joe's Italian Cuisine - Sautéed chicken mushroom n onions delicious - Italian Near Me - Escondido, California

This was awesome food. I've been wanting to try it for a while now. The food and the service were excellent. The flavor of the sauce lite up the dish. Veggies were cooked right. The chicken was tender. I spent more than I would like but this is no fast food restaurant and was worth it especially for a memory (birthday, anniversary, etc). I love the decorations as well. read more

Joe's Italian Cuisine - Italian Near Me - Escondido, California

See all

Lovely Italian restaurant on Grand in Escondido. My hun & I came for dinner & enjoyed the homey vibes of the restaurant. Customer service was excellent & our dishes came out quick. They serve a variety of pastas, poultry, veal, seafood & vegetarian options. Alfredo with chicken: Wow, the portions are huge! Creamy, flavorful sauce. Carbonara: Their carbonara was a bit more tangy than I have had before. Not bad, just was not what my palate was wanting. Complimentary bread. Great wine selection. Closed Sundays & Mondays. Only open for dinner. read more

Service, food, decor, parking, and atmosphere is a 10/10. Perfect place for a date night or dinner with the family. The restaurant is decorated from floor to ceiling and makes you feel like you're in Italy or even New York with the brick walls and booths. We ordered a 1/2 carafe of their house red which is a killer deal and perfect for 2 people to share. I ordered the spaghetti Bolognese which was delicious and very generous in portion, and my husband ordered the chicken picatta and let's just say he finished the whole plate and loved every bite. We are looking forward to coming back! read more

See all

Best Italian food you will have. Very cute dinning area makes you feel at home. Service is great. Wine is excellent. Pricing and portions are on the money. What else do you need? read more

Joe's Italian Cuisine - Family night out. - Italian Near Me - Escondido, California

What a hidden GEM! Perfect spot for dinner with the family, date night, and for a Christmas celebration. Check out the spaghetti Christmas tree, cannoli ornaments and everything! Went here last night with my family and we had such a WONDERFUL time. The atmosphere in here is so special, every inch of the walls are decorated and especially now in Christmas-time, the ambiance is so magical! Fair warning the food takes a second to come out, but its only because Joe HIMSELF, this sweet chef from Calabria, Italy, is cooking your dinners individually back in the kitchen just for you! You can tell each dish is made with so much love, attention, and care. Joe came out to say hi to us and made us feel so welcome. Having dinner here is like you're getting a home cooked meal from your Italian grandfather in his home! Such a special place and truly the definition of a hidden gem, you step inside and it feels like you're in a whole different world. The house chianti is a great little red to pair with your meal, we particularly enjoyed the bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, and white wine sauce linguini with clams. Wish we saved room for dessert because I would've loved to try the tiramisu and homemade cannoli! Will certainly be back though - this place truly is so so so special; I've never dined anywhere else like it. It really feels like you're part of a FAMILY dining here, such an incredible dinner. Joe is a gift, we will definitely be returning! read more

See all

This was our first visit here. I was craving chicken Marsala. It's not on the menu but they will prepare it for you. My husband always orders chicken parmigiana whenever we go to Italian restaurants. The entrees come with soup or salad. We both ordered the pasta Fagioli soup. It was good but full of mostly pasta. The entrees came with vegetables and a small side of pasta. The pasta was good but on the cold side. Overall, my chicken Marsala was one of the better ones that I've had but the breast itself was on the smaller side. I don't ever finish my whole plate but I did this night. My husband said his chicken parm was good but was too small. He also wanted more pasta which was also cold. The bread was just ok, I don't think they make it fresh here. Overall service was great. The restaurant itself is small and cozy. There is street parking only and there's not a lot. read more

See all

The place is still the same Excellent food, excellent service!! The warm , welcoming feeling you've always felt is still there. read more

Dear Joe, We had dinner and wine on Saturday night, and something felt truly special. Everything felt so bright and the food was absolutely amazing. We sparked up a wonderful conversation with the people sitting next to us (your friends of 30+ years), and another couple (new patrons of about two years) across from us joined right in. You are deeply missed, but it is beautiful to see your legacy is in wonderful hands. We felt your presence throughout the evening and know you're watching over the place. Cheers to you! read more

Great family owned Italian restaurant. Food is fantastic and authentic Italian. Service is great. my family loves this restaurant!

What a fabulous experience! Cozy and quaint, excellent menu, generous portions, all served by friendly, welcoming staff! I can see why so many of the patrons seemed like "regulars." I hope to become one myself! read more

When were these prices last updated? It says on here lasagna $16.50 and when I ordered it in person just now they charged me $26.05

We came here with a large group, they were able to accommodate us, fortunately, because we really wanted to eat here! The food is very good. Is it the best Italian food you'll ever eat? Probably not. However, it may be the best Italian dining experience I've ever had! I love the decor and the general ambiance. You feel like you've stumbled into a relative's house, and you are being treated like family! Service was very friendly and warm and professional. my eggplant parmesan was tasty and others enjoyed their dishes like linguine with clams, lasagna, etc. Reasonable prices. I would recommend checking out this place if you're in the area. read more

See all

Fantastic food and service! Really attentive waitstaff and food was perfect. If I lived in Escondido, I would eat here at least once a month. House burgundy was smooth. Bruschetta was great. Eggplant Parmesan was one of the best I've had. Decor was spot on old school Italian. Wonderful meal from start to finish. read more

Adorable place! Food was great, very fresh so it takes a bit longer but definitely worth the wait!

Visiting from out of town and we were staying close by. We ordered the lasagna and chicken picata. The picata was not our fav BUT the lasagna 10/10, just like grandma cooked it! The service was stellar and Joe even came out to check on us. I asked for an iced tea to go and they don't have to go cups but when I tell you they made sure I left with my tea, they made SURE. Such a fun, quiet and authentic experience! read more

Joe's Italian Cuisine - Authentic, cute and quite! - Italian Near Me - Escondido, California

WOW.. if I could give this place a 10/5 I would. First of all, arrive early when they open, otherwise the wait is likely to be long BUT so worth it. The interior is something special and very intimate and gives you something to look at! Second, the man whose name is on the sign of the restaurant is the one cooking your food! If you're lucky enough he will come out and say hello which is something special! We drove from Huntington Beach to this place on whim for Valentine's Day and let me just say, we will be coming back just to go to dinner at this place! It is worth the drive, the wait, and every penny!! Fresh made to order food with so much flavor and balance, it'll be the bar that all other Italian places are now compared to for us. WOW!! Absolutely amazing Oh and get the bruschetta and the garlic bread! read more

See all

Hadn't been in a while. Looked at the menu on Yelp saw Veal Marsala, said let's go. Nicely greeted good table. It wasn't just the paper napkin and the cheap bread service. But the veal came in small pieces chewy next to a pile of pasta and a few veggies. AND priced ten dollars higher than the Yelp menu pictures. At $32 for this below average plate. Im thinking it's getting harder for Joe to make ends meet. Good service and a nice place but it won't see us again. read more

Walking into Joe's Italian in downtown Escondido on Grand Ave is like walking into an old school Italian eatery from a time long ago. The very eclectic, very decorative interior of this food establishment takes you back to an episode of The Sopranos. Our food was really delicious and a must try for those with a love of Italian cuisine. Our service was good but the server kept forgetting things and wasn't very knowledgeable about the names of dishes, yet very kind and attentive. We ordered the Garlic bread, Antipasto salad, Caprese Salad, Lasagna, Meat Tortellini with Alfredo sauce, cheesecake and a cannoli. Oh and of course some house red wine to enjoy with our meal! The garlic bread was soooo good! Simple, yet nice and warm, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The antipasto and caprese salads were amazing and full of fresh, clean flavors with huge portions! The lasagna had a deep, flavorful marinara sauce that you could tell was homemade and a recipe passed down from generations. My least favorite was the tortellini. The pastas were delicious but the sauce lacked any flavor to it. Im not one to order dessert, but I am in search of the perfect cannoli .. I found it. The crust was crispy instead of soggy like most i have tried. The filling was perfectly made and not grainy like other lackluster cannolis. This one is absolutely legit. For a nice night out with great, authentic Italian, this is a fantastic choice in the North County area. read more

See all

We have been dining her for over 30 years. Our visit in August was for our 57th Wedding Anniversary. Our visit last Wednesday was for friends 48th Anniversary. We obviously see this as Escondido's destination Restaurant for a wonderful romantic dining experience. We have watched Joe's daughter Angelina grow up here and become the driving force for it's continued excellence and charm. The food has always been excellent and just keeps getting better. At a time when dining out has become almost impossibly expensive, Joe's has not let quality slip to compete, but has found a way to deliver the excellence they have always been known for and yet provide an affordable fine dining experience, is a truly unique charming setting and delivering with service excellence and attention to detail. I have eaten my way through the menu over the years and never been disappointed ... usually amazed. This is our GO TO for fine dining in Escondido. Quiet, Intimate, Delicious and FUN read more

See all

Great place. Really good food really nice people very quaint atmosphere. I've been there three times in been very happy each time

Finding good Italian food seems hard these days. Joe's is probably what you're looking for. The ambiance feels like an Italian restaurant, decorated to the max with Italian American staples and little pictures/tchochkies that seem like they came from Nona's house. The food hit the spot, but I'd be lying if I said it was outstanding. That's not to say it was bad by any means! My Bolognese was flavorful and my gnocchi were good. The service was kind and we had a full table of 8, so they're definitely doing something right in the service department. I didn't have any dessert, but the tiramisu and cannoli looked great. read more

Over 10 years later, we are still going to Joe's and still loving it. I can't imagine why I didn't give them five stars before.

Nice cozy restaurant, background music was excellent food was divine, good service. First time eating here wife and I enjoyed very much

It was a great experience. They took their time between courses, which I enjoy at dinner. Stuffed mushrooms were amazing! We had gnocchi, lasagna, spaghetti & shrimp. Everything was delicious. A great quiet vibe that felt really homey. read more

Joe's Italian Cuisine - Stuffed mushrooms - Italian Near Me - Escondido, California

Had dinner, just the two of us, at Joe's. The service was good, quick and very polite. The food was good for the cost, wine moderately priced, entrees fairly priced. It definitely felt homecooked, but not authentic Italian. I would definitely not discourage anyone from trying dinner at Joe's, but know what your going to get. My wife and I wouldn't hesitate to eat here again, overall it was a very nice evening. read more

So it's the day before Valentine's Day and the rain is falling and the music is playing and the service is fabulous. With such generous portions, we're taking home our leftovers to celebrate with a fabulous bottle of wine tomorrow night without the crowds, but with Joe's still in our pocket. It is always such a wonderful experience coming to this family restaurant. read more

Joe's Italian Cuisine - If you never had their stuffed mushrooms, you are missing one of the best treats of your life. And I don't even like mushrooms. - Italian Near Me - Escondido, California

Everything was delicious! We walked in and waited in the back waiting room to be seated. This waiting room was so decorated and really felt homey. After about five minutes our table was ready. For appetizer we ordered the stuffed mushrooms, for entrees my wife got the fettuccine Alfredo and I got the chicken cannelloni. Each entree came with a said of soup or salad and we both got the salad. They also came with bread which the server recommended they bring out first because the food is all made fresh so it takes a bit more time l. The bread was delicious with the whipped butter. The stuffed mushrooms were served on top of slices of bread and covered in a white cream sauce (maybe Alfredo) and topped with parmesan. It was so good! Then the salads came out about 15 minutes later. These were fresh salads with Italian dressing that was homemade and oh my goodness it was the best Italian dressing I've ever had in my life! So good! The fettuccine Alfredo was so creamy and the pasta was cooked perfectly. The chicken cannelloni was very good quality pasta and lots of cheese which I love. I just wish the marinara sauce was a little more exciting or they had used a more flavorful sauce. The server was great and patient with us because neither of us had been there before. The bill came and it was about $67 not bad at all for a meal for two of this quality. Also they have us mints with the check that were also delicious! Will definitely be back! read more

See all

Delicious food & the warmest hospitality. Joe offered me to enjoy a glass of wine while I waited for my table. The waitress was lovely and I had the clams with linguini in red sauce, which was delicious, and I got the tiramisu for dessert, possibly the best tiramisu I've ever had! I'm definitely going back! read more

See all

My family has been going to Joe's for 40 years! Called them for a party reservation & was told...We Don't Take Reservations. We went the next week soon after they opened with a party of 7. When I told the hostess...party of 7...the 1st thing she said was...We Don't Take Reservations! I said I know, hence here we are! She sent out a young man with a clipboard...he said 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. Hence we went elsewhere...& had a great time!!! We will NEVER go back!!! Horrible service!!! read more

As I entered Joe's for the first time as a guy who grew up up in NYC among so many wonderful Chianti-bottled, plastic-grape adorned mom & pop old school Italian restaurants I was time-traveled right back to my Brooklyn/Queens youth. I was instantly hopeful that maybe, just maybe after living in San Diego for decades I might finally have found a red sauce, home-cooked Italian meal that was worthy. It sure was. The light n lemony piccata, the rich Marsala with mushrooms, the eggplant parm, the crunchy garlic bread...OMG I was home. Joe, his family staff and the Andrea Bocelli soundtrack...perfection. I've been back many times since. It's the best in San Diego and I dare say this little gem could give NY joints a run for their money. Come join me at Joe's some time. I'll be the one there with the biggest smile. read more

The food was absolutely delicious! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Highly recommend!

Food is always excellent, a hidden gem must visit, I always get the linguine and clam sauce. I love it.

My friend and I ordered Bruschetta appetizer It was delicious, fresh tomato, garlic, mushrooms. Try it. Then I had Linguini Pomodoro. Recommend it. Rich and just the right seasonings. Best thing, Joe stopped at our table to ask how we liked the food. I also saw his kitchen. Immaculate, so well laid out. Treat yourself to a really special meal. With wine. 62.00. read more

Joe's never disappoints. Stop in last evening and immediately seated in comfortable booth. Immediately we had water followed by some delicious wine. Giuseppe "Joe" Onda immediately recognized us from the kitchen door and come over with warm hugs. My wife's eggplant and my Carbonara were perfect. As Joe says "All of our food is cooked to order and takes time. Please be patient." It's worth the wait. read more

Solid menu, large portions, but nothing to write home about because the quality of ingredients is on the lower end. The table bread was, as my friend put it, "something you can get from Walmart!". The bruschetta was pretty good, topped with fresh mozzarella, but everything was cut too-big, making it difficult to eat. I ordered tortellini in white cream sauce and 1 meatball on the side. It came with a soup that had noodles and some veggies and tasted suspiciously of the canned variety. Everything was forgettable except the portion size on the pasta- it was surprisingly huge! My dessert was a mocha and I tried the spumoni- the cherry ice cream was especially awful to me (I grew up with cherry cough syrup) and 3 of us couldn't finish it. The decor was a bit cluttered and the space was small, giving it a homey vibe. Even the restroom was tiny. Overall, I would come back if friends wanted to, but there's so many other places in the area I am curious about that I wouldn't come back on my own. Pros: - friendly - average prices - made-to-order - food presentation Cons: - darkly lit - small tables - parking (unless you park at the transit center across the street) - lower quality ingredients read more

This restaurant is an absolute gem! From the moment you step foot inside the ambiance transports you into Italy. So many cute decorations to keep you entertained. Candlelight opera vibes. So beautiful. The food is outstanding. We loved it so much that we went 2 nights in the same week. The fettuccine alfredo was to die for! I added chicken and mushrooms. It was so rich and creamy. My husband had the veal parmigiana and loved every bite. Their meatballs are fantastic; full of flavor. The service was quick, friendly, and attentive. This is our new favorite place and I wouldn't be surprised if we came here every week. We highly recommend Joe's Italian Cuisine. read more

See all