Original Joe's
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SERVICE We put our name down for a late-night dinner across Washington Park and were told to expect about a 40-minute wait. We strolled around the city area for a bit and they called us around the 30-minute mark, which was a nice surprise. We opted to sit outside, and our waiter was attentive in some ways.... she noticed we were chilly and turned on the heat lamps, which made a big difference. Water refills needed a bit of prompting, but once we asked, they were quick. Overall, friendly and accommodating, just a little slow on the basics. AMBIANCE The outdoor seating area has a relaxed, neighborhood feel (with some post-COVID tents still up on the street) but perfect for a late-night bite. It's not fancy, but it's comfortable, and the heat lamps made it cozy even when it got cooler. The vibe is casual and social, with just enough buzz to feel lively without being loud. Great for winding down after a day out. FOOD We ordered the filet of sole, filet of sole piccata, meatballs (not pictured), warm butter cake, tiramisu, and an espresso martini. The warm butter cake was the star!!!!!!!! It was definitely crunch on the outside with that cream cheesey taste and it was rich, moist, and perfectly warm....paired with the vanilla ice cream it was ridiculously good (probably not good for the belt line but darn I swear would come back for that)! The filet of sole dishes were solid: flaky, well-seasoned, the egg batter was pretty light and the piccata had a nice bright sauce. The meatballs were hearty and flavorful (forgot to take a picture) but was satisfying and the tiramisu was a good, classic finish. Everything was good, but that butter cake is the one I'll remember.
OJ's provided my group of 6 with a nice dinner experience on a Saturday night. I had been to other locations before and absolutely loved it and finally was able to secure a reservation at the SF spot. However, it was definitely my least favorite location. I found it to be really loud inside and could barely hear the server and others in my group. The overall service was great! Kinda waited and very attentive. Some of our cocktails did take a while to receive after order them, but the food came out fast and fresh! Everything we got was delicious. I will warn, that the spicy rigatoni was almost TOO spicy. It was good but if you cannot handle serious heat, do not order! Overall, great experience. Would come back again!
Add another star and that goes to the server Guillermo and Ernesto runner. The place is beautiful no doubt and has been here since 1937. It is pillar of this community. We had no idea its a must while visiting San Francisco. Yes its a must. The pasta and sauce was outstanding the veal was stupendous and another must is that butter cake. I did have thier prim rib its above good but if an Italian restaurant i should have gotten my ol stand by Lasagna....boohoo Lol Well if im around again I will follow my heart and go to Lasagna its little brother Ravioli was great and I had a small taste i believe the Lasagna is another must Gracias from Las Vegas. Guillermo never change brother awesome time and service with you
FOOD, SERVICE & ZANZE's!!! 4.3 Stepping into Original Joe's feels like taking a trip back in time. From the vintage-style lettering and rich dark wood interior to the iconic burgundy vinyl booths and crisp white linens, every detail reminds you that you're dining at a true San Francisco classic. Original Joe's first opened in 1937 in the Tenderloin. After a devastating fire forced the restaurant to close in 2007, it triumphantly reopened at its current location in 2012. Nestled between North Beach and Telegraph Hill, the restaurant sits in the middle of a lively neighborhood where people gather on street corners singing and dancing while delivery mopeds line up waiting for their next food pickup. The entire area has a vibrant energy yet still feels welcoming and safe. Although I was tempted by several of the brunch offerings, I ultimately ordered Joe's Famous Hamburger Sandwich. At the time, I didn't realize it was one of the restaurant's signature dishes. What won me over was the use of Boudin sourdough bread instead of a traditional hamburger bun. With several cheese options available, I chose Monterey Jack and requested my burger be charbroiled to a perfect medium-rare. It arrived with a generous serving of thin, crispy fries. It was absolutely delicious. The sandwich was so large that I could only finish half. For dessert, we ordered Zanze's Cheesecake. Over a decade ago, my husband and I used to buy Zanze's cheesecakes directly from their bakery on Ocean Avenue. Although the original shop has since closed, we were delighted to learn that Zanze sold both the name and the recipe to Original Joe's, preserving this beloved San Francisco dessert. The crustless cheesecake is wonderfully light and airy, like a soufflé, surrounded by fresh fruit and finished with a generous dollop of whipped cream. To complete our meal, we shared an Irish Coffee. Original Joe's uses the same Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey as another famous San Francisco institution, resulting in an exceptionally smooth drink that provided the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Lastly, a special thank you to our server, Nail (pronounced "Neil"), who was outstanding. He had only been with the restaurant for two weeks, and we were among his first guests after completing training. Beyond being attentive and thoughtfully answering all of our questions, he has a genuinely warm spirit and one of those rare personalities that instantly makes people feel welcome and happy.
We stopped by for dessert and drinks. We walked and sat at the bar. Great ambiance, bartenders seemed to be having a great time while working and I truly enjoy watching all the laughs while working.
FOOD: 4 SERVICE: 4 AMBIANCE: 4 VALUE: 4 We came here for a Sunday brunch. Though we ended up having sandwiches. I had the Prime Rib dip. It was a good serving of sliced prime rib served on a French roll with creamy horseradish and Au Jus. The sandwich also came with a side of fries. The prime rib slices were tender and flavorful, which made the French dip just perfect. Nothing beats a side of crispy fries. The Zanze cheesecake brought back memories. Many years ago, I used to buy cheesecake from Zanze's store in the outer Sunset area. I can't really remember how the original cheesecake tasted, but I was told that Joe got the rights to the recipe and the cheesecake is made in house. It was a good, light and fluffy cheesecake. Service was attentive and friendly. My water glass was consistently refilled and was never empty. The decor was traditional and full of history. You feel like you've entered somewhere warm and welcoming as soon as you step in. Even though it was our first time here, it felt like we were regulars. We will come back and try this location for dinner.
I visited for a team dinner on a weekday evening, and even then the restaurant was packed - a good sign of how popular it is. Despite the crowd, the service was outstanding from start to finish. A special shoutout to Georgette, who went above and beyond to make sure the vegetarian members of our group had plenty of great options and felt well taken care of. The food was exceptional. I ordered the eggplant parmigiana along with a wine pairing recommended by one of the servers, and it turned out to be one of the best parmigiana I've ever had. The flavors were rich, perfectly balanced, and paired beautifully with the wine. Desserts were amazing too. The ambience is equally memorable, with a warm, inviting atmosphere that's perfect for both special occasions and group dinners. Be sure to take a moment to admire the artwork displayed throughout the restaurant, it adds a unique charm to the entire dining experience. I'll definitely be back!
Our tour guide, Jules with Dylan's Tours (highly recommend) said that Original Joe's was his top choice for Italian food in Little Italy. So, after our tour we came here for dinner. The meatball appetizer was amazing. The meatballs are beyond tender and the ricotta cheese and tomato sauce were excellent. A very good start to the meal. T got the ravioli and these are among her favorite. I got the chicken parm that was very good, along with the ravioli as the side dish. The portions are huge. We should have split the ravioli because we both knew we were not finishing the entrees as soon as they came out. Our waiter did a wonderful job and the restaurant itself is beautiful. It looks very high-class, but don't worry, it is casual.
Grew up in SF but first time visiting this Joe's location. I was craving clam chowder and am always happy with this one. Hubs and I shared a bowl as well as their famous hamburger sandwich. They kindly split our burger on separate plates when they brought it out to us. Fries were hot and crispy and the burger was good - plenty for the 2 of us to share. It was busy but at no time did we feel rushed. Service was great, too, as we were checked in on often and our water glasses were kept full.
We love Original Joe's in San Francisco never disappoints! We started with their delicious fresh bread and arancini while I enjoyed a cosmo martini and an and my husband had a glass of Cabernet. We also shared a bottle of Acqua Panna, always a favorite. We split the Caesar salad and the chicken parm, and everything was absolutely delicious. The food, drinks, and service are consistently amazing every time we visit San Francisco. This has become one of our must-stop restaurants whenever we're in town. Highly recommend if you want a classic San Francisco dining experience! It is busy so best to make a reservation. Buon Appetite!
Get a reservation. It will make everything so much easier. We did walk up (unfortunately on graduation night) and were quoted 45 mins to an hour. Not bad, except we waited closer to an hour and a half before getting seated. It was crazy. Get that reservation. The atmosphere is so cool. The look and feel is really nice and helps add to the experience, even if it is VERY loud and rather dark. The food was phenomenal. Maybe that's because it was our first bite of food in literal hours. But I do think it's genuinely fantastic. The wait staff was great, even though it was crazy busy right before they closed. I would love to go back as long as I had a reservation.
I've heard the hype around Original Joe's from peers, family, and coworkers for so long, and now I finally understand why people enjoy it so much! We started off with the calamari appetizer, and it was crisp, succulent, and so good with the tartar sauce. Definitely a great way to start the meal. My friends and I ordered our entrées, and the food came out pretty quickly. We all shared our dishes with each other, which made the experience even more fun. My friends got the chicken marsala and the veal, while I ordered the marry me farfalle pasta. The veal was delicious, and although the chicken marsala was a little dry for my liking, the flavor of the dish itself was still really good. The marry me pasta was wonderful, creamy, and something I really enjoyed. Overall, the atmosphere, service, and food made for such a great dinner experience. I'd definitely come back here again with family and friends.
I came here for the first time over a year ago and only recently went back and it was so delicious! I should've been coming here more often and definitely plan on visiting again soon. Service was amazing and the food was phenomenal. I had the linguini and clams and everything was cooked perfectly. I also had a baked potato that was great! Ambiance is also great inside; it feels like the perfect SF north beach vibes.
2 months ago
1 month ago
Went here for a family dinner to celebrate a graduation, birthday, and anniversary. Even though we had a reservation, we still waited about 30 minutes because the restaurant was extremely busy. Once seated, the service was excellent, our server was attentive, friendly, and made us feel well taken care of throughout the evening. The restaurant has a lively atmosphere, but it is very loud and quite dark, making it difficult to read the menu and fully appreciate the presentation of the dishes. We started with the spinach dip and calamari. Both were good, but nothing particularly memorable. For our entrées, we ordered Joe's House-Made Ravioli, charbroiled salmon, spicy rigatoni, and veal saltimbocca. The ravioli was flavorful, but the standout dish was definitely the veal, it was a perfect 10/10 and my son absolutely loved it. To top off the evening, the staff surprised us with a complimentary dessert decorated with three candles to celebrate our special occasions. It was such a thoughtful, personal touch that made the night even more memorable. Overall, despite the wait and the noisy, dimly lit dining room, we had a wonderful experience thanks to the warm hospitality, delicious food, and exceptional service. read more
5 days ago
SERVICE We put our name down for a late-night dinner across Washington Park and were told to expect about a 40-minute wait. We strolled around the city area for a bit and they called us around the 30-minute mark, which was a nice surprise. We opted to sit outside, and our waiter was attentive in some ways.... she noticed we were chilly and turned on the heat lamps, which made a big difference. Water refills needed a bit of prompting, but once we asked, they were quick. Overall, friendly and accommodating, just a little slow on the basics. AMBIANCE The outdoor seating area has a relaxed, neighborhood feel (with some post-COVID tents still up on the street) but perfect for a late-night bite. It's not fancy, but it's comfortable, and the heat lamps made it cozy even when it got cooler. The vibe is casual and social, with just enough buzz to feel lively without being loud. Great for winding down after a day out. FOOD We ordered the filet of sole, filet of sole piccata, meatballs (not pictured), warm butter cake, tiramisu, and an espresso martini. The warm butter cake was the star!!!!!!!! It was definitely crunch on the outside with that cream cheesey taste and it was rich, moist, and perfectly warm....paired with the vanilla ice cream it was ridiculously good (probably not good for the belt line but darn I swear would come back for that)! The filet of sole dishes were solid: flaky, well-seasoned, the egg batter was pretty light and the piccata had a nice bright sauce. The meatballs were hearty and flavorful (forgot to take a picture) but was satisfying and the tiramisu was a good, classic finish. Everything was good, but that butter cake is the one I'll remember. read more
OJ's provided my group of 6 with a nice dinner experience on a Saturday night. I had been to other locations before and absolutely loved it and finally was able to secure a reservation at the SF spot. However, it was definitely my least favorite location. I found it to be really loud inside and could barely hear the server and others in my group. The overall service was great! Kinda waited and very attentive. Some of our cocktails did take a while to receive after order them, but the food came out fast and fresh! Everything we got was delicious. I will warn, that the spicy rigatoni was almost TOO spicy. It was good but if you cannot handle serious heat, do not order! Overall, great experience. Would come back again! read more
Add another star and that goes to the server Guillermo and Ernesto runner. The place is beautiful no doubt and has been here since 1937. It is pillar of this community. We had no idea its a must while visiting San Francisco. Yes its a must. The pasta and sauce was outstanding the veal was stupendous and another must is that butter cake. I did have thier prim rib its above good but if an Italian restaurant i should have gotten my ol stand by Lasagna....boohoo Lol Well if im around again I will follow my heart and go to Lasagna its little brother Ravioli was great and I had a small taste i believe the Lasagna is another must Gracias from Las Vegas. Guillermo never change brother awesome time and service with you read more
FOOD, SERVICE & ZANZE's!!! 4.3 Stepping into Original Joe's feels like taking a trip back in time. From the vintage-style lettering and rich dark wood interior to the iconic burgundy vinyl booths and crisp white linens, every detail reminds you that you're dining at a true San Francisco classic. Original Joe's first opened in 1937 in the Tenderloin. After a devastating fire forced the restaurant to close in 2007, it triumphantly reopened at its current location in 2012. Nestled between North Beach and Telegraph Hill, the restaurant sits in the middle of a lively neighborhood where people gather on street corners singing and dancing while delivery mopeds line up waiting for their next food pickup. The entire area has a vibrant energy yet still feels welcoming and safe. Although I was tempted by several of the brunch offerings, I ultimately ordered Joe's Famous Hamburger Sandwich. At the time, I didn't realize it was one of the restaurant's signature dishes. What won me over was the use of Boudin sourdough bread instead of a traditional hamburger bun. With several cheese options available, I chose Monterey Jack and requested my burger be charbroiled to a perfect medium-rare. It arrived with a generous serving of thin, crispy fries. It was absolutely delicious. The sandwich was so large that I could only finish half. For dessert, we ordered Zanze's Cheesecake. Over a decade ago, my husband and I used to buy Zanze's cheesecakes directly from their bakery on Ocean Avenue. Although the original shop has since closed, we were delighted to learn that Zanze sold both the name and the recipe to Original Joe's, preserving this beloved San Francisco dessert. The crustless cheesecake is wonderfully light and airy, like a soufflé, surrounded by fresh fruit and finished with a generous dollop of whipped cream. To complete our meal, we shared an Irish Coffee. Original Joe's uses the same Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey as another famous San Francisco institution, resulting in an exceptionally smooth drink that provided the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Lastly, a special thank you to our server, Nail (pronounced "Neil"), who was outstanding. He had only been with the restaurant for two weeks, and we were among his first guests after completing training. Beyond being attentive and thoughtfully answering all of our questions, he has a genuinely warm spirit and one of those rare personalities that instantly makes people feel welcome and happy. read more
FOOD: 4 SERVICE: 4 AMBIANCE: 4 VALUE: 4 We came here for a Sunday brunch. Though we ended up having sandwiches. I had the Prime Rib dip. It was a good serving of sliced prime rib served on a French roll with creamy horseradish and Au Jus. The sandwich also came with a side of fries. The prime rib slices were tender and flavorful, which made the French dip just perfect. Nothing beats a side of crispy fries. The Zanze cheesecake brought back memories. Many years ago, I used to buy cheesecake from Zanze's store in the outer Sunset area. I can't really remember how the original cheesecake tasted, but I was told that Joe got the rights to the recipe and the cheesecake is made in house. It was a good, light and fluffy cheesecake. Service was attentive and friendly. My water glass was consistently refilled and was never empty. The decor was traditional and full of history. You feel like you've entered somewhere warm and welcoming as soon as you step in. Even though it was our first time here, it felt like we were regulars. We will come back and try this location for dinner. read more
I visited for a team dinner on a weekday evening, and even then the restaurant was packed - a good sign of how popular it is. Despite the crowd, the service was outstanding from start to finish. A special shoutout to Georgette, who went above and beyond to make sure the vegetarian members of our group had plenty of great options and felt well taken care of. The food was exceptional. I ordered the eggplant parmigiana along with a wine pairing recommended by one of the servers, and it turned out to be one of the best parmigiana I've ever had. The flavors were rich, perfectly balanced, and paired beautifully with the wine. Desserts were amazing too. The ambience is equally memorable, with a warm, inviting atmosphere that's perfect for both special occasions and group dinners. Be sure to take a moment to admire the artwork displayed throughout the restaurant, it adds a unique charm to the entire dining experience. I'll definitely be back! read more
Our tour guide, Jules with Dylan's Tours (highly recommend) said that Original Joe's was his top choice for Italian food in Little Italy. So, after our tour we came here for dinner. The meatball appetizer was amazing. The meatballs are beyond tender and the ricotta cheese and tomato sauce were excellent. A very good start to the meal. T got the ravioli and these are among her favorite. I got the chicken parm that was very good, along with the ravioli as the side dish. The portions are huge. We should have split the ravioli because we both knew we were not finishing the entrees as soon as they came out. Our waiter did a wonderful job and the restaurant itself is beautiful. It looks very high-class, but don't worry, it is casual. read more
1 month ago
Grew up in SF but first time visiting this Joe's location. I was craving clam chowder and am always happy with this one. Hubs and I shared a bowl as well as their famous hamburger sandwich. They kindly split our burger on separate plates when they brought it out to us. Fries were hot and crispy and the burger was good - plenty for the 2 of us to share. It was busy but at no time did we feel rushed. Service was great, too, as we were checked in on often and our water glasses were kept full. read more
2 months ago
We love Original Joe's in San Francisco never disappoints! We started with their delicious fresh bread and arancini while I enjoyed a cosmo martini and an and my husband had a glass of Cabernet. We also shared a bottle of Acqua Panna, always a favorite. We split the Caesar salad and the chicken parm, and everything was absolutely delicious. The food, drinks, and service are consistently amazing every time we visit San Francisco. This has become one of our must-stop restaurants whenever we're in town. Highly recommend if you want a classic San Francisco dining experience! It is busy so best to make a reservation. Buon Appetite! read more
Get a reservation. It will make everything so much easier. We did walk up (unfortunately on graduation night) and were quoted 45 mins to an hour. Not bad, except we waited closer to an hour and a half before getting seated. It was crazy. Get that reservation. The atmosphere is so cool. The look and feel is really nice and helps add to the experience, even if it is VERY loud and rather dark. The food was phenomenal. Maybe that's because it was our first bite of food in literal hours. But I do think it's genuinely fantastic. The wait staff was great, even though it was crazy busy right before they closed. I would love to go back as long as I had a reservation. read more
3 months ago
I've heard the hype around Original Joe's from peers, family, and coworkers for so long, and now I finally understand why people enjoy it so much! We started off with the calamari appetizer, and it was crisp, succulent, and so good with the tartar sauce. Definitely a great way to start the meal. My friends and I ordered our entrées, and the food came out pretty quickly. We all shared our dishes with each other, which made the experience even more fun. My friends got the chicken marsala and the veal, while I ordered the marry me farfalle pasta. The veal was delicious, and although the chicken marsala was a little dry for my liking, the flavor of the dish itself was still really good. The marry me pasta was wonderful, creamy, and something I really enjoyed. Overall, the atmosphere, service, and food made for such a great dinner experience. I'd definitely come back here again with family and friends. read more
I came here for the first time over a year ago and only recently went back and it was so delicious! I should've been coming here more often and definitely plan on visiting again soon. Service was amazing and the food was phenomenal. I had the linguini and clams and everything was cooked perfectly. I also had a baked potato that was great! Ambiance is also great inside; it feels like the perfect SF north beach vibes. read more
Busy busy busy but I don't think this establishment even cares about patrons. Our Mothers Day celebration started with brunch at Origials Joe with much disappointment. Drinks came fast - 1 star. Calamari was good the other star. After an hour waiting for our food, we figured we are done. Other parties after us got served and here we are still waiting. Our server said oh the kitchen is busy. Oh no! Breaking news I can see that. However, after I pointed out other tables after us have been served, it was evident that there's chaos in their process. I also have been told the manager will come to talk to us... but to no avail. Even the manager is busy! hey we got the only dish we liked comped! And they even forgot one appetizer. Not going back. read more
3 months ago
Came in expecting a classic SF spot, but honestly this was one of the more disappointing meals I've had in the city. The food was bland, mediocre, and borderline gross for the price. Nothing tasted fresh or seasoned properly. Service didn't help either. Staff was inattentive and hard to flag down most of the night. The only redeeming part of the meal was the bread, which was actually pretty good. We ended up not eating anything and just asking for the bill and leaving. Not worth the visit read more
Lunch on a sunny Friday afternoon was a perfect choice to eating at Original Joe's. The restaurant was so busy at 11am that my friends and I accepted a outdoor table (not a fav choice for me) but in enclosed area on the Union St side. Upon being seated our waiter (Angel) was quick in making us feel we were in good hands. Immediately, we were served our cocktail choices and proceeded to order appetizers. Our main courses were broiled salmon, beef French dip and a salad smothered in beef. We couldn't have asked for more. This meal was so delicious and even though the restaurant was bustling with folks waiting to be seated, we were not rushed to finish our meal. It was a delightful meal, food delicious, service above par and company to top it all off. A fabulous afternoon at an established old school San Francisco institution. read more
Truffle fries - 5/5 Arancini- 5/5 Vodka pasta 5/5 Srsly everything here is amazing. Atleast the three things we got! Service was nice and friendly. And for us walking in on Friday we got seated super quick. Also had the pomegranate martini! It was soooo yummy. Would love to see more non alcoholic options read more
Our server Amy was lovely, attentive and very nice. Food good overall. Restaurant was clean including the bathroom. Nice vintage atmosphere. We made reservations at opening and we got stuck at the table by the door. It was a bit cold so every time the door opened the wind whipped straight to us. Also weird that bread isn't served which was different from Daly City location, we assumed it was extra but it would've been nice to have some to nibble on while we waited for our food in the cold. read more
I've always heard of this "Joe's Special" dish made at restaurants all over CA and the west. It's famous, I remember the first time I saw it made, I was sitting at a counter and the cooks were right behind the counter in an open kitchen. I was impress that it was flaming and the skilled cooks just tossed the food in the air and flipped the food in the pan that way. So, I was looking forward to coming here, the Original Joe's, the place where this famous dish started. I gotta say the parking in North Beach is impossible, especially with the big Suburban we rented, so we just Ubered over from the hotel. This is one busy restaurant. Prices are SF high as well. But this is a company paid assignment so what the heck. I ordered the Joe's Special and my friend ordered the cheeseburger. I know, kinda ordinary, but it's supposed to be really good. I didn't get to see the food tossing cooks from where we were seated, but the food came out and smelled wonderful. My friends cheeseburger and fries came out with beefy meat sandwiched inside a torpedo like French bread. My Joe's special filled the plate. It's made with ground beef, mushrooms, onions and some other stuff. I think I taste the white wine maybe. I've had this dish before at other places, but I'll say here at Original Joe's is the best I've had. It's a real experience to come here and I'd come again. I hear there's other location in the Bay Area, maybe where the parking isn't such a pain. I'd come here again, just let someone else do the driving. read more
6 days ago
2 months ago
Had an amazing time here! Our server was so kind and amazing to us, shout out Sedat! The food was also delectable, pretty good for italian. I always find Italian food to be repetitive, but here, it was different. In the best way possible. I would recommend this for a cute girls night out or a date! read more
5 months ago
Original Joe's was on my SF bucket list and has finally been checked off this past weekend. We got reservations (which is essential) because the wait must have been hours on a weekend. Considering this is a chain, I had low expectations but some dishes really stood out to me. I loved the fritto misto (fried mixed seafood and vegetable). Super crispy and the mix of lemon and fried olives + seafood were incredible. I also loved the branzino which had copious amounts of herby butter. It was perfectly cooked and de-boned for easy eating. The side of spaghetti was nothing special. I also tried the St. Patrick's day corned beef and potato ravioli special. My worries about the corned beef being too salty ended up being unfounded because the raviolis tasted like barely anything at all. Stick to the classics because that's what Original Joe's does well and you'll be pleased to get an affordable meal in North Beach. Service is understandably a bit slow because every table was full on a Sunday at 4pm. read more
Friendly courteous staff. The complimentary chips were yummy. Zucchini fries stole the show. Pasta and steak were yummy too. Celebrated a birthday there and the lemon meringue was huge and delicious. As expected from the original joes family, we enjoyed our food and the restaurant was bright, airy and lively. read more
There are places whose reputation in fact matches their skills and quality... Original Joe's is one of those. Just straightforward DELICIOUS food. Great location in the heart of North Beach. Plenty of tables inside and outside (both options make it a beautiful ambience). Their drinks are also phenomenal and service was attentive and quick. read more
I really enjoy coming here for special occasions, definitely feels like a classic spot with Italian charm. When I come for a normal sit down meal I only get the prime rib french dip, I've never tried anything else because it's so good. Having a celebrated a couple of birthdays here, the butter cake is the best dessert. I came recently for a bridal shower and enjoyed the Italian margarita. The charcuterie board had a nice variety of meats and cheeses. The calamari was a classic, but not overly memorable and the salad was a nice break from the density of the meal. I got the egg battered fish with tartar sauce and it tasted like a pan seared fish and chips. The lasagna is well layered and the ultimate comfort food. I tried the chocolate cake and it was a bit dry, but the butter cake did not fail me again. read more
2 months ago
We made reservations at this iconic spot in the heart of Little Italy for a special occasion, and I was so pleased with how promptly we were seated right upon arrival. The atmosphere here always sets a great mood for a celebration. The service was a bit of a mixed bag. When our waiter came over, I asked for some recommendations to help guide our choices, but was just met with a somewhat indifferent, "Well, what are you looking for?" It wasn't rude, but it felt a bit uninspired for a special night out. On the upside, the kitchen was relatively prompt. They did accidentally forget one of our items, but to their credit, they corrected it and brought it out incredibly fast once we mentioned it. Food-wise, everything was really good! We shared a great spread across the table: Chicken Piccata: Bright, savory, and perfectly tender. Lasagna: Rich, classic comfort food done right. Fettuccine Alfredo: Creamy, decadent, and delicious. Spicy Rigatoni: Had a fantastic kick and great texture. Overall, the food absolutely delivered, and it's a wonderful location. With just a tiny bit more warmth in the service department, it would have been a flawless 5-star evening. We'll definitely be back for the pasta! read more
On recent visit, started with calamari and antipasto platter which were great. 8oz Filet Mignon was some of the best steak I've ever had - beautifully cooked to medium rare and tender. Unfortunately dreadfullly over-salted, even after scrapping off all the sauce. I balanced it with broccoli (not salty, perfect cook too) every other bite. Truffle mash was ridiculously good. Normally I'll only have a couple bites of mashed potato but finished this too. Butter cake was extremely sweet but the texture of the crust and flavor were great. Had to get a decaf coffee to cut the sweet and only ate the crust. Way too sweet. So definitely some highlights and lowlights.. feel like everything was generally delish and cooked well but over seasoned. Service was good but they're also slammed - so it takes some time to check in and get seated, and I ordered a drink that never came, etc. read more
Original Joe's has a very cozy vibe which I love. I really enjoy the dim lighting and the customer service is typically pretty great as well. The wait staff is always checking in on you - there is zero chance of you choking on food as they're so quick to refill your water. As a recommendation, if you go on a date here and the conversation is pretty dry, you should order the spicy rigatoni. It's really great and I guarantee you can talk about it for at least 20 minutes. If you don't want to talk, you can eat it slowly and savor it for 20 minutes. Either way, best decision you can make is getting this dish as the time will go by a lot faster. You can add an extra 5 minutes and protein by requesting chicken as an add-on too! read more
Had a great experience here with my friends. We were a group of 5 and had a reservation. Our waters were filled and they were very attentive with refills. The serving sizes are crazy and feels extremely worth it. I split the chicken Milanese and spicy rigatoni with my partner and they split it for us. I honestly couldn't move after it was so filling for both of us. The Milanese was great and crispy and was great with the arugula paired with it to balance it out a little. The spicy rigatoni was beautifully al dente, wasn't very spicy tbh but I feel like most Italian places are like that. We also ordered some desserts the cheesecake and butter cake. The cheesecake was very light and the butter cake was very decadent and lovely (was my fave). Overall, would definitely recommend trying this place out and would make a reservation before cause it is pretty loud and seemed hella packed inside. read more
2 months ago
We were here June 11 for the Wedding Reception of my nephew. I had the steak and for me it was perfect. It was soft and tasty and moist. I don't if that's the right definition but yes it was perfect for me. The dessert was sweet but it's tasty. By the way i the Satori. The dairy jived the red velvet. Ambiance is elegant. Service is excellent and bella and the rest was so accommodating. read more
Walked up with no reservation around 5:45 and were able to get a table. We had a roasted Beet Salad, Caesar Salad to start and both were delicious. I had the Pesto Linguini and it was delicious. I had to make myself finish it because it was so filling. And don't get me started on the butter cake it was delicious as well. The restaurant inside is gorgeous and full of energy. Everyone is having a good time. I always enjoy coming here for dinner when in San Francisco! read more
With Lent about halfway through, my challenge on Fridays is finding a convenient and menu friendly lunch spot. The menu here fits the bill especially with their Friday lunch special being fish and chips. Coming here a little after noon, I was led by the hostess to a window side table in the main dining room. I studied the hardbound menu before deciding on my meal. I started with a glass of iced tea (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=1nuRWd8TjqRffKmtKgPG6g) which hit the spot with the unseasonably warm weather we had in early March. My 1st course was a bowl of New England clam chowder (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=1vlgQ5-zuqSab7q9jLItEA), chocked with chopped clams, potatoes, celery, and bacon (oops, forgot about this is non Lent friendly ingredient). As usual, I added several dashes of Tabasco sauce to heat things up. For my main meal, I tried the linguine and clams (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=wkUkId4TDgr9qZunwEUQcw), white wine, garlic, and cream; this is a generous portion and there is plenty of fresh clams that we most in-shell (23-24 clams). This can be a shared plate for diners with lighter appetites. The sauce was on the creamy side but not overly so. I finished only half and had the rest for dinner the next night. This was a very filling lunch as I finished the bowl of soup and had two slices of the complimentary sourdough bread too. There were only two occupied tables when I arrived a little after noon. More diners flowed until I left a little after 1 pm, including neighborhood ladies getting together and large parties (work meeting?) of ten or more. Thanks to Angel R. and his supporting coworkers for serving me and satisfying my needs during my meal. I look forward to returning, likely before Easter to try those fish and chips. *** Being a somewhat frequent diner to their Westlake (Daly City) location, I compared the menu prices and it seems that they are identical for those who are curious. read more
Business owner information
John D.
Hi Mike, we really appreciate you taking time to leave us such an…
2 months ago
Always so happy whenever my mom and I go here, the food is always so delicious. My favorite appetizer is the cesar salad, it's so delicious, refreshing and the crunch of the lettuce is perfect. I'm not the biggest calamari fan, but it comes with a lot of calamari and it's pretty good as well. Onto the pasta, my favorite used to be the Spicy Rigatoni but the Shrimp Scampi is just perfect! It's so heart warming and heavy, it's such an interesting pasta. The shrimp is also very good and they provide a few pieces and it's not too much, or too little. The service is also great, they consistently check in to make sure you're helped and have everything you need. The environment is also very nice, the seating ranges from outside with or without heaters, inside at either tables or booths and also a bar. My personal favorites are either the booth, indoor table or outdoor seating on a sunny day. This place is will forever be an SF staple and I can't wait to celebrate more birthdays here. read more
23 days ago
My waiter, Guillermo was amazing. I took a friend of mine visiting from New Jersey and we had the crab Louie and the clam chowder. From the moment we arrived we were treated exceptionally well. The food was delicious and the restaurant did not disappoint. read more
3 months ago
I love original joes. When I say love I mean I go here almost every month with my friends, family, neighbors etc. Amazing service, amazing food. The ambiance is increíble. Dim lights, beautiful atmosphere. I came with a large party and our server, Mehdi, was amazing and attentive. We had an issue with our food and no questions he said he will request a new one immediately. Did not wait 1 hour to get our dish, he came back 30 minutes with a new plate. Always refilling our drinks asking how we are doing. Amazing. If I ever have kids they will most definitely be coming here. read more
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More info about Original Joe's
601 Union St
San Francisco, CA 94133
North Beach/Telegraph Hill
Directions
(415) 775-4877
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https://www.originaljoes.com
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Ask the Community - Original Joe's
Is the bar first come first serve?
The bar is first come first served. You can get dinner at the small tables there if you want
Looks from the menu like there is nothing here that is at all vegan-friendly except a salad. Not much more that is vegetarian-friendly either. Am I missing something?
Joe's is not vegan friendly, plus you will be surrounded by meat. That said, Martini's are vegan! Good luck
Is Prime Rib always available for dinner I see it on some menus but not all?
Just call the restaurant. They will tell you
Are you allowed to sit at kitchen counter and watch the cooks while you eat?
Hi Michael - Yes, our kitchen counter is available for dining!
How much do they charge if you bring a birthday cake to eat there?
Do they accept walk ins? Whats the wait normally like on a Monday or Tuesday around 7?
i went on a tuesday around 5:30-6:30pm as a a party of two walk-in and they do accept walk-ins. by…
We are celebrating a birthday and wondered if we can bring our own cake?
I think you can do that, but I would call in advance and make arrangements..,
Do they offer valet parking?
They discontinued it - probably because of the parklets. Last time I asked they did not accept reservations.
Proof of vax needed to dine here?
No. You don't need to give it that as the city has drooped that requirement.
Do you serve any vegan options?
You have to ask them, the pasta is made with egg the old school way, I ate there but they can accommodate a vegan risotto.
Pick up orders?
They do offer carry out orders! Once you arrive, head to the host stand and they will direct you to the pick up area.
Does the Resraurant have TV's playing sports games, like the 49ers?
There are tv's in the bar only , none in any of their dinning rooms. It's not a sports bar
What are the new indoor/outdoor dining policies during omicron?
Vaccinated and masks required
Can you sit at the counter?
Do you mean the bar? That is the only counter they have, otherwise tables and booths.
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
137 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Original Joe's - italian - Updated August 2026
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