Delayed post from 10/20 The Team & I decided to make this a working lunch to discuss holiday tings for the people we serve. The wait was short, and the service was excellent, the ambience was a hustle and bustle sort of situation, and everybody seemed to be in good spirits. Me: The crabcake with truffle fries She: The CBR Wrap with fries He: The Chicken Caesar Wrap with chips Food was awesome love the sauce around the crab-cake and everybody finished their plate for the most part & wasn't finished was stuffed and a nice little box and put in a brown bag to go. I will definitely go back and see if they have a happy hour beforehand , not sure if I'll take The Teen because she likes ordering the most expensive steak without looking at the price! LOL I give this place for yum's up and I'll be back! Oh wait, I forgot to mention the bread they gave us before the meal, not sure what they put in that butter, but I give it an Oakland #Hella good. read more

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I'll start off by saying that it could be a 4 star review and I'm not discounting 4 or even 5 star reviews. My review is based on my experiences. The place was a zoo and definitely caters to the 20-30ish crowd who like to party and drink after work. The service was outstanding and the food decent, but not exceptional and some of the "starters" had way too much breading but the garlic bread was pretty good.. Would I go back -- possibly but I definitely wouldn't go out of my way. If you are a young professional who likes to go out with your gang after work and drink. Go for it. It's definitely not a casual family place. For a casual relaxing dinner -- I'll go somewhere else. read more

We came to Original Joe's because I wanted for years to try the SF one for dinner but never have, and I'm so glad we got one in Walnut Creek! The food was absolutely delicious, the service was good but they forgot my drink (Dole Whip) and a second bottle water we ordered. The Dole Whip drink Idid not like it after they brought it, way too coconut tasting for a drink called a dole whip. The bread basket they bring to the table is fantastic though, you can really tell the bread is top quality and super fresh. Portions were very generous and everything was delicious food wise. We'll definitely be back to try more from the menu! read more

Super Juiced to have Original Joes in Walnut Creek!!! Italian food is always trending !! My friend and I came on a Friday and it was popping and were were seated within 20 minutes. We were seated but the vibrant kitchen and there was lots of action! Friend ordered the coconut margarita and I ordered the grand margarita which were both divine ! We then ordered the clam chowder bowl and it was delicious! We then shared the Veal Picatta with a side of ravioli with meat sauce ! 10/10! This was so good! Also had the complimentary bread which was super fresh and served with whipped butter ! We had zero room for dessert but plan to be back for more food ! Highly recommend ! Ambiance is amazing and makes you feel like you're in the middle of NYC!! I also ordered the Aperol Spritz and it was truly refreshing !! Can't wait to come back !! read more

Original Joe's - Drinks menus - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

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Went here recently for lunch, with a friend. She was able to secure us a 2 seater table on a Friday afternoon. The restaurant was packed and had a nice vibe to it. It does feel upscale as soon as you step in. The restaurant serves an assorted bread basket with butter, which is a nice treat. We ordered roasted beet salad, very flavorful but could have done with some more beets :) we also ordered the salmon with mashed potatoes.. the salmon was perfectly done and the mashed potatoes were just so comforting. Overall we have a good time. Giving it 4 stars as we did feel like the person waiting our table was rushing us a bit. In any case, this is a great restaurant, you will not be disappointed, give it a try! We certainly will return. read more

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! read more

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Happy they reopened. Didn't have a reservation, but walked in on a Wednesday. There are 2 lines: one for the main dining room and one for the bar area. Wait for the main dining room was 1.5 hours, so we decided to wait in the bar line. Love the decor. The hallway wall to the bathroom is one huge collage of black and white pics. Pretty cool. Food was delicious - consistent with the OJ's in SF and Daly City. I had the prime rib dip with truffle fries. YUM. Had a couple vodka martini's, extra dirty - these were also really good. They have a huge outdoor patio and heaters for the evening. If you don't have a reservation (I think they only open 30 days out) be patient and prepared for a hefty wait. read more

Original Joe's - Vodka Martini - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

Ruby R. Was our server, she was amazing and went above and beyond. Food was pretty good! The bathrooms were super nice and private. Just a nice place to eat in general! Shoutout Ruby though she was the best. read more

Original Joe's - Truffle parmesean fries - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

After all the buzz from the San Francisco restaurant, we had reservations on the calendar, then the fire happened. It was closed for longer than we had thought, but we were lucky enough to grab new reservations when they announced the re opening date. Service- Our waiter was kind, but seemed spacey. We were a half vegetarian group, and he would only recommend meat appetizers. We ordered the dishes by their full correct name and he didn't understand which ones. We also think the bus lady was tied to our server, but they didn't communicate, so if we asked for a box and she came by after, we didn't know it was related and would think he's coming back. Could be due to noise, but was odd. Most notably, we ordered a bottle of wine, which we discussed sharing as a 4 person table. We didn't notice that this was the only small bottle on the menu. When he brought it out we mentioned that we didn't know it was that small, and he immediately opened it and said it's a special size. We would've changed the bottle. Atmosphere- As the buzz is still very big, the place is packed. People are running around everywhere, and the place is filled with families, kids, celebrations, etc. We also reserved a table outside, and were seated inside, which we thought was fine at first until the noise level never got better. Food- Starting with the star of the show- the zucchini fries are fantastic. Not being too bready is key to a good zucchini fry. The brussel salad was also fresh and yummy. The spicy vodka pasta actually did carry some spice which was a surprise. I got the marry me pasta without pancetta. I loved the flavor, it was delicious. My only comment is that it needed 3x more of the delicious sauce. Another person in our party got the seafood pasta, which they said tasted fresh and great. For dessert, the chocolate gelato was a good portion and had good flavor, but the star of the show was the bombolini. These little donuts were fluffy and light. They came with chocolate and raspberry dipping sauces to satisfy multiple flavors. Overall it was a good restaurant. Nothing bad, but not great. I do think it's very pricey. We also all discussed as a table that it would be much better as a spot to stop in for a martini and zucchini fries, but this is the opposite of casual with how long you have to wait and plan for a reservation. We'll be back eventually, just with better plans next time. read more

Original Joe's - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

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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 read more

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3.4/5 The new Original Joe's location is flawless and has a modern and luxurious style diner theme going. I was impressed by the decor and the inviting atmosphere of the restaurant. Servers and staff were all very professional. We had a reservation for 8:30PM on a Sunday but still had to wait half an hour. I suspect there was an error made and they sat someone else before us. When our table was ready, one of the chairs was missing. It was not a good look or first impression though I can extend sympathy because they are so so busy and still just opening. The food had very generous portions - calamari appetizer was huge and we could not finish it. They were fried crisp and were chewy. We had the chicken milanese and the veal. Both were good but I was disappointed in the ravioli they served as a side. It tasted like the kind you would get on an airplane :( I do want to love this place but the food was so-so. The desserts that other tables got looked spectacular though. I would come again to give this place one more shot and try the dessert. Unfortunately we were too full to try them on our first time here. read more

Original Joe's - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

Was very excited to come here since they were temporarily closed-- we did a walk in because there were no reservations online. We were quoted 2 hours and we waited almost 4. I still waited because I was really excited to come here. You are able to put your name down and can walk around because they will text you when your table is ready. Honestly, such a cute place. Super busy, of course it's new, hence the wait time but honestly, it was rather underwhelming. The service was pretty bad, he did not check in on us, and I tried to get another drink for 45 minutes (I know, it is busy but his section was in a row and he would check on the tables beside us and would skip us?). The scallops were so salty, I love scallops so I was rather disappointed. The lasagna was great but the marry me pasta was also underwhelming. I would not suggest it. The only thing I truly loved was the dessert, the butter cake was absolutely divine. The presentation was beautiful and it was a great way to end dinner. Not related to the food, but in terms of the atmosphere, the tables are extremely close together and rather small. Even though, I only ordered 3-4 dishes, 2 dishes on the table would fill up. I asked for my app to be boxed automatically so I had room for the other dishes. He cleared the table next to us in between their meals but did not do that for ours and we were struggling to have our dishes on the table. He told us that he should just take away the share plates which sucked because we were doing family style and wanted to try each other's choices. The tables were so close together and the lady next to me was coughing, gagging and sneezing and honestly, also added to my bad experience. Like ew??? I don't know if it was truly worth the wait, I know it's new and maybe they are still playing catch up and trying to tweak how they run it but honestly for its name and it's price, do better. read more

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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. read more

My girlfriends and I came for brunch. Food and drinks were delicious, service was great! We ordered a few plates and shared. read more

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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!! read more

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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 read more

Original Joe's - Shortrib - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

ORIGINAL JOE'S IN NORTH BEACH SFO - better service, better atmosphere, better food & drinks better noise management. Sorry Walnut Creek my experiences have Not been good, special event (wife's birthday) 9 in our party, trouble making reservations #1, finally able to talk to manager would assured me we were taken care of. Well we arrived 5 min before our reservations, had to WAIT 20 minutes, table wasn't ready? Finally seated, we were CRAMMED INTO A BOOTH AND I HAD TO SIT ON AN ADDED CHAIR IN THE WALK WAY, with food and drinks carried over me back and forth. Needless to say I am going to stop my review NOW!!!! It's not worth going on, NEVER NEVER AGAIN. GOOD LUCK! Call me if you improve 1000% Request Dinner Mr. SO SORRY read more

I took my wife here for our anniversary, and I want to start by saying that our service was outstanding. Our waiter was attentive, friendly, and helped make the evening enjoyable. The ambiance was great, and the noise level in our seating area was perfect for a nice dinner conversation. My wife ordered two cocktails--one was a bit too sweet for her taste, and the other was just okay. Our appetizers and her first drink came out very quickly, which we appreciated. However, her second drink took longer than expected to arrive, and there was also a longer-than-expected wait for our entrées. For appetizers, we had the spinach artichoke dip and the Parmesan truffle fries, and both were excellent. For our entrées, my wife ordered Joe's Spicy Rigatoni with shrimp. Unfortunately, it wasn't her favorite. The pasta was a little too al dente for her liking, and she felt the dish was overly salty. I ordered the Filet Mignon with mashed potatoes. The steak was cooked perfectly to medium, and the mashed potatoes were creamy and delicious. However, the steak sauce was much too salty for my taste. To finish the meal, we ordered the mango sorbet and tiramisu, and both desserts were excellent. Overall, we had a pleasant experience with great service, a comfortable atmosphere, and several dishes we enjoyed. However, considering the price point, we felt the meal was somewhat underwhelming and didn't offer anything particularly memorable. While we're glad we gave it a try, it's probably not a place we would return to. read more

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! read more

The food was great, and our waiter was excellent--friendly, attentive, and made our dining experience really enjoyable. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 was the experience with the hostess. We were told our table was ready, so we came inside expecting to be seated, but then ended up waiting another 20 minutes. It would have been helpful if we had been told there was still a wait so we didn't have to stand inside the restaurant the whole time. Aside from that, everything else was wonderful, and we'd definitely come back. read more

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. read more

Original Joe's - Zucchini fries - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

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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 ! read more

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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. read more

Original Joe's - joe's special - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

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I went in after the Grand opening and it was busy for Lunch service. I had slid into a Bar seat at the counter. It seemed it was self seating in the Bar area. I had ordered a Negroni with Tanqueray and it had a weird garnish. It had a big block and a little onion piece. It strangely worked and i opted for a Burger and side salad for Lunch. Bar patrons were Original Joes fans and came all the way over from SF to have lunch. My Burger was perfectly cooked pink and salad was basic greens. I did ask for Extra tomato slices since Burger didn't come with any. It seemed really busy but the Staff was on top of everything and small request. I will go back and try the Italian fare and maybe eat table side and enjoy the ambiance. read more

Original Joe's - Negroni - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

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Every thing about the food and service is fantastic. Only one complaint and that's the noise. Something should be done about the acoustics because it's a common complaint. read more

My ultimate restaurant checklist--silverware, bathrooms, and dessert: all passed my check list. Original Joe's is serving not just food, but vibes you can't ignore. First off, the silverware? On point. Bonus: the bathrooms were a whole experience--spacious, light cherry pink, with fresh flowers that made it feel luxe. The service? Immaculate. Like, everyone checked in, and we felt totally cared for. Sitting at the bar added an extra touch of excitement with a kitchen view. Zucchini fries? A must-order every time. The Caesar salad was a salty skip, lasagna didn't make the cut, but the lemon meringue pie? Absolute perfection. This spot has nailed that mix of class and comfort that keeps you wanting more". Will we be back... absolutely PS the servings are plentiful. You can share as we did. read more

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**A Disappointing and Expensive Imitation of Italian Food** My family is from Sicily, and Italian food has been part of my life since childhood. For decades, I have eaten regularly at Original Joe's restaurants, including the original San Francisco location and Westlake, Corte Madera, San Rafael Joes, and similar restaurants that followed the traditional Original Joe's style and recipes. Naturally, when I learned that an Original Joe's was opening in Walnut Creek, I was intrigued and genuinely looked forward to dining there. Unfortunately, my experience was not merely disappointing--it was appalling. As shown in the accompanying photograph, I ordered a hamburger, minestrone soup, and a salad, and declined the bread. What arrived as a "hamburger" was a badly burned, dense loaf of meat that looked and tasted more like an overcooked miniature meatloaf. The minestrone was so thin and watery that it could hardly be described as minestrone at all. It seemed more like watered-down vegetable soup. Authentic minestrone should be rich, hearty, and filled with vegetables, beans, pasta, and flavor. My family has always said that a good minestrone should be thick enough that a spoon nearly stands upright in the bowl. This soup did not come remotely close. Ironically, one of the best bowls of minestrone I have ever enjoyed came from Mac's Old House in Antioch. Its soup--and even its bread--was far superior to what we were served at Original Joe's. The most astonishing part was the price. We paid approximately $50 per person for food that was poorly prepared, uninspired, and bore little resemblance to authentic Italian cuisine. Sadly, this was not an isolated experience. I previously took my sister and brother-in-law to the Original Joe's in Westlake, and the food there was similarly disappointing. I would be hard-pressed to believe that much of what we were served was freshly prepared from traditional recipes. The food had the appearance, texture, and flavor of mass-produced or canned ingredients. Original Joe's may still have a famous name, but based on my recent experiences, it is no longer delivering the quality, tradition, or value that once made that name meaningful. I will not return, and I could not recommend it to friends or family. read more

Original Joe's - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

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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. read more

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Original Joe's out here in Walnut Creek is the spot you want to be - even at opening rush hour when it's buzzing, the team makes you feel welcome from the second you walk in. The place has serious style: modern design with a centered view of South Main Street, a lively bar(mmmm, those drinks), a kitchen bar? for the action, three dining halls, and a cozy fireplace vibe. Service? Think organized chaos in the best way - the staff moves fast, always checking in, and clearly cares about making your night great. How's my friend said - minion's family The portions here are no joke - yes, prices lean higher, but one look at your plate and you'll get it. The calamari was spot-on, and the entrées are pure comfort-food glory. Better think before you order Drinks are a must - every one we tried was unique and expertly made. Big shout-out to Sarah, who's crushing it at just 22, and to GM Chris, who knows exactly how to treat guests and keep them coming back. Pro tip: stick around for the after-hours treat - it's the cherry on top. We'll be back... tomorrow. No joke. read more

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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! read more

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The amount I signed for was $62.74. (lower than normal tip because of service problems) The amount they charged to my account was $67.74. The excuse that a "2"could be confused with a "7" makes no sense because I wrote a "7" right next to the "2". Seems like they thought the tip was too low. Make sure to check the amount they charge is the amount that you signed for. Better yet, eat somewhere else. read more

Original Joe's - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

On average $110-$130 for 2 people. Gets busy on rainy days & on weekends after 12:30. The waitlist gets pretty full but seating at the bar is nice, especially the area in front of the kitchen. The restaurant overall has a nice and clean appearance. Good for lunch & dinner. The pasta is perfect, & the staff are always so attentive! read more

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This place was a huge hit with our family. It feels as if you've been transported to 1050's San Francisco or New York. It feels swanky, high-end, and vintage inside. I regretted not wearing a feather boa to dinner. At times I wondered if The Rat Pack could be found in one of these booths. The main dining room is almost entirely large booths. They feel private but also right in the mix with all the fun. The menu is extensive. There's something for everyone. They even had great options for kids and gluten-free options. The wait staff were true professionals. They knew just what to recommend, they were charming, polite, and made us feel like we were special guests at an "it" spot. The whole evening was a blast and we overstayed our welcome, not wanting to leave the glam of that old Hollywood vibe. The food was absolutely amazing. Everything looked and smelled so delicious that even our kids (picky eaters) wanted to try it all. Plus, they pit a real live sparkler in your dessert if you're celebrating. I just loved every moment. Next time I'm going dressed as Audrey Hepburn. read more

So far I love it. It's got a cute vibe. Everyone working there puts on a smile and has been kind. Been twice now and plan a few more times. The pasta are rich a creamy almost makes me a little sick... def shareable! The zucchini fries r simply incredible... I mean just look at the size of the thing... the side mac n cheese was bomb and the Brussel sprout salad was perfect! I can't wait to go back and try more things! Esp the drinks. Soooo good. read more

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

Original Joe's - Italian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

Honest review, the ambience here is 10/10 feels like a modern 50s diner we love it, the staff is 10/10 we always have received excellent service here, the welcoming bread they serve is horrible not sure why no one has ever noticed how bad and dry it tastes they need to improve that asap, the food is a hit or miss 7/10, the desserts are a 10/10, only reason we recommend is for the ambiance other then that if you want to go for the food their are places that are better for the price. read more

The first time I went to Joe's was Joe's of Westlake in the mid Sixties, so I was curious how the new Walnut Creek location, Original Joe's, measured up. It's close. The restaurant still has an old-school charm, with darkly upholstered booths and subdued lighting. The WC restaurant seems a lot bigger than the Westlake one I remembered, though. My wife and I went to an early dinner, midafternoon on a weekday, figuring the place would be less crowded and less noisy at that time. Wrong. It was quite crowded and we waited about ten minutes for a booth for two. Unfortunately, the booth was next to the open kitchen, and the hustle and bustle of waiters and customers was quite distracting. In fact, the only serious complaint we both had was the noise. It was so loud, we could hardly hear one another. The food was fine, if a little pricey, as expected. We started with a cup of clam chowder, which was excellent, if served rather too hot. We had to wait a few minutes for it to cool down. Then, my wife had sole and I had calamari dore, both OK. My calamari, however, had so much sauce on it, it was fairly swimming around in the plate. Oh, and the ravioli side dish I had was ample enough to make a meal in itself. Would we go back? Probably not anytime soon, mainly because of the noise inside the dining room and the general unavailability of nearby parking. Still, if you're really interested in the food, it's not exactly gourmet but more than satisfactory. read more

I came into Original Joe's in Walnut Creek without a reservation and ended up having one of the most complete dining experiences I've had in a long time. Right from the start, the general manager Campos made me feel welcome. We had a great conversation, and he even shared some insight and ideas that I can apply to my own work. That kind of hospitality and leadership stands out immediately. I was seated quickly, and my servers Ezekiel and Alejandro Ortiz were on it from the beginning--attentive, professional, and genuinely welcoming without ever feeling overbearing. I ordered the famous Joe's Burger with blue cheese, cooked medium, and it came out perfect. Juicy, flavorful, and exactly how it should be. I swapped the fries for a side of ravioli, and that was a great call--rich, comforting, and executed really well. The bread service alone deserves recognition--fresh rosemary focaccia, crostini, and a French roll, all warm and delicious. I also had the famous dirty martini with Bombay and blue cheese olives, and it was spot on--balanced, cold, and exactly what you want from a proper martini. The ambiance is elegant but comfortable, service is efficient, and everything flows the way a great restaurant should. Even had the chance to connect with guests at a nearby table, which added to the overall experience. This is a place that understands hospitality at every level--food, service, and atmosphere all working together. I'll definitely be back. read more

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This new location has a lot of potential but there are a few things they need to fine tune. 5-stars for the excellent front of house service and wait staff. Everyone who serviced our table was welcoming, friendly, and attentive. The interior space was clean and nicely decorated. 4-stars for the food. The calamari was the winner, with great texture and flavor. The bread basket was also very good. The aracini and lasagna was decent. The bacon turkey sandwich was ok, but the chips were oily and soggy. Overall, everything was just a little too salty. 2-stars for the wait time, and back of house/kitchen staff. We waited 30 minutes for a table, and an additional 40 minutes for our order. There were several mistakes along the way which caused an additional 15 minute delay (they forgot the bread basket, and brought a couple of dishes that were different from what we ordered). This place is worth a try if you're not in a hurry. Reservations are recommended. read more

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Original Joe's Walnut Creek - the new kid on the block. Their grand opening day was 8/14/2025. This is the first location in the East Bay, with their four others located in SF, one in SJ, and one in San Rafael. My SO and I used to frequent the Westlake and Union St in San Francisco often, so we knew what to expect in terms of high quality, great tasting food. On weekends they open 10AM. We got there around 11:15AM and expected a wait with all the hype. We saw a news outlet announce the grand opening and also a post on a popular FB group. We were told it would be a 10-15 min wait for a table of 6. However, I clarified that our party was 4 adults and 2 kids. Hostess said the wait for an indoor table would be 45ish min bc we needed a booster and high chair and those can only fit at certain tables. We thought that was interesting, so we opted for the patio which did not have a wait. Pro tip: they only seat you when your whole party is there. We were seated around 11:50am, give or take a few min. Out on the patio, they have no heat lamps and it was quite windy in the shaded patio. Wish they had told us that! Had to go back to the car to get jackets. No biggie. They brought out a high chair but explained they ran out of boosters, so we had to stack two seat cushions to do a makeshift booster. Our server greeted us and told us off the bat that they were out of chicken tenders and prime rib. He also mentioned they could do a spaghetti with butter and cheese for the kids as an off menu item. We ended ordering the zucchini fries, spicy rigatoni, and side salad. My two friends ordered the eggplant parm, Cobb salad, and the spaghetti with butter and cheese for the kids. We also ordered bread for the table. The zucchini fries came out first around 12:25, then the bread at 12:30. Next was my side salad a few min later. This salad was the item that deviated most from the other O Joe's locations. It was just romaine, vinaigrette, and black pepper in a small bowl. I had asked for vinaigrette on the side but it did not come like that. I didn't want to send it back to an already overwhelmed kitchen. In their other locations, the side salad is huge and comes with cherry tomatoes and red onions. Not worth the $8.95. 30ish min later, the spicy rigatoni, Cobb salad, and eggplant parm dishes were out. The rigatoni was cooked well and the vodka sauce had good flavor and had a little bit of a kick for spiciness. We thought it was well balanced. We asked for crushed red pepper on the side to give it more of a kick to our liking. Only thing is that it came out on the colder side, like it'd been sitting out a while. At other locations we've tried, servers had to tell us that plates were hot and not to touch them. Friends also said that the eggplant parm was great. I wish I had a photo bc the potion was huge! Kids also finished the spaghetti with butter and cheese, so we'll count that as a win! We rank the dishes in order of most to least favorite as follows: - zucchini fries - eggplant parm - spicy rigatoni - Cobb salad - side salad With any grand opening comes with growing pains as all the teams work to get into a groove. We'll definitely be back to try in the near future and hopefully there will be heat lamps on the patio and food will come out on the hotter side. read more

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