Original Joe's Italian Restaurant

judy k.

Joined 5 months ago

our friends and my husband and I planned a special Xmas dinner here on Saturday evening. We had a horrible experience. We ordered prime rib, pork chops, and a veal dish. Nothing had any taste or seasoning. Like the other gentleman said you wouldn't want to take it home. The service was also lousy, had to ask for everything including place settings. Bad, sad experience. $200 for junk!!

Doesn't Recommend

jewelrymom

Joined 4 years ago

NASTY!. I only gave it 1 star because 0 stars isn't an option. Don't bother. Years ago our family celebrated special events at Joe's, and years ago it as good. How long can a restaurant rest on it's laurels? Chef Boy-r-dee Ravioli, tough steaks, marinara straight from the can... not even the jar! And nothing beats a waiter with attitude, who could give a damn about serving you or EARNING his tip, dripping SWEAT off his brow onto your dinner plate!!!! Thanks but no thanks.

Doesn't Recommend

MaggieD2

Joined 4 years ago

Not for me. When I finally convinced my ex to take me to this place, I was unpleasantly surprised. There was nowhere to park, we had to wait for a table for over 45 minutes even though we had a reservation, the food was cold, and I had a very unpleasant experience at the table that the manager tried to solve by rolling his eyes and asking if we wanted to change tables- we had not complained up until that point...

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bobwhitlach

Joined 11 years ago

REMODELED - AND STILL GREAT. Joe's recently re-opened after being closed all summer for remodeling. Still the same great italian food with new booths, counter-tops and stools. Glad to have them back. Always fun.

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kenichirobot

Joined 6 years ago

am i missing something?. i heard such great things about oj's. but, i got to be honest, it wasn't that great. what's ironic is that even though servings are so huge you can't finish, you don't want to take the leftovers home with you.

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kb8

Joined 6 years ago

Excellent for a family celebration dinner. A little loud and busy for a romantic or intimate meal. Large family style portions. Couples try the Petite Filet Mignon and the Sauteed Scallops (I recommend ravioli on the side). Do not forget the Antipasto salad and garlic bread for large groups.

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tall1sobay

Joined 7 years ago

Go for the Atmosphere. This place is a landmark. If you want to feel like you're eating in one of those restaurants you've seen in a gangster film this is it - complete with wise-guy waiters. The food is good - not great but good. The service can range from fair to good - again, not great but good. The wait can be long on weekends.

As I've already mentioned, I've always thought the atmosphere is very classic in a "God Father" sort of way. It's really a fun place to go once in awhile. It's OK for kids. There's plenty of noise so they probably won't bother anyone. It's in downtown San Jose so parking pretty much is horrible and is almost never free.

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citygirl54

Joined 7 years ago

Overrated!. My girlfriends and I made reservations for a birthday dinner since we heard it was a great place for large groups with a great menu. The service was good, I'll admit that, but the food was decent, if that! I could make tastier dishes at home! I tried adding salt and pepper, and some cheese to jazz up the dish since it was completely bland, but nothing helped. It was just oily and flavorless. Everyone else was also extremely disappointed with their selection. We all (12 of us) ordered different items and no one liked anything. The place was also super packed and extremely loud. The meal averaged $25-30 bucks/person, tip included.

If you're looking for an Italian restaurant good for large groups, I'd recommend Maggiano's or Buca di Beppo over this place anyday!

Doesn't Recommend

ritalicious

Joined 7 years ago

IF YOU WANT BAD yet EXPENSIVE FOOD, UNFRIENDLY SERVICE, and UNPLEASANT ATMOSPHERE, THEN THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE!. After driving for 5 hours from LA needless to say we were hungry. We decided to try Joe's for some Italian--BIG MISTAKE! The Decor looked very old, dark, and cheap but I after looking at their menu I thought that perhaps dishes priced around $18 will make up for it. I was wrong!

After our very UNFRIENDLY WAITER who said "Everything is good" couldn't recommend anything in particular, I finally settled on the $24 Veal Parmesian. The veal was not bad, but the spaghetti with tomato sauce looked and tasted like it was just brought from a school cafeteria!!! Also, our friend just had lunch and came along for the company, but she was told that SHE HAD TO PAY $4 JUST TO BE THERE!!! I've never heard of this before! So she ordered a $7 slice of "Tiramisu" instead--and it was the farthest thing from Tiramisu we've ever had! California Pizza Kitchen's is 10 times better! This was dry sponge cake layered with a thin coat of coco mixed with whipped cream and some more sponge cake and whipped cream on top!

If you think that I've been spoiled by Los Angeles eateries, this is not the case at all. I've eaten at many hole-in-the-wall places which were much better than Joe's!

The only reason I'm writing this review is because this was the absolute WORST RESTAURANT I've ever been to and I've never regretted leaving $40 bucks as much as I did that time.

I don't know how this place stays in business, but it shouldn'!

DON' T Waste Your Money! Go Somewhere Else. You'll thank me later =)

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52cycles

Joined 7 years ago

Classic Italian Upscale Diner. You don't see places like this anymore. Menu is truly old school and the portions are large. Side of pasta (or baked potato) comes w/entree. Half portions of pasta's available for the kids. One of the few places left still offering the "Half & half" (Half Spag, half ravioli). The bread is excellent. NY Steak rocks. Meatball & steak sandwiches rock. Atmosphere is truly classic 70's with all the wait staff in black ties. Stays open late. It wouldn't be downtown SJ without O-Joe's.