"Portions are too large for us. I had the Joe's Special and requested no salt and without that it didn't have much flavor. I could only eat half of it. My husband ordered a roast beef sandwich and expected an open faced sandwich with gravy but it was more just a sandwich. Our friends ordered a half a salad and a ravioli, which they seemed to enjoy. The waiter was helpful. We were seated in the front section overlooking the park, which would have been nice except for the road construction going on (not the restaurant's fault!) There were no sound absorbing surfaces and it was a noisy environment even though there weren't that many people there for lunch."
Dined on 5/16/2013
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"Since the fire of the old place on Taylor; this place has been missed. The new place in the beach is stunning. Looks like it's been there for years. All the old touches remain (the lunch counter overlooking the kitchen) but the place is highly refined but very comfortable. The food is flawless; staff friendly; and on a sunny day, outside w a view of Sts Peter and Pauls; there is no better place to sit and eat. Take it from a 4th generation San Franciscan; this is the place to be."
Dined on 5/14/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, scenic view, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Original Joe's is a San Francisco treasure. You feel like family from the minute you walk in the door. And the food! It's become frustrating for us to try to decide, there are more "must have" items on the menu than we can order! The hamburger is simply the best I've ever had. This time we tried the meatballs and the aracini and loved them both. The flat iron steak is delicious and a great value for the money, and the liver and onions is a classic."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"The food was fine, but the male seating host was not very polite and seemed disinterested or over-whelmed. Did not smile and not very accommodating. We've eaten here many times, but may be the last time for awhile until the menu changes a bit (same food, no specials or changes). Felt rushed when seated.... Very loud...poor acoustics."
Dined on 5/12/2013
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"Regardless of what you may hear it is “The” Original Joe’s, this is just their new location in SF. As soon as you walk in the door you feel at home again. My family has been frequenting this restaurant since the 1930’s – my grandmother would meet my grandfather here when they were dating and it’s been a family tradition ever since. My grandma and great aunt would hang out, flirt with sailors and wait for my grandfather to get off work at the shipyards. We've been loyal customers ever since!
The food is amazing, that’s all I can say – it’s a restaurant that you make plans to go to because you want to try something else on the menu. It’s your typical ‘Old School’ Italian Restaurant and I am so happy they reopened."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"very non-kid friendly. i was surprised. especially for such a history. all of us remember going to O. J.'s as a child. no kids menu.......high chairs straps were broken ( on all the chairs, hostess told us). this is very dangerous! but it does give a message not to bring kids there. we came at 5:30 - early so as not to be any problem. no one was in the place and yet the hostess kept telling us how "in the way a high chair is to her servers and staff". then she'd say, it really ISN't a problem. i couldn't tell what she wanted us to do (except maybe leave). four adults , a baby, and a 4 year old shouldn't be such a big deal for a"
Dined on 5/06/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"Table wasn't ready even though we made a reservation and the dining room was half empty. Went to bar...friendly waitress...went to table...waiter wore tux and was as stuffy as his suit, but provided decent service. It was the menu that left a lot to be desired! Expected so much more! Would not return and would not recommend it to anyone else. Lots of better choices in the neighborhood."
Dined on 5/09/2013
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"Service - fast, professional, not rushed - even though this is a very busy place. Food very good - old time classics. Find what you like and order ieach time you go and you are all set. Good atmosphere - a happy positive place.
From 6:15 to about 7:30 noise level was loud but acceptable. - after 7:30 i could not hear the person across the table. A little more ceiling baffling would be helpful - not trying to make it staid or a whisper restaurant but I do like to hear the person I am dining with - especially as there are only two of at the table"
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch
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"This restaurant filled all of our expectations for an evening out! Great food, waiter was very experienced, some unexpected food choices that were very tasty. Loved the chopped salad, bombolini....."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Excellent service and food. We were a party of five, and one of my younger guests wanted to order a "schmurkey" - a combination of Wild Turkey and peppermint schnapps. None of us had ever heard of it. Our waiter spoke to the bartender and said they had no peppermint schnapps. Then asked if he would like the bartender to get creative. The answer was yes, and when the waiter came back, he offered the drink at no charge. Nice touch."
Dined on 5/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"After a poor start (15 minutes to get our bottle of wine and another 35minutes to get our appetizers) thing got better with the help of Francesca who handled our earlier mishaps with a professional approach and turned an unpleasant experience into an enjoyable one.Grazie!"
Dined on 5/01/2013
Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene
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"Their red sauce is all over everything and its overcooked and tastes too much of dried herbs. The aranchini, the eggplant parmigiana, and the pork chop all have the same tomato sauce. The ambiance is great, the servers are great, they do a good job with the grill but its not nuanced. I should have ordered something grilled and told them to hold the sauce. Good drinks."
Dined on 04/23/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for lunch
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"Original Joe's is truly a San Francisco icon. There are so many wonderful options on the eclectic menu any palate can be satisfied. The outstanding food, the tuxedo clad waiters, and the friendly vibe capture the essence of the city and make out-of-town guests feel like a part of the neighborhood. Excellent!"
Dined on 04/21/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, special occasion, hot spot
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"Original Joe's is a welcome addition to North Beach. The menu is familiar and the food is cooked perfectly. The staff is attentive. And you can't help but look forward to a good time."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"The last time I went to this place was when it was in the old location....a long time ago. The food is still as good as I had remembered. It's definitely what I consider to be old style Italian food, which is what I sometimes crave. Larger, nicer atmosphere, a bit noisy, but festive and could be romantic. We had the sirloin, filet mignon, , and the sweetbreads. the steaks were the winners. My 11 yo said the filet was one of the best she had ever eaten (and the girl gets around). Sweetbreads so-so. The ravioli is what I went for and I wasn't disappointed....loved them! Bombolini for dessert...good. Not haute cuisine, but solid food with a wine list that is very accommodating. Will definitely be going back!"
Dined on 04/16/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Original Joe's didn't disappoint--as usual.My husband, son & I took two old friends from the UK there for their last dinner in SF. Fritto misto, arancini were specially appreciated, because they were both unusual & unusually good. I don's usually eat deep fried anything, but the fritto misto was just outstanding. So were the steak, seafood pasta, & liver & bacon. I had the crab louie: delicious. Oh yes--great cocktails, too! The service was attentive but never obtrusive: e.g. we never had to ask for more bread (so good) or water. The only tiny drawback was the noise level, which sometimes made it hard for us to hear one another, but hey---this is a happenin' place! Long may you flourish, and don't change a thing."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"We went on a Wednesday oxtail special -- it was very good! Just slightly tough ( might need a little more boil time ). Delicious though -- had a great time. Fun place to go."
Dined on 04/10/2013
2004
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Excellent restaurant and the waitstaff is fantastic. Parking is a little challenging but the valet parking makes up for it. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone."
Dined on 04/09/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, hot spot
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"We were seated at the exact time of our reservation, by a pleasant hostess. Busboys and waiter very professional. Large portions, great drinks and good food."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"The only problem we had was the room we had was immediately opposite the only ice machine in the hotel As we had a child with us this caused s a problem as the machine was used through the night. We asked to change rooms and this was achieved with great help from management and staff receiving an up grade into the sweat suite Highly recommended"
Dined on 04/07/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch
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"Eat at Joe's for solid man-food. If you want atomic gastronomy, foam-on-a-plate or nouvelle cuisine, please, do us a favor, go elsewhere."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2000
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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"Well the days of Taylor Street are over, where you got big portions at a moderate price. Union Street brings higher prices with small portions of food. The bread will fill you up if you eat enough of it. With that being said, I will return because I have been a fan of Original Joe's since 1971."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, special occasion
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"Ate at OJ's back when it was in the Tenderloin, always thought of it as a meat n' potatoes place. Had a really good meal at the new location, the special Lamb Tenderloin was spiced and herbed very nicely, the Fettuccine al Funghi superb."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot
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"I was a fan of Original Joe's before it moved to my neighborhood. It is what a restaurant should be. The owners make an effort to circulate and chat with diners. Their memory amazes me, as they'll recall what I had at my last visit. But the food is more than equal to the owners. Every dish I've had is at the top of any at any other place. I am a big fan of chicken. I think I make the best, so I was expecting good when I got around to trying theirs. I was blown away by the flavor and texture. Same with all else on the menu. If dining alone, the counter provides a great companion, watching the kitchen jump around to put out all the meals. Good for stealing cooking tips, too. Viva Original Joe's!"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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"The place to go for one of their specialties, grilled calves liver with bacon and caramelized onions...delicious and prepared just right. My friends had the Thursday special corned beef and cabbage and pasta carbonara...they all loved it. Will definitely return."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"An original San Francisco favorite that relocated from a dicey neighborhood after fire-caused damage to be reborn with a beautiful first class renovation. Highly recommended for all occasions and ages."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"This place is just fun. Food more to my husbands liking but I always find and enjoy something on the menu. The bar scene is lively and worthy of North Beach. I love the red booths and decor. It is remenistic of the"ole" SF days when my folks took me out to nice places for dinner. Very Brat Pack-ish feeling. I have always had a good night here."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"I was in from Chicago and asked a friend to recommend something traditional. He really hit the mark with Original Joes. It was one of the best dining experiences I have had in recent memory and I eat out a lot all around the country. It is very "old school," but in a great way. The food was perfect and every item was excellent. Our server was very professional and executed every detail. It also seemed the entire staff shared his professionalism. What really surprised me was the pricing, which seemed very low for the quality of the meal and location.
This will now be a regular stop on my trips to San Francisco."
Dined on 03/21/2013
2006
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"Original Joe's has mastered the art of blending the classic and the classy. If you want a beautiful dining experience, you'll find it here, complete with extremely professional service. And if you want to feel warmly welcomed with attentive but never overly smothering waitstaff, this is the place as well. The food is delicious: well-prepared and excellent quality. The wine list is very good and not over priced. Many restaurants in North Beach (I won't name them, but I've been to most) are surviving on reputation and/or hype. They are OK if you're a tourist, but if you want to spend your evening among San Franciscans who know good value and a good vibe, Original Joe's is the place to be."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"A wonderful dining experience! We came here on a Sunday night and the place was bustling. We had reservations, so we were seated promptly. Our server was excellent. The restaurant is a good blend of old San Francisco meets modern decor. The clam chowder was memorable, probably one of the best I've had in the city. I had the steamed mussels which were fantastic and a huge heaping portion. My husband had the veal parmigiana with ravioli. He polished his plate. The restaurant exceeded our expectations and the price was very reasonable. We'll definitely be back!"
Dined on 03/17/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"John, the owner, was very cordial and friendly w us, talking about the original loaction of OJ's. Food great as always, service professional and a great evening for us.It's always been our favorite SF restaurant for 26 years, it was our first date back in 1986. So OJ's very special place for us and we are never dissapointed. We always have a great dinner and wonderful time, never fails."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"THe service was a bit slow, and the food wasn't that great, but I still had a good time with my friends. The restaurant was very accommodating to the last minute add-ons I had to my group."
Dined on 03/17/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, special occasion
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"M husband and could only get a 4:45pm reservation on a Saturday...that is, unless we could wait until 9pm. The ambiance was like the Original Joe's in the tenderloin and in San Jose, except with modern flairs. We were seated right away. Our waiter came, introduced himself and named the specials. We ordered a bottle of wine. My husband ordered the calves liver, with onion and bacon,with a side of raveoli I ordered the prime rib, small cut with a side of sauteed spinach. We both shared a caeser salad. The prime rib was tender and full of flavor. My husband loved his liver saying it was tender and cooked to perfection. We brought leftovers home."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2002
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"Great to see that some of the best of OJ's on Taylor street remains. IE the waiters and some of the plates. The ravioli are better than Taylor Street, close to excellent. The prime rib was outstanding. the veal picatta, you could still taste the flour used in preparation on the veal. The hamburger was very good, but not as good as Taylor Street, or Marin Joe's. Good italian wine list."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2005
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"This is the third time we've been to Orig Joes, and on a Friday night it was quite a bit more noisy and the service wasn't as attentive. So I would recommend it for the pasta, and suggest either going during the week, or earlier in the evening, or for lunch when it is possible to talk to your tablemates."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2007
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"The Caesar salad was real. Her Eggplant Parmesan was good. My cheeseburger was just a hefty patty with cheddar and grilled onions on a crunchy sourdough roll. The meat tasted noticeably good for 'burger' and with the excellent fries it was more than I could eat.
The service was efficient but the noise level was so high that it seemed pointless to tell the waiter we heard hardly a word he said, including the 'specials' of the day. It was too loud to hear each other and too dark to add context by lip-reading. The wrong choice for an intimate birthday dinner.
After we declined dessert the waiter said, "May I offer you some espresso this evening?". We said no, as we assumed he wasn't offering us coffee, but inviting us to buy it. O"
Dined on 03/14/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, hot spot
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