How I love Joe's of Westake. Great atmosphere, excellent service, stiff cocktails, and well prepared Italian American food. Hope they never shutter this beloved establishment.
@@A55-s9d , my dad had an old Original Joes Chef friend named Benny at the Taylor location. I wish they would bring back the Braised Oxtail like at the Tenderloin OJ’s.
Thank you! This brings back fond memories. My Dad always took me to Original Joe's after our 'father daughter' dates in the 1970's & we always ordered the calamari for our appetizer.
I grew up with Westlake Joes, shared many many family meals there! The raviolis are amazing, as was the hamburger sandwiches and the fried calamari steak dinners. Wish we could go back in time and share again with all of my family that are now in heaven. I remember the glass counter and register where we’d pay and the wrapped mints and the wonderful staff. God bless Westlake Joes and thanks for the memories…
Been going to original Joe's of Westlake since the early 60's almost twice a week all the way up to 2001. I also remember Lyon's restaurant up by the 280 freeway, great steak & eggs for breakfast!!!!! Also across from Joe's of Westlake in the Westlake mall there use to be a small place called Johnson's Tamale Grotto where you could get great enchiladas and tamales in the early 70's!!!! 👍🌉
@@bartonpercival3216 , that is awesome! I miss Lyon’s. There was also another Lyon’s I would go to on Vanness in San Framciso… My suit tailor was located in the Westlake shopping center, it has changed so much.
Excellent review! My mouth was watering the whole time. Westlake Joe's is truly iconic and follows in the tradition of other Joe's in SF. I'd add the filet of sole and the large porterhouse steak to your list. They do a fantastic job with both. As a teenager in the 60's, my dad worked at both the Broadway location and the one downtown. He was a matre'd. I still recall sitting at the counter watching them prepare me a huge burger on a french roll. Back then you could get Teleme cheese on it. If they can still add that cheese, I highly suggest it. It's a delicious treat on the awesome burger! 👌 😋
@@Rikkcas Your dad's name wasn't Barry was it? Sometimes when I'd go with friends out to Joe's of Westlake it would be so busy (they use to give you a numbered ticket, then call your party's number) "number 67 party of 5 your table is ready" I'd sometimes walk up to Barry and slip him a twenty and my party would be seated in like 3 minutes. Might seem expensive, but for the incredible food it was quite worth it. And I agree, the filet of sole was fabulous along with those incredible burgers on the sourdough french roll. But at Joe's in Westlake they used swiss cheese. I knew the guy at the grill "Tony" and when I walked in he always knew what I would order and start making my burger before the waiter even took my order. I always took care of him!!!!!! 👍🌉
Grew up in DC going to Joe's frequently all of my life. Always had veal scallopine or parm. The burger was a favorite as well as Joe's Special. So many memories. Graduations, birthdays, funerals and Friday night meals.
Great video Micheal! I grew up in S.F. and would train at Ralph Castro's so I spent a lot of time in the area. I remember Original Joes, it was the first restaurant where I felt like there is no way I could cook like that at home so while on the expensive side it was worth it. First time I ate calamari was at Joes and for many years I felt disappointed eating calamari anywhere else. Their steaks are very tasty and a good value when compared to other steak houses I used to frequent such as Alfred's in S.F. I remember working in Glen Park we would gather orders and drive to Westlake for burgers which are sooo good. Thanks for bringing back some memories, you got a sub from me.
@@rct8884 thank you for the kind words. I grew up in Glen Park. Went to Glen Park elementary school. So it sounds like we may have crossed paths at some point!
Have always loved the Joes restaurants. From Marina Joes, to Marin Joes, Little Joes, Original Joes (from the Tenderloin), and of course, Westlake Joes. My Westlake faves are prime rib, Cobb salad, the Joes hamburger steak and the ribeye. A part if Bay Area history!
Man! I'm so happy watching your channel blow-up in popularity! Your winning formula of doing solo reviews of multiple items at a place is your blueprint to success. I like how you order multiple things, and yeah it's pricier that way, but it's better content as you don't want to just order 1 dish, and then grab the menu and theorize on other menu stuff. It's better to demonstrate your live reactions for each special food the place has.
I’ve eaten there many times and the food is good! FYI, the fruit sauce with the bombolini is raspberry not strawberry…one of our favorites. And the sauce with the fried calamari is a cocktail sauce not a marinara. We always order 2 orders of this. Raviolis are the best.
Four generations of my family ate at Westlake Joe's. My grandmother, mother, us kid's and eventually our kids! Other notables living in North Beach were the US Cafe and Joe's! Westlake was always a go to after a 49er or Gaints game at the Stick or a movie at the Serra, after shopping at Stonestown, coming back from Ocean Beach or Golden Gate Park, Playland, etc.......I haven't lived on the San Francisco Peninsula, Coastside since 2007 ( Washington ) ! I was heartbroken to learn it sold/closed/etc. My mom send customers were stealing menus for nostalgia in the final days. I was visiting and found out it had reopened. So, on my way back from a cousins in Oakland, I pulled off 280, down John Daly Blvd and there it was! I was even more excited to see some of the original staff The new decor looked great even though I was nostalgic to it's dated appearance. I took a counter seat as usual if I was solo. I think the mesquite grill was gone? But I still went for my go to. A Rib Eye minus the Bone-in! Back then, if was $21-22, now more than double! So what! The place was still alive! Sadly, Pastina was no longer on the menu! Oh well! I ordered. I had Pesto on the Penne instead of the meat sauce as usual! My dinner arrived! Wait for it!!! It wasn't even close to the mesquite grilled, Bone-in Rib Eye of yesteryear! It was left over Prime Rib pan seared on top and steam table overcooked gray on the underside! I couldn't get the waiter or anyone else's attention after several attempts for that matter! My guess is that it was no mistake and didn't care to correct it! Additionally, the Pesto was thick and greasy as if it had been sautéed in a pan that something else had been cooked without cleaning it out in between. Total disappointment for a $65 tab! I didn't even look to see if they still had Spumante for dessert or if it got chucked out with the Pastina! Will I go back? Maybe on another visit, for nostalgias sake! 😮
Their garlic bread is to die for, the minestrone is house made, the hamburgers are grilled to perfection on a wood fire grill. After Covid, the Corte Madeira Joes in Marin now only opens after 5pm. Such a loss those lunchtime hours. They keep the bars which originated in the 60’s atmosphere, so cool
I’ve been to original Joe’s for 50 years, but not the one on West Lake that used to be on Taylor Street in San Francisco now it’s on Union. My father went there for over 70 years.
Wasn't Kirk Hammett The guitarist from Metallica from Daly City? Cliff Burton was from Castro Valley, true--But Kirk is from the Philippines or at least 1/2 which isn't discussed enough
In the 16 years I've lived in the bay area I have never once been able to get a table at Original Joe's. Every time I have gone not only was the place so busy you couldn't get a table, the times I have tried it took me over an hour to find parking. At this point I've given up even trying.
@@makingachanneltopost , you can make reservations on the Open Table app on your phone or call them. Because they don’t take reservations for a party of one, I called and let them know I was coming. I arrived right before they opened at 10am, but I could imagine parking being tough later in the day for sure. Very popular restaurant but for good reasons.
Looks better than the North Beach location. I don't know if the North Beach location is still around anymore. People who had memories at the place would go for the nostalgia. Otherwise, it was bad parking in a sketchy neighborhood with overpriced food. The waitstaff were charmers but there were times when the bill would be off for a large group.
i had the chicken parm from little joes - i don't think i did it justice heating it up in my microwave - i'm not going to say anything negative unitl i try it sitting there
@@SteveJohnson-r2y Yup once Joe's of Westlake closed in 2015, I started returning to Joe's of San Jose. My parents took me there all the time in the 60's and 70's. At least Joe's of San Jose still serve those big steak cut fries, where as Original Joe's in Westlake who remodeled and took over Joe's of Westlake now serve the smaller shoestring fries!!!!!!!! 😱🌉
How I love Joe's of Westake. Great atmosphere, excellent service, stiff cocktails, and well prepared Italian American food. Hope they never shutter this beloved establishment.
I don't get there enough.The Calamari Dore, The Chicken Marsala, and Steak a la Bruno!
Chef's kiss 💋
Honorable mention....the Hamburger is bomb!!!
Great review of OG Joe’s. The restaurant looks amazingly rennovated. Really need to stop by soon.
Some of us have fond memories of Original Joe's at 144 Taylor, 21 Club on the corner, and all of the colorful regulars.
@@A55-s9d , my dad had an old Original Joes Chef friend named Benny at the Taylor location. I wish they would bring back the Braised Oxtail like at the Tenderloin OJ’s.
@@MikeLimTravel At the Taylor Street location, the regulars always sat in booths in the back bar.
Thank you! This brings back fond memories. My Dad always took me to Original Joe's after our 'father daughter' dates in the 1970's & we always ordered the calamari for our appetizer.
I grew up with Westlake Joes, shared many many family meals there! The raviolis are amazing, as was the hamburger sandwiches and the fried calamari steak dinners. Wish we could go back in time and share again with all of my family that are now in heaven. I remember the glass counter and register where we’d pay and the wrapped mints and the wonderful staff. God bless Westlake Joes and thanks for the memories…
Been going to original Joe's of Westlake since the early 60's almost twice a week all the way up to 2001. I also remember Lyon's restaurant up by the 280 freeway, great steak & eggs for breakfast!!!!! Also across from Joe's of Westlake in the Westlake mall there use to be a small place called Johnson's Tamale Grotto where you could get great enchiladas and tamales in the early 70's!!!! 👍🌉
@@bartonpercival3216 , that is awesome! I miss Lyon’s. There was also another Lyon’s I would go to on Vanness in San Framciso… My suit tailor was located in the Westlake shopping center, it has changed so much.
love there iconic restraurants - been to this one and harrys - love it
I love it there I know the owners and the staff… they’re all very friendly and food is very good 😊
I’ve wanted to go here, your video may finally make me try it. Thanks!
@@bballerforever , it’s really a great spot. Enjoy and thanks for watching.
Great review, I've been eating at Joe's for over 50 years and I'm a huge fan of their burger and I think the calamari is over the top delicious.
Excellent review! My mouth was watering the whole time.
Westlake Joe's is truly iconic and follows in the tradition of other Joe's in SF. I'd add the filet of sole and the large porterhouse steak to your list. They do a fantastic job with both.
As a teenager in the 60's, my dad worked at both the Broadway location and the one downtown. He was a matre'd. I still recall sitting at the counter watching them prepare me a huge burger on a french roll. Back then you could get Teleme cheese on it. If they can still add that cheese, I highly suggest it. It's a delicious treat on the awesome burger! 👌 😋
@@Rikkcas Your dad's name wasn't Barry was it? Sometimes when I'd go with friends out to Joe's of Westlake it would be so busy (they use to give you a numbered ticket, then call your party's number) "number 67 party of 5 your table is ready" I'd sometimes walk up to Barry and slip him a twenty and my party would be seated in like 3 minutes. Might seem expensive, but for the incredible food it was quite worth it. And I agree, the filet of sole was fabulous along with those incredible burgers on the sourdough french roll. But at Joe's in Westlake they used swiss cheese. I knew the guy at the grill "Tony" and when I walked in he always knew what I would order and start making my burger before the waiter even took my order. I always took care of him!!!!!! 👍🌉
Good stuff.. boy do I miss the food in the bay area.
Thank you, Michael for featuring Joe's of Westlake. Great review. Planning on having a meal there next week! 😊
You're welcome and I have no doubt you will enjoy OJ's. Thank you for watching and your support.
Grew up in DC going to Joe's frequently all of my life. Always had veal scallopine or parm. The burger was a favorite as well as Joe's Special. So many memories. Graduations, birthdays, funerals and Friday night meals.
I have eaten here many times - delicious.
this is such a special restaurant - its upscale but not snobby - excellent food and service
I’m old enough to remember the bowling alley.
Original Joe's is my favorite 🤤
Spot is fire that butter deserts cake is 🔥
Great video Micheal! I grew up in S.F. and would train at Ralph Castro's so I spent a lot of time in the area. I remember Original Joes, it was the first restaurant where I felt like there is no way I could cook like that at home so while on the expensive side it was worth it. First time I ate calamari was at Joes and for many years I felt disappointed eating calamari anywhere else. Their steaks are very tasty and a good value when compared to other steak houses I used to frequent such as Alfred's in S.F. I remember working in Glen Park we would gather orders and drive to Westlake for burgers which are sooo good. Thanks for bringing back some memories, you got a sub from me.
@@rct8884 thank you for the kind words. I grew up in Glen Park. Went to Glen Park elementary school. So it sounds like we may have crossed paths at some point!
Have always loved the Joes restaurants. From Marina Joes, to Marin Joes, Little Joes, Original Joes (from the Tenderloin), and of course, Westlake Joes.
My Westlake faves are prime rib, Cobb salad, the Joes hamburger steak and the ribeye. A part if Bay Area history!
@@pdeforest Absolutely. It’s a part of US.
You missed San Jose Joe's
I know them, but never ate there. Wanted to try it.
@@pdeforest It's still like the original Joe's of Westlake!!!!! 👍🌉
You forgot Baby Joes
Man! I'm so happy watching your channel blow-up in popularity! Your winning formula of doing solo reviews of multiple items at a place is your blueprint to success.
I like how you order multiple things, and yeah it's pricier that way, but it's better content as you don't want to just order 1 dish, and then grab the menu and theorize on other menu stuff. It's better to demonstrate your live reactions for each special food the place has.
@@georgetsekouras8292 , thank you for the support brother. I appreciate your kind words and hope to continue to make content for you to enjoy.
Excellent video , I'm from the bay too ! Much respect and I'll continue to support your video.
Outstanding chow at Westlake Joe's; confident there are no poor choices. Try the butterscotch pudding!!!
I’ve eaten there many times and the food is good! FYI, the fruit sauce with the bombolini is raspberry not strawberry…one of our favorites. And the sauce with the fried calamari is a cocktail sauce not a marinara. We always order 2 orders of this. Raviolis are the best.
@@sanbow200 , thanks for the info!
Makes me want to go there immediately, but it's after midnight!
I totally agree the ravioli..
One of the best places in the Bay Area
iam starving!!😳😛
Four generations of my family ate at Westlake Joe's. My grandmother, mother, us kid's and eventually our kids! Other notables living in North Beach were the US Cafe and Joe's! Westlake was always a go to after a 49er or Gaints game at the Stick or a movie at the Serra, after shopping at Stonestown, coming back from Ocean Beach or Golden Gate Park, Playland, etc.......I haven't lived on the San Francisco Peninsula, Coastside since 2007 ( Washington ) ! I was heartbroken to learn it sold/closed/etc. My mom send customers were stealing menus for nostalgia in the final days. I was visiting and found out it had reopened. So, on my way back from a cousins in Oakland, I pulled off 280, down John Daly Blvd and there it was! I was even more excited to see some of the original staff The new decor looked great even though I was nostalgic to it's dated appearance. I took a counter seat as usual if I was solo. I think the mesquite grill was gone? But I still went for my go to. A Rib Eye minus the Bone-in! Back then, if was $21-22, now more than double! So what! The place was still alive! Sadly, Pastina was no longer on the menu! Oh well! I ordered. I had Pesto on the Penne instead of the meat sauce as usual! My dinner arrived! Wait for it!!! It wasn't even close to the mesquite grilled, Bone-in Rib Eye of yesteryear! It was left over Prime Rib pan seared on top and steam table overcooked gray on the underside! I couldn't get the waiter or anyone else's attention after several attempts for that matter! My guess is that it was no mistake and didn't care to correct it! Additionally, the Pesto was thick and greasy as if it had been sautéed in a pan that something else had been cooked without cleaning it out in between. Total disappointment for a $65 tab! I didn't even look to see if they still had Spumante for dessert or if it got chucked out with the Pastina! Will I go back? Maybe on another visit, for nostalgias sake! 😮
A and W was where Burger King is now
Original Joe’s and Steak Brunos forever!
I do wish they would bring back the rigatoni though!
@@tretower57 , I wish they would bring back the old school Braised Oxtail. It’d probably cost about $40 a plate these days! OJ’s FOREVER
That chicken Parm looks good. Miss Italian food haha
@@TheNYCexpat , I guess the spaghetti at Jollibee doesn’t count. Haha. We’ll be in contact!
@MikeLimTravel sweet Italian food should be a crime
Jk but yea miss the traditional Italian food lol
Ok the butter cake is so good.
@@sophieoshaughnessy9469 , right! Butter Cake is legit.
Their garlic bread is to die for, the minestrone is house made, the hamburgers are grilled to perfection on a wood fire grill. After Covid, the Corte Madeira Joes in Marin now only opens after 5pm. Such a loss those lunchtime hours. They keep the bars which originated in the 60’s atmosphere, so cool
I like the bar area during game nights..
Still eat there once a month. Quality and reliable
I’ve been to original Joe’s for 50 years, but not the one on West Lake that used to be on Taylor Street in San Francisco now it’s on Union. My father went there for over 70 years.
Honorable mention, across the street where Burger King is located was an A&W Root Beer
You seem like a cool OG Bay Area native. Keep it up dawg.
@@maximegrossman2146 thanks bro.
Never been there but back in the day use to go to Serramonte Mall n “holla” at the fine Filipinas lol
I will be there tomorrow 😂
HUGE portions!!
Wasn't Kirk Hammett The guitarist from Metallica from Daly City? Cliff Burton was from Castro Valley, true--But Kirk is from the Philippines or at least 1/2 which isn't discussed enough
Just less than 5 minutes drive from where I’m at along John daly blvd ..just on the corner of John daly blvd and lake Merced blvd …
Is this the same Original Joe's I. San jose?
Original Joe’s Westlake😋
In the 16 years I've lived in the bay area I have never once been able to get a table at Original Joe's. Every time I have gone not only was the place so busy you couldn't get a table, the times I have tried it took me over an hour to find parking. At this point I've given up even trying.
@@makingachanneltopost , you can make reservations on the Open Table app on your phone or call them. Because they don’t take reservations for a party of one, I called and let them know I was coming. I arrived right before they opened at 10am, but I could imagine parking being tough later in the day for sure. Very popular restaurant but for good reasons.
Looks better than the North Beach location. I don't know if the North Beach location is still around anymore. People who had memories at the place would go for the nostalgia. Otherwise, it was bad parking in a sketchy neighborhood with overpriced food. The waitstaff were charmers but there were times when the bill would be off for a large group.
I believe there was an OG Joe in L.A. Chinatown many years ago. I don't know if it still exists... probably not.
Parking lot is always full at the front entrance but, you can park all the way to the back end of their parking lot..
Westlake Joes it will always be y'all keep trying to change it lol
parking lot is always full
Ketchup on the burger?
Just very close to Westlake mall…
i had the chicken parm from little joes - i don't think i did it justice heating it up in my microwave - i'm not going to say anything negative unitl i try it sitting there
Do you often visit so many places that have therir name spelled backwards so often?
👊🏾
Average Joe’s is great…
i think your plate might be upside down
🤨🗯 WHY YOU GOTTA TEASE A BROTHA BROOO‼
are you sure you are not the owner:)
Ya, you can watch the cockroaches run across your plate at the Original Joe's in san jose
The one in San Jose was/is great.
@@SteveJohnson-r2y Yup once Joe's of Westlake closed in 2015, I started returning to Joe's of San Jose. My parents took me there all the time in the 60's and 70's. At least Joe's of San Jose still serve those big steak cut fries, where as Original Joe's in Westlake who remodeled and took over Joe's of Westlake now serve the smaller shoestring fries!!!!!!!! 😱🌉
Just less than 5 minutes drive from where I’m at along John daly blvd ..just on the corner of John daly blvd and lake Merced blvd …