Original Joe’s San Jose

We got to go order. Meat ball sandwich was greasy and burnt. Horrible flavor none. Prime rib sandwich was great highly recommend

Food was tasty as I remembered and service was great, but I was disappointed that they now charge $5 for your first basket of bread and $10 for each additional basket. Also, portions are noticibly smaller.

Updated Review/July 2026: Things have gotten better and more consistent. Prices remain high, though not so high as other 'venerable' institutions in the area (with a 'Hi' in their name). I still wish they would simply bring the bread to your table, instead of making you ask for it (ah, the old days). I was glad to hear that the sale nonsense was just that, nonsense. Keep doing what you do, and doing it well, and you will have customers for life (and maybe some new ones too). Original Review: Been coming here since I was a child. And, like many others in San Jose, OJ’s holds a special place in my heart. That is partially nostalgia, which can be a tricky thing. It is also partially because, more often than not, the food and drinks match the ‘old school’ vibe: comforting (and filling, if priced a bit too high for what you are actually getting). Thing is, in a few instances in the past year or so, I have had less than stellar experiences that seem like they could be easily fixed. In one instance, they ran out of bread for the table. How is that possible at a place like this? Equally baffling, on my most recent visit, they tried to pass off two measly pieces of Romaine lettuce as a Caesar salad (even after I had seen the more robust version being served to tables earlier while I waited for a seat). And, more generally, if you get one of the servers who has been working there for years, you are likely to get efficient, even friendly, service. One of the newer waiters? It is a coin flip. But, again, these problems have easy fixes: better manage your inventory and better train your crew. Simple? Simple. OJ’s is a local institution. As such, it can glide a bit on that nostalgia I mentioned earlier. But it also has to live up to its reputation if it wants to keep regulars coming back and gain new customers as its base of ‘gray hairs’ fades. I will keep rooting for this place. And I look forward to coming here again. I just hope they can refocus on the small things they have been letting slide recently.

ALWAYS a joy to eat at OJ's! Best Chicken Parm around!!!