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Categories: Italian, American (Traditional) [Edit]
11 Glenwood AveMon-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
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At this writing Joe's had more than 300 reviews written about it, so I don't think there's much more I can add, except for simply putting in my two cents, and five stars.
I confess to patronizing Joe's for more years than I care to confess, and my only question after dining there is, how long must I wait to go back? My favorite entree since childhood has been roast beef (not prime rib) and spaghetti. More recently I ordered fried calamari and spaghetti, which was great--even moreso when I dug into the spaghetti and found yet more calamari lurking underneath.
Wasn't so thrilled with calamari ala Joe's, which mixes the fried squid with marinara sauce, resulting in a pasty, gummy assemblage. Perhaps not so oddly, reheated leftovers of this dish were considerably tastier than when first served. On another visit, I ordered chicken piccata for the first time, and my first impression was that it was too good to be chicken. That's because the server mistakenly wrote me down for veal. Even though I don't eat veal, it was so darn good that I kept my mouth shut and enjoyed this unexpected dietary departure, at a premium price.
If you fear you're going to have problems with the home cookin' nature of Joe's food, go during lunch when the portions are a bit smaller and the prices are more reasonable. And if you want to save a little bread, scarf down scads of the inimitable sourdough that the servers gladly replenish throughout the meal, and order something on the light (and inexpensive) side.
If you can't find something to tickle your taste buds at Joe's, well then, shadduppa you face!
The kitschy, campy factor is really high on the meter at Joe's of Westlake. It's like something out of a 1950's-60's movie where everyone drives into the parking lot on a balmy night in a convertible swirling dust behind them. The servers were likely around during that era- even now.
The focus is southern Italian style, with a great many veal entrees that don't lack for sauce, I'll tell you. Lots of ravioli, not shy on the meat sauce around this place. Cocktails are seriously strong, as likely expected by the current clientele- especially if you sit at the bar.
Fine dining it's not. It is what it is, OK?
Sometimes I just feel like Della Street and wander in to see if Perry wants to join me for a martini and a quick bite.
People thought this was:
I dig this place. It is stuck in a time warp of the late 50's early 60's. This is not the place to go and get your chi chi nouveaux Italian food. You will get killer veal ptarmigan, calamari, and ravioli with meat sauce. The wait can sometimes be a long one, but the bar is fantastic and the drinks are cheap. For all of you that think you reak with class, please don't come here and blow it for the people with the real taste.
Lovingly,
Dick Richards
People thought this was:
Sorry, but the food is bad!
I found the old fashioned environment to be soothing. I was really looking forward to eating here. I ordered Chicken Parmesan with steamed vegetables.
It came out on a really old, cruddy looking plate. The veggies were most definitely frozen, then steamed. I had two gigantic portions of soggy, not crispy, breaded chicken to eat, that had slices of cheese on top. It looked bad, tasted greasy, and the idea of reheating my leftovers (no way I could finish this!) made my stomach turn.
If the food was better, I would be happy to go back. For the money spent, I could have made several fresh, good meals at home that would have tasted much better!
Yes, the staff is old and many of the customers are very old, and I'm 60 and felt like a youngster next to these folks. However, that is not a reason not to give this place a good review, if the food deserves it. Unfortunately, it did not deserve it. The chicken marsala was disappointing, as the chicken seemed blandly grilled, rather than sauteed. The ravioli tasted okay, but the texture was mushy. The mixed vegetables seemed like they were out of a can, as they were over cooked and mushy. The iced tea was served in a small glass and needed to be refilled often.
I don't think the staff should be wearing tuxedos, ties and outfits fit for a 5 star restaurant, on a Sunday afternoon, as the look and feel of the restaurant doesn't justify it. I guess they have been serving the same people for 20 to 30 years, and most of them have grown accustomed to the food and think it's good. I think the prices are a little high for the food and the quality too.
I have been coming here since Jesus was a pup (no, not Jesus the lead cook). The place has solid food, though not gourmet, but, it doesn't pretend to be gourmet either so shut the fuck up with your complaining.
Joe's has been around since 1956, and, there is an old geezer in the bar that has been there every day since that grand opening. He is sipping on a Manhattan and humming Sinatra - a can't miss.
I usually have the veal parm or the NY Steak with ravioli. The parm is always huge, cooked perfectly, the ravioli always cooked well too, the sauce is a little sugary for my taste, but hey, it isn't home cooking. The drinks are stiff, and on most nights, due to rigor mortis, some of the patrons are pretty stiff too.
All in all, a great deal and good food. Don't listen to the haters that want this place to be something Joe's doesn't proclaim itself to be. Those fucks should just eat at home and STFU.
Ya feel me?
People thought this was:
1. I can't believe I haven't reviewed Joe's yet
2. I can't believe how low some of these reviews are
Ok, so, I want it to be known that I have been coming here since I was a small child. If the quality has declined, it has either a) been in such a small fraction that I don't recognize it or b) it has declined so slowly that I have just gotten used to it.
I had my first calamari dish ever here and still love it. Their chicken parmigiana, although obviously not an authentic Italian dish, is huge and delicious. Their bolognese is made with an abundance of wine and it really gives it a nice kick.
I must say, once again, how surprised I am that it has so many bad reviews. It's such a popular spot. Go early for quick seating.
8/24
Sisters Bday Dinner!!!
Ohhhh Joe's how can I forget to write a review for you!!!
Joe's of Westlake is an icon in the Westlake area for old school (circa 1950's) Italian restaurants. The waitstaff wear black tuxes with bowties and the bussers wear the white coat with black slacks!! The kitchen is an open kitchen, where you can sit and watch the chefs perform magic. The main dining room is full of private style booths, and the other dining room (The cascade room) is more for those who want a more quiet dinner without the hustle and buslte of the restaurant! I prefer the main dining room.
Food:
Appetizer:
Bread and butter: I loooooooooove their bread! I can eat the whole loaf on my own, and they replenish it as many times as you want.
Calamari a la Joe's: Fried calamari tossed in maranara sauce. Delicous, especially with lemon juice. Ask for extra lemon juice.
Entrees:
Broiled Halibut with ravioli and meat sauce. Didnt try it, but my dad killed the plate!
Minute Steak Dinner: Steak that comes with french fries, mixed veggies, and a pre-dinner salad. Subbed fries and veggies for ravioli. Soo good, the steak is very tender and juicy!!
Veal Parmesan with ravioli in butter and garlic. Delicious!!!
Chicken Parmesan with rigatoni. Yumm, the chicken is still juicy. 2 chicken breasts with mounds of cheese. Heaven!
21 and over: Order the house red by the carafe!!!! You will get about 5 or 6 glasses out of the carafe..worth it!!
Ive been coming here for about 20 years and I absolutely love love love this place. Come very hungry because the meals are very hearty and the portions are huge!!
People thought this was:
4 on the personality of this place haha
3 1/2 stars close to home, food is good no frills, i was told the mafia kicks it there, haha live band on some nights good vibe, alot of elderly folks, feels like im in the movie "casino" with joe pesci and robert de niro haha the waiters give it that feel, the cooks you can see if you sit in the main dining area all look like they can take a punch haha literally.
you start with warm if not luke warm bread rolls hard but soft inside as is all bread, butter is offered on the side in gold casings haha standard .. and now to the steak
I always order the T-Bone med rare as usual, the ends are crispy full of flavor kinda like lightly dried salt hanging onto the meat seared then frozen to the edges of the meat, when you get deeper in request for LP sauce (Lea & Perrins or Worcestershire sauce) just to give the steak some kick it gets to be a little bland but still juicy.. sides are offered with this steak ravioli, pasta, linguini, spaghetti, and much more..
for a place close to the house they make a decent steak this aint no sizzler they do it rite no fuss bada bing bada boom hahahaha
food **** t-bone u cant go wrong med-rare
service **** forget about it
price $$
I've eaten twice here and I think that's enough.
On the two occasions, I ordered the chicken parmesan and the prime rib. The food was okay. It wasn't fantastic, it wasn't stand-out memorable. Just okay. I suppose the other food is okay too, since no one complained...but no one said high praises either.
Their service is good, as they make sure drinks are filled up at all times, if you want more bread, they'll give you some. Also, the ambiance is very old school, which is really quaint.
So I guess the saying lives through with the name, this place is just like your everyday, "Average Joe's"
Now I know why I miss San Francisco so much and wonder why I ever decided to come back to San Diego: Joe's Restaurants! I found out the Original Joe's in the Tenderloin downtown burned down in a grease fire, Not good news! The best boyfriend I ever had up here was a cook at that restaurant, & I could always go hang out there watching him do his thing & EAT FREE!
What a shame. So lol-here I am crusing into Daly City & what do I see but Joe's of Westlake. A throwback to the great 50's and 60's era of restaurants and the FOOD-especially Italian is to die for! Chicken Parmigiana-Divine Sublime! PASTA! PASTA! PASTA! to perfection!
Daily specials? I had the Corned Beef & Cabbage-which will be the only time you will EVER catch me eating gassy cabbage! Oh God-the corned beef brisket was so tender it feel apart in pieces between my fork, and with some horseradish sauce-too good for words!
What I really love is the endearing and gentlemanly waiters and respectful waitresses. None of that phony freindliness here-it is professional and eager-to-please. My waiter was an old school Italian who deferentially came up upon me to offer more butter or refill my water cup. It is so old-school and charming and so SAN FRANCISCO!
Well-I'm going right back tomorrow for what else-PASTA and some delicious Filet of Sole in lemon sauce! No visit to San Francisco is complete without a devotional calling upon this eatery. The tenderloin Joe's may be burned down and the little corner Joe's up in El Portal may be gone, but Thank God for this one! It's a FAVORITE FAV FOR SURE!
People thought this was:
Joe's of Westlake was the place to go to have a descent meal and a few cocktails back in the 50's and 60's. Now the place is full of aging people holding on to their youth by going here. I've been going here for about 20 years, ever since I was a little kid, and I really like the food here. The hamburger is the best item on the menu next to Steak A LA Bruno. It's cooked to order(if the waiter or waitress are paying attention to you otherwise it's a toss-up on how its going to come out)and the sides are good too depending on what you get. I LOVE the minestrone soup. I always get the soup if I decide to eat there or getting takeout.
The downside of the place is the service staff and the prices. The service staff are all mostly older like the patrons that visit there and they are a bit on the rude side especially if your younger and come in to the restaurant in blue-jeans and a rock concert t-shirt like I do most of the time. The cocktails and sodas are way over priced as well as the meals. Take my advice, order simple items and you should be ok.
Based on my score of this place, I give the food a 4 star, the service and staff is a minus 2 star, the restaurant cleanness is a half star, and finally the price is a 1 star. Overall I give it 3 and a half stars, barely.
People thought this was:
I've been going to Joe's for years, even the Original Joe's. Too bad that place hasn't opened in years.
The place is completely old school, menu hasn't changed, only the prices. Food has been the same and it's still good!
One of a very few places in the Bay Area that knows how to make a veal piccata and scollapini. They still use real charcoal for the grilling, you can get a good steak for a resonable price, so you don't need to go to those super expensive steak places. You can still sit at the counter like the old days and watch them cook, which is pretty cool to see sometimes. My recommendations are the veals, Steak Ala Bruno.. ok, everything there is a can't miss. That's why people keep packing that place, you know what you get, and it's done right. Service is just ok, just like the other Yelpers says. The place gets packed early with the elderly, but the food is good. They have 2 areas of seating, the Main dining room and the Cascade room. Main room is better, Cascade feels like it's not part of the restaurant sometimes and it's cold in there.
My take is go there and you'll see why I like the place.
I had to take my dad out for a late late fathers day dinner and pops is really really picky. Basically he eats Chinese and American food only and hates cheese. How I'm his kid is beyond me haha j/k.
So I choose Joe's of Westlake since they have variety that i would like and boring stuff that my pops would like. Joe's has been around for like ages and you can tell when you walk in. Kinda reminds me of a movie scene right out of Goodfellas and there where a few peeps that looked like Tony Soprano there also.
On to the food. My pops ordered the fried seafood dish which he seemed to enjoy and my mom's had the clam linguine in red sauce which she loved. I had the Veal Parmigiana which was OK but not what I was expecting. A bit tough for Veal. I wanted to order a steak or prime rib because i saw them being served and it looked great. However the Veal just sounded good. Next time bloody beef it will be.
Overall i liked this place. I came a long ago as a child and didn't remember much but I will be back now because the service is great and I'm sure their other dish's are better the the Veal I had haha. Prices are very reasonable $15-$22 a dish. I think this is a good spot for a comfortable informal family dinner for most. Give it a try you won't be sorry.
People thought this was:
I still really love Joe's of Westlake.
From the moment we entered the door, we were greeted and from that point to the end of our meal we were helped by a total of 4 men and 2 women.
Man 1 warmly greeted us and asked where we wanted to go. We said diner.
Woman 1 and 2 told us that there was a wait in the diner area but called the cascade room to have us seated right away
Man 2 in the cascade room gave us another sincere greeting and brought us to our table, untucked the chairs and everything like it was a fancy place (when does that ever happen?)
Man 3 took our orders and got them back out within 10 minutes!
Man 4 kept the water and fresh bread refills coming nonstop.
I ordered the Ravioli with meatballs. It was amazing as expected.
I still have to say from my last review, however:
--ROFL:ROFL:LOL:ROFL:ROFL--
______|_____
L / \ old people \
LOL == transport []\
L \______________\
| |
/------------------/
Counted 28 old people just from looking around. hahaha
The only downside: a little bit more expensive than say Pasta Pomodoro or your other average Italian chain. Average tab runs from 10-25 dollars. My pasta was 14 dollars, but well worth it for the most part. That being said, this place is good for special occassions.
People thought this was:
I love Joe's of Westlake! Hot damn, their ravioli and their meat sauce in general is delicious and… Read more »
Old school Italian food - be sure to sit at the counter for the most entertainment (although it can get hot). Chicken Marsala was great and I love the simple side of raviolis. This is not the place for gourmet, but for well executed staples. I swear I'll have the hamburger steak based on how much care they take in the preparation. I feel like I need to drink a cocktail when I am there - maybe an irish whiskey on the rocks? No fancy blended drinks at Joe's please.
This place is perfect for seniors because the restaurant has a very calm atmosphere; in addition, the menu has a long list of wines. I think most seniors would enjoy a nice glass of wine. I enjoyed some merlot during dinner.
For dinner entrees, the GF ordered Linguine with clams (red sauce) and I had chicken parmigiana. We had another person in our party. I forget what he ordered. It might have been veal or something. His side was ravioli.
She absolutely enjoyed the linguine with the red sauce and clams. These aren't just clams--they are baby clams! While it does sound somewhat cruel, it's not as bad as it sounds because the quality of the baby clams are much higher than the big ones. It's less chewy and it's way more flavorful. I think this linguine is even better than the ones I've had at Olive Garden. The red sauce that the pasta soaked in was also very delicious because the contrast between the acidity of the tomato sauce and sweetness of the spices make the whole dish popped. In contrast to the one other dish I've ever ordered at Joe's, which is some sort of lamb entree, this linguine is the winner.
As for my chicken parmigiana, I describe the experience as "decent." The chicken wasn't exceptionally juicy and the outside was not as crunchy as expected due to the heavy load of marinara sauce. I had veggies on the side.
Overall, my second experience at Joe's is much better than expected. I originally hesitated on agreeing to go there for dinner because I didn't think their food tasted good and the restaurant is highly oriented towards the elderly. NOT great for young people to have a good time. Bring your visiting grandparents.
People thought this was:
A setback to the 1950's with big windows and booths, waiters who sport crisp white towels on their arms, and are very attentive, food that is hearty, comforting, and plentiful, and a bar with over-make-up-ed-type women and a piano player (straight out of that Billy Joel song, is the experience of Joe's of Westlake. It's awesome. Truly a people-watching event with excellent food. Nothing like Denny's, sorry Nick F. I disagree completely (though, in a friendly way!).
I LOVE Joe's Special with hamburger, mushrooms, onions, other unidentifiable veggies, and cheese. I also LOVE the portions -- heaping bowls of spaghetti served with all entrees.
My favorite entree at Joe's is the lightly fried (yes, that is possible; it's not at all greasy) Calamari steak. Not the curly tentacles that make up the classic appetizer. No. It's a hearty and tender piece of calamari. I had no idea I loved it until I was introduced by women who'd been coming there since the 1950's! It's been around that long. Joe's is an authentic 50's bar/restaurant still going strong. I highly, highly recommend it!
People thought this was:
I use to come to Joe's of Westlake a lot when I was a kid. I use to love dining here. Last night was the first time in years since I've been back.
I was a bit disappointed. I ordered the prime rib with rigatoni, my daughter ordered the kids plate with roast beef and rigatoni and my boyfriend orderd the veal primgiana with ravoili. My bf said his was great, but I was really disappointed with mine and my daughter's meal. Both of our meats were pretty dry and didn't have much flavor to it. I had also thought that drinks were free refills, unfortunately not at Joe's of westlake, didn't mind paying for extra drinks, but I just wish I knew they did that. What also disappointed me was when I use to come here as a kid, they use to put fresh grated cheese on your pasta and now they use powdered cheese that you would use on pizza :-(
Service was decent but could have been better.
Not sure if I'll be back.
Joe's is the archetypal "old school" Italian restaurant. This is the way restaurants looked when I was a kid and it seems like the owners have tried very hard to keep it that way.
This place is reputed to be have been the favorite restaurant of Anton LaVey (the late head of the Church of Satan). For all the criticisms that one could give to "Dr." LaVey, you certainly can't put him down for his choice of eatery. This place has first class chow.
About the food:
1. You get a LOT of it: Yes, this place will stuff you well, and you will have to get a box to bring the rest home.
2. It is delicious: The meat sauce for the pasta is authentic and homestyle. My steak was cooked to perfection, just as I ordered it.
3. The price is great: For this amount of food and its quality, the prices here are really very reasonable. I had steak and pasta for $21.75. Either one of these might have made a mid-priced entree alone, but here you get two in one and they both taste incredible.
Also folks, don't miss their hamburgers. Try them--you will thank me later. . .
This place gives the "wow" to my tastebuds that I look for. The service was also excellent. We were attended to by a polite older Italian man in a tux who was very helpful and timely with his service. All together, this was one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in a long time. Thank you, James and Sandy (my friends), for a fantastic evening and dinner
People thought this was:
Is it a bad sign if you're walking up to a restaurant during daylight hours and a guy who appears to be in his mid-20s is puking in the parking lot next to his car? It sure seems like it was a bad sign when I went here last night.
Joe's looks kitschy from the outside, and has a mafiosi look on the inside, so for sure you can convince yourself that it's going to make good old school food. WRONG!
Now I picked this place because I figured it would be suitable for some relatives who are in their 80s. And they were definitely not the only people in their 80s in this place. Is that why my Ravioli was cooked by Chef Boy-ar-dee? Is that why my roast chicken had no goddamn meat on it?
Well, at least we got attentive 1950s service, right? WRONG again. Our waiter was a total dick - my relatives asked why our food was taking so long to cook - he said "He [meaning me] ordered the roast chicken. I told him it would take half an hour. He said it was ok." And then ran off. Wow, way to play to the crowd. Oh, and the guy had two other tables, so it's not like he was too busy.
And then we come to the clientele...A mix of retirees...and really low-class people in their mid-20s who, after getting hammered at the bar, have now sat down to act like a-holes while they eat. I mean, come on man, do you really think dropping a loud belch in a restaurant is funny? It wouldn't be so bad if they didn't keep seating people right next to each other when the place is 2/3 empty...but of course they did, just to make sure the dining experience was complete...completely miserable.
Joe's reminds you that what makes San Francisco great is the people who come here from somewhere else, not the people who are from here. This place is as pedestrian as they come, and recalls the days when alcoholism was known as "not being good in the afternoon" and drunk driving was merely another form of bad driving. Avoid, avoid, avoid.
People thought this was:
Last time I ate here was with my whole family. My stepfather specially loves it here because it seems most seniors love eating here. Something about the food being bland, that's a good thing to them!
People thought this was:
This was not worth the wait. We tried going several times and there was always a long wait. This made me want to eat here even more. I mean it must be awesome food if it is always this packed. So we finally were able to walk in and be seated right away. After looking at the menu I was very disappointed. I was hoping for some down home cooking...for some reason I thought that's the type of place this was. Some yummy fried chicken, mashed taters w/ gravy, mac and cheese with a nice frosty glass of milk. I was wrong.
I figured I'd try the breaded veal...I figured how can something fried not be yummy. They put some nasty sauce on it and I don't even remember what else the meal came with. I didn't finish it.
I won't be going here again but it had nothing to do with the place...its just my taste in food.
The service was great, the place was clean and over all it was a nice time. Just not the food I was looking for.
People thought this was:
Imagine a Denny's run by Italian-Americans somewhere in New Jersey and you've got Joe's of Westlake!!
Other than the "experience" of this joint, the food was mediocre. Steaks were small and not exceptionally tasty. The veggies seemed like right out of the frozen food section of Lucky's. However the Chicken Parmesan was decent and, as per other reviewers, the ravioli were pretty good.
People thought this was:
Talking about comfort food, Joe has the best! They make their hamburger just the way I like the best- CHARCOAL patti served on a baggett, when you bite in to the burger, all the juice from the meat drip right onto the steak fries that comes with, yuuuuummmmy. And I also like their Veal Scaloppine Sec Marsala Rigatoni and ravioli.
Their menu is very simple but thorough, I am not sure what would you pick from it, but one thing I am sure of is that you will come out from Joe's with a big smile on your face.
People thought this was:
I have been going here for as long as I can remember. I have some vivid memories as a child eating here. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING has changed. Some of the staff even has been here more than 15, 20 years. The carpet, decor, paint, dishes, everything, nothing has changed. And the taste of the food, that hasn't changed either.
You don't go to Westlake Joe's for something new. You go to Westlake Joe's for Westlake Joes.
You go for the Minestrone, which after 25 years I have now realized what makes it taste so good. I will not divulge this, because ever since I realized what it was, I can't taste anything else. But still, It is the best minestrone on earth.
You go for the Cheeseburger. Yes, I know, the cheeseburger. Which also hasn't changed. If you ever had been to Woodlake Joe's, which has been closed for like 7 years or something, but the same exact burger, I swear to you. Its done perfect, ask for jack cheese, and get the fries. So good.
You go for the chicken parm. Which is too big for just one. And done perfect.
You go for anything with the meat sauce. And sometimes a steak.
But its always the same. And that's what is Awesome about it. Yes a capital A.
And if it's packed, cause I don't think they take reservations, get a drink in the bar. They pour them stiff, and you can marvel at the clientele and the decor. And the bartenders that could be my grandparents. Awesome.
People thought this was:
This place is like an old geezer hangout or something. All the customers here are old and even the people who work here are old. I'm not really a big fan of Italian food but the food here is alright. They'll bring you ice cream and sing to you if it's your birthday. Wouldn't go out of my way to come here though.
Coming here brought back memories of Original Joe's in the Tenderloin District in San Francisco or the old West Portal Joe's that was closed years ago. The place is ripe with historical values being there for many years located in Daly City. I love the atmosphere here as it's an old school Italian restaurant that has a lot of old school waiters as well. Every one who works there has a unique story and I try to get to know them one by one each time I go there. The staff are all extremely hospitable and you can even see by the crowd that there are a lot of regulars who come and go. The place has a lot of seating also being the only place around the neighborhood that serves a great casual meal.
The menu itself is great! There are many different choices to order from and their are also daily specials if your not feeling like what they have to offer. My personal favorite is the hamburger steak with mashed potatoes and veges. It's a simple dish but it hits the spot never being too salty or never being overcooked. Along with a glass of red wine and you have yourself a perfect date to take along sometime. It's not too pricey considering the location and the food served either. It's not the typical mom and pops shop either so you may be disappointed not to see "homemade favorites" there but hey what can I say? It's a great place for what it is. Come here for sure, you wont regret it.
I rarely leave the city to dine but I'm a sucker for anyplace that has "Joe's" in the name since the ones in town have disappeared. Going to Joe's of Westlake reminded me of when I was a kid and going out to dinner with my grandparents, and that always meant a steak while sitting in a booth.
Really it's all about the atmosphere here. Mid-Century architecture including a carport, starburst light fixtures, a rock garden, wood paneling, fish tanks, and counter seating. Which is the best spot to observe the exhibition style cooking (and gander at what everybody else has ordered) complete with glowing red heat lamps at the pickup station.
I had the Steak a la Bruno which was a marinated beef shoulder cut and it was good. Nothing fancy, but flavorful and satisfying. The fried calamari has a nice red sauce on it for a twist and the Caesar salad dressing is obviously housemade. Very good. The desserts were nice and there was even one that came flambé for a little drama to wrap up the meal.
The cocktail lounge is an absolute delight. A place unto it's own with a fireplace, piano bar, low Naugahyde swivel chairs everywhere and a light-up colored glass-grape sculpture behind the bar. Our strait up cocktails came with a sidekick in a mini shaker which, for me, is the epitome of kindness and hospitality.
The staff was attentive and the prices reasonable. It was fun and something different.
I have been coming to Joe's since I can remember. The place has always reminded me of old people as, old people know where the good food is at. Great Italian food in an inviting atmosphere for prices that aren't too out of budget. The scallops are delicious as well as the array of pastas and sauces they make. The service is always great and even though you almost always will have to wait it is well worth it.
Not to mention they have a great old piano bar where the entertainment never ceases and is always free. I have never had a bad dish or bad service when dining here and I am definitely a fan for life.
A great tip is to pick up their red meat sauce and use it for any dish at home, not only will it be instantly tastier its convinient as well.
Goodbye 2009... Hellloooo era of the Brady Bunch. Step into Westlake Joe's, absorb your surroundings and relish in the sheer feeling of being one of the Brady kids going out to dine.
Don't come here if:
- you're a food snob
- you're really into a modern, chic ambiance
- you're not into dining around people triple your age (literally- i'm talking people in their 80s are staples here. you know, the ones that go out to dinner at like 4:30pm)
- you're expecting fine italian cuisine
Do come here if:
- you want absolutely enormous portions (all dishes are enough for two people, in my opinion)
- you want to eat down home, americanized, comfort, italian food
- you're thinking of a "hot spot" to take your grandparents
With that said, I am truly a fan of this place. I have been going here all my life with my grandparents, and though the food is not particularly gourmet and the decor is beyond outdated, the food is solid and hearty. The menu is huge. I always enjoy the chicken parmesean (and can enjoy it the following night, too because the portions are so big). They have a full bar, and let me tell you, those old people aren't messing around- the drinks are stiff!
Bottom line, Joe's is for the unpretentious dining crowd.
People thought this was:
Quite the scene for a Thursday night. Great people watching.
Me: cowboy boots, dark Lucky jeans, camel colored j.crew peacoat.
Him: Giants windbreaker and khakis.
Me: 27
Him: 70, yes SEVENTY years old.
I was asked out by a 70 year old man tonight in the parking lot of Joe's of Westlake. I swear, he told me I was "beautiful" maybe 18 times in 7 minutes. He offered to buy me a drink, he offered to take me to dinner, he wanted me to celebrate his 71st with him next Thursday night...it was loco. I sorta laughed and grinded my teeth simultaneously, trying to shake off the nervousness of the situation. "Oh Joe! Stop, you are embarassing me!"
Luckily, my date, entered the picture at the right time, and "rescued me" from the situation. It was OOC.
As for the bar scene...the drinks are tiny but strong.
People thought this was:
While not bad overall, this place feels like a pricier Lyon's or Sizzler's (what Peppermill used to be). I'll have to come back at another time to get a different perspective.
Went for first time, for breakfast, and was not overly impressed. The foods were average and some of us had leftovers (that's not because of portion size either). Then again, I might be a tad bias because the "odd" service we got. At first, I got the feeling we were back in the '60s. Then, the hostess would not seat us unless my friends are all there (we got there before they did, still, the place was probably 20% full at the time). To top it off, service was slow (to order anything, to get the foods, to get the check).
The bartender was pretty cool though. He was friendly and when we told him we had to wait for our friends to show in order to get a table, gave us a funny look like he's never heard of that (a wtf look).
People thought this was:
I like this place. Reminds me of how things used to be. However, I don't think that "Westlake Joe's" will be in business 20 years from now considering all of their clientele will have expired.
I'm not sure who supplies their bread but it is excellent.
Greasy.
People thought this was:
The only reason Joe's of Westlake is getting two stars from me is for the pity I have for what should be a fine restaurant.
Went back to Joe's of Westlake for a Valentine's Day meal with the wife. (It was her choice) I am going to stick by my two stars rating and also my recommendation that Val's (a short distance away) is a much better place to eat.
I even had the Steak Bruno concoction from their lunch menu. The meat is supposedly marinated in their blend for 48 hours and come with your choice of pasta. It sounded good and I was looking for a meal to allow a good review of Joe's. But sadly the plate just sucked.
Firstly, there is no way in hell my steak was marinated for anything close to even half hour.
Then add to problem the fact that my meal was WAY LATE. The waiter did come over an apologize. He also offered to not charge us for the order of garlic bread. That was cool I guess. So while I filled up on Coca-Cola and bread my attitude took a hit. I tried to stay upbeat because Joe's was one of my gifts to my gift to my wife for the day.
When my plate did arrive the steak was medium-well. I take my meat kicking and at least medium-rare if not outright rare. Flash burn both sides and throw it at me! That's my motto! Joe's failed to follow instructions on how to cook meat to comply with the customer's order.
About the flash burning part,,,, Joe's charbroils their steaks. It's even a selling point in their menu. I love meat on some sort of flame grill. In my case the grill needed some burn off. The meat had a back flavor somewhat similar to the taste you get when the lighter fluid hasn't burned off the charcoal. I am not sure if Joe's actually uses charcoal on their grill. Even if they don't someone at Joe's should check out this issue of what is causing the weird flavor.
And the Rigatoni? Someone's Italian mother should slap the chef at Joe's of Westlake around for serving that insult to a fine pasta dish.
The only redeeming qualities of the Joe's are the Coca-Cola and the fish tanks. And maybe the quaint atmosphere from years back they managed to retain all this time. Still on the fence about the decor and whether it matches and old cafeteria or an place you would see mobsters hangout.
All you other Joe's of Westlake Supporter's should stop taking (or maybe continue taking) the drugs that enabled you to rate this place so highly. Maybe Joe's was good once in the past, but not anymore. As for me, you'll never see my cash dropped there again until the ownership, the business name, and the chef changes to something new.
People thought this was:
I am going to forgo a usually long winded review and say simply this.
Not terrible food but Joe's of…
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Place is completely geared towards the oldest crowds. Food was par but served like it was waiting under the warmer to be served for a while: dry and parts cold. The servers are not welcoming to people in their twenties. Both experiences we had, the servers were fairly snootie towards us. Food okay but terrible for the price. Definitely any Macaroni Grill is more satisfying than this place. I would definitely recommend another place than this. Try a place in little Italy. Maybe they will treat you like they want your business.
People thought this was:
Let's clear up a few things first. I only came here because the wife wanted to try it after seeing it on Check Please. I've been to the SF and SJ locations plenty of times, so I know what it's like. Old school Italian's food. Nothing outstanding. But nothing that bad either.
Service was fine. Very nice lady. Attentive. Very old, much like the clientele here. I was hesitant to ask for a few items cause I didn't want her walking around more on my account.
Food is average. I've had more and better flavor in spaghetti sauce. If you think it's the best...you probably love The Olive Garden too. Chicken Marsala was alright, could've used a less offensive flavor. Good but it should be a little more subtle. The chicken parm was good. Everything was swimming in oil though. I mean everything.
Everyone at the table ended up adding grated cheese or salt to their dish. Not sure if they tone down their salt intake for their regulars...
Alright, where do I go with this?....
Basically the reviews that I read before I started in on this are fairly accurate both to the positive and the negative. You need to know what you are getting into with this joint. As long as you know - you'll enjoy it for what it is and not what it isn't.
Westlake Joe's IS:
Retro - a la Flintstones 50's style decor, the piano bar lounge with the low slung swivel seats and the old 49ers and Giants jerseys on the wall, etc.
Funky - Bow Tied waiters who have been there for eons and because of that fact don't necessarily need to kiss your ass (but are usually fairly competent)
Traditional - you can get the traditional Veal, chicken, Fish and Beef dishes that you'll expect to see on the menu
Economical - big portions for fairly low prices, and you'll get a choice of pasta on the side for good measure.
Westlake Joe's Is NOT:
Gourmet - quality is fine, but overall the seasonings and such are for the lowest common denominator in that a lot of blue hairs go there and they don't want anything in the dish that they would not make themselves.
That means no goat cheese anything, no aoli anything, no chutney, curry, teriyaki, world flavor anything....this is straight up american guido food at it's artery clogging finest.
Cultured - again, this is old school and although it is a charming place, if you are under 50 and take a date here, you may feel that you have stepped into a time machine and be waiting for the next bingo game to be announced.
Varied - the menu just does not change....ever. Although there are daily specials, but the kind that are printed on the menu so you know that if you show up on a Sunday you can get the brisket or on Tuesday you can get the Ciopino, etc.
All in all, I enjoy Joe's from time to time. My wife and I are in our 30's so we are among the younger crowd here. We usually grab a drink in the lounge waiting for our tables, then when seated (MUST be seated in the main room, the other one is total blue-hairs) we'll eat to our hearts content and bring the leftovers home.
What's good? I really like the charbroiled meats - they make a great burger. Also enjoy the pot roast and the veal or chicken parm. It all tastes the same really, but you'll walk out of there full and ready for a nap on the couch.
Recommended for a try, keep the above in mind and your expectations will be fulfilled and chances are you will enjoy Joe's of Westlake
People thought this was:
This is a wonderful, old (1956) timepiece of a place that still satisfies.
Basic, American menu with a few Italian items, in the tradition that
diners came to expect of the "Joe's" restaurants.
Counter seats for lone diners; then, medium-sized booths for
four to six; and then the semi-circular booths for larger groups.
Just as one would expect.
Recommended!
I'm a Sunset girl (OK, 50 is a little old to be a girl) born and raised, so I know this is sacrilege but here goes: I love everything about Westlake Joe's but the FOOD. When I was in high school (Mercy) there were always "Westies" who loved this place and thought the food was wonderful. Luckily my parents took us to a place in North Beach (La Panterra) for family style Italian.
I have been to WJ's a handful of times in the past ten years; two funerals, a wedding and when my younger sister comes to town she requests that we go here. Although her taste buds have detieriated since she married a guy from Okalahoma and moved to suburban Seattle some 15 years ago, she is just being mean and punishing the rest of us by requesting WJ's.
My current dilemma: I've been dating a man who is a Westie (first one since high school) and he loves WJ's! The first time we went there was with a couple of SF natives who also love the place. OK the food. My honey always orders chicken picatta with french fries. I discovered (from the other woman with us) that you can order a side of raviolis (more than enough) and her friend ordered a steak. Yep, Chef Boy-R-Dee. The sauce is amazing in that you would barely know a tomato has been anywhere near it. Is it meat? Who knows. A carafe of burgundy really helps get the food down. The picatta sauce is gelatinous (Sysco, the main supplier of the chemical industrial complex that preys upon "old school" restaurants) and the chicken breast is as moist and tender as a processed turkey roll. The fries are fat, frozen and mealy. The vegetables and salad are a crime.
On a subsequent visit the maitre d effusively greeted my sweetie by name and asked if I was "the wife" (note to self -- follow-up on that one). The waitresses know him. I was determined to find something on the menu I could eat and enjoy. I discovered a side order of spinach -- overcooked but with plenty of garlic and edible (huge portion). I also ordered a side of rigitoni in pesto (not on the menu - ask) and you can get a side of meatballs. There will be a next time, I'm in love, I just have to space these visits out to once every four months.
The bar is everything the reviews make it out to be. Nothing like sitting there on a rainy afternoon sipping a vodka gimlet up (in a champagne glass!) while getting lost in the glow of the glass grapes and the retro fireplace. OK -- the restaurant is especially good after good sex. The clientele makes me feel like time is on my side.
Honestly, to go to WJ's you would never know that there has been a food revolution going on in San Francisco for 30 years. I know plenty of Westies who think SF has this reputation because of Joe's. Now don't get me wrong, I like old school Italian now and then, but Original Joe's is much better quality with more pasta selections and La Traviata on Mission Street is an experience. I went to a Christmas dinner at Val's (about a mile from WJ) and the food was quite good for old school.
People thought this was:
Saturday Special Big Daddy $3
Neighborhood: Mission
Half price wine nights
Neighborhood: Mission
Daly City, CA
Category: American (New)
Daly City, CA
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
Foster City, CA
Category: Italian
South San Francisco, CA
Category: Nightlife
Daly City, CA
Category: Elementary Schools
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