2009 BEST OF SILICON VALLEY Reader Survey Winner - First Place

Best Late-Night Eats

The Rocca family opened the original Original Joe's in San Francisco in 1937. In 1956, they brought the formula to its current location, opening what was then the first big-city restaurant in the South Bay. And now, as fate would have it, one of the coolest places in downtown San Jose is also the only place to get a real meal after midnight. Featuring a huge menu of huge dishes, it's one more reason to party late downtown


2007 BEST OF SILICON VALLEY Staff Pick and Reader Survey Winner - First Place

Best Italian
Original Joe's is the go-to late nightspot for drinks and Italian-American food. And now that the restaurant's summer-long remodel is complete, the place feels new again.

— Metro, Silicon Valley's Weekly Newspaper, September 26, 2007

Original Joe’s in San Jose could be said to have been conceived in 1954 when Lou Rocca's only child Lou “Babe” Rocca Jr. married Marie Ann Sole who in 1955 had son Matt followed soon after by Brad. Grandfather, Lou Sr. decided that it was a good idea to open another Original Joe’s restaurant for his son and his family. After searching throughout the Bay Area, Lou Sr. settled on San Jose, an up and coming city blessed with great weather and that presented a great opportunity. A perfect space became available in San Jose’s bustling downtown where Appleton's Clothing Store for women had just closed its doors.