Original Joes - Walnut Creek

“Dining at Original Joe’s was such a great experience from start to finish. We sat outdoors, and the atmosphere was beautiful—clean, relaxing, and filled with lush plants that made it feel extra inviting. The table setting was thoughtfully done and added a nice touch to the overall vibe. We were welcomed with a basket of fresh bread and some absolutely amazing butter—such a simple detail, but it really set the tone. We ordered sparkling water, and I appreciated how the server even asked if we wanted lime. The service truly stood out—every time my glass was empty, it was refilled almost immediately without us having to ask. Our waiter was fantastic. Since it was our first time, he took the time to walk us through the menu, sharing a bit of history and helping us understand portion sizes, which was really helpful. For lunch, we ordered the calamari for an appetizer. For entrees, I ordered the ribeye cooked medium, and it was excellent; high-quality and honestly comparable to a Vegas-style steakhouse. It came with a side of pasta, and I chose the beef ravioli, which paired perfectly. My friend ordered the crab roll on a brioche bun and really enjoyed it as well. Overall, the combination of great service, a welcoming atmosphere, and delicious food made this a spot I’d definitely come back for dinner. We did make an early reservation and was seated within 5 mins.”

“I had a great experience at Original Joe’s. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but the quality and portion sizes made it worth it. I ordered the Chicken/Shrimp Alfredo Fettuccine, and it was fantastic—easily an 8.5/10. It’s been a while since I’ve had pasta this good. The fried calamari was solid as well, about an 8/10. The standout for me was the bone-in veal parmigiana, which I’d rate a 9/10—really flavorful and well-prepared. It came with mashed potatoes that were also good (8/10). The salad was enjoyable, especially the ranch dressing, which I’d also give an 8/10. The bread service was another highlight—about three different types of bread served with plenty of butter, and I’d rate that an 8.5/10. For dessert, the warm cake was incredible—definitely a 9.5/10 and one of the best parts of the meal. Even though I was accidentally charged twice for something, the overall experience was still very positive. I’d give the restaurant an 8.5/10 overall, and I’d definitely go back again in the future.”

“Third time's a charm. Tried twice to go for dinner, only to be told it's an hour and a half wait. They don't take rezzies. So we went late afternoon on a Tuesday. The place was hoppin. Since we were first timers, we went for what we thought they were best known for: the meatballs, ceasar salads, prime rib dip, spicy rigatoni, chicken marsala, mashed pots. The CM was the best I have ever had in my life. No lie. The sauce is amazing. Not thick/gooey, very flavorful. The prime rib sandwich however could use improvement. The meat was dry, not flavor-forward. And the bread kinda crumbled/fell apart upon dipping. Loved the vibe here. Loved our waiter. They changed out our silverware after every course and de-crumbed our table (former waitress here.. bonus points for that detail!!)”

“The culinary experience was exceptional. The homemade ravioli, accompanied by steak ala Bruno, received a perfect score. Joe's spicy rigatoni was both flavorful and delightful, and the shrimp scampi was also highly commendable. The calamari was prepared to perfection. The ambiance and service were both outstanding.”

“Our family had a early dinner before Valentine's Day. We had a reservation and we were promptly seated. The place was packed for 3:45pm!! We started with the famous fried calamari, it was fine. We've had better ones! We also ordered 2 pasta entrees and 1 Salmon entree. Pasta dishes portions are big enough to share. They tasted good. Overall it was a good experience. The desserts were good.”