Joe's of Westlake

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!

Pros: My stepfather specially loves it here

Posted 09/08/09

I like Joe's. I've been going there many years from the days when I worked at Green & Kauffman Real Estate nearby. My favorite dish is the -roast beef served with spaghetti. There are 3 sections where you can eat, the front with booths and tables, the counter where you can watch the cooks work and the back room. The backroom has fish tanks and was decorated in the old world style until a few years ago when it was brighted up and the windows let in light from overhead. I miss the old style and preferred the quiet atmosphere.
The waiters are old timers. Even the young fellows are old timers. The customers are old timers. Look in the parking lot and you will see big cars, cadillacs, big American cars. They are the plumbers, electricians, retired civil servants with money who come to Joes during the day time and sometimes early evening. The waiters may appear rude. I attribute this to the fact that they take customer orders and do so with efficiency. There are no smiles, or questions or introductions or telling you that the bus boy is their significant other as was so popular about 10 years ago. I think the customers, including myself like this type service. No nonsense, take the order and bring it, make return visits to the table and ask the customers how things are. They do show impatience that I have witnessed and that is directed at customers who have to read every line on the menu and discuss who is going to have what.
I do not like the salad as it is a strange mixture of cold vegetables. The pastine soup is so-so and not worth the price. Order beef, a steak , osso busco, pasta, deep fried potatoes, enjoy the italian bread and butter. The cocktails are fine, not expensive, the bar is nice and quiet. If you are out for a typical San Francisco Delfina's type evening, this is not the place for you. I am amazed at some of the reviews I have read. At one time, maybe even still Joe's was listed as being among the top most successful continous restaurants in California. The bad reviews are fun to read but don't say much.

Pros: Good Food and Service

Cons: They keep raising the prices

Posted 09/06/09

For the last thirty or so years, I have gone to Joe's of Westlake about once or twice a year. I love the Veal Parmesian - it is absolutley delicous!
But most times I go there, I get an UNFRIENDLY, EVEN RUDE WAITER!! What the heck is their probem??!! This has rarely happened in any other restaurant I have been to (and never even close to Joe's rudeness), so I don't think it is just me. Don't ask me why I continue to go there...sometimes I just have a desire for their great veal parmesian. Management, please do us a favor and talk to your staff about proper service - I honestly don't know how they get away with how they treat people. They need to get a clue and treat ALL customers politely.

Pros: Food

Cons: Waiters

Posted 08/01/09

I love Weatlake Joes lots of food on the plate great food and the best garlic bread any where hands down.

Pros: Best garlic bread any where

Cons: some times a kong wait

Posted 05/23/09

For over 10 years now, my best friends and I always meet at Joe's Tuesday afternoons after making the rounds at Ross and Bed, Bath and Beyond and the Post Office.

You'll see everyone from fellow seniors, families to young couples at this restaurant -- it's always a mixed bag.

What isn't is the food. Ooh, the food!

Don't ever close Joe's, you've got a lifelong customer here!

Posted 04/19/09

I've been living in SF for over 35 years and it amazes me that there are still restaurants that can get away with racism and still stay in business. We are in SF, the melting-pot of the US, the most liberal city by far, and then there's...........Joe's of Westlake. I have given this restaurant many chances over the years because I always liked the old-school charm, the old fashion bar scene, and the traditional no-nonsense classic italian food... but unfortunately the service and the prejudices from the staff leaves me cold. I have observed on many occasions where they treat their fellow italians like royalty, as well as the older customers who are obviously regulars. The management appears not to care about the younger and growing population since the restaurant still does well... but imagine how much better it can do with just a simple change of attitude and passing those qualities down to their staff.

Pros: Old-School Italian Comfort Food

Cons: Old-School Attitudes

Posted 07/28/08

I love Westlake Joes, have been going there for years. We always get the same thing-
Hamburger Steak and Veal. Darn it is good. The Hamburger steak is at least 3 meals for me. I love to take it home and eat it the next day. Give it up for an insitution!

Posted 07/09/08

Well I thought it wasn't bad. I mean - it's kinda kitchy, kinda 'old Las Vegas'. My Spaghetti and Raviolis were fine but the meatballs WERE AWEFUL! They were mixed with some over processed filler. My meatballs were like soggy bread. Sorry but I love meatballs and this meat was cut with 95% nasty cornmeal or something. I couldn't even recognize the flavor. BOO on you Joes of Westlake!!! Would I go back?? Probably - for the 'old Las Vegas' feeling and I will NOT order meatballs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will have low expctations from now on.

Pros: My friend liked his burger & we were seated promptly. Room for parking.

Cons: Well I still do not recommend the meatballs unless you don't have teeth.

Posted 05/21/08

I thought I was there on an off-night last week but after hearing others comments, it appears it was business as usual, unfortunately. We waited for 20 minutes for our waitress to greet us, in fact it was starting to look like we did not even HAVE a waitress,we never saw here again until we asked for the bill, ran out of water so I served myself, bread was cold and hard, like the service and the steak.

Basically, it was pretty awful. We were a party of 11 and not one of us would go back, sorry to say. Judging from the crowds, they might have been something special in the past but they must be resting on past laurels as the current experience does not explain their apparent popularity. Sorry, thumbs down!

Pros: Ample parking

Cons: food, service.

Posted 01/08/08

Positives: Seated quickly, good large burger on sourdough roll (for $9.25 it better be), lots of parking.

Negatives: Poor waitress service. Slow. Rude. Drinks not served until after food arrived & reminded that we did'nt get them. No refills - not sure if policy or just rude (for $2.35 soda served in childs glass - I'd expect free refills). Fried scallops were raw inside, but golden brown outside - totally frozen & gross. Bill was paid at front desk - not sure if this is policy, but neighboring table got table service. Not friendly to Asians.

Will not return.

Posted 05/05/07

A friend and I ate at Joes of Westlake last night. I paid for an iced tea at the bar awaiting a table and took it to the dining room - the glass was never refilled during my meal - was I supposed to buy a second iced tea? My friend did buy her iced tea once in the dining room - her tea was refilled ... AFTER we finished our meals...a bit late.

My friend's salad was swimming with cesar's dressing. My veal parmesan was dry and overcooked. Worse was that I specifically asked the waiter if there were onions in the tomato sauce - he assured me there wasn't. I asked a second time if he was sure because I am allergic to onions and was assured for the second time that there were none. So when I found large pieces of onions in the sauce and pointed it out he stated that he had never seen onions in the sauce before...and he stated that they don't always make it the same way! I find it hard to believe that the basic recipes change!

The biggest insult was that he then told the elderly couple at the table behind us what had happened, and the lady stared at us as she left the restaurant actually turning her head to be sure we noted it (?).

As nurses we were appalled that a waiter would dismiss a concern over food allergies and at having the error minimized as if it was my fault. I reported it to the man dong the seating and he took the plate away.

In other restaurants a manager might offer an apology - we got a waiter who felt sharing my allergy with others was acceptable.

The waiter stated that he has worked there 20 years - I would expect a long-time waiter to know what was in the sauce!!!

Pros: Reputation

Cons: Poor service and food not what it used to be

Posted 03/17/07

I am born and raised in San Francisco, and this place has been a institution since my mother was a little girl. The burgers are the best in town served rare with bacon and swiss cheese. The cocktails are not for the faint of heart, they serve real drinks here. Granted the crowd is older, but you can always make friends at the bar. The food is old style Italian American grub, and this is one the few places with a piano bar and open mic. Joes is filled with native San franciscans not transplants the place is family friendly contrary to the other reviews, it just celebrated it 50th aniversary, now how many places can say that.
P.S.
If you go stop by the bar after 8 o'clock the band starts playing at that time.

Pros: The food,The people,The bar,The band

Cons: Parking on Fridays and Saturdays

Posted 03/15/07

One must give Joe's credit for fantastic food and ample menu choices, but DO NOT expect the staff to be friendly to children. If you don't make reservations (expecially on the weekends) expect an hour's wait. The few times that I brought my children there, the waitresses seemed irritated that they were taking up chairs-- probably because kids do not tip and don't buy fancy, expensive alcoholic drinks. They do have a nice happy hour, but it is usually frequented by a much older crowd. Nice service, however, once seated and ready to order (if you're still hungry). I reccommend, with reservations.

Pros: Delicious Food

Cons: Not a family enviornment

Posted 02/09/07

I love this place. It's right out of the 1950's. Filled with lot's of older Italian Americans. Totally unpretentious so if you're looking for the "chic san francisco" dining experience or the fake 1950's retro experience this is not the place for you. This is the real deal. Live longe music in the bar which has a fireplace and and wonderful local characters . The service is definitely not fakey-fake, all smiles kinda thing. It's no nonsense. It's packed during the weekend so there's a bit of a wait but the bar is a great place to have a drink, sit by the fire, and people watch while you're waiting. Food is very traditional Italian American right down to the Spumoni ice cream and watered down coffee which is, of course, included with the price of the meal. No non-fat decaf lattes here. Food is quite good and reasonably priced. Places like this are hard to find anymore.

Pros: ambiance

Posted 01/04/07

We waited 20 min. on a Sunday night. Not bad. We sat down starving and it took the waiter another 2o min. to notice we were there. The cooks stared at us and made gross gestures. My chicken parmisian had to be moved to a different plate becasue the grease was overpowering. I highly suggest Burger King across the street.

Pros: Big restaurant, short wait

Cons: Everything else.

Posted 11/27/06

citi search is aweful. I wrote a long review and upon submission it gave me an system error. what a bad website

Pros: nothing

Cons: bad food, bad parking, bad environment.

Posted 11/18/06

Poor service upon last three visits. Food remains very good however service needs to improve to standards of years past. Not a very warm staff upon entering restaurant as well as servers.

Pros: Food remains up to same standards of past years

Cons: Poor Service

Posted 10/13/06

If you want to get your old school martini on, you can't go wrong with the lounge at Westlake Joe's. The prices are reasonable and the mixology top notch. The locals make for an eyeful of people-watching, and the weekend lounge act is its own reward (or punishment, depending on your perspective). The dining room, on the other hand, is atmosphere-free. The service is detatched, and the food is one step above "take it back." Best course of action: have a drink and go somewhere else for dinner.

Pros: Cool architecture, old school cocktail lounge, reasonable drink prices

Cons: Food

Posted 08/02/06

I am a native San Franciscan who also happens to be Italian. My family has been going to WestLake Joes for years - and I tell you it makes me question my relation to them! This place is a suburban diner with mediocre food and probably the most depressing atmosphere of any place I have seen. WHY ANYONE who lives in San Francisco would waste their time driving to Daly City to eat at this place I honestly can not understand and to anyone who says this is "good italian" food, I can only hope you have never been to Italy. Veal parmeasan is not an italian dish - neither is fried calamari or ceasar salad!!! We live in an amazing city with so many choices - please leave WestLake Joes to the "early bird special" crowd and stop kidding yourself that this place is a "classic"

Pros: Grandparents Like It

Cons: Ambiance, Mediocre Food, Wait

Posted 03/09/06

For years now I have heard about Joes of Westlake. I am part Italian and know and understand this cuisine thourghly. The food is best described as prision cuisine at best. It is plentiful but they have managed to cook all the taste out of the food. I was in a party of 5. I ordered the Spagetti & Meatballs. Simple enough entree. The meatballs had no taste and looked like a bad version of a frozen entree thawed out. Simply put, it had no taste.
Way over priced. Sure the portions are generous because they can afford to be at those prices. With the best of the best available in San Francisco in "Little Italy" do youself a favor and go there. . . please!

Pros: Plenty of parking

Cons: average age deceased, old clientle/old food

Posted 11/24/05

I actually had no expectations coming into this restaurant. We ordered the shrimp cocktail for our appetitizer, could have gone without it though. I order the sole and it was tasty. My friend ordered the Joe's special calamari plate, and that was very tasty. It's not a fancy place, but the food was pretty decent.

Posted 11/07/05

Monday night: "Please wait in the bar, it will be 30 minutes." 50 min. later we were seated & waited another 15 min for a waiter. Order taken, 20 minutes later & instead of ordered salads, the main course arrived. Reminded of salads, waiter took main courses back & brought salads. Salads at near room temperature and "blue cheese dressing" apparently, little more than sour cream & water, with no taste of blue cheese. Main courses, same ones brought 20 minutes earlier, brought again, warmed up, covered with what a brown glop and salt. We made the error of ordering the house white - an acidic box special that hopefully did not set the house back more than $5.00 a gallon. Considering the volume of business, there is no reason to produce this low level of quality and mediocre service.

Cons: Long wait in bar., Poor service., Mediocre food.

Posted 06/20/05

I've been to Joe's twice and both times the service was non-existent. I felt like everyone but us were being helped by the wait staff. And then I realized that we were probably the only Asian couple (under 30 years of age) in the restaurant. I really hope this was a mistake but I highly doubt it. The one time we were able to order food, I thought it was average but I couldn't tell you about my 2nd experience because the waiter never came back to take our order. Knowing that they're located in Daly City where there is a large population of Asians/Filipinos, I sure hope they get their act together and realize that more and more non-white people will eventually venture into their restaurant. Maybe I'm the only one who was treated like this but at least I was able to voice my opinion on this site.

Pros: Plenty of Parking

Cons: Service

Posted 02/02/05

Joe's of Westlake is the ONLY restaurant that I visit on a weekly basis. Some may say that the decor is in poor taste, but I feel that it adds to the charm of this Daly City gem. The Veal Parmesan is fantastic and the Unbreaded Shrimp Sautee is even better. However, the absolute BEST thing on the menu is the Calamari a la Joe's (a large portion of deep fried calamari smothered in tomato sauce and served with a dollop of tartar on the side). If you're in the mood to visit a restaurant with fancy table linens and entree portions that you can fit in the palm of your hand, then Joe's may not be for you. But if you want to visit a place with good, authentic, no-frills, inexpensive, family-style Italian, then look no further. Joe's has been around for years, and with good reason.

Pros: Inexpensive, Pletiful Parking

Posted 10/13/04

...or Just below the city... By far the best Veal Parmesian in the world...believe me, I've tried most of them. Sure, if you're bringing a first date, you might try some foo foo resteraunt, but if you want Family Italian, Huge Portions, Great Food, For almost No Cost...then go to Joe's of Westlake!!!

Pros: Veal Parmesian

Posted 08/20/04

The above review doesn't know anything about anything. Joe's is simple family cuisine, Italian style, first come, first serve. And it has excellent food. In fact, the best hamburgers I have ever enjoyed, and I've looked for the best around the U.S. Others may equal it, but none exceed it. Big patty cooked over wood charcoal on a fresh sourdough bun. Damn it is good. Fine crab louie salad and other dishes. If you are not used to waiters who will tease you, just be respectful and you will get good service. If you are an arrogant jerk, they will not be shy about treating you poorly.

Pros: great food, good parking, good prices

Cons: , no reservations

Posted 06/10/04

If you want over priced Denny's with linen and waiter in a tux, this it the place for you. The wait was way too long. The service was the worst I have had in San Francisco. The food was sub par. If you are in the area, go to Burger King or check out the restaurants in the complex across the street.

Cons: , Horrible Service, Horrible food

Posted 06/02/04

The prices are more in line with much better cuisine. This place doesn't know what spices are or complementary dishes are best for entrees. The cooks are mostly line cooks from diners, I'm convinced. They have poor salads as well. The decorum is mainly for the geriatric crowd; this should be a meeting place for bad mafia types but someone would end up dead due to the fact that they can't cook Italian food to save their lives or even know what "al dente" means. It would not hurt to invest some money in interior decorating either. Plenty of parking unless you go on a weekend.

Posted 03/22/04

The Veal Scaloppini Sec is delicious. The servings are generous. The service is great. Plus it feels like you've been zapped back in time.

Posted 02/18/04

This place is amazing! So much food for the money, and the help has been there serving you for years.

Pros: lots of parking, Good Bar, Excellent Food

Cons: Tiny Bathroom Stalls

Posted 08/23/02

Joe's of Westlake is a restaurant for people who want basic Italian food that is consistently good. I have been a patron of Joe's since the 60's. If you go around dinnner time, expect to wait for an hour. But the wait is worth it...you can watch the interplay between the waiters and the chefs behind the counter and listen to the order man repeat each order to the chefs..."Make one on the grill medium" (make a hamburger). You can watch the flames from the wine flavored veal parmigiana. I've never had anything but good food and efficient service at Joe's of Westlake.

Pros: consistent quality, friendly staff, fair prices

Cons: the wait at dinner, too many choices!, parking can be tight

Posted 08/03/02