This 85-year-old San Francisco Italian-American restaurant is coming to the East Bay

Rumors have been floating around Walnut Creek for months, and they are true: Original Joe’s, the 85-year-old San Francisco gem known bright red booths and old-school Italian-American fare, is headed to Broadway Plaza.

When it opens in 2024, the 8,000-square-foot restaurant — formerly Stanford’s — across from Macy’s will mark the third location for third-generation brother-and-sister owners John and Elena Duggan. Hope in town is that the destination restaurant will lure potential diners down Broadway Plaza, which has been closed to cars since 2020. Restaurants have suffered as a result.

Lemonade, the salad spot at 1348 Broadway Plaza, closed in 2021 and is still vacant. Sakimoto, the upscale sushi lounge, closed last month after one year of business at 1342 Broadway Plaza, citing on social media both the street closure and ongoing “major construction due to the (Life Time) gym” as factors. They are moving to an undisclosed location on Main Street.

Original Joe’s will be located just across the plaza, at 1300 S. Main St, and will offer a menu similar to its North Beach and Daly City restaurants. Nostalgic and approachable dishes — think
Chicken Parmigiana, Veal Piccata with capers, beef and spinach-filled House Made Ravioli and Joe’s Meatballs with whipped ricotta — will be the focus. Also look for classic cocktails, desserts and specials, like prime rib.

The old Stanford’s space will get a much needed update, including new woodwork, a bar area, exhibition kitchen and seating for about 200. Outdoor dining, featuring both a fireplace and misters — this is Walnut Creek, after all — will also be new. Details: https://originaljoes.com.