Little Original Joe's — Restaurant in San Francisco

I don’t normally write reviews but had to share: we had such a wonderful dinner here! We live just around the corner and have been meaning to try this spot, and tonight we happened to walk in and were seated right away.

We started with the spicy rigatoni, which was absolutely fabulous - so good it was gone before we could even snap a photo. We also ordered a pizza, which, while delicious in flavor, came out a bit too salty. When Carlos stopped by to check in, we hesitantly mentioned it. Without hesitation, he graciously offered to take it off the bill and suggested we try another pasta special instead. We went with the angel hair pomodoro, which was equally amazing. It seemed like just a little extra seasoning had tipped the pizza that night, but all the other elements were excellent, and we’d definitely try it again next time.

During dinner, it came up that we’d just gotten married a couple of weeks ago. To our surprise, Carlos brought out a celebratory dessert on the house with sparklers. It was such a thoughtful touch that made the evening feel truly special.

I’ve lived in the neighborhood for six years and frequent many of the local restaurants, but the combination of incredible food, warm atmosphere, and exceptional service here REALLY stood out. Carlos made us feel so celebrated and taken care of in a way that few places manage.

The food was outstanding, the vibes were on point, and the hospitality was next-level. We’ll definitely be adding this to our regular neighborhood date night rotation. Thank you, Carlos - we’ll...

Immaculate food! One of my new Italian favorites in the city!!

Coming on opening week was a mad rush. Seemed like some folks had an insider way to get a reservation. We walked in at 6 and were told the next seating time was 10 pm lol! We were allowed to wait for a first come first serve bar seating, and probably waited for 45 mins to get seated there. I presume they might not keep this running for long tho because the bar lines were so long that it was crowding the pathways and nearby tables. I did call up at 2 pm to ask what they predicted, and they were estimating a 2-3 hour wait, so 4 hours was worse but expectations were set. Just plan accordingly.

Service was a bit chaotic on week one but excellent staff. I was trying to modify a pizza by swapping a sauce due to an allergy and they said the chef wouldn’t allow it. Seemed a bit weird to me though considering you can even “build your own pizza” but maybe it’s a first week thing. We got the lemon pasta which was absolutely unreal, delicate and flavorful. The DIY pizza was also amazing. The crust is one of the first of its type I’ve seen this well done in the Bay Area, really was giving NYC pizza vibes. There’s a garlic to the crust that also tastes delicious. Also got the ranch and it was such a perfect complement. I wanted to try so many more of the starters and sides but only so much stomach haha, but will definitely be returning!

Well worth the bar wait, but probably would come back with some way of a...

Little Original Joe’s in San Francisco’s Marina District is a visually appealing spot that draws a lively crowd. The Art Deco-inspired interior, with its high ceilings and expansive windows, creates an inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for social gatherings. The bar serves up photogenic cocktails, like the Italian Black Cherry Spritz and classic Negronis, adding to the venue’s trendy appeal . 

Culinary offerings, however, are a mixed bag. The thin-crust pizzas, especially the “Spicy Mike” topped with soppressata, jalapeños, and hot honey, are standout items that showcase a balance of flavors and textures . On the other hand, some pasta dishes, like the spicy rigatoni vodka, fall short—overcooked and lacking depth in flavor. Appetizers such as the zucchini fries, generously covered in parmesan and served with lemon basil aioli, are crowd-pleasers that align with the restaurant’s comfort food vibe . 

Service is generally efficient, and the ambiance is vibrant, making it a suitable spot for casual outings or celebratory drinks. While Little Original Joe’s excels in creating a fashionable and energetic environment, the food quality varies, suggesting it’s more of a place for socializing over drinks and select dishes rather than a destination for a comprehensive Italian...