Joes Italian is a good choice when I'm in town. The antipasto salad is an excellent choice. The eggplant parmigiana is very delicious the flavor was excellent. The service is good. They cook the food fresh, the ambiance is good. I like the retro Italian restaurant vibes. I have been here multiple times and Joes never disappoints.
c omaha
The food was great. Staff was distracted.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Alejandra Flores Osante
Ordered caneloni, penne alfredo, cheese raviolo and chickes with lemon and capers. All was delicious. Recommend making reservations or getting there before rush hour. Staff was friendly. Food was good. Has a kid menu with kid adjusted prices, which was a
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Piccata, Bruschetta
Abe F.
Joe's is the classic Italian American restaurant that folks in Escondido ought to cherish, and by the looks of a busy Friday night: they do! It's a cozy dining room which seats around 30. Italian songs serenade you as you dine in the dim ambience. The service is top notch, attentive and friendly. I ordered the gnocchi with bolognese with a salad dressed in a zesty Italian dressing (their specialty). The sauce was not acidic but still tangy and addictive. Affordable Italian homestyle classics done in a charming setting means Joe's comes highly recommended. Five enthusiastic stars!
Armita P.
Waking into Joe's you're going to realize you aren't in Kansas anymore. An eclectic collection of Italy themed tchotchke, art and memorabilia cover every square inch of the place. Intimate seating makes this an tight spot for larger parties but great for a date. It took a minute for plates to come out. But not without reason. Joe cooks everything himself, down to the salad dressing. So get comfy as it will feel more like a course serving setting once the apps come out. You won't be rushed to clear a table for the next party like larger establishments. Speaking of I highly suggest his bruschetta as there is no shortage of tomatoes. And splurge on the garlic bread if you can.
Sydney S.
Hidden gem in escondido. The food was phenomenal. Massive portion sizes with tons of options. Better for small parties or date nights as most of the tables were about 4-5 people. Also they don't take reservations but they have an adorable waiting room in the back. Very killer vibes and 10/10 food. Our new favorite, no fuss Italian spot in San diego.
David Raine
Amazing small Italian spot. Great food and a must date night visit. Very reasonable pricing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Bruschetta
Brenda Brunk
Great food and atmosphere! The best eggplant parmigiana I’ve ever had!
Great experience!!! Food was outstanding and so was the service! We just had a great time as we stumbled into Joe's. A great time that I'm sure is a local favorite. We were grateful to find it during our travels.
TheOnenOnly Plantz
Dinner was fine. It wasn't a spectacular Italian dinner but it was good. I feel like the menu prices were reasonable and the service staff was excellent. Place was a little small, and dark, but kind of cozy as well. I would go back again if I were in the area.
We were excited to try out this cute little place! We called to make reservations and they told us they don't take them. When we walked in there were 3 empty booths. We stood there for more than 5 minutes before someone acknowledged us. She said there were no tables. I said what about these? She said they were taken and then said we have a waiting list do you want to put your name on it? She said it would be about 20 minutes. We were shuffled into a tiny back room and proceeded to wait. A single man came in after us and sat down. Then a party of 4 came in and went to the kitchen to say hi, 5 minutes later another group came in and went to the kitchen to chat. By this time 30 minutes had passed so we went to ask. At this point we noticed the single man and the other 2 parties (that weren't on the waiting list had been seated) The hostess said we were next on the list, I said I don't understand we came in before these 3 parties and they were all seated before us. She then said they had reservations. I said I thought you didn't take them, she said he does for family and friends. By the time our name was called, we had an hour left to make it to a play. I asked it we could be done by then and she said no. Needless to say we left. We will not be returning nor suggesting this place to anyone. This kind of patronage is rude and uncalled for!
marissa Anne
Not sure why, but I was denied to order takeout when I walked inI mean I can totally see take out is
Service: 1
Al Russo
The owner Joe (Giuseppe) was born and raised in Calabria Italy and the food he serves in Escondido is naturally the same as you will find if you travel to Calabria. Romantic atmosphere, family that serves you in the dining room and modest prices. Thank you Joe and Angelina!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley H.
I was in town and my gf and I decided to come in for dinner as Joe's was close to the hotel. I am SO glad we did because this place was so cute on the inside but most importantly the food was delicious. Everything we needed after a long day at the safari park. The restaurant is overly decorated in true Italian fashion, multiple booths inside with tables in the middle. It was so cozy inside and I loved the decorations that were hanging and the lighting. The waiting room in the back is cozy as well, comfortable and convenient. We came on a Saturday, a busier night. The service was amazing and our server Susie was exceptional. She was sweet, attentive and so warm and welcoming. We are from Los Angeles, so we are sadly used to fast, not so friendly service but Susie went above and beyond. The food was delicious and everyone loved their meals. I ordered the Meat Tortellini Romano, my gf ordered Fehttuchini Alfredo with chicken and my Goddaughter ordered the kids cheese ravioli. We pretty much ate everything because it was so delicious. Probably the best tortellini and fehttuchini we have had. My Goddaughter who is a picky eater devoured the cheese ravioli so I think that says a lot. We will definitely be back when we are in town for the delicious food and exceptional service. We hope we get to see Susie again! She's the sweetest and gave my goddaughter a small scoop of ice cream for being a good girl. Try Joes, you won't be disappointed.
Jamie Z.
Walking into Joe's Italian in downtown Escondido on Grand Ave is like walking into an old school Italian eatery from a time long ago. The very eclectic, very decorative interior of this food establishment takes you back to an episode of The Sopranos. Our food was really delicious and a must try for those with a love of Italian cuisine. Our service was good but the server kept forgetting things and wasn't very knowledgeable about the names of dishes, yet very kind and attentive. We ordered the Garlic bread, Antipasto salad, Caprese Salad, Lasagna, Meat Tortellini with Alfredo sauce, cheesecake and a cannoli. Oh and of course some house red wine to enjoy with our meal! The garlic bread was soooo good! Simple, yet nice and warm, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The antipasto and caprese salads were amazing and full of fresh, clean flavors with huge portions! The lasagna had a deep, flavorful marinara sauce that you could tell was homemade and a recipe passed down from generations. My least favorite was the tortellini. The pastas were delicious but the sauce lacked any flavor to it. Im not one to order dessert, but I am in search of the perfect cannoli .. I found it. The crust was crispy instead of soggy like most i have tried. The filling was perfectly made and not grainy like other lackluster cannolis. This one is absolutely legit. For a nice night out with great, authentic Italian, this is a fantastic choice in the North County area.
Joes Italian is a good choice when I'm in town. The antipasto salad is an excellent choice. The eggplant parmigiana is very delicious the flavor was excellent. The service is good. They cook the food fresh, the ambiance is good. I like the retro Italian restaurant vibes. I have been here multiple times and Joes never disappoints.
The food was great. Staff was distracted.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Ordered caneloni, penne alfredo, cheese raviolo and chickes with lemon and capers. All was delicious. Recommend making reservations or getting there before rush hour. Staff was friendly. Food was good. Has a kid menu with kid adjusted prices, which was a
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Piccata, Bruschetta
Joe's is the classic Italian American restaurant that folks in Escondido ought to cherish, and by the looks of a busy Friday night: they do! It's a cozy dining room which seats around 30. Italian songs serenade you as you dine in the dim ambience. The service is top notch, attentive and friendly. I ordered the gnocchi with bolognese with a salad dressed in a zesty Italian dressing (their specialty). The sauce was not acidic but still tangy and addictive. Affordable Italian homestyle classics done in a charming setting means Joe's comes highly recommended. Five enthusiastic stars!
Waking into Joe's you're going to realize you aren't in Kansas anymore. An eclectic collection of Italy themed tchotchke, art and memorabilia cover every square inch of the place. Intimate seating makes this an tight spot for larger parties but great for a date. It took a minute for plates to come out. But not without reason. Joe cooks everything himself, down to the salad dressing. So get comfy as it will feel more like a course serving setting once the apps come out. You won't be rushed to clear a table for the next party like larger establishments. Speaking of I highly suggest his bruschetta as there is no shortage of tomatoes. And splurge on the garlic bread if you can.
Hidden gem in escondido. The food was phenomenal. Massive portion sizes with tons of options. Better for small parties or date nights as most of the tables were about 4-5 people. Also they don't take reservations but they have an adorable waiting room in the back. Very killer vibes and 10/10 food. Our new favorite, no fuss Italian spot in San diego.
Amazing small Italian spot. Great food and a must date night visit. Very reasonable pricing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Bruschetta
Great food and atmosphere! The best eggplant parmigiana I’ve ever had!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Eggplant Parmigiana, Chicken Marsala, Stuffed Mushrooms
Great experience!!! Food was outstanding and so was the service! We just had a great time as we stumbled into Joe's. A great time that I'm sure is a local favorite. We were grateful to find it during our travels.
Dinner was fine. It wasn't a spectacular Italian dinner but it was good. I feel like the menu prices were reasonable and the service staff was excellent. Place was a little small, and dark, but kind of cozy as well. I would go back again if I were in the area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We were excited to try out this cute little place! We called to make reservations and they told us they don't take them. When we walked in there were 3 empty booths. We stood there for more than 5 minutes before someone acknowledged us. She said there were no tables. I said what about these? She said they were taken and then said we have a waiting list do you want to put your name on it? She said it would be about 20 minutes. We were shuffled into a tiny back room and proceeded to wait. A single man came in after us and sat down. Then a party of 4 came in and went to the kitchen to say hi, 5 minutes later another group came in and went to the kitchen to chat. By this time 30 minutes had passed so we went to ask. At this point we noticed the single man and the other 2 parties (that weren't on the waiting list had been seated) The hostess said we were next on the list, I said I don't understand we came in before these 3 parties and they were all seated before us. She then said they had reservations. I said I thought you didn't take them, she said he does for family and friends. By the time our name was called, we had an hour left to make it to a play. I asked it we could be done by then and she said no. Needless to say we left. We will not be returning nor suggesting this place to anyone. This kind of patronage is rude and uncalled for!
Not sure why, but I was denied to order takeout when I walked inI mean I can totally see take out is
Service: 1
The owner Joe (Giuseppe) was born and raised in Calabria Italy and the food he serves in Escondido is naturally the same as you will find if you travel to Calabria. Romantic atmosphere, family that serves you in the dining room and modest prices. Thank you Joe and Angelina!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was in town and my gf and I decided to come in for dinner as Joe's was close to the hotel. I am SO glad we did because this place was so cute on the inside but most importantly the food was delicious. Everything we needed after a long day at the safari park. The restaurant is overly decorated in true Italian fashion, multiple booths inside with tables in the middle. It was so cozy inside and I loved the decorations that were hanging and the lighting. The waiting room in the back is cozy as well, comfortable and convenient. We came on a Saturday, a busier night. The service was amazing and our server Susie was exceptional. She was sweet, attentive and so warm and welcoming. We are from Los Angeles, so we are sadly used to fast, not so friendly service but Susie went above and beyond. The food was delicious and everyone loved their meals. I ordered the Meat Tortellini Romano, my gf ordered Fehttuchini Alfredo with chicken and my Goddaughter ordered the kids cheese ravioli. We pretty much ate everything because it was so delicious. Probably the best tortellini and fehttuchini we have had. My Goddaughter who is a picky eater devoured the cheese ravioli so I think that says a lot. We will definitely be back when we are in town for the delicious food and exceptional service. We hope we get to see Susie again! She's the sweetest and gave my goddaughter a small scoop of ice cream for being a good girl. Try Joes, you won't be disappointed.
Walking into Joe's Italian in downtown Escondido on Grand Ave is like walking into an old school Italian eatery from a time long ago. The very eclectic, very decorative interior of this food establishment takes you back to an episode of The Sopranos. Our food was really delicious and a must try for those with a love of Italian cuisine. Our service was good but the server kept forgetting things and wasn't very knowledgeable about the names of dishes, yet very kind and attentive. We ordered the Garlic bread, Antipasto salad, Caprese Salad, Lasagna, Meat Tortellini with Alfredo sauce, cheesecake and a cannoli. Oh and of course some house red wine to enjoy with our meal! The garlic bread was soooo good! Simple, yet nice and warm, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The antipasto and caprese salads were amazing and full of fresh, clean flavors with huge portions! The lasagna had a deep, flavorful marinara sauce that you could tell was homemade and a recipe passed down from generations. My least favorite was the tortellini. The pastas were delicious but the sauce lacked any flavor to it. Im not one to order dessert, but I am in search of the perfect cannoli .. I found it. The crust was crispy instead of soggy like most i have tried. The filling was perfectly made and not grainy like other lackluster cannolis. This one is absolutely legit. For a nice night out with great, authentic Italian, this is a fantastic choice in the North County area.