Where the Heck is Marinduque?: Original Joe Restaurant in Walnut Creek

Planning to Visit the Philippines Soon?

There are hundreds of tourists attractions in the Philippines. But as a lover of the Island of Marinduque (Home of the Morions and Heart of the Philippines), I am indeed partial to its beauty, charm and its friendly and hospitable residents. Therefore, help me achieve my dream of seeing this island becomes a world tourist destination, by telling all your friends and relatives about this site. Welcome, to you all, new readers and faithful followers of this site! The photo above is Poctoy White Beach in Torrijos, Marinduque with beautiful and majestic Mt Malindig in the background. Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on infringing your copyrights.

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Original Joe Restaurant in Walnut Creek

This place was temporarily closed 3 Days after Operation due to a Kitchen Fire. I believe it is still closed as of this writing date.

https://bayareatelegraph.com/2025/08/25/more-details-emerge-on-original-joes-in-walnut-creek-as-reopening-is-delayed/

The recent opening of Original Joe Restaurant is another fantastic addition to the Walnut Creek culinary Scene last August 14. If you love American- Italian food, this is the place to go. Here's the latest writeup and some photos of the menu I found in my Facebook page for your viewing pleasure. This place is in my wish list.

Opening & Local Coverage

The grand opening took place Thursday, August 14, 2025, bringing the iconic San Francisco Italian-American restaurant to Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek.SFistABC7 San Francisco
KGO-TV (ABC7) reported that locals are thrilled: one resident called it “the most exciting thing that's happened in the culinary world for this area in some time” and noted the new location features the original sign from the 1937 Tenderloin opening.ABC7 San Francisco
SFist described the space as massive and stylish: 300 seats including cocktail lounge, private dining, and substantial indoor/outdoor areas. They even noted Mayor Cindy Darling proclaimed August 14 as "Original Joe’s Day" in Walnut Creek.SFist
A Yahoo report confirmed the August 14 opening at 1300 S Main St., with doors opening to the public at 11 AM.Yahoo

Dining Room Area

Early Reviews & Buzz

OpenTable

Though formal reviews are just starting to appear, the description highlights “exceptional food, service, and ambiance,” “stunning decor,” and “delicious dishes.”OpenTable+1
OpenTable rankings show 5.0 “Exceptional” rating (based on 30 diners) and lists Original Joe’s as a top Italian and American restaurant in Walnut Creek.OpenTable+1

Open Kitchen Area

Early feedback on Yelp is also glowing:
“The food is absolutely outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and authentic with every bite. The drinks were equally impressive, crafted with care…”Yelp
Another user posted:
“No disrespect for the many great restaurants in Walnut Creek, but Original Joe's truly hits every mark: food, service, and ambiance… Every meal was delicious. Such large portions that we had a second meal the next day.”Yelp+1
Yelp’s broader rankings list it among the top spots under “Old School Italian,” with a 4.6 rating from 22 reviews—not bad for the first few days!Yelp

Here are some photos of the Dishes

Fillet of Sole

French Fries

Rib-Eye and Mashed Potatoes

The Calamari

The Coconut- Margarita

Summary

Opening date: August 14, 2025 — Confirmed by multiple outlets.
Media coverage: Warm and celebratory, with civic recognition (Original Joe’s Day).
Reviews: Early diners are loving it—praised for food, drinks, décor, atmosphere, service, and generous portions.

At Opening Day, the waiting time was only about one hour according to one of restaurant's patrons that day ( FaceBook comment).
I am getting hungry just looking at the Calamari.

Meanwhile, here's news on latest Development in Downtown Walnut Creek. Brian Hirahara, son of our fellow resident Carle is involved in this project. My Congratultions!

https://bayareatelegraph.com/2025/08/25/walnut-creeks-massive-24000-sqft-food-hall-is-coming-heres-everything-we-know-so-far/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMbWqFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHr45QMkMEnqoLCj8Gwo-3iJsOspSLt-z7Gp-BpNroJ6S8HJuFTRnV4liU2Ie_aem_nxVFuLJtuGzNO_Hc5g95swI

I am hoping a Filipino restaurant will be one of its tenants, so I do not have to drive to Concord or Pleasant Hill to enjoy Filipino Food

Finally, Did you know that....

Original Joe's is a San Francisco institution with a history rooted in the city's Italian-American community. It began in 1937 as a small, 14-stool counter on Taylor Street, founded by Croatian immigrant Tony Rodin. The restaurant quickly gained popularity for its classic Italian-American comfort food and welcoming atmosphere. Over the years, it expanded, including a location in San Jose and a more recent move to North Beach after a fire. Original Joe's is now a multi-generational family-run business, with the third generation overseeing its operations.

Key aspects of Original Joe's history:

1937: Founded by Tony Rodin on Taylor Street in San Francisco's Tenderloin.
1956: A San Jose location was opened by partners who aimed to bring the San Francisco experience to the South Bay.
2007: The original Taylor Street location was destroyed by a fire.
2012: Original Joe's reopened in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood.
Multi-Generational Family Business: The restaurant is now run by Tony Rodin's grandchildren.
Expansion: Original Joe's recently opened its first East Bay location in Walnut Creek.
Signature Dishes: Known for classic Italian-American comfort food and generous portions.
Community Hub: It has served a diverse clientele, from politicians to people from all walks of life.

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ABOUT ME

I am a retired (Chemistry Team Leader from USFDA) Filipino-American who loves writing, gardening and photography. My wife (of 58 years) and I enjoy the snowbird lifestyle between the US and the Philippines. We have a small but very private beach resort( see above video) in the beautiful island of Marinduque, Philippines. I have several blog sites(ten), a personal blog, blogs about retiring in Marinduque and our beach resort and conference center-CHATEAU DU MER. I also write for www.squidoo.com now owned by HubPages.com

Marinduque: A Photogenic Province and Tourists Destination

Marinduque is a photoblogger dream. The province is endowed with unspoiled white sand beaches, pristine blue waters, fringing reefs, virgin coral reefs, coves, limestone caves, meandering rivers, mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls and streams, fabled sulfur and hot mineral springs,old churches and of course beautiful sunsets. The Internet is filled with photographs of the scenic beauty of this island not only from the local professional photographers but also from amateur photographers all over the world. The province has more than six big islands popular to beach lovers, scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts. It has Mt Malindig known to mountain climbers and hikers. It has Bathala and Tarug Caves popular to spelunkers and just curious seekers. In one of the eight caves of Bathala, there is a resident python, believed to be enchanted. If he shows himself when you visit the caves, it is suppose to bring you good luck.

Sunset over Tres Reyes Islands- Photo from panoramnio.com The nearest and most accessible islands from the capital town of Boac are the Tres Reyes Islands ( Islands of the Three Kings), Gaspar, Melchor and Baltazar in the town of Gasan. The local names are Laki, Pangkog and Man-nga ( see map above). These islands are located southwest of the mainland. The other three group of islands bigger in area and more populated are Polo, Maniwaya and Mongpong Islands. These are located in the Northeast part of the mainland in the town of Santa Cruz. Maniwaya's Polo Maria White Beach is being develop as an alternative to Boracay. There is a bigger island, Salamongue Island which is not as well known to the tourists and residents.. I really do not know the reason, but I believe it is not as accessible from the mainland . Moreover, it is not as developed( no electricity or running water) compared to the other islands.

One of the most popular white beach located in the mainland in the town of Torrijos is Poctoy White Beach. It is about a 70 minutes drive from downtown Boac. Poctoy White beach with Mt, Malindig as the background is the most photogenic and the most photographed scenery in the island.

Just late last year, the former Elephant Island in Lipata, Buenavista, owned privately, was renamed Bellarocca Resort Island and Spa. It has been converted to look like Santorini Island, Greece with buildings all painted in white sticking in the cliffs. From what I heard, this resort is one of the most expensive and luxurious resort in Southeast Asia. The cheapest room charges $300 per night excluding meals and other amenities. When I was in Marinduque last year, I met a few rich and famous Filipinos( businessmen, actors and actresses, TV personalities)) from Manila as well as Korean and Japanese tourists at Masiga Airport in Gasan on their way to the resort. From the resort advertisement, I know that the most expensive accommodation is a 3-bedroom villa with its own pool and jacussi charging about $ 800 per night without meals. Dong Ho, Oggie Ramos, Ferdz Decena, Allan Barredo, Sydney Snoeck and Dennis Villegas are some of the photographers that I know who have photo blogs about Marinduque. Their pictures are beautiful, unique and mesmerizing. It is worth your time to visit their photo blogs sites. Looking at their photographs of Marinduque, its Tradition and Culture will surely make you proud of the beauty of our island paradise.