Entrance to Original Joe’s at 301 South First Street downtown San Jose hosted Sportstalk radio/podcast program on Mon Jan 8, 2024 (photo from Original Joes.com)
Mon Jan 8, 2024
Sportstalk is honored to do our podcast at Original Joes 301 South First Street in downtown San Jose. We thank our hosts and Original Joe’s owners Brad Rocca, Michelle Rocca, Matt Rocca, Greg Bardakos, assistant manager Chris, and our server Jenny. Original Joes welcomes our panel Jimmy Price Sports Talk contributor, Titus Wilkinson San Jose Barracuda and Sharks beat writer, Troy Ewers San Jose State Spartans and Sharks beat writer, and your host Marko Ukalovic.
On May 24, 1956 Louis J. Rocca, Louis J. Rocca, Jr. (Babe), Arthur Tortore (Otto) and Anthony Caramagno (Nino) opened “Original Joe’s” in San Jose. The four partners wanted to bring an authentic San Francisco restaurant to the South Bay. They were convinced that if they could keep it authentic, they could serve the community by producing their traditional home-style Italian American Cuisine. Their desire was so great that they actually transported San Francisco French Bread via Greyhound Bus everyday for the first two years of operation.
In the early 1970’s downtown San Jose started to flounder. Businesses were relocating to the outskirts of town. Original Joe’s became one of the cornerstones for an ever changing downtown. As the genres of food have changed over the years, Original Joe’s maintains its traditional roots. Still owned and operated by the Rocca Family, Original Joe’s continues to strive to replicate the dining experience that people have enjoyed for over half of a century.
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