Original Joe's, San Jose's landmark restaurant, turns 70 this month

"Matt and Brad Rocca have literally grown up at Original Joe's, the landmark Italian restaurant their grandfather and father opened in downtown San Jose on May 24, 1956. The brothers remember starting to work at the restaurant when they were each 12 years old, washing dishes and making salads before moving up to waiting tables and serving as the front-of-house host. Now co-owners of the restaurant, the Roccas are looking forward to celebrating Original Joe's 70th anniversary with their customers on May 24, the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend."

"They say it won't be an extravagant party, but singer Jerry Sauceda will be performing Frank Sinatra songs for diners, and there'll be special 70th anniversary merchandise like hats and shirts to buy. Despite a $1 million interior renovation in 2007, walking through the front doors still feels like you're being transported back to the 1950s. The red mahogany booths, beige popcorn ceilings and the huge circular ceiling vents all lend to the throwback atmosphere."

"If you're lucky enough to grab a seat at the counter, you'll get a real show as the cooks in the open kitchen put on a culinary ballet - broiling steaks over the charbroiler, cooking sausages and breaded chicken breasts on the grill and tossing mushrooms in a sautee pan. But you're just as likely to see customers in T-shirts and shorts as you are to see sport coats and ties. And the Roccas wouldn't want it any other way."

""Everybody feels comfortable here. That's the beauty of this place," said Matt Rocca, who was born about nine months before the restaurant opened. Louis Rocca Sr. was one of the partners who opened Original Joe's in San Francisco in 1937. Nearly 20 years later, he and two partners - Otto Tortore and Nino Caramagno - opened the San Jose restaurant to be run by his son, Louis Rocca Jr. (known to all as "Babe")."

Matt and Brad Rocca grew up working at Original Joe's, starting at age 12 with dishwashing and salad preparation before moving into front-of-house roles. They now co-own the restaurant and plan to celebrate the 70th anniversary on May 24 during Memorial Day weekend. The celebration will be low-key, with singer Jerry Sauceda performing Frank Sinatra songs and special anniversary merchandise available for purchase. A $1 million interior renovation in 2007 did not change the restaurant’s throwback feel, including red mahogany booths, beige popcorn ceilings, and large circular ceiling vents. The open kitchen provides visible cooking, from broiling steaks and grilling sausages and chicken to sautéing mushrooms. The restaurant’s casual comfort is central to its appeal.

Read at The Mercury News