Little Original Joe’s

At Little Original Joe’s, you’ll sip on a Negroni with “LOJ” emblazoned onto a single ice cube while listening to a group of friends in birthday headbands discuss diamond cuts—this is one of the Marina’s hottest see-and-be-seen destinations since the inception of Barry’s. The Italian restaurant (by the Original Joe’s team) is full even on a Monday night, so expect a wait or slide up to the bar and nurse an espresso martini to pass the time. And while the food won’t change your life, you’re really here to snack on grid-worthy zucchini fries, sip a cocktail with branded ice, and look hot while doing it.

The walls of this place are about 85% window, built for Chestnut St. passersby to peek in and feel a pang of jealousy. Everyone inside is diving into spreads of Italian food that look pretty, but range in quality—the spicy rigatoni is one-dimensional and overcooked, while the thin-crust pizzas are so great you’ll have to rock-paper-scissors for a chance at the last slice. Most of the crowd-pleasing appetizers are covered in a blanket of cheese (case in point: the caesar, the brussels sprouts, and the zucchini fries), and they’re as delicious as you’d hope from anything that’s been parmesan-ified this hard. Throw in photogenic cocktails and a decibel level that never seems to taper off, and it’s easy to have a good time.

Food Rundown

video credit: Julia Chen

Zucchini Fries

A glorious, Jenga-like stack of thin, crispy zucchini sticks. It lands in front of you dripping with freshly shaved parmesan like a miniature snow-covered Christmas tree, with a cup of lemon basil aioli riding shotgun. You’ll need to make apologetic eyes at your server for the cheesy mess left behind on the table.

Spicy Rigatoni Vodka

A big letdown. The only discernible flavor is that of overwhelming red pepper flakes. The pasta is also mushy. You can do a better job at home.

The Spicy Mike

The pizza section at Little Original Joe’s is the strongest part of their menu—the thin crust is crisp and snappy, and toppings cover every square inch. This jalapeño and hot honey-kissed pie, lined with layers of soppressata and mozzarella, is a top contender out of the ten pies available (you can also build your own).