Original Joe’s

I wouldn’t normally go five stars for this place but considering the options to eat at in Jantzen Beach it’s a nice little spot to grab a bite, especially if you’re craving an American version of a Bento (you can look up what a Bento is if you don’t know allready). You do have the occasional gamblers and smokers (it is Jantzen Beach after all) but the staff always seems to be on it and super friendly and will customize your order to your liking. All in all its a solid place to grab lunch unless you’re in the mood for a chain restaurant or want to wait twenty minutes for a hot dog at the… never mind… I don’t like to talk shit about any restaurant. It’s Bentos and sandwiches that are fresh and made to order at Jatzen Beach, what else can I say, good stuff.

Definitely below average food. It’s kind of a random mix of food on the menu. Gyros. Curry. Burritos. I had the hummus plate which was ok. Olives out of a can. Sliced tomato, red onion, cukes and some pita. My 2 friends had a tasteless bean and cheese burrito and the chicken bento. The woman behind the counter was super nice and looked to be running things by herself on a Sunday. Not sure what I expected in Jantzen Beach, but would skip it.

Stopped by for some bento and beef gyros. The food wasn’t spectacular. It was just «ok». After that, I started having an upset stomach and then ended up having bad diarrhea all night until early morning. I’m never going there again.

I remember coming in here to kill time. I thought I’d grab a bite to eat in the meantime. I should have just stuck with a soda. Whatever I ordered to eat tasted like dog food. I kid you not. It had chunks of beef or something sprinkled with gravy atop some very bland rice. I don’t think I’d even give this to my doggy because he deserves better.

This place is very average. Stopped in for a chili dog and fries. It was okay, proportions are huge so it makes the price pretty reasonable. Very very greasy fast food!

Upon walking up to the door there were several people outside smoking and we were cut off by a woman in a hurry to get to the door. She opened the door for us and blew her cigarette smoke right into our faces. Turns out she was the woman that would be helping us at the counter. She was curt to start off with and then rude when asked questions about the special of the day. She didn’t know what it was nor the ingredients for it.
The place was empty with several dirty tables. The food itself was ok, not anything I’d want again. Unfortunately, I needed a box for some leftovers and had to ask her for one, she was in the middle of a conversation and didn’t bother to acknowledge me. I had to interrupt and make her do her job. HORRIBLE customer service all around!

The food was good until I found a hair stuck in the rice. They were super nice but I won’t be coming back any time soon.

The experience started with flys buzzing around the empty store and a unhappy solo employee behind the counter who also made our dinner. Not a fan of the bento and quite a disgrace to teriyaki chicken. I noticed no grill around so everything is microwaved. My bland Hawaiian dinner and my wife’s bland Greek dinner wasn’t enough, she found a long hair mixed in with her rice. I didn’t bother asking for a refund because the solo employee was out smoking, not so much that as her overall attitude to help. My advice, keep you money, go elsewhere and avoid Joes.

I try and come here at least once a month to get a Burnside Sandwich… its the best pastrami sandwich money can buy in the North Portland area. The Pastrami is fresh and the bacon is to die for… Thick cut bacon you cant get anywhere else it seems these days… Most bacon is nasty pre cooked bacon these days even at most Breakfast food joints… but Original Joe’s knows what its customers want and that is real pastrami… real BACON and everything fresh every time :)

Kinda off beat. Had the Greek Bento. The sole staff member (who seemed kinda unhappy) forgot the chicken, but brought it out to me. Food tasted bland. The chicken and the sauce were definitely microwaved. Not totally happy with the experience. Maybe the sandwiches are better. Willing to give this place a second shot in the future. Can’t recommend it at this time.

OK for what it is, but not more… at least for the Greek style plate
Gotta say, I was a bit disappointed in my first Original Joe’s experience. Having become accustomed to unprocessed chicken breasts and more tasty fare at similar small places in the PDX area, I was frankly surprised to find that my Greek style plate had a sliced chicken breast that revealed the dreaded glued-​together multi-​part texture of the sort you might get on an airplane (that is, when food was served ;). And the plate was completely drenched (i.e., swimming) in a semi-​flavorless tzatziki sauce above industrial white rice. At least the chopped cucumber and onions seemed fresh.
Lest all be turned away from this description, I must say the portion size was huge: the platter was very bountiful. But, at least based on my experience, if you come here just be ready for seriously un-​gentrified food and you won’t be shocked.
Service was also inexplicably curt… even trumped my low expectations when I lived in New York City years ago. But I tried not to take it personally.

Freshness of veggies & meat: poor
Demeanor of employees: lethargic
Authentic bento? Not a chance. Not even close to bento.
Sauce, veggies, & meat microwaved together in plastic, then dumped on rice: Grossly violated food product.
Heart n’ Soul factor: 0.5

I am not yet sold on this place. I will however be giving it another shot.
Their sandwiches look wonderful and I consequently regret trying the bento on my first visit. The bento was very so-​so. Super basic, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it was a bit lacking. Chicken, rice, sauce, and raw tomatoes and onion thrown on as an after thought. It fell a little flat. The flavor wasn’t anything to write home about but wasn’t bad by any means. The portion was a bit small, but TO BE FAIR, this place is cheap. I spent $ 4.95 for my bento plate, so while it wasn’t a big portion, it was still a reasonable, if not good value. I could always order another if I wanted to and still spend less than I do at my favorite teriyaki joint.
The atmosphere is a little stale, but it is a quick service lunch stop so who cares. By and large seemed pretty clean. I didn’t use the restroom however.
I’ll try a sandwich next time and re-​report my thoughts. The bento is only so-​so though so if you see the sign as I did and say «sweet, bento on the island!» Keep driving.

For a little spot the food was very good. I had a Thai bento box, didn’t expect anything at all from this type of spot or $ 6 price but wow, very good. Not only great peanut sauce but really, freshly chopped green onions? Never expected that.
I ate with a co worker he had some wrap thing. He raved about his food the whole time too.
I drive around quite a bit and there is not many good lunch spots around that area, glad to find this one. It’ll be a regular spot for us.

The staff here were excellent !! Loved it !

Original Joe’s gets a solid 5Star in my book… And it only has Partly to do with the fact that I usually win at video poker here…
The staff is Always accomodating and friendly. I dont know where they find these people but I’ve never had bad service here. The gyro’s are delish! And the dining area is well stocked and clean. So whether you have a gambling itch or are just in the mood for a tasty snack, Original Joes is your best bet on the island.

Shoppping at the quiet Hayden island Mall we felt hunger pains and decided to give OJ’s a try. My wife had a Reuben which she liked. I tried the Thai Chicken Bento. The cook said the bento had a bit of a bite and she was… understating the reality. It was so hot I couldn’t eat it.
When I asked how long they had been open the answer was about 10 years. Not sure about you but that makes it sound like they tried to make it sound like it had been around a long time when in reality it hasn’t.
Prices were ok and from my wife’s view the quality good. Might stop in again and might not.

Excellent deli with yummy options randing from sandwiches to really delicious bento, all served with friendly service. I’ve never had to wait and it’s rarely more than $ 10 for a great meal. Definitely check it out!
YO JOE (pro): Inexpensive good food served with a smile
JOE BLOW (con): They’re wasted on Janzten Beach

Here from out of town and we were looking for a place that served sandwiches. Found this place via Unilocal and based on the two reviews decided to give Original Joes a try. Great service and good food had the turkey sandwich which had a good amount of turkey on fresh bread and stone ground mustard very tasty.

I stopped here for a sandwich after work the other night. I was hoping for a basic grilled ham/​cheese, but instead a specialty off the menu. It was one of the better sandwiches I’ve had in a LONG time. I ordered a side of soup (chicken & Dumplings) and a soda for $ 10. Everything was great and made fresh for me.
I’ll be stopping here at least weekly while I’m in the area.