Personally, I could eat breakfast all day. How about you? I’m not talking about the sweet stuff either. Sure, I enjoy a short stack every now and again, but I’m a savory gal through and through. So, when Conni over at the Foodie Army Wife said she was hosting a Breakfast for Dinner #SundaySupper, I couldn’t resist. My thoughts promptly turned to a Bay Area staple, something on the menu of every restaurant named Joe’s and then some. I’m talking about Joe’s Special–the original San Francisco treat.
According to local lore, a late night patron at “New Joe’s” on Broadway ordered a spinach omelet. The hungry diner asked the chef if he had anything else available to cook, and the chef responded there was hamburger. The hamburger was added to the omelet, and this savory midnight snack soon became a regular item. This was back in the 1920s, when New Joe’s was the only restaurant in San Francisco with full exhibition cooking, that is, everything prepared in full view of the customers. It was also the first restaurant to serve Joe’s Special, although many have followed since. In 1937, the partners at New Joe’s had a falling out, and one of them opened Original Joe’s in San Francisco’s Tenderloin, which serves folks old-school style to this day.
What’s so special about Joe’s Special anyway? It may not win any beauty pageants, but when you need something savory and satisfying, man does this fit the bill. Just serve it with a crusty loaf of French bread and a tumbler filled with house red, and you’re good to go.
Start by chopping the onion and garlic. Then sauté in the olive oil over medium heat until the onion starts to brown.
Next, brown the ground chuck in the onions, breaking it up as it cooks. The mushrooms should be added at this point, if using. Then stir in the spinach and marjoram, and continue to cook until most of the moisture has evaporated.
Have the eggs ready to go, then stir into the meat mixture, cooking until slightly dry. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Good, satisfying, breakfast-style grub.
Top it with some Parmesan cheese, and serve it with plenty of crusty French bread and a tumbler or two of house red.
Here’s the printable version:
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 8 oz. ground chuck
- 8 oz. ground chuck
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 1 (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry in paper towels
- 1 (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry in paper towels
- 1 tsp marjoram
- 1 tsp marjoram
- 8 eggs, lightly beaten
- 8 eggs, lightly beaten
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion; cook until onion starts to brown.
- Add meat and mushrooms (if using), cooking and stirring, until browned.
- Add the spinach and marjoram, and cook until heated the excess moisture is evaporated.
- Add the eggs and cook, stirring until eggs are done. The mixture should be slightly dry.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for garnish.
Let’s see what other breakfasty dinners the rest of the #SundaySupper crew has lined up for us!
Tres Leches Pancakes from La Cocina de Leslie
French Toast Casserole with Sautéed Apples from The Foodie Army Wife
Gluten Free Breakfast Pizza from Blueberries And Blessings
Basic Vegan Waffles from Killer Bunnies, Inc
Kale, Bacon, Brown Rice Crustless Quiche from Shockingly Delicious
Bacon Egg and Potato Breakfast Tacos from Cookin’ Mimi
Steak and Egg Tostadas from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Breakfast Bowls from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Bacon and Egg Waffles from The Urban Mrs
Homemade Lox from Growing Up Gabel
Seattle Sandwiches (Lox, Shmear, & A Fried Egg) from Juanita’s Cocina
Bacon & Brie Potato Bread Strata with Roasted Pears from Eat, Move, Shine
Saucy Ham and Cheese Breakfast Sliders from Daily Dish Recipes
Greek Frittata from Casa de Crews
Elderberry Flower Pancakes from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Prosciutto, Gorgonzola and Rosemary Strata from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Italian Turkey Meatballs (With a Secret) from What Smells So Good?
Bacon, Spinach and Tomato Breakfast Pizza from Runner’s Tales
Red Pepper and Egg Galette from Healthy. Delicious.
Waffles – One Plate, Two Ways: Sweet & Savory from Foxes Love Lemons
Steak & Egg Bagel Sandwich from girlichef
Florentine Benedict from Supper for a Steal
Oatmeal Ice Cream from Treats & Trinkets
Banana Waffles with Peanut Butter Syrup from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Baked Berry French Toast from Table For Seven
But wait, there’s more!
Open Faced BTC Sandwich from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Crustless Spinach Quiche from The Hand That Rocks The Ladle
Bacon ‘n Eggs Bread Pudding from gotta get baked
Denver Breakfast Ring from Curious Cuisiniere
Copycat Japanese McDonald’s from Ninja Baking
One Pan Full English Fry-up from Food Lust People Love
Crumpets with Whipped Orange Honey from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
Leek, Mushroom and Gruyère Quiche from Hip Foodie Mom
Joe’s Special, the Original San Francisco Treat from Webicurean
Dark Chocolate, Orange & Pistachio Greek Yogurt Cups from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Gluten Free Tomato Basil Crepes form No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
Sour Cherry Crisp from Pies and Plots
Cream Dried Beef and Waffles from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Sausage breakfast casserole from My cute bride
Almond Rice Crepes Stuffed With Sweet Potatoes & Peas from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Zucchini Pancakes with Sautéed Tomatoes and Feta from Ruffles & Truffles
Apple, Bacon, and Dubliner Cheese Stuffed French Toast from Neighborfood
Dulce de Leche Stuffed French Toast from Basic N Delicious
Normally it would be very socially unacceptable to have wine with your breakfast, but seeing as this is closer to sunset than sunrise, we say go for it!!!
Hangtown Fry and Wine Pairings with Breakfast for Dinner from ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter today! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement.
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh wow! This looks really, really good!
What a fun post, and good to know the story behind it! 😉 Perfect breakfast food any time!!!
Except the story as presented here has the city wrong! Joe’s Special is definitely from San Jose.
I want to just spoon this straight into my mouth! YUM!
Huh, I’ve never been to Original Joe’s! Man, I suck at being a Bay Area resident, I’m missing out on so much.
Well, all the Joe’s seem to have the same menu–try one near you! Our family usually goes to Joe’s of Westlake! (and be sure to try the fried cream for dessert!)
I gotta say you had me curious – this looks awesome!
Now where has this been all my life???? What a terrific dish…thanks for introducing me!!!!
My goodness! It’s been far to long since I’ve had a Joe’s Special . I love em! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never heard of anything like this, but it sounds so good! It’s on the menu this week!
I think that’s plenty pretty. And forget the bread; I want to just shovel it into my mouth.
I would adore an omelet with beef and spinach. Sounds like a perfect dinner or breakfast to me!
I’ve never had this before – I really missed out while visiting SF, I guess. I’ll definitely be trying this soon! Also, “I’m a savory gal through and through” = my EXACT words during the #SS twitter chat last night 🙂 AGREED.
I’ve been to San Fran 4 times (it’s one of my favourite cities in the world) and I’ve never heard of Joe’s Special! I need to get me some new tour guides (in other words, I’m calling you the next time I’m in the city). This sounds amazing!
LOL definitely look me up!
That’s because Joe’s Special is from San Jose! it was invented in a retaurant called Original Joe’s in downtown San Jose.
I really enjoyed reading about the story behind this dish. It looks delicious… I don’t know if I would even need the bread!
Oh wow! This looks so hearty and delicious. I could eat this for any meal!
I have never heard of this dish before, but I am absolutely craving it now! I love the simplicity but I’m sure the flavor packs a big punch!
Scandalous!!!
Joe’s Special did not come from San Francisco!!!
The story above is essentially correct, but how and who incorrectly attributed it to someplace in San Francisco I cannot imagine.
Original Joe’s is an Italian Restaurant in my home town, SAN JOSE!!! It’s sort of an institution.
I’m delighted to see so many people post this wonderful recipe, but it just curdles my gizzard to see it misappropriated to San Francisco.
Actually, it was invented at the Joe’s in San Francisco decades before the San Jose restaurant opened. Even the Original Joe’s in San Jose acknowledges that on its “history” page: http://www.originaljoes.com/history.htm Hope this helps clarify!
Actually, while living in San Francisco on Nob Hill in the late 70’s, we spent many Sunday mornings at Joe’s just up from Broadway on the way to North Beach. After a full night of dancing, this is where we would head to for a hearty brunch on our way home. Of course, someone at the table would inevitably order this dish as it was a favorite of the group. So I agree-this is a dish of San Francisco just as the cioppino was a staple dish at the now defunct Golden Spike in the same area. Ahhh, great memories!
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