You often see the Clichéd ad “EAT AT JOES” in old cartoons (particularly old Warner Brothers, now why don’t they make those any more??? sigh…)
Any way, was there a real JOES? I once heard that it was a diner across the street from the animators, and they would often throw in the name to poke fun at it, give the place more business, etc.
Any truth to this??
What, don’t they got the Internet where you are?
Current owners of the name if you are interested in a franchise:
As for the original, one candidate in Florida:
Joe’s crab restaurant:
“You see, Joe discovered that the stone crab was not only edible but perfectly delectable – and he was the first to serve them up in a way that simply could not be beat: chilled with Joe’s special mustard sauce and/or drawn butter. Then the town began to boom, with movie crews filming in the area and big entertainers and wealthy vacationers flocking to Miami Beach”
That one appeared in 1913.
From California, just like the toons:
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/losangeles/0014020260.html
Joe’s Cafe. 536 State St. (at Cota St.), Santa Barbara
“When they say “Eat at Joe’s,” they’re talking about this Santa Barbara institution, going strong for 60-plus years. Friendly and loud, it’s a meat lover’s haven. Its walls are loaded with faded photographs, local league sports trophies, deer antlers, and crowds lining the bar and piling into comfy booths. The menu features prime rib, steaks, chops, potatoes, and a few salads for the faint-of-heart. Joe’s is at the heart of lower State Street, which hasn’t become quite as snooty as the stretch to the north; it’s also in a convenient location for shoppers.”
But just to drive you crazy: chances are the cartoonists used a name that was common. Just like ACME was for companies, Joe was for restaurants.