From the start of Monday’s trademark fight between San Francisco’s iconic Italian establishment Original Joe’s and upstart Uptown Joe’s, two things were clear: Judge Charles Breyer was going to enjoy dispensing his knowledge of San Francisco cuisine and he wasn’t going to stop Uptown Joe’s from using its name.
“I am familiar with Original Joe’s and I’m familiar with Uptown Joe’s,” Breyer said when Original Joe’s motion for a temporary restraining order was called. “I’m a fan of Marin Joe’s, Original Joe’s in San Jose … San Rafael Joe’s … Joe’s Cafe … my son Joe, who’s a cook on occasion.”
