“Just a note from an old 60’s customer. A friend has a daughter going to CSULB and I sent him in to see you when he came down to visit. He became a convert and bought a shirt which is how I got your address. When I first came in about 1959 : schooners were 25 cents, small beers a dime, specials 30 and eggs a dime. Going to LBSC on the GI bill at 110 a mo. made Joes one of my main dining places. I can still taste that first schooner we would have when we came in after a city league basketball game. Lots of fun, good food, pool games and memories go with the Joe’s name. I like to wear your Joe Josts-Long Beach sweatshirt when I go down to Long Beach, Wa. because somebody always wants to know where it is? Thanks for the whole 9 yards!!”
“Ken… Just a note to let you know that I received the over night delivery of the 75th anniversary tee-shirt and hat on Christmas morning. I appreciate you taking the time to send out the order so quickly. I wasn’t expecting it that fast. It turned out that you helped me make it to my folks later that day with a gift for my brother, that he appreciated it to no end. I wanted to extend my thanks and sincere appreciation to you once again, although belated. Your attention to detail and customer service is a bright spot in an otherwise fading stream of faceless bars and crappy service. Maybe that’s why Joe’s has been around so long. You won’t need luck to make another 75 years, just continued damn good service. Of course, having the best pickled eggs in the entire universe doesn’t hurt either. Have a good new year and maybe I’ll drag my butt out of my bark-a-lounger and get down there. Tip one for me…”
“My Dad had frequented Joe’s ever since we arrived in LB in 1947; it was a certainty I would too. As a ’59 grad of Wilson High, friends (Craig Reynolds, Dave Ault and some others from the Car Club) and I had long frequented the pool room, from about the age of 16! shocking isn’t it. The Old guy who charged us 60 cents an hour to play really knew we were too young, but oh well. The other old timers there in the back were an education to watch, not just playing pool and snooker, but in just how to be. I was a regular till 1970, now visit only every few years when I return to visit my sis, Cathy Hicks (Larry’s wife). In December of ’97 I bought a schooner glass as a memento, and am using it now, but the beer is never as sweet as I remember the Eastside on tap, a small glass was only a dime then. Over the years my only complaint has been that you periodically repaint the place and dust off the antlers, paint the booths, etc. My very BEST wishes to Ken and the staff, don’t change it too much, I plan to be back in a year or so. crtvplns@nwi.net”
“Looking forward to the Long Beach Grand Prix only because I will spend 5 days in Long Beach and your establishment. Will you have any T-shirts made for the event? I have talked about joes to my friends and they could not believe that a place could offer so much. Once we were there last year, they were also convinced. Thanks again and we’ll see you in April.”
“Hello, I just finished experiencing your excellent website and want to say that your tavern looks like a really cool place. Unfortunately, I never have been able to experience the place in person but I will put this on the top of my list of attractions the day I do visit California. Joe Josts reminds me of the old, authentic, neighborhood watering holes we are blessed to have in Philly and the Northeast and I love the Pabst on tap. I became aware of your establishment when I met a girl this summer at the Jersey Shore and she was wearing a JoeJosts.com T-shirt. Needless to say, this girl was a really, really cool chick. Keep up the good work, and I hope to see out there soon.”
“Dear Joe’s: As a reference librarian and occasional writer about food and drink I am often asked about the most unique watering holes in Southern California. I never hesitate a second about the best tavern in the land which is Joe Jost’s. My idea of perfection is digging into a Joe’s Special with a icy schooner of Pabst in front of me up at the bar. I go back to the days of Eastside Old Tap and the old gentleman who bussed tables for tips and the beauty and tradition has never faded from your establishment. Thanks.”
“Hey Joe! What a great place to hang out on our trip to California, great beer, great specials and a great atmosphere. Thanks a lot and will be back in the summer, get the Guiness ready.”
“I just wanted to say thanks!!! I used to live in California, in Long Beach for about 8 years from 1976 to 1984. Naturally I visited Joe Josts often since I was only a few blocks away. I visited the bar this past Monday for the first time in 15 years. Had me a special and a schooner. AHHHHHH just like old times. There was a breeze at the bar, maybe from a fan or just having the doors open, but anyway the money I had on the bar blew off twice. I finally put it under the wrapping for the special to keep it from blowing off. When the beer and food were gone I said “keep up the good work” and left. I was in the back parking lot getting in the car when the bartender came running out and said ” Hey, I think you guys left this $ 15 on the bar by mistake”. He was right. It was the money that I had stuck under the wrapper. I tried to give the tender a $5 reward but he would not accept it. Anyway, it was a good deed and I thought I would write to show my appreciation. Near as I remember, the bartender was about 6’2″ light hair and worked the afternoon shift. Thanks again.”
“Hey, I’m a 3rd generation customer my grandfather took my father here and my father took me here. What an experience. The sandwich and egg god I can still feel the flames. My brothers and I wear our Joe Jost’s shirt with Pride. My brother Zach Pricer of the USMC is over seas and he asks us to send him many Joe Josts shirt to share with people around the world. Joe Jost’s is a part of our family history and it will be for along time to come. Doug Pricer’s baby girl,”
“As a fourth generation Gray, as well as a fourth generation Joe’s customer, I’m proud to be a part of Long Beach history. I’ll speak for my my great- grandfather George, my grandfather George, my father Harry, my brother Randy, his son Ryan, and myself when I say, Joe Jost`s has been a big part of our family for over four generations. It’s nice to know that rich traditions like these still exist in this ever- changing world. Thanks for the specials, the eggs, the pretzels, the schooners, and most of all, the memories!”