We stopped in for a quick lunch and decided to go with the lunch special. It's a pretty good deal, $12 for a salad. I got mozzarella sticks as well and was surprised to be charged fifty cents for ranch! I think that if I'm already paying for an appetizer a business can give me a small side of ranch on the side. Our waitress was a little overworked because they did not have a busser. Totally not her fault and she was friendly. Overall, it was a positive experience. I think they should be more upfront with small charges and maybe put the customer first for silly sides like ranch. read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Great pizza is my favorite thing to have when we come to visit family. The other food is pretty good too but I love the pizza.

Very good Italian food, friendly service and reasonable price. I just added it to become one of my favorite restaurants. read more

Yummy Italian food! Great service! They offer indoor and outdoor seating. They don't take reservation but you can call 30 minutes ahead and put yourself on the waitlist. They'll be able to tell you how long the wait is. Bread and pasta are all very good. We haven't had any "bad" dishes and we have been eating here for many years. Due to COVID, they blocked off some parking spaces to create more outdoor seating. But there's a large parking lot behind the restaurant. read more

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10 out of 10!!! Excellent food, atmosphere, music, and our server Alfredo was funny, friendly, and fast! It's my first time here and I will definitely be coming back! read more

There service was horrible, when I had told them it's for delivery they sighed & rudely said hold on. Another time When I ordered Food from there, the pasta wasn't even cooked right read more

The food is always great and the service is also. But last week it was a little different our server never came to check on us our ask us if we needed a refill it wasn't even busy. That's the only bad thing I have to say other than that the food was great. read more

We visited at 6pm on Thursday, August 5th with a party of four and sat inside. So, I have lived in Pasadena for many years; however, this is only my second time here. I must have forgot to write a review this first time; however, honestly it would have only gotten 3 or 4 stars. Tonight, was a completely 5 star experience. Now, the service was definitely a bit slow; however, most places are having staffing and/or financial issues right now -- so that gets a pass for now. The important part was the service and food. Our server was lovely, patient and wonderful. The manager even stopped by once and a while, and I recognize her from being here years ago. The food was top notch, even the complimentary bread. The table shared an appetizer of calamari. I had the pepperoni and cheese calzone. It was stuffed full of amazing tasting cheese, pepperoni and ricotta. The crust was baked perfectly and brushed with some delicious garlic. I also had a side ceasar salad with this. It was all well portioned and priced appropriately for what you received. Everyone at our table enjoyed the food. Others in my party had a salad, eggplant parm and lasagna. All top notch! read more

I truly hate to do this because this has been my go-to italian place for 6 years, but the past few times I've ordered from here I feel something has changed so I am changing my review. The staff is still super friendly and nice, but a lot of their food has changed. For example, my favorite dish was the ricotta gnocchi and they changed it to potato, which almost every other italian place does. It may also be me but the meatball - another reliable favorite - hasn't tasted quite the same the past few times. I really want to support and continue as a patron and am just wondering if this is temporary or permanent...? read more

We came here on Friday just after opening and we had the pleasure of having Elliot as our server. His greeting was kind of unique as he said, "please sit where you'll feel most comfortable". After finding a table, Elliot presented us with both lunch and dinner menus for us to review. Since we've been there before, we knew the portions were already huge so taking advantage of the lunch menu was going to be a blissful delight. Per Elliot's recommendation, he introduced us to something new to us, but probably often overlooked. He mentioned the BBQ chicken salad wrap. That thing is huge, plus served with a cup of soup. I don't know if anyone has ever ate the whole thing in one sitting, but it seems like Elliot was well prepared with to go packaging. The all star staff working on Friday morning were on point and just complimented each other. They assisted each other by filling drinks, bringing out plates, and cleaning up after guests left regardless of their designated stations. All this makes for a very clean and welcoming dining atmosphere. Even the restrooms were clean. And I brought it up to Elliot the toilet was continuously running, he addressed it immediately. read more

I just ordered some food through Uber eats, i had no want to cook, and i was craving itialian. I had to come on here and leave an honest review. I ordered spaghetti and meatballs, garlic knots, and Brussels sprout, and let me tell you, IT DID NOT DISSAPOINT. everything was delicious and so flavorful. Not to mention, the servings were very generous. And to think I was nervous to give it a try since I've never tried this place before and now a days it can be a hit or miss.. I'll definitely be ordering again!!! I attached a photo of the bag lol because my family didn't give me a chance to take a picture of the food LOL! read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

we love coming here with the family. Plenty of seating and volume is loud enough that our conversation feels private. Have tried several things here, the pasta seems to be decent definitely not homemade but still tastes great. read more

Spot on with the sauce and pasta. Pasta was cooked to al dente. The sauces were cooked well with the mushrooms and herbs with a hint of spicy flavor. Loved it and a very good quick pasta go to place. They have specials in-house during lunch time, so that's a good starting point because they're pretty pricey for pasta. read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Arrabbiata with mushroom - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

We love Maria's takeout. It was our first time eating in at this location and we were supremely disappointed. It was after the lunch rush and they weren't packed. It looks like they only had one server for 6-7 tables and beyond taking our order the server never came back to check on us, we had to take napkins from empty tables. Drinks were never refilled. They didn't bring out items we ordered. I'll stick to takeout at this location. I usually eat at the Brentwood location and expected that level of service since prices are the same. read more

I have not been back for a long time...I love the food and love the service! You can't go wrong with any dish they are all very yummy read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Busy busy busy - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Food was a 6/10, we had a pizza and carbonara pasta. However service was a 3 out of 10 maybe our waitress was having a bad day idk but she didn't even pour a taste of wine and let us try the wine bf just walking away. I asked for ranch for my pizza and i got it when we're done! :( i had high hopes for this mom and pop looking establishment, but unfortunately Marias was a strike out! Also no complimentary bread. :( read more

Our waiter Chance, was a good lad. Good recommendation on the chicken parm, and overall good energy when serving my girlfriend and I on valentines. read more

Wonderful service, beautiful ambiance, and even better food!! We highly recommend Maria's Italian Kitchen. Try the BBQ chicken chop salad and the pasta Alfredo! We also got the calamari. Everything was so fresh and delicious. Thank you Diana, our server who was so kind. read more

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We were spending the night in Pasadena and decided to give this a try. Maria's did not disappoint! We had the bruschetta appetizer, a cheese ravioli, and a chicken and broccoli. The wait staff was attentive. Service was prompt. We sat in the seating area open to the outdoors, very nice. Our food was served promptly. It was hot. Portions were large. For dessert we ordered cheesecake. I thought it would be a small slice-- oh no. It was huge. Big enough for two to share. I want to come back at brunch someday and have the pasta with scrambled eggs and spinach- that sounds really good read more

I am pretty sure this is my 2nd or 3rd review. All good. Great food, Lasagna so good, table ordered Zucchini Fritti appetizer, Antipasto Salad all 5 of us shared this and it was plenty. Main courses were 2 Lasagna, Spaghetti Marinara, Spaghetti Arrabbiata and the Cheese Ravioli. Those plates were so sad looking after we got done with them =). They brought out rosemary bread and I believe we ordered garlic bread? All in all a great meal. Wait staff on point, quick. Food came out pretty quick considering the place was packed, saturday night. Parking was a little tough so get there early . We shall be back. Thank you Maria. read more

I love it.!! It was one of those racing days in Santa Anita. that I Craved some pasta. So I made a research since I'm a visitor from San Diego, I not familiar in the area. And believe me it is so.. good... that my family and I already know what we're ordering every time we go. read more

Honesty, a must for anyone that enjoys simple, tasteful, classic Italian food. No wonder it's voted best Italian in Pasadena and recommended by almost everyone in the neighborhood. read more

I came to try out this restaurant after seeing island full. My first impression was that it would be mid since there was not manpeople there but I went to try it. When entering the hostess and waiter was very friendly, I believe his name was chance. He was nice and attentive to our needs. Then the food its self was very good. I order the Sausage Pappardelle and it was a 10 out of 10 would eat again. Overall it was worth going and trying out the place. read more

As impressed and happy as we were last October when we ate here, we were equally disappointed this time. Starting with the good. Our server was phenomenal. Very attentive and doing HIS best. Unfortunately our entrees missed the mark. 3 of us ordered selections from the summer special menu. The Caesar Salad and Chopped Salad were great. All downhill from there. The risotto was flavorless and blah. The chicken piccata was super salty and inedible. The chicken marsala was just okay. We could see it was an "off day" as we noted SEVERAL people sending their plates back. Cute place, friendly people and I'm hopeful this isn't the new norm. read more

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The ambiance is perfect at Maria's Italian kitchen in Pasadena always greeted on time service and food is spectacular will recommend too all my friends read more

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Came here for lunch, this is the worst Italian restaurant I have ever been to. Food was gross,over priced and the portions were so small.

Excellent food, lunch specials are perfect portion sizes. Soups and salads are great.

Just walked out. Took a seat in the front patio section and was promptly IGNORED. Last time we ate there the food was mediocre at best and the waitress was a rude bitch. Decided today to give them a second chance and they blew it. No third chances given. read more

A friend and I went in last night for dinner, we had a BOGO coupon which I really appreciate getting in the mail. I had lasagna and she had chicken alfredo. The chicken alfredo dish was big and had lots of good sized chicken pieces and tasted good. My lasagna was decent sized, good amount of cheese and sauce but could have used a bit more sausage. Their house chardonnay comes from the San Antonio winery which is local, it was ok. Our server was Stephanie, really friendly and attentive! read more

Ate dinner recently. Had fantastic server. Diana. She was delightful. So attentive and warm. Helped us decide on food orders. Food was delicious, fettuccini alfredo and chicken picata were 2 entrees and 2 sides ceasar. But again, high point or eve was Diana. read more

Delicious weekday lunch. I had antipasto salad-fresh and delicious. Companions had lunch Lasagna, chicken Parmesan and rigatoni with meat sauce. All excellent! Bread and meatballs as appetizers were tasty. Great service-good wine. Very nice place. Cool retro pics on the walls. The place has fine outdoor patio but too chilly on this December day for us to utilize it. Clean and comfortable place. read more

Good food Great service nice ambiance We have been regulars for many years We bring and recommend to friends and family read more

Just ordered take out for lunch here today. Despite the Pandemic, Maria's still delivers fantastic Italian food. The family owned business cooks up amazing Italian foods. They have one of the best services. It helps that they provide great value for their dishes. The lunch duo special is still going on for take out. My wife and I order the lunch duos for lunch. I got their rigatoni bolognese and a soup while my wife ordered their fettuccine Alfredo with salad. My rigatoni was cooked perfectly with tasty tomato sauce and spices. The soup was great with a lot of vegetables. My wife told me that her fettuccine Alfredo was amazing. It was very cheesy and the pasta was cooked al dente. Although we can't have sit down lunch at the restaurant, the restaurant was very kind to provide us chairs to sit outside on the sidewalk. They are so friendly. We should all support our local businesses. read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Lunch duo menu - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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It was very good, 1st time visit, came with a group. Agreed we would come back. Customer Service was great!

Too many issues and mistakes to go back. When I call for resolution, its met with criticism and skepticism. I still am waiting for refunds that are needed during the pandemic when we were ordering often and items were left out or wrong. This last time, ordered chicken piccata, got chicken Marsala. For a person who is severely allergic to mushrooms, pretty horrid mistake by the restaurant. Had to call to have them re deliver. They called to ask me to give back the wrong dish. Believe me. We were not going to eat, but its clear they don't believe us, which is why they want it back! Really unapologetic when you call. They don't even give bread anymore with your meal!!! What Italian restaurant doesn't provide bread with a meal??? And severally overpriced. Its too bad when bad management ruins a decent place. read more

Now open for Dine In during the Covid lockdown. The patio area is also available for seating. Take out is available. Employees wear gloves & masks. Masks required for guests. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We've been here 3 times in the last week because we really enjoyed hanging out with our friends in the patio area of the restaurant. The food is delicious & service is great! The restaurant is open and modern but still has a bit of old world charm. The food is delicious! We especially loved the meat ravioli with meat sauce. This is a very filling meal with the perfect balance of pasta, meat & herbs with the yummy sauce. YUM! The complimentary Rosemary bread is really good. I love the crispy crust & baked in rosemary flavor. Served with Balsamic vinegar & olive oil. The pizza was a medium size pizza with very high quality ingredients with delicious cheese. The dough was light & airy. It didn't have an overpowering amount of sauce. Very yummy. The Roasted Brussel could be oasted more, but had great flavor with the balsamic & bacon. The Chicken Marsala was very good, I loved the sauce & mashed potatoes. However, I didn't think the chicken was great. Maybe it was the way it was cooked. It's located very conveniently off Foothill & Rosemead in the plaza near the Panera & Islands restaurants. Lots of free parking in the lot. read more

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Good lunch specials. Good food. Had chicken piccata good generous portion Good price. Abd cliff good server

Our meal was exceptionally good last night. We started with the rosemary bread basket which was soft with a nice crust. My sister loved her spaghetti and meat balls. My chicken piccata was sautéed in lemon butter, wine and capers and was delicious. I substituted the spaghetti side for angel hair pasta. The veggies were a bit al dente but heated up nicely as leftovers. The portions were large so plenty leftover for another meal. Service was excellent. Very attentive and cordial. Definitely would go back. read more

Came here for the first time after passing it at least 100 times. I always knew it wasn't going to be good but I finally tried it and I was right. Ordered their creamy pesto broccoli which was not a custom order they literally have this on their menu. Pasta came without any cream and said no cream on my receipt. When did I ever say I wanted no cream? Or even any substitutions in my order? Pasta came out very sad and me, very disappointed. Also tried their sausage pappardelle. Sauce was soooo watery they couldn't even coat the noodles. Also wanted to mention that it was extremely greasy. I would tilt the plate and a waterfall of grease would flow to the side. First and last Time ordering from this place. Also wanted to mention that they might not be following COVID guidelines? When I went to pick up the place was literally a huge gathering stuffed with people with a line inside and out the door. Not sure why people want to eat here either. Would say olive garden tops this place. read more

I ate at Maria's over this past weekend with a friend. It looked a little busy before we stepped in, but decided to grab a table, and we are glad we did. We were sat within a few minutes and our server Wayland was attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. Since we didn't really know what we wanted, we were suggested a large pizza (Boulevard) and a Greek salad to share among us, and it absolutely hit the spot. they restaurant also offers ice cold Peroni on draft which made our meal the perfect combination of food and drinks. We will be coming back! read more