Five stars!! We were looking for a nice Italian place to dine in Pasadena and after reading great reviews about Maria's homemade recipes, we stopped in at their restaurant on Foothill Blvd. We got there around 1:30 in the afternoon on Wednesday and wow, the smell of fresh garlic bread filled the air! The place has a sophisticated yet quaint ambiance, and we were greeted by Sergio who we found out actually opened this restaurant in 1999. We sat in a nice booth near the kitchen area and felt very comfortable as Nancy, our server, brought our drinks and set us up with the most delicious rosemary & garlic bread. Yum! My choice for lunch was their Caprese (on the salad menu) and it was a real delight! Super fresh ingredients ... beautifully sliced tomatoes, generous slices of mozzarella, the right amount of fresh basil, and a very nice balsamic glaze. I was very pleased with the quality, freshness, and the presentation. My husband ordered the Spaghetti & Meatballs and after his first bite he passed me a fork-full of the spaghetti sauce ... and all I could taste were FRESH tomatoes in a perfectly balanced sauce, with homemade meatballs that tasted like what my grandma used to make! Delicious! Folks, I'm here to tell you that you can taste the freshness and the LOVE that went into the preparation of the food, and we literally drove back home to Ventura talking about how fresh and delicious our meals were! Honestly, I would drive 1 1/2 hours to come here again ... and again ... and again! Thank you for a wonderful dining experience! We will be back! read more

My family and I been here twice now to celebrate birthdays. It's very accommodating for large groups and the pastas are tasty. My family like to order the shrimp Diablo and I tried a different one with Italian sausage and meat sauce. We also got bbq chicken pizza. The kids got spaghetti or Alfredo. Overall great ambiance and fun for family. read more

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The margarita pizza was very bad, very thin crust in the middle and totally undercooked. And the salad was a sour and salty. I should probably send it back. Super disappointed. read more

We stayed in Monrovia for vacation, and stumbled to this Italian restaurant. For appetizer we order the crab cakes. it was good but a little too small and more filling than I like. We also got the chicken parm. The chicken parm was really good. If I am back in Monrovia, definitely be back. read more

Good food Good service is all i ask. And Chance delivered Thank you Chance and Marias staff read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Shrimp Scampi and a beer Thanks to Chance for the hospitality My family loved him. - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Last night was our second time dining in here and it was a great time! From the host to the server everyone was kind and helpful. They were very busy when we arrived and still provided good service. My husband and I shared the Chicken Parmesan , it's delicious and a huge portion. I also added a side chopped salad. Our daughter got the kids cheese ravioli and a side of broccoli. We all enjoyed our food and were very happy with our experience here. read more

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

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The atmosphere was good the food was great the waitress was excellent. That's all I can ask for.

Alfredo the manager was very attentive and our server Alfredo always taking good care of us, not to mention Mr.Gabriel the server assistant, he is very nice and friendly everything we come here Every week!!! Thank you for your hard work everyone!!!!! read more

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

We eat here at least twice a month. Our favorite waiter Waylan is more than terrific. Friendly and then some. If I owned a restaurant he would be the first one that I would hire. Keep up the good work Weiland. Phil and Angie... read more

Had a bday lunch here wasn't disappointed food was delicious I had the chicken parm and my husband had the lasagna with some garlic knots read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Chicken parm and lasagna - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

The food was great. Everything came out hot! We had the calamari and it was light and crispy and melted in my mouth. We also got the garlic knots. They were great. I had the cheese ravioli with the meat sauce. It was great. My friend had the lasagna and it was really hot in its own deep dish cast iron pan. It was great. Mariana was our server and since this was our first time, we had lots of questions. She was great about helping us find dishes that we would like. She was attentive but not hovering. Next we will take pictures! read more

Large menu with good portions! Always a plus for Italian restaurants. They have a huge parking that is shared with other restaurants and provide indoor and outdoor dining as well. I had the chance to try the carbonara for a work lunch and it was good! Don't forget to also order the bread, comes out warm and great as an app. Servers were super friendly and attentive to our party. read more

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

I adore the food here!! They have THE BEST PASTA!! Plus the appetizers are to die for- especially the Burrata! Everyone is friendly and helpful. The place is really pretty, with an insider's view into part of the kitchen (which is super awesome for us nosy people). I love bringing loved ones here to spend time together and have good food. Yay Maria's!! read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Family at Maria's! - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Ordered corn chowder and it was delicious. My wife ordered a pomodoro pasta and she said it was excellent. I tried some and it was really good. The house rosemary bread was just okay. I ordered spaghetti with clams and it was a disappointment. Plenty of clams and the pasta was perfect but the broth was almost tasteless. Our server a young lady was very attentive and provided great service. The decor was very nice. We sat at a table next to the bar. When we walked in the aromas were inviting. We were seated immediately. We ordered the house chianti and it was tasty lots of fruit notes. If it were not for the clam dish, I would give it a 4.2 read more

This review is long overdue! My son and I first visited Maria's Italian Kitchen during the pandemic, when they had outdoor seating available. That day, we chose to sit indoors since the dining area was quiet--and it turned out to be a perfect choice. My son ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken, and I had the Spaghetti Carbonara. Both dishes were absolutely delicious. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the service was excellent. Since that first visit, I've returned many times, and the service has always been just as wonderful. Maria's Italian Kitchen has become one of my go-to spots, and I'm happy to recommend it to my family and friends. read more

Manager forgot to pack the meatballs I ordered. Instead he blamed the DoorDash delivery. The delivery seal on the bag was never broken when I received it. He kept arguing with me over $8 meatballs. I ordered over $100 worth of food for 2 people. I get better service at a fast food restaurant. read more

Alfredo was the greatest server.He was very attentive and charismatic and was extremely patient and a very hard worker. Ask for Alfredo if you want great customer service. read more

This is an update to my last review, which was about a year ago to date. It's been a while, but I went in the other day and had a lunch special to go, it was the chicken piccata, which is now less than a quarter of the size it was a year ago and they now they call it a bowl lunch special with $17. I took a picture and it looked really sad so I went home and cooked my own pasta and put the chicken pieces with the piccata sauce over my own pasta and had a decent meal at home. The serving size has definitely drastically changed and the prices still high for what you get. I'm sorry to say this mom and Pop Organization is not what it once was but what is. read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - A chicken piccata bowl, lunch special $17 - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

I had a lovely time eating here. My server Stefani was lovely, she was very attentive and at the same time she gave me my space to enjoy my time there which is something I always respect. I wanted spaghetti and I was satisfied with my choice. I also had the apple pie and vanilla which was delicious. read more

Great service, good lunch menu deals. In fact, they have a brunch menu, lunch specials, and a regular dinner menu. Everything looks yummy and we took some time to make the final decision. We shared the famous garlic knots, it sure was worth the wait!! Fluffy and flavorful, it was the perfect starter for an Italian meal. I also like the Salad Add-On option with the email for $6, I got a plateful of fresh greens, Italian sausages, fresh mozzarella bits, sliced olives, and chopped salad. For the entree, I had their famous chicken parmigiana lunch portion- one piece of chicken and one side.- It was good but did not stand out. My favorite dish for the lunch gathering was the salad! read more

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Chance was a great server! My boyfriend and I were able to joke around with him and feel very comfortable. The place was packed on a Friday night but we were able to sit at the bar. For every table being sat, it was not loud at all. With the open floor plan and patio, the sound was able to travel out and have a comfortable level of sound. We had the zucchini and the house ranch was good but the runny type of ranch. Our main plates were delicious but the pesto plate was so larger I took most of it home! The food is filling and flavorful! This was worth the drive for us and we will be back again! read more

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

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I absolutely hate when Italian restaurants make you pay for bread. It's just not right lol. The cheapest bread option was pizza crust, not really a huge fan. The food itself tasted fine, just a bit expensive. Maybe will give it another try if they start giving bread. read more

The food at this location is so delicious - we tried the sautéed spinach for the first time. A little charred, so garlicky and lovely. And Nancy is just the best! We've had her before as our server. Such genuine warmth and all-around great service! Look for the super-cute red-head! She's so good! read more

The food and staff, especially Sergio, are terrific! One of our favorite places to eat! We come very often, sometimes alone or with large family groups. Whatever the reason to visit, the food is always freshly made, delicious, and served promptly. Thank you for an enjoyable evening! read more

Disappointed to say the least. Integrity of a business is everything and this establishment doesn't have it. Food was delicious and service was good. However when the check came, it stated 84.00 once we paid, our card was charged 86.00 dollars. I understand that they charge for credit card transaction, which isn't the greatest. But we paid with a debit card, on the bill it says a 3% charge on all checks added that is paid by credit. Cash and debit are OK. It's not about the 2 dollars, it's about scamming your customers. read more

Alfredo was the best waiter-- extremely kind and attentive. The food was delicious, as always. My mom and I had a great experience.

Now I know why I try to stay away from this place. I stopped by on weekday around 1130am and ordered a salad. I asked for NO cucumbers on salad. Manager said O.K. I then asked for onions instead of the cucumbers. He said, onions are extra. What? The salad was already overpriced at $17.00. He charged me $1.00 and put in a couple of wilted, old, red onion pieces... They reminded me of something I've had in my fridge for 2 weeks. I don't know of many establishments would do this, but the Manager at Marias does! I will never set foot in here again...Pretty low when you charge extra for couple onion slices, and they aren't even fresh! My friends and family couldn't even believe this! Marias will soon be out of business. They have very bland, mediocre food, and have exorbitant prices. read more

Been coming here with my grandson for a couple years . I love the food. I love the season food also especially their full menu. It's amazing and all the workers. There are amazing very friendly and nice. Love to come to this restaurant my favorite. read more

We celebrated my son's 21st birthday at Maria's Italian Restaurant on Saturday, November 22 with 25 family members, and the experience was exceptional from start to finish. Everything was perfectly arranged the moment we arrived, and the staff made our entire family feel truly welcome. A huge thank-you to Sergio, Fabrizio, and Alex for their outstanding service, warm hospitality, and attention to detail. And of course, thank you to the kitchen staff--the food was exceptional, and every dish was prepared with care. They made this milestone celebration effortless and memorable for all 25 of us. We'll definitely be back! Ed read more

FOOD XXXXX food was amazing, taste great and on time hot from oven . Atmosphere XXX decorations were Italian but no Italian music Service XXXXX the lady went above and behind to provide a great service Restrooms XXXX CLEAN PARKING XXXXX HUGE SHOPPING center plenty of parking Overall great place prices are higher than usual but still recommended read more

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The reviews don't lie, it's a good place for good Italian. We got the cinnamon roll casserole from the happy hour menu which was really delicious but a little sweet for me and wasn't hot like I had expected it to be. We tried the baked rigatoni, lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo, and fusilli broccoli pesto. All the pastas were the perfect size and so flavourful! We were all stuffed by the time we finished our meal. My favourite was the pesto fusilli, the pesto cream was so delicious without being too heavy. We went when it was a little quieter, around 3 pm and the service was still good. As it got busier it got a little noisier but it was still very much a quiet and casual family restaurant. Honestly, I would go back to eat their pesto again. If you're looking for Italian that won't break the bank, this is the place! read more

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We used to come to this place all the time when I was younger and recently came back a few times and it was still the same. It's a good spot with good food. They have really good lunch deals and their bread basket at the beginning of the meal is delicious. Service is great. All the servers I've had so far have been attentive and nice. I like to sit outside on their patio but the inside is spacious and good too. A cute little Italian spot. read more

Food is good, but all I order is the Greek salad and garlic knots ( bread) . Service is excellent. Ambiance is nice ,clean but on the weekends can get loud if parents don't keep their children under control read more

Waitress and Manager were so rude! Like horrible customer service. First we were overcharged. Second no one announced that your POS was not redeeming the rewards and they over charged us, manager was rude about the discount. Waitress apparently it was her last day she was SO HOSTILE. Why go to work if you are going to be so angry? Ruined the experience and I will literally never be back. Had left a 20% tip because food was good, changed it to zero because behavior was disgusting. read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen has been on my list of places to try for a while now, so when my boss decided to treat me to lunch, I knew it was time to swing by. First of all, the decor and ambience were on point. From all the pics on the wall, the music, the smells. I felt like I was in an Italian restaurant in Italy. I ordered the meatball parmigiana sandwich with fries, which is on their lunch menu. The meatballs were super flavorful and tinder. The bread was fresh and perfectly toasted. It also came with a side of pickled veggies that I tossed inside the sandwich. The fries were fresh, nicely salted, and covered in Parmesan cheese. The service was great. My waitress was friendly, attentive, and offered suggestions. The food took about 10min to get to the table after we ordered. read more

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My husband and I chose the chicken picatta and the garlic bread knots. Our food was delicious we ate every bite. Definitely coming back when we're in town. read more

Very family friendly, authentic Italian ambiance. Loved the flavors on my food and wine selection. Our server was very attentive. It wasn't very full for a Saturday night, but lots of options nearby. The desserts looked great! Lots of options! read more

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

Makes sense why the reviews are so bad. Such a rip off. $60 worth of food and you get nothing. The chicken is NO way worth $24. Pounded into oblivion and dry as hell. Had to have a cup of water nearby to get it to go down. The marinara tasted generic and lacked flavor, like it was frozen. The meatballs taste weird, like they were frozen too. AND I love meatballs! Honestly I'm shocked at where they get off at their pricing. They are not a fine dining establishment and their food does not measure up. They need to knock back their prices. When I called to ask if I was given the right portion for the order, the manager got on the phone and suggested I order the catering menu next time. What an a**. Maybe price your menu accordingly sir. I have a family of 5 and have eaten at a number of ACTUAL Italian restaurants that offer Italian family sharing portions and can actually back that up. Where you cannot. Won't be back. read more

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Mediocre at best. Appetizer came after we were half way done with our main course. Chicken was overcooked and dry. Lasagna was in an iron cast pan filled with oil which gave me a stomach ache. Plus they charge an extra 3% for paying with a CC. Surprised to see a line of people waiting to be seated. read more

It breaks my heart to give a poor rating. However, this is a huge issue I'm encountering more and more. People are bringing their annoying dogs to public places and nothing is being done to manage that. I am a regular and have been coming here for 4 or 5 years now. But today, I was not happy. The food was delicious. The service I received was wonderful. But I was sitting on the patio with my very well-trained, well-bahaved dog who I bring with me 9 out of 10 times. She's quiet. She doesn't bother anyone. But when we arrived, another table was there with an untrained reactive dog that barked on and off the entire time they were there. That beast didn't bark just at my dog who did not react, it also barked at people as they walked past it. It's high pitched voice reverberated off the walls. It was painful; even the server winced as he approached their table. The owner of Kudo did next to nothing to quiet the animal and used a tone of voice that encourages bad behavior. I called the restaurant from the patio and suggested they tell them to leave the dog at home next time. The response I received? "They're leaving soon." My point totally missed. Here's the problem. NOTHING was said to the people with the bad dog. All the manager had to say was, "please leave your beautiful Fifi at home next time. Here is a 10% off coupon for your next visit without her." The coupon should have a note that it is only applicable with a dogless visit. A sincere, "we enjoy providing you with a wonderful experience. And we also want to provide the same for all our other customers." Way too many people apparently do not think small dogs need to be trained and that THE REST OF US should all tolerate their dog's bad behavior with grace. However, I go to Maria's because I enjoy the food and can bring my dog. Until today, my visits have always been pleasant. If I go there again and have to experience another unrulely pet that management does not deal with immediately and appropriately, I'll stop going there all together. I am sad that management choose to remain silent because he didn't want to offend a rude, inconsiderate table by setting a reasonable expectation. Heaven forbid he should lose their business or hurt their little feelings. Unfortunately, if I have another experience like that, Maria's will indeed lose mine. read more