Best Italian food in so cal. Great home like environment. Must try the Pepe salad. Staff was very attentive and friendly. 10/10 experience.

My dine-in experience was so great that I went back to Tarantino's Pizzeria for take-out this past Sunday. By the way, they open at 5:00 PM on Sundays. Yep, I had to hang around Pasadena for couple hours before they open... I was in the San Gabriel area anyway. Luckily, I found a shopping center nearby where I can park for free. =) I ordered 2 large pizzas, Tucci's Special (full as they don't do half and half for this one which is a bummer) and Grandma Tony's + Florentine (half + half). I love Tucci's since it's a shrimp pizza... I love shrimp! Just delish! I can't say the same for the other two flavors LOL... I was really hoping to like Grandma Tony's, but it didn't do anything for me. I didn't know what to expect with Florentine as it was recommended to me so thought I try it... it had a very strong spinach flavor... well, what did I expect, it is a spinach pizza LOL. Anyway, I added mushrooms as my topping for both and maybe it wasn't the right topping to get the true essence of them. They were okay... nothing too special, didn't get the WOW effect! Now the Quincinera (spicy fettuccine) was the B*MB... got it with shrimp + chicken... amazing taste all around, just the right amount of spice, and great portions... it comes with a small green salad + one slice of garlic bread. Plus an order of garlic rolls with the olive oil and parmesan cheese on the side (I didn't want the rolls to be soaked since I had a couple hours drive home... yes, I will drive the distance for great eats LOL). For some reason, rolls tastes better when dining in versus take-out... maybe there's a difference between right out of the oven and nicely soaked versus sitting in the car for hours unsoaked... you think LOL. Lastly, I couldn't resist the homemade cheesecake even though it was $7.00 per slice LOL... light and just divinely yummy and tiramasu... very smooth in texture and wonderful in taste and sweetness. Both desserts could have been a lot bigger LOL. There you have it... not sure when I'll be back, but I'll be back for more fantastic foods LOL. See you there! read more

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Tarantino is a neighborhood gem and my kids grew up eating it. We love the pesto pasta, the antipasto, the pizza, and pretty much everything we tried there. It's a true mom & pop store, it reminds me of the Italian places in NY, just has that neighborhood, and family, and community vibe. Service is good and people are not there, not fussy but genuine. read more

Very good pizza. The crust and sauce were perfect. I got the sausage and pepperoni pizza. It was even good the day after. I'll be back! Note: They only take cash. read more

Such a great place for consistently good Italian food. The Alfredo is definitely the best I've had in Pasadena! Their pizza is also super good! We all loved it when we had take out. read more

Major gem in old town Pasadena- if you're looking for classic yet elevated Italian food, you have to try this place. It's a No frills dining, cash only spot but the food speaks for itself so hit that atm! The Pepe salad is something I crave often, the garlic rolls, and the pasta selections are just gnarly! Haven't tried the pizza but it looks amazing.. it's a small joint so if there's a big party seated, be patient. Let your eyes wander on all the historical pictures and posters around the place and enjoy the free smells and cold beer read more

Tarantino's Pizzeria - Spicy shrimp pasta with mushrooms added // linguine - Pizza Near Me - Pasadena, California

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We've been coming here for 17 years. Found it accidentally and have been coming back ever since. Staff is amazing. Pepe salad is amazing (RIP Pepe). Garlic rolls are delicious, you want to practically drink the garlic oil and save it for the crust. We always order the Grandma Tony's pizza Sicilian style with pepperoni and garlic, ask for it crispy. Everyone we send here loves it. read more

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Great Philly cheesesteak and really good pizza and salad lunch special - cash only ! The customer service is awesome and food comes out fast. read more

I went by about 5:45 pm on 11/25/2023 walking my dog, The place was packed with people and food smelled great. I went back and ordered chicken cacciatore and food is great, large dishes, serves is great I highly recommend this restaurant read more

Old-school ambiance without the frills where food and service are just great. Hard to think of an establishment in Pasadena or nearby where one can expect the same consistent experience every time. Bravo! read more

Small, unassuming restaurant from the outside, but what a gem inside! We ordered two pastas and a pizza between two people. Pastas were huge and we had to take home leftovers. The spicy chicken was SO good and perfect amount of spice, and the Alfredo sauce was delicious. We got grandma's pizza with pepperoni. The dough is amazing The staff were polite and efficient. Downside is that this place is cash only and parking is a bit tough. read more

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We Stu.bled upon this spot not knowing the history, 50 years celebrated this past January! The pizza was delicious, I ordered the sausage with peppers appetizer, had a goodkick. My hubby ordered the Chicken marsala and the waiter swapped the dinner salad with Pepes sald- a mix of all the salads - delicious. We included a pitcher if Peroni, what else do you need? The food tastes like your Italian uncle from Italy cooked using your kitchen. Side story we sat at the table near the entrance and my Alma Mater Bishop Amat JV football team 2022 was on the wall- it was meant to be We will return read more

Cash only? You've gotta be kidding me. It's 2025. Please move into the 21st century. And "there's an ATM in the back"' is not a great suggestion. read more

Off the beaten path, staff was very personable , classic pizzeria feel, we got the standard pepperoni pie. You could tell they use fresh, quality ingredients. Medium crust, I prefer a little thinner but that's me. I'd go back. read more

It has a fun old school interior that beckons to the days past, and displays old pics with Hollywood oldies. Personally not my style of Italian food. All the dishes are very much in the "American Italian" style, heavier on the cheeses and crust. Pastas are also heavier and not the Mediterranean style. But for what it is, it's a-okay. The staff were not very responsive and it was a bit awkward when they didn't stop leaf blowing the entrance when we were trying to enter. Surprisingly not busy. Maybe their patronage has dwindled over the years? It still felt nice to revisit a place akin to an old American style pizzeria decades ago. There's certainly some novelty in the nostalgia of it. read more

Food is way better then Domenicos. They just gained a new customer. Better tasting and very authentic Italian cuisine read more

Tarantino's Pizzeria - Garlic knots - Pizza Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Yah their pasta is so good...... my favorite is their carbonara and pesto for sure. Also they are cash only so bring cash! Gonna try some pizza next time. read more

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Spicy eggplant was a refreshing and flavorful change of pace from traditional eggplant parmesan found in other restaurants. The late lunch/early dinner staff was attentive and friendly. Food service was prompt. Prices are reasonable. Highly recommend! read more

CASH ONLY!!! The food was amazing what a gem! Food was served hot and fresh, beer was cold! What more can a man ask for?! Cozy little joint and amazing pasta and pizza I will definitely be coming back read more

Tarantino's Pizzeria - Pizza Near Me - Pasadena, California

We drove to Pasadena for the pasta and pizzas, which didn't disappoint us. It was delicious and authentic. The warm family ambiance and friendly service added a nice touch. Highly recommended! read more

I like Tarantinos when I'm feeling Italian good ! Never disappoints. Been going for a bit especially after a baseball game or skiing! Good spot- recommend! read more

I've tried two sandwiches to go at Tarantino's, the Philly Cheese Steak and the Italian Philly. I liked both of them, especially the bread. The regular Philly was a little better. I liked the proportions of cheese and peppers & onions to meat. For the price ($11.25 includes a small pasta salad), these sandwiches are much better than any you can get from the chain sandwich shops on South Lake--Urban Plates, Mendo Farms, Jersey Mike's etc. I've tried all of them. Good local place. read more

I've been coming here for over 20 years & still delicious!!! I'm weak at spicy food and the paisano wasn't too spicy for me. It has so much flavor. These 3 items hit the spot!! read more

Tarantino's Pizzeria - Paisano, Pepe Salad, Garlic Rolls - Pizza Near Me - Pasadena, California

A place of Comfort food the Pizza is great, Pasta even better, Pasta Salad great. Sometimes you would have to wait for seating but it's worth the wait, great ambience. read more

Great service, great atmosphere. Food is delicious. Our party of 6 enjoyed everything we ordered. Marinara taste wonderful, some dishes are a little spicy so, if you can't stand the heat, ask for it on the side. -cash only- read more

I feel like family dinner around this little restaurant, food is good, pizza is great . Service is good, and family ambiance is all over the restaurant. read more

The food and service were great, for the appetizer, garlic rolls with Olive oil and parsley and a Pepe Salad, for the Entre the Works pizza with several meats and vegetables. Additional toppings were Ricota, basil, jalapeños, and anchovies. Yummy deliciousness. There is parking in back and on green street. read more

Tarantino's Pizzeria - The Works Pizza additional toppings extra Ricota, Basil, jalapeños, and anchovies. - Pizza Near Me - Pasadena, California

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What a lovely little family style restaurant, waiter was so old school Italian hospitality I felt like I was in the families home, delicious perfect crispy crust pizza, and the spinach fagiloi (?) was so good what I didn't eat I put on my pizza, and ate the next day...garlic lovers dream! Impeccable Service had a friend visiting from Costa Rica, the staff was able to speak Spanish easily and help her decide which also made her feel at home! The atmosphere was charming and nostalgic lots of cute couple old and young table with great friends from all walks of life enjoying great food and hospitality! read more

I've gone here for years- since I was a little girl and it has never failed! It has the most delicious rich pastas, seafood pastas and Mariana pastas, and the pizza has thick crusts that are soft and delicious. Their ingredients are always super fresh and makes their salads taste amazing. The dressing is to die for, I always order a side and the desserts remind me of New Jersey. The service is always great, quick and attentive and the ambiance is a homey, mom and pop Italian place that is not to miss. The prices are great too for what you get. All pastas come with a salad and bread. They always deck out for the holidays so please come with your families and enjoy good food in a holiday cheer! read more

Tarantino's Pizzeria - Carbonara pasta and Mussels Marinara SO GOOD - Pizza Near Me - Pasadena, California

This place was recommended by a friend. And what a gem of a place. Bought a pizza from here, and it was the best I have had in a long time. Tried other items, and was not dissapointed. I recommend it to anyone wanting value for there money. Kinda of a small place, but the atmosphere was excellence. Great service. Ask for Alex. Great Place. read more

We ordered some food for a little dinner party and the food was outstanding. We got a small tray of the chicken Marsala. It comes with linguini in marinara sauce and salad and Bianca bread. They forgot to add the Bianca bread. But My bad for not checking. I had 9 people and it's a lot of food for $120. Also got two large pizzas. The shrimp pizza was yummy. Ordered 1/2 of the Tony's and spinach. Also very good. For about $200 all together it was pretty good. read more

My wife and I were looking for a non pretentious, classic Italian restaurant. We've wanted to eat here many times but never had cash. Ordered online and were pleasantly surprised. Pizza, calzone, Carbonara, garlic knots and Tiramisu. They didn't miss. Everything was fantastic. This will be our new go-to going forward. The staff were pleasant and prices are reasonable. Hard to come by places like this these days. Well done! Wishing them many more years of success! read more

This is a lovely Italian hole in the wall spot that's been a fixture on green for decades. The food is great and the portions are quite generous. Their happy hour is one of the best deals around. Only two things I can note in my times there: 1) It's cash only 2) I wanted lasagna one day but they didn't have it and suggested ravioli instead. Was not a fan of the ravioli but have really liked all the pizza, lasagna, and ziti I've gotten here. read more

Pizza was amazing and service was great. The salami and tomato appetizer was the perfect start to dinner

Amazing pizzeria! My team went here for lunch and we were so impressed with the food. It is a small restaurant but you get that homey feeling of an authentic Italian restaurant. As far as decor, they had a lot of portraits which I appreciated. We came in and there was no waiting so we got seated right away. The menu is pretty simple, pizza, pasta, salad and appetizers and a selection of wine. Today, I ordered the spicy chicken penne! Wow, this was so good. The spicy sauce reminded me of what I had in Paris. The garlic bread was so tasty! The pizza was great. I loved the texture of the bread, crispy and chewy. So delicious. The service is excellent! I highly recommend this restaurant. I will definitely come back here again. read more

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One of my favorite American Italian hole in the wall red checkered table cloth places in Pasadena - still a legacy place that most people have never even seen on busy green street that you would miss in a blink of an eye if not looking for it. I've been going here since my PCC days a long time ago. The father still is involved in the business that he started over 30 years ago with now his son Bo and longtime employee Carlos running the day to day business. Still the same great red sauce and pasta place. True Italian American comfort food with super friendly service . Note very small dining area but well worth the wait - also cash only still as it has always have been. Manja! manja! read more

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Small family feel where you know it's been around forever. It's so cozy. The pizza slices are thick but very filling with a lot of cheese. Customer service is stellar -- you get that mom and pop vibe. The 2 slices + salad lunch special for $10 is so great! Will return read more

Tarantino's has the creamiest Alfredo pasta in Pasadena! Idk what they do it but even when reheating it, it doesn't separate like most cream based sauces. The garlic knots are also worshipped in our household; they're so buttery, soft and have the perfect amount of garlic and Parmesan. I was late picking up my order, but it was still super hot when I arrived and the staff is very friendly :) read more

I can't believe I just found out about this place recently. It's a hidden overlooked gem on Green street. Traditional Italian place with nice staff and good service. Highly recommend the garlic knots (right amount of garlic with good taste and texture). The pizza is pretty standard BUT the pizza sauce is probably the best pizza sauce I've ever had. Not sure how I feel about it yet but definitely have to come back with more people to taste more of their pizza and try the pasta. Good ambience inside and the staff are very pleasant. Street parking is available depending on how busy the area is. read more

Great food and wonderful staff! Been coming here for over 30 years. Pepe salad, Tucci's Special w/ extra garlic never a disappoint.