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Pasta Fresh
Categories: Restaurants Italian Food Specialty Food Italian, Specialty Food
3418 N Harlem AveChicago, IL 60634
Neighbourhood: Dunning
(773) 745-5888
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9 am - 6 pm
Sun 9 am - 3 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
58 reviews for Pasta Fresh
Review Highlights
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"The vodka sauce was incredible." In 12 reviews -
"And pumpkin ravioli - sweet Saint Francis Caracciolo." In 4 reviews -
"The focaccia and the tiramisu were also very good." In 10 reviews
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58 reviews in English
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Review from Chet M.
5/16/2012
Very friendly and superb service from the jolly lady and staff. Offered quite a few samples for us and the kids to try and answered all our questions on pricing to the can of EVOO.
Got quite an education too on what's the diff between tagliatelle vs pappardelle and matriciana vs vodka sauce.
And very impressed that their egg pasta can be made immediately to order or worse case scenario, just a few hours old. Cost can't be beat too at approx $2.95 per pound vs $3.49 for 9 oz at your grocer's fridge. -
Review from April P.
5/7/2012
My boyfriend is the chef amongst us two, so a have little influence on our menu and a lot of influence to where we eat out. We both love Italian food, and this is definitely a place that has fresh pasta at reasonable prices.
They offer a case full of ready-made Italian dishes for heat and serve. The chalkboard on the wall states the various types of raviolis and I recall about 10 of them including mushroom, cheese, spinach, butternut squash and lobster to name a few, all ranging in price from $4.95- $8.95 pending on the ingredient. The tortellini's come in 2 flavors, cheese and meat. After reading some recent reviews, I nominated mushroom raviolis and meat tortellini's to come home with me. The eggplant parmagiana was also an easy choice as well, to go straight to the oven as an easy dinner.
The service is excellent, and as I waited for the sweet lady to package my pastas, she gave me a piping hot piece of focaccia. I'm not a fan of the stuff, but I will say that it was probably because I've never had focaccia like this before! This focaccia was the "game changer".
Come to this wonderful mom and pop business, you will not regret it! -
Review from carrie g.
Wheaton, IL
3/2/2012
It is true, everything you have read before me is true. Oh, mushroom ravioli's, you delicious little bastards you! I am considering buying another freezer to stock pile these little pillows of heaven. On second thought, I am going to get a bigger apartment and kidnap the cute italian woman so I can have fresh pasta and a hug every day!
P.S. The eggpalnt parm was so good I would trade my boyfriend for a constant supply of this, and my dog if she throws in some foccacia. -
Review from Pam D.
Updated - 12/14/2011
We did our pre -Christmas stock up at Pasta Fresh the other day. We got some meat sauce, some Alfredo sauce, some meatballs, a container of fresh grated imported Romano cheese, and some of their lemon cookies.
This place is such a treasure and I am so happy to have discovered it here on Yelp several years ago. It is a joyful place selling delightful products.Listed in: Economy with Grouponomy, Feeling The Love....
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/20/2010
I love this place so much. I love home made pasta, but I am too dang lazy to even think of fixing it… Read more »
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Review from Liz K.
Hoffman Estates, IL
12/23/2011
I had some of Pasta Fresh's vodka sauce pasta for dinner at a friend's house and the next time I went back, I stopped by this place to pick up some containers of their vodka sauce.
This place is phenomenal! Everything is fresh and handmade, including the pasta. I definitely recommend their vodka sauce and rigatoni noodles. The combination makes for a fabulous dinner!
I purchased two 12 oz. round deli containers full of vodka sauce and egg noodles (they were out of rigatoni!) for around $11. One small tub of vodka sauce is $4.25.
The only thing I didn't like about this establishment is that they don't accept debit or credit cards - only cash. Aside from this, the prices are very reasonable and the fact that all of their creations are fresh, makes it even better. -
Review from Danny K.
Chicago, IL
12/8/2011
Arancini is a glorious food. Simple and delicious to eat. After all, its in the shape and size of an orange. This particular one comes from the foodie alchemists kitchen of Pasta Fresh. Deep in that brightly lit and spacious kitchen is some Italian or Sicilian grandma lovingly molding these in well practiced hands. This one food may undermine my entire drive for a rippling six pack...
The exquisitely thin and fried crust that disguises the smooth texture of the rice is such a tease. Your eyes expect a large crunch, but instead you are rewarded with a mouthful of Arborio reminiscent of risotto. Another bite or two later, and you reach the raghu with its melted cheese and meat... Three peas let you know that you've reached the peak of the experience and that you should slow down and savor the remaining fleeting moments.
I want another. -
Review from rose c.
Forest Park, IL
Updated - 3/24/2012
Okay, it was the clichéd love at first bite, and I reviewed before being introduced to the friends and relatives. Sometimes stupid, sometimes scary..... But I've been back to Pasta Fresh, 5 or 6 times now, have met the friends and relatives and am still in love-- they are kind, supportive and intriguing (and I mean the people, not just the food). Rigatoni calls to me like Romeo, the vodka sauce is made in a sorcerer's cauldron, the raviolis, eggplant parmesan, lasagnas, osso bucco, meatballs all make me wish I were Italian. Oh, wait... I am! At least on Wednesdays, when it's
dinner party night...1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/6/2011
Delizioso! Yelpers-- followed your lead this past Saturday-- all wonderful, friendly, helpful, hot… Read more »
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Review from Valerie C.
Chicago, IL
12/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went on a recommendation from a friend. We were checking yelp for food places in the area and my sister came across this place. It sparked me to speak up based on my friends ravings about the place. We changed up plans and instead of going out we went to Pasta Fresh to get something for dinner at home. We got vodka sauce, pumpkin ravioli, spinach n cheese ravioli, and once given a sample to try,
got the foccacia bread - everything was DELICIOUS! It was so good no one added any salt or pepper, no sprinkles of Parmesan cheese added - the sauce was really spectacular. We plan to become regulars. -
Review from Dorotka K.
Franklin Park, IL
10/9/2011
It is obvious that this establishment is family owned and operated- the customer service was great. I walked in for the very first time with a Groupon in hand and had absolutely no clue what I wanted or even what they carry. The gentleman behind the counter took the time to explain what they offer and was patient as I stood there all indecisive.
The pasta really is fresh- they prepare and package it when you place the order. Sauces are good, also. I really want to try their pumpkin and butter squash ravioli- that's a must next time I go.
Prices are very good and their pasta tastes gourmet. I have paid $10+ plus for this type of pasta at pretentious delis. At Pasta Fresh, a pound of fresh pasta (enough to feed 4 people) will set you back $3.50. Throw in one of their homemade sauces and you have dinner for the whole family for around $8.
Also, please note that your plastic is no good here. Pasta Fresh is cash only. -
Review from D. C.
Harwood Heights, IL
11/2/2011
Oh my, I wasn't counting on falling in love with their pumpkin ravioli, but I have. At $4.95 for a pound, I think it's a great deal given how delicious they are; so mild and creamy with just a hint of sweetness. Was going to get all fancy and use a brown butter sage sauce on them but a bit of melted butter was perfect.
The nice woman who waited on me was so patient while I made up my mind and, when she came back from getting my ravioli, also had a good-sized chunk of hot tomato focaccia for me to try. Unfortunate they only take cash, but y'know what? The stuff here is so good it's worth the minor hassle to run to the bank for cash beforehand. I'll be back!
Note: If you buy the ravioli, be aware that you might find ones you didn't plan on getting in the bag. After cooking up the rest of my pumpkin ravioli last night, turned out 2 crab ravioli had ended up in the bag. Doesn't bother me, but people with certain food allergies may want to know.Listed in: Good Food Close to Home
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Review from Virginia T.
Chicago, IL
9/12/2011
I've been in Pasta Fresh a few times. Every time they give us a warm piece of tomato foccacia bread. Everyone who works there is great and personable. The pasta is amazing.
I had some amazing eggplant ravioli pretty good sun dried tomato ravioli - got 1 lb of each, some marinara & 6 meatballs (in marinara) and it was $30
Next time I went back and got 1/4lb butternut squash ravioli, 1lb meat tortellini, 1/2lb eggplant ravioli & 2 arancini and it was only $16
They close at 6pm and are CASH ONLY. -
Review from Michael M.
Chicago, IL
5/1/2011
Pasta F-f-f-fa-Fresshhhh!!! Have you ever won the lottery? Has anyone every given you a DeLorean?Have you ever made out with Kirsten Dunst?Have you ever played a show while 60,000 people chanted your name?
None of these things have ever happened to me but when I tasted the fresh spaghetti from Pasta Fresh I experienced a feeling that I imagined was close to an emotion I would feel if I were to experience one of the aforementioned situations. And thats just the spaghetti. Don't even get me started on the meatballs and raviolis.
The people that worked there were also amazing. Tell everyone you know about this place. They will all thank you. -
Review from Bari L.
Chicago, IL
4/11/2011
I love to make my own fresh pasta at home but it was a night I wanted to make a ravioli casserole but did not want to make the ravioli. At 5:30 I called to find out they closed at 6 so I ran over there and was greeted by a friendly smile and a fresh slice of focaccia bread (YUM!). I grabbed my spinach and cheese ravioli and also picked up some of their rigatoni and marinara sauce. Everything was delicious and the prices so good I almost don't want to make my own pasta anymore.
Please note they only take cash!!!! -
Review from Kyle H.
12/3/2010 ROTD 4/11/2011
I've been driving past Pasta Fresh on Harlem Ave. for almost a year now, and finally stopped in. It's a small store offering homemade pastas, sauces, and some premade dishes you can heat and serve.
Not much help in deciding what was best, there's a small board with the noodle options, and I was told "everything's good". Okay...I was also told that pastas must be ordered by the pound. That's a bit much, since these pastas are fresh and expire quickly.
I ordered the gnocchi, spinach fettucine, and got some vodka sauce for the gnocchi. The vodka sauce was incredible! The fettucine went bad in the fridge. Next time I'll ask for 1/2 pound and make puppy eyes at the Italian ladies working the counter.
The hot pre-made sale dish when I went was a Pumpkin Ravioli, so I asked for that. But with only 40 minutes 'til they closed, they said they couldn't make it for me. So they suggested a heat and serve pumpkin ravioli in the deli case, with vodka sauce and mozzarella. Good enough! But why they didn't give it to me for the same price as the sale dish I wanted seemed like poor service to me.
Pasta Fresh is Cash Only! The dollars in my wallet were just enough to cover my load of fresh pastas, made with molto amore! Many happy returns, but for this bachelor, one pasta at a time should be enough.Listed in: Harlem Renaissance
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Review from Jerome H.
Oak Park, IL
10/20/2010
If I lived next door, I would have a freezer full of whatever is in their display case. I mean, I went in to get some linguine or something similar and for like 9 bucks I got a thing of ridiculously good lasagna that feeds 4. The sauce had depth and savory flavor that Stouffers and Chef Boyardee probably can't even dream of. Delicious. Also got tiramisu, which was rich and delicious. And pumpkin ravioli - sweet Saint Francis Caracciolo!* - that stuff was delicious, too. And the pasta? Delicious. And the free bread for doing nothing but gawking at their selections? Delicious.
This is seriously a place where I just want to walk in with a 50, throw it on the counter and say "fill a bag, you delightful Italian folks!" because honest to goodness, the dust off the floor probably tastes good.
And at least I'd get delicious bread while I stood there waiting for them to sweep it up. Cash only, I believe, but worth stopping by an ATM first.
*Patron saint of Italian cooks. -
Review from Cathy W.
Chicago, IL
2/10/2011
I got a tray of meat lasagna, a tray of eggplant parmesan, a pound of mushroom ravioli, a half pound of their special Valentine's heart-shaped cheese ravioli for my 4-year old, a pint of meat sauce and a pint of marinara and a focaccia. For THIRTY DOLLARS!
This place is amazing. The couple who own it is SO sweet - they gave us a free focaccia sample when we came in and when my daughter said she wanted to see the heart shaped ravioli the woman mentioned, she brought it right out and gave her a piece. (Which my daughter devoured. And yes, it was frozen. Ha!)
A small little shop with some of the best pasta I've ever had.
I'll be back. -
Review from Carolynne M.
Chicago, IL
4/29/2008 1 photo
Like Mike O, I must have driven by this place 100 times and never ventured inside. I dont know why either, I am usually a pretty adventurous person!
Well, OK, maybe its because the building is cracked-out. Really dark and uninviting and reminiscent of someone trying to be "fancy" with architecture back in 1968. The building just sucks, sorry. That, and the parking lot is very, very small. But when you enter is when the magic begins.
On the one side you have a little market, with some great choices for staples like canned tomatoes and cheese. Things are not cheap, but I feel that they are priced fair. On the other side, in a tiny side room, is where all the pastas and sauces are. The people in there are super friendly and love talking about their products. The pastas can be made with a variety of flavours, like tomato or spinach, or you can order them plain. I ordered a pound of fresh fusilli for $3. Thats a lot of pasta!
Pasta was SO great and I am totally going there any time I need pasta from now on, but the reason this review does not get 5 stars is for 2 reasons. One, the foccacia I bought, while tasty, was a massive grease bomb. It looked and felt like someone had thrown the whole thing into a vat of melted butter. Yikes - THAT cant be good for you! And two, the braciole I bought was tough, and thats a damn shame. This meat should basically require almost no chewing, instead I was hacking away at it with my knife. The sauce it was in was absolutely superb though.
Definitely a must if you are out that way and want some authentic, yummy, homemade goodness. Oh and CASH ONLY!Listed in: Thats-A Spicy Meatball
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Review from Cyndee T.
Chicago, IL
10/11/2011
OMG! Pasta Fresh ROCKS! I'm not a huge pasta lover, but I got a good deal on a Groupon and my husband loves pasta, so I figured what the heck. Plus, with all of the rave reviews of this place on Yelp, it seemed like a no lose situation. And it was! We bought two pounds of the gnocchi ($4 per pound), pesto sauce ($5) and vodka sauce ($5) and had tons of food for only $20. All were to DIE for... Seriously. This place is really good. I'm already planning my next trip that way to try more of their pasta.
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Review from Mike O.
3/19/2008
On the northwest side's Little Italy along Harlem Ave., I finally visited this place because it has received acclaim from other Yelpers. Though I used to live less than a mile from here, I never stepped foot into Pasta Fresh. It is crammed in a tight, little strip mall between Cornelia and Roscoe, alongside a few other Italian shops. Let me sum it up in a single sentence: This is fancy Italian restaurant food that you can serve up at home.
Being parents of an eternally hungry 21-month old boy, going to a nice Italian restaurant would be a nightmare. The mere sight of pasta on a plate would provoke a blood-curdling scream of "NUNOS!!!" with lots of head-flailing and crying, which would result in us getting thrown out of the restaurant, high chair and all.
Yes, it is cheaper elsewhere but the quality is that much better. I had a craving for arancini, and sure enough, they had the best ones I've ever tried. The rice was not too dry and not too mushy either. I've been eating the baseball-sized Italian specialty from Butera and Shop-n-Save all these years. Boy was I wrong! The arancini balls I bought were still warm and left a lingering aroma in the car.
Pasta Fresh has a bakery-style glass counter that displays freshly made pasta, ravioli, tortellini, marinara and assorted pasta sauces. They even had crab ravioli as their special item of the day, which I now regret not buying. You can even buy a foil tray of freshly-made meatballs, mostaccioli, manicotti or lasagna, topped with cheese and sauce, ready to pop in the oven and enough to serve 3-4 people or a hungry Joe Viterelli (fat mobster Jelly from "Analyze This").
There is a window that lets you see the back room of the store where they make the products. It's pretty big considering how small it looks from the street. On the wall there's even the obligatory picture of Joe Pesci and another Italian guy standing next to him.
Their menu board listing of Italian specialties runs quite long, just for their sauces alone. I also bought a doughball to make my own pizza. I warmed it up during my 20-minute ride home and it was nice and pliable to put in a round pan for my own large thin-crust pizza.
I will close this review with an unconventional doughball warming suggestion: If you want to make a pizza the moment you walk in the house, put the bag with the doughball on your dashboard and turn on the window defogger or heat. The warm air from the vents will heat the doughball. Every time you come to a stop at a red light, flip over the doughball to warm it evenly all around. Twenty minutes later, stretch it out and make your pizza!Listed in: Belmont Heights -the Forgotten…, At'sa 'Talian
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Review from Mary T.
10/27/2009
One talk thread told me that this place existed. Another gave me an insatiable need to seek it out, thanks a lot Rob L! ;-)
My mom tagged along with me when I ventured into this place, of course she already knew about it. She seems to know about most little hole-in-the-wall markets; especially those of the Italian variety. I was a bit concerned that I might zip by the store since Harlem is a such busy street and traffic was a bitch, but never fear the ginormous Italian flag was like a beacon.
When I parked in their lot I noticed two 1980's Caddy's out front; one was just normal so far as I could tell, the other had Al Pacino a la Scarface airbrushed on it. Of course it was the gun-toting "Say hello to my little friend" Al (words and all), very cla$$y touch.
The shop is small; there are a few boards letting you know what varieties of pastas they sell and a bakery case filled with pastas and ready made items. There's dividing the front and back of the store, you can see the pasta making area from the front of the store.
My mom got a pound of spinach & meat ravioli, my dad has a borderline obsession with spinach, and I got a 1/2 pound of gnocchi and a 1/2 pound of spinach & cheese ravioli. Both orders ran us each $4 and change, very cheap for quality freshly made stuff.
I haven't made it to the ravioli yet, but the gnocchi was divine. They sell about 8 different varieties of ravioli and also sell a variety of sauces too. I had wanted to get a spinach and cheese mini lasagne, but they were out. ::pout::
The only thing causing me to knock a star off was the service. When we entered there was a guy hocking sweatshirts and "luxury" watches (think Polex and Novado) to employees and a guy who appeared to run the show. The guy was loud, aggressive and monopolizing the attention of all, but one of the employees including the guy in charge (manager/owner?). Instead of asking him to leave or noting that there were people waiting to be helped, the manager/owner just strolled next door, leaving the employees to deal with him. It was a turn off, not one that would cause me to write the place off, but really shouldn't the customers come before a guy selling stuff that fell off a truck?
If you love pasta bring lots of cash, you'll want to buy everything and they don't take plastic.Listed in: Paper not Plastic, Provisions, Hanging with the P's
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Review from Gino G.
Chicago, IL
7/13/2010
They had fresh rigatonis the other day. The lovely shopkeeper recommended I stuff them with ricotta and parsley and bake them in marinara. Heaven. Better than Heaven.
Freshly made pasta makes a HUGE difference.
I've gone here 5 times and am convinced. -
Review from Melissa T.
Oak Park, IL
9/4/2010
Can I adopt a new set of grandparents? I already have two and a half sets being the lucky girl I am, but I'm wiling to trade my collection of makeup and my car to get an 'in' with the kind souls that helped me in my delicious purchases yesterday.
I was a little overwhelmed by all the ready to eat dishes and couldn't stop eyeing the rice balls (for another day perhaps). A little hot, fresh focaccia, however, certainly eased my anxiety as to what I wanted to buy. Boy, did I want to buy some focaccia, but based on a previous yelper's admittance to eating it all within a matter of days, I passed. My will power is weak, and my jeans, well I'd like them to still fit.
In any case, I made my decisions, and as my future grandma packaged up my goods, she asked, "do you have good pasta to go with the eggplant sauce." I said yes, but she must have known better. She told me to hold on and brought back some fresh (free of charge!!!) rigatoni to add to my order.
That is one smart woman. I had the rigatoni with eggplant sauce for dinner last night and felt like I was eating a meal at a delicious italian trattoria. I can't wait to try the rest of my purchases and more so, I can't wait to go back to pay a visit to the italian grandparents I've always wanted.
Bottom line: YUM! -
Review from Gigi L.
Chicago, IL
7/6/2007
Oh my God it is INSANE that no one has written about this place yet.
It's the greatest place in the city to get fresh pasta. THE GREATEST. They make everything on the premises, and it's been around forever.
It's an teeny, unassuming storefront on Harlem just south of Addison, that sits in a strip mall. You could totally drive by it if you don't keep your eyes peeled (whatever that means). You walk in and there's a counter where you place your order. It's owned by an old Italian couple and they are always there whenever we go to shop. I love hearing the regular customers conversing with them in their native tongue. SO cool and old-fashioned.
To the right of the counter is a big picture window and you can see the peeps making raviolis and other tasty stuff. There are great autographed photos of their celebrity friends adorning the walls to look at while you wait in line (and there is frequently a line, but not unmanageable).
Besides all the different varieties of pasta (I have ordered taglietelle, ziti and rotini), they've also got prepared lasagna and sauces. Awesome in a pinch if you are having friends over for a meal. They give you these pounds of pasta and it's like, $4, or something. So inexpensive for something that is so labor intensive!
Keep the old school small businesses like this alive and get in there! -
Review from Kathleen P.
Arlington Heights, IL
7/10/2009
I have had a lot of exposure to excellent, homemade Italian cuisine. As a child, my best friends were two sisters from Italy. The Virgili girls. Their mother taught them to make the most incredible Italian dishes. I wish that somehow I could duplicate those dishes, but no such luck. I really think it's genetic. I also have a whole extended family from Italy. Again- really great cooks. Again- didn't rub off on me.
But I digress. The point of my story is this:
I thought you had to go to your Italian relatives or friends to get REALLY good homemade Italian treats. And now it's a whole new world.
My Italian brother in law introduced me to Pasta Fresca. It started with the Vodka sauce, then I moved on to Focaccia and Ciabatta. I don't think I need to even expand on the incredible pasta- don't forget to try the Rotolo. Giuseppe swears by it.
Pasta Fresca- thank you for making the world a better place. -
Review from Johnny B.
Chicago, IL
11/27/2007
Worth every excrutiatingly miserable minute of my trek down Irving Park from Damen to Harlem. Why I waited for a Friday at 4:00 to head out for the homemade pasta I needed, I'll never know (actually, that's not true - I do know - it's because I'm a prograstinating lazy ass). However, that's neither here nor there...
Pasta Fresh is fantastic! I felt like I stepped into the store Carmela hits up weekly to make Tony's favorite Baked Ziti. Artie Bucco probably has Pasta Fresh supply noodles for Nuovo Vesuvio. All this was crossing my mind BEFORE a dead ringer for Paulie Walnuts walked in behind me. I seriously considered conceeding my place in line to him.
You can literally see the pasta being made in the back of the store, so you know that Fresh isn't just part of the name. The woman working the counter (had to be the owner) was extremely helpful in assisting me with my selections. On top of regular pasta, they had several flavored versions. I bought the plain, but highly anticipate going back and ordering some of the others. You can literally eat the regular pasta without sauce, so I can't imagine how great the flavored versions are.
Once cooked, the noodles just melt in your mouth. Honestly, I don't ever want to buy Barilla noodles again. I'm sure Tony and the boys at the Bing would agree.Listed in: Bravo to my Fellow Yelpers, EYE-talian Food, Chicago EYE-talian
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Review from Christine J.
Chicago, IL
2/8/2010
OMG their pasta is amazing! I asked the owner for a recommendation and he gave me pasta that they had just finished cutting. The tray was actually sitting on top of a fan to cool. So delicious and reasonable prices (about $3 for a pound).
I also brought home some of their prepared foods. I tried the stuffed artichokes, which were smothered with cheese, tomatoes, and cream. Definitely heavy for a home cooked meal, but oh, the taste was restaurant quality! -
Review from Al B.
Chicago, IL
10/9/2008
Close your eyes. Imagine making your best pasta dish to impress your significant other, partner, in-laws, or for yourself. Why would you want boxed pasta for that special occasion when you can have fresh pasta made when you order it - with a variety of savory sauces as well. This is where you want to go. I got the fettuccine made with spinach and chose an as close to Italian grandma made Marinara sauce to go with it.
You'll most certainly impress the ones you're with - and they'll enjoy the light, flavorful pasta which will leave them wanting more. Compliment the meal with a delightful Pinot Noir, and you have a dinner everyone will remember.
Pasta Fresh also has premade entrees at reasonable prices - check out the Lasagna entree, I found it quite tasty and delicious. If you're not a cook but enjoy Italian food - you can't go wrong with any of these for your meal.
You'll hear Dean Martin singing with your every bite. Buon Appetito! -
Review from Katherine E.
Chicago, IL
1/1/2010
I have shopped here for years and I went in this week to stock up on vodka sauce and ravioli. While I was waiting to be served they passed around some samples of focaccia and arancini. My god. I have never had focaccia quite like it. It is very different. It's more moist and thicker than I am used to. Truly the best I have ever had.
When I commented how different it was, the gal who works there said it's a recipe from Bari. Well, it's addictive. I bought 3 and froze 2 of them. They lasted all of 3 days ! I kept slicing off a piece for breakfast then lunch then midnight snack :)
The arancini were also very different. In some places they are normally too bland and sort of like glue inside. Not here. They have a good amount of ground meat and cheese to make them a meal in nice little ball about the size of a soft ball. I just eat them plain but most people add sauce on top.
I finally tried the soft lemon cookies. Another winner.
This place is just tops for properly cooked Italian food! -
Review from Anna S.
Chicago, IL
5/28/2009
Lately, I've been in this weird old school/let's make stuff from scratch mode. Not sure what hit me, but after cranking out some homemade ice cream, pickles, bread, etc. I thought about moving on to fresh pasta. I even starting looking around for a pasta machine.
What the heck was I thinking?? For fresh pasta, this place rocks. Cute little store, super friendly service. A ton of options! For about 4 or 5 bucks a pound, brought home delish fettucine and portabello mushroom ravioli. Had to hold myself back from buying more.
They service restaurants, and (is it true) they are selling to Whole Paycheck. If so, save the dough and buy your pasta here. This is like an art to me, support your local small business, and keep these traditions alive. -
Review from John B.
Cissna Park, IL
7/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stopped for lunch, more fresh pasta store than eatery, outside seating only but since it was a nice day, why not? Menu limited to 2 pasta items that day, so rigatoni was the choice with meat sauce. Couldn't have been better! Purchased a Lasagna to go.
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Review from Helen A.
Skokie, IL
8/3/2011
Yum!
I'm no pasta fan, but my veggie ravioli take away was amazing! Vodka sauce...delish.
Its strictly a pick up place with two or three lunch options daily. They have lots of things to pick up and reheat for dinner as well as fresh pasta (really fresh, i saw them making it! I couldn't help but pick up some rigatoni for dinner while i was there.
Will definitely be back. -
Review from Matt G.
10/12/2009
Was turned onto this place by a second generation from the homeland Italian friend. He swears by it for the pasta and sauces.
Fresh pasta cut while you wait, prepped homemade sauces and outta sight meatballs. The foccacia is pretty darned good as well. Who am I kidding, everything is fantastic and easily brought home and made it look like you're a great cook (you just warm it, that's all).
The ONLY downside is that it is a cash-only business....... hmmmm. -
Review from Christopher J.
Chicago, IL
11/10/2008
I love this place. Everything I have ever had from there has been fantastic!
I was in Whole Foods on North Ave in Lincoln Park this weekend & they were selling Pasta Fresh. Now you can get it without making the drive to the west side. -
Review from Susan B.
Chicago, IL
8/16/2007
Absolutely amazing pasta. I've never thought much about pasta--I usually think of it as a carrier for a tasty fresh tomato-basil mix with plenty of parm.
But this pasta, OH MY! It's like an entirely different food. From the rotini to the ravioli, I could eat this pasta naked and be happy. And the vodka sauce? So good.
I almost never drive. This is worth the trip. (And can be done on bike if you stop for gelato along the way.) -
Review from Pav S.
Chicago, IL
12/23/2011
Fantastic pasta, wonderful sauces, and ever warm owners. The first time I went with some friends from Europe we spent an hour talking with the owners who fed us continuously letting us try different dishes. Since then I have made the trek up there religiously to pick up large amounts of pasta and sauces with no regret. A real gem!
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Review from Trevor S.
Chicago, IL
6/3/2011
This is such a refreshing and unique place. Loved it.
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Review from janice m.
Chicago, IL
5/28/2011
Pasta Fresh, how do I love thee, let me count the ways...first there is the ravioli, the linguine and the papperdelle, then the sauces and the foccacia..oh forget it! There are way to many good things that come from their kitchen to count. The best thing I can say is go find out for yourself. I guarantee the trip is worth it! Their service is outstanding, friendly and helpful. They let you sample things...yum. The only thing, if you don't carry cash around with you, make sure you stop at your bank's ATM! A definite 5 star from us for all of them!
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Review from Nicole S.
1/13/2011
I love supporting small businesses such as Pasta Fresh! This place sells the most amazing pastas! Thier name says it all homeade delicious fresh pasta! It may be a little pricier but It's so worth it for the quality. I've tried many different varieties of the ravioli to make for dinner guests and everyone's always raved about them! The gnocchi, vodka sauce, panzerotti, focaccia and oh the Arancini I could go on and on... Its also dangerous for me that it's so close to home, Delizioso!!!
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Review from Sonesh S.
Chicago, IL
3/2/2009
We live in Lincoln Park and made the trek out to try this place based solely on the reviews here on Yelp, and am happy to say that it is truly worth it.
We got rigatoni, stuffed portabella ravioli, fresh focaccia, and tiramisu.
We served the rigatoni the following evening to a group of friends, and people immediately were asking us how about the pasta itself...the difference between fresh and boxed pasta is undeniable. The focaccia and the tiramisu were also very good. Our only issue from a food standpoint was the ravioli - it was tasty, but i've had better.
The service was phenomenal as well - the owner was working the counter and gave us bowls of rigatoni with vodka sauce, let us try the foccacia and was talking to us about italian food for a good 10-15 minutes.
My wife and I truly enjoyed this place and when possible, we will be getting all of our pasta from here...(its not that expensive either!!) -
Review from John R.
Chicago, IL
6/23/2011
Best pasta I have ever had. Very fresh and very good. Jewel just lost a customer.
