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The Pasta Bowl
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
2434 N Clark St(between Fullerton Ave & Arlington Pl)
Chicago, IL 60614
Neighbourhood: Lincoln Park
(773) 525-2695
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
Sun 12 pm - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
360 reviews for The Pasta Bowl
Review Highlights
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"And the Farfalle Pollo is really good, as well." In 41 reviews -
"I would highly recommend the Gnocchi Aurora." In 12 reviews -
"I love the cappellini pomodoro, it makes me so happy." In 13 reviews
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360 reviews in English
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Review from Jessica V.
Des Plaines, IL
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love the pasta bowl and so does my ass! I'm just keeeding, but I could eat here everyday.
They are super friendly here, its like fast-food pasta. My entrees have always come out within 10 minutes or less and super delicious. I have ordered the rigatoni with meat sauce and their gnocchi. The gnocchi is a bit heavy but the rigatoni is just the right portion, right size, and right taste. I have also ordered the goat cheese with marinara and french bread which is a yummy app.
The meals are super cheap and they usually have some sort of beer special. I always order an app and and two entrees with the boy. The total has never been more than $20-$30 which is not bad at all and it is plenty of food and a nice casual date spot. -
Review from Rick T.
Updated - 4/19/2012 5 Check-ins Here
It appears that the Pasta Bowl has run out of coins. Every time I've visited in the past month, my server rounded the bill UP--sometimes by well more than 50 cents.
A $14.35 lunch bill? I received $5 change for a $20. $29.45? We got $10 back.
This practice has really, really pissed me off.
If your establishment doesn't have change, round the price DOWN to the next dollar. Stiff yourself, don't stiff your customers. And, of course, after ripping us off, the server has the gall to give all $1 bills as change...so we can more easily tip them for kicking us in the nuts.
I let it slide the first time, but I asked for correct change the next three times and the servers' responses would lead you to believe that I had asked for their first born. They slumped off to the cashier because "that guy"--said with an eye roll over the shoulder--expects semi-accurate change.
I wonder how much extra money is in the till every night as a result of rounding up? 200 checks X 35 cents rounding per check. That's $70 a day going into the pocket of someone other than the customers.
I'm confident the servers would be concerned if the owners rounded their paychecks down a few bucks.
This practice is just plain rude.Listed in: Good'n'cheap
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/10/2011
An excellent choice for casual, quick service and tasty entrees with a low price point.
Pasta Bowl… Read more »
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Review from Nirmal G.
Chicago, IL
3/31/2012
Came here for dinner with my brother and a friend based on Yelp reviews (I mean, how else does one pick a restaurant?). It's a pretty casual place and although it's in a pretty busy area, we were able to find some free parking.
Lots of your typical pasta options, all at very reasonable prices. I'm a big fan of bruschetta, so ordered that as an appetizer for the three of us. It was pretty mediocre and the bread looked burnt. Not such a great start to the meal...don't order it. The pasta was good for what we paid for it. I wouldn't come back here though. I know that I am capable of making better pasta at home and there are better places to go if you are looking for creative pasta. If you're in a bind for dinner and really want pasta, I would stop by here, but otherwise, boil some up on your own. You'll thank yourself later. -
Review from Chris R.
Lombard, IL
3/9/2012
I like to think that I'm a fair and unbiased judge of restaurants. If a place looks like a dive, but has great food, I won't disparage it. Despite the unassuming facade, I checked this place out after reading all the positive reviews; however, I could find no redeeming qualities in this place.
The restaurant is attached to a bar - fine. But it is dark, dingy, and only has high stools or cramped booths for seating: strike one. The music is tuned to the "Worst of the '60's", which may just be a matter of taste, but it didn't improve my experience.
The waitress came over soon enough, but left before we were done ordering, and we couldn't flag her again. She then proceeded to flirt with the busboy on the other side of the restaurant. Naturally, our order wasn't quite right: strike two.
The food itself was chewy pasta, drowned in canned sauce and an inch of cheese. No flavor except fat in the Fettucini Alfredo - I've had better Stouffers dinners - and the marinara was a runny mess of tomato water. Plus, $1.50 for the 1/4 cup side of sauce to cover the rest of the pasta? Strike three, I'm outta there.
It cost $20 without tip for two tiny bowls of nasty pasta. If you're looking for comfort food, or cheap food, or good service, I suggest you look elsewhere.Comment from Justin R. of The Pasta Bowl 3/15/2012
Oh Chris R......We try to take all these comments seriously… More » -
Review from Stefanie B.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 5/13/2012
Bummer. I used to love their pizza. Like, 5 star, best in the city kinda love. I don't know what happened, if they changed their recipe, if they changed management, or what, but their pizza now is less than average.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/19/2009
This is my all time favorite pizza in the city. I don't know what it is about this place but I love… Read more »
Comment from Justin R. of The Pasta Bowl 5/15/2012
Hello Stephanie B., I cannot believe it, but you are the… More » -
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Review from D F.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 4/10/2012
The manager's response to my updated review is all you need to know about this place. I hadn't planned on writing my original updated review, but I saw the manager's other obnoxious responses to other customers who had the gall of giving negative reviews, and, frankly, I wanted to draw him out and expose what an unmitigated loser he is. Obviously, it worked.
It amazes me that he doesn't realize that providing obnoxious, sarcastic responses to his customers on Yelp actually does his restaurant far more harm than good. I wonder if the owners know what he is up to.
Anyway, you can decide for yourself if you want to patronize a restaurant run by someone like Justin R. Obviously, I recommend that you don't.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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4/7/2012
This was one of the first restaurants I reviewed when I moved to Chicago 4 years ago. I've probably… Read more »
Comment from Justin R. of The Pasta Bowl 4/11/2012
UPDATE: D F. If you read some of my previous responses… More » -
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Review from E F.
Chicago, IL
4/18/2012
Best pasta ever. It's not in any way authentic or healthy, but that's okay with me for when I'm here. This little place is fast, cheap, simple and delicious.
Comment from Justin R. of The Pasta Bowl 4/18/2012
Update: Thank you for sticking by us even though you had an… More » -
Review from Kate D.
12/8/2011
Italy, it is not. However, if you're wearing jeans and a hoodie, planning to start drinking immediately after dinner, and want some tasty pasta, go. Go with confidence. PBowl is attached to The Other Side, which is convenient since patrons can order off either menu, and sit in either space (choose your adventure: pub or restaurant!).
That said, I've eaten in excess of 25 meals here. And every time I go for the gnocchi aurora. I dream about their gnocchi aurora. Yeah, it's frozen bricks of gnocchi that were not made by someone's grandmother in the back, but sometimes that's what I feel like eating. I also love their macaroni and cheese, with the bread crumb topping,... add chicken and broccoli and you have yourself a cheesy feast. The rigatoni bolognese is good too. I haven't tried anything else. I'm a creature of habit, and I return time and time again for the gnocchi aurora.
Unless you're doing shots with your noodles, dinner for two will run you about $15. The service is quick and it's on a major artery through Lincoln Park. AND THEY DELIVER. You can't go wrong with PBowl (unless you're proposing marriage, or want sushi, or a burrito). -
Review from Iman W.
12/6/2011
So I told myself that I was going to adopt a more low carb diet. Getting it tight, getting it right, I've got a HS reunion in the summer, and I need to make at least 4 people jealous before that weekend is over.
Still, I ended up at Pasta Bowl, where I'm sure that "low carb" is the foulest of swear words. I ordered the farfalle pollo. And I eradicated that entire dish. Sometime in the not so distant future, I'll probably do it again.
And I will regret nothing.Listed in: Nom Nom Nom!
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Review from Deanna S.
Washington, DC
3/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
Awesome inexpensive prices and great tasting food. Portabello Mushroom app, Spinach salad and seafood pasta was very tasty. Highly recommended!
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Review from Thomas K.
Chicago, IL
3/9/2012
Food poisoned. seemed ok but got terribly ill from it. stopped going there. Ditzy people taking orders. I just dont trust it anymore. if you want to risk it go ahead but I would be careful.
Comment from Justin R. of The Pasta Bowl 3/15/2012
Thomas, Sorry to hear you got food poisoning. Had it three… More » -
Review from Caity G.
10/22/2011
Awful.
The server assured us that we ordered two of the best things off the menu (his favorites) but yikes - these dishes were so bad.
Salty, dense, heavy - I feel sick just thinking about it. I barely ate any of my plate and decided to take it home as not to waste the leftovers and hopefully doctor it up a little to make it more edible. Opening the dish the next day was no less disturbing. I saw all the fat and oil just sitting there and had to throw it out - so unappealing.
I like my pasta more light, fresh, and authentic. I won't be back.Comment from Justin R. of The Pasta Bowl 10/28/2011
Hello Caity, I am so sorry that you had such a horrible… More » -
Review from Courtney W.
Chicago, IL
2/23/2012
We had takeout from this place a little while back. It's super close to my apartment and we were craving some Italian food. I had the gnocchi and it wasn't the best that I've ever had but I do know that many of my friends rave about pasta bowl. The woman taking our order was kind of rude but I can understand that somewhat since they were really busy. Our order took about 45 minutes which is kind of long for takeout but whatever, it's close. For me, since I live with an Italian roommate, I'm used to quality Italian food and this was just average. Will I come back in a pinch? Absolutely, I get cravings every once in a while. I might try dining in and see if the experience is any different.
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Review from Lawrence Y.
Chicago, IL
11/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stopped on in last night on a whim. The restaurant was a bit crowded and seating seemed a bit cramped, but we were able to get a booth after a few minutes. I don't remember our servers name (sorry... and it's not on the receipt), but she was really nice. To our surprise, they had a special of 1/2 off wine bottles on Tuesdays (perfect!).
We started off with the calamari which was good, pretty standard, but good. For my entree I had the Capellini Pomodoro and added chicken. I typically don't like marinara sauce that much but this was really good! I think angel hair pasta makes all the difference and doesn't make it too "heavy". All in all, I think we had a good time here and I'd come back again in the future. -
Review from Dana O.
Chicago, IL
8/9/2011
Well well well pasta bowl, you used to be my go-to spot to fulfill my pasta fix, but thanks to a waitress named Maureen and a manager named Justin, I will never ever return! If I could give them 0 stars that would be 0 too many!
To start, Maureen ran someone else's order on my card (her mistake entirely!), voided this transaction, and then proceeded to run the correct amount onto the same card. There wasn't enough money on this card, so the transaction did not go through. Maureen's response simply was "Do you have anyone to borrow the money from? I can't help you out sorry." Well Maureen, this situation was completely due to your incompetence, so why should I have to pay for your errors?
Either way, I would have been happy to pay for the meal on a different card, but Maureen's less than pleasant attitude prompted me to speak to a manager. I waited to speak to the manger for about 5 minutes on the phone, and heard Maureen speaking to "the delivery guy" saying it wasn't her fault...yes Maureen, it was your fault! I was told I would be called back all 3 times I called within an hour (food definitely was cold by then) and finally on the fourth try I was put on the phone with a wonderful manager named Justin (please recognize the sarcasm at it's fullest!) Why Justin didn't call me back as Maureen had promised is beyond me!
So Justin gets on the phone and immediately starts yelling, but then proceeds to tell me that I have an attitude...hmmm..Well Justin, if you didn't know, I am hungry, have been waiting for my food for an hour, and your unintelligent waitress Maureen managed to screw up my order and make me mad enough that I no longer want to give you my money, so excuse me for being less than pleasant. I did not, however, have a noticeable attitude when he got on the phone with me, so he was clearly biased by the time he got on the phone because of whatever Maureen had told him to save herself.
Justin, being the great manger and nice guy he is, proceeded to tell me, "you don't have enough money on your account! YOU'RE NOT GETTING YOUR FOOD, BYE!" and hung up on me. Well Justin, I have worked in my fair share of restaurants and I am positive that that is NOT the way you speak to customers, especially when it was your waitress that made the mistake in the first place.
To make a long story even longer, I tried to call back and work this whole thing out (I am a positive person so I will always try to make amends) and I was shouted at and hung up on 4 more times. Some of the times they did not even bother to answer the phone, and just picked up and hung up. One time I even heard Maureen say "Yup, it's the same voice" and hung up.
My boyfriend tried to call back to make the situation better, and possibly pay for the food, and was asked by Justin "How old are you!?" He was treated even worse than I was, considering the fact that he is the most calm person in the world and I could hear Justin yelling at him through the phone.
Oh Pasta Bowl, how I loved you. How unfortunate that our relationship had to end so bitterly. You only have Maureen and Manager Justin Roof to blame. -
Review from Shradha A.
Chicago, IL
9/26/2011
As a vegetarian, I can't say my pasta was anything special. The garlic bread was too cheesy and the cappelini reminded me of cafeteria food.
Our server wasn't having a great day but tried to check in enough times to make sure we didn't need anything else.
I will say that my friend liked her farfalle much more than I enjoyed my dish. -
Review from Ramya P.
7/29/2011
Its pasta but ITS NOT ITALIAN!!
Its a great place for me to eat high calorie food during those stormy winter nights in Chicago, as I live very close. Everything about their menu, I love!! They hand out a menu with a few vegetarian options and always, so far, the waiter/waitress have said that they can customize many entrees to make it vegetarian. Some of my favorites so far have been the mac and cheese, lasagna and gnocchi.Listed in: Friday night lights
Comment from Justin R. of The Pasta Bowl 7/29/2011
Thanks you for the nice comment. Hope to see at The Pasta… More » -
Review from Mike P.
9/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
A go-to, non pretentious, casual Italian joint that the wife and I used to frequent when we lived in LP/LV. Now that we're in Uptown (4 Life), it's harder to get down there.
This past weekend though, we made the effort, and it was well worth it. The Pasta Bowl is famous, at least to me, for their Rosemary Gorgonzola sauce. If I had to pick only one sauce with which to cover pasta with for the remainder of my days, this one would be it. It's a stinky-cheese lover's dream. I also like the fact that they let you switch it out with the sauces that traditionally accompany certain dishes. Pasta Bowl gets the fact that more than one sauce might be good over certain things. No egomaniac chef forcing something upon you.
The joint seems to always be jumping with Lincoln Park's young and beautiful. It hearkened me back to my own days of yore when drinking in bars was part of a normal social life, not a temporary escape where one constantly is calculating just how drunk they can get and still be able to be a good parent the next morning. -
Review from Wei H.
Chicago, IL
8/20/2011
Great prices for big portions. I had a shrimp, clams and mussels pasta which for the price had a lot of fresh ingredients. The sauce base however was too salty for my taste and it didn't have that many flavors in it. I added black pepper and it was still a bit too plain. My friend loved his pasta though saying it was very good so hopefully my bowl was an exception.
Since I live extremely close to this place and there isn't a better comfort food option than creamy pasta in the upcoming winter times, I am definitely gonna revisit this place and hopefully I can upgrade my review :) -
Review from Will M.
Chicago, IL
8/21/2011
I've gone here quite a few times and enjoyed the heavy cream pastas - mostly in winter. Usually I have the pollo farfalle. Once in a while its undercooked, but usually its pretty good. Today I ordered from here via delivery. I had the B.V. pollo and ordered diet cokes. The pasta was great, but they delivered pepsi...not even diet pepsi. I may be a stickler - but for those of you like me, they didn't even tell me that they were going to substitute with Pepsi. But on top of it to send me non-diet. I called and they offered 2 free diet Pepsi on my next order. Ugggh. So...I ran out to the 7-11 to get some diet coke. In summary - I may go in to the restaurant again, but will never order delivery from them again.
Edit: I was very happy to unexpectedly get a response from Justin - the manager - who was very understanding about some of the issues that I had and was committed to making it right. Honestly that made all the difference to me as someone who is a stickler for service. The food is great - I'll continue to enjoy the farfalle and the B.V. PolloComment from Justin R. of The Pasta Bowl 8/26/2011
Hello Will, I would like to apologize for your recent poor… More » -
Review from Pete B.
Champaign, IL
6/26/2011
$6 take out lunch special = the best value meal I've come across in a while.
For $6, I got a big bowl of farfalle pollo, a roll of bread, and a can of soda. The farfalle pollo was very flavorful, and the portion was so big I had trouble finishing it. It's a quality $6 meal. Get this for take out and then go enjoy at the park nearby! -
Review from Debbie F.
Chicago, IL
5/8/2011
International tourists: Do not come here
I can't order pizza "because it's from the bar" and the bar is in the next room but shares the same kitchen as you do?
What a laugh. Your menu variety doesn't even compare with Pastamania.Comment from Justin R. of The Pasta Bowl 5/10/2011
FYI. The bar has its own kitchen in the back of the bar,… More » -
Review from Kate W.
Chicago, IL
1/3/2012
I've wanted to try this place out for years and finally made the committed visit after a cold night at Zoo Lights. We sat down at the long bar facing the cooking action. I had the Farfalle Pollo and hubby had the Gnocchi Aurora--both recommended by the server as fan favorites. And we both concur--the dishes were delicious. Hearty, fresh and completely affordable. I probably could/should have had leftovers for lunch but it tasted so good, I cleaned my plate.
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Review from Mimi C.
12/16/2011
Really cute restaurant/bar with windows facing the street perfect for people watching. We stopped by for a late lunch after visiting Lincoln Park Zoo. I had the farfalle pollo, and I was very satisfied with my choice. No luncher's regret here. :D The sauce was so creamy, and the other ingredients made each bite different, and interesting. Writing about it just makes me sad that I can't have some now. Their other pastas sound good too, and if I returned, it would be tough to try something new.
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Review from Leslie Q.
1/17/2011
I have never disagreed with a restaurant's rating as much as I do with the Pasta Bowl's. I checked the location twice and from the bits and pieces of facts from the other reviews, this is the right place.
Sure, the prices are very reasonable, if not cheap, but for the quality of food you're getting, it's still a waste of your money. The dish I ordered had farfalle pasta with marinara and other vegetables. Clearly, the farfalle hadn't been boiled enough ,and was not just chewy, but acutally hard to bite through. The sauce, which holds the flavor in a pasta dish; something that should be absolutely robust, was like paste and far from warm.
Really, this is not an attempt to ruin a thriving buisness's reputation or to stand out in the Yelp crowd. It's just really shocking that considering the experience I had, this place still averages 4 stars. -
Review from Stacey P.
6/14/2011
The only time I've ever eaten inside, I got a caprese panini which was alright. The pasta bowl happens to be one of the most popular places that the pharmaceutical companies use to cater to us when they come to our clinic! Soooo, I have tried many dishes... just not actually IN the restaurant.
They have a lovely spinach salad that is very good. They also have a farfalle and chicken dish which I always enjoy. Also their generalized rigatone is a winner.
I wasn't too impressed when I actually sat down in the restaurant though. The service was average and the caprese panini was average. Anyway, although I was not wowed, I have no complaints, so carry on, pasta bowl. -
Review from Will W.
Chicago, IL
3/21/2012
Great food and value. I got the chicken Alfredo and it was excellent. I will be back for sure.
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Review from Jackie C.
Chicago, IL
1/18/2011
Everyone raves about this place, but frankly, it is completely overrated. I have been there many times and tried different things off the menu each time. I have never found a menu item which is worthy of the good reviews that everyone gives this place. Low price for sure but low taste and meh options.
Delivery is hit and miss as well. Save yourself- make your own pasta at home or go somewhere else. This place is not worth it. -
Review from Lindsey A.
Chicago, IL
6/2/2011
We were cold, wet and starving. And there it stood like a magnificent beacon in the dark night - Pasta Bowl. It beckoned us to enter its doors and become enveloped in its narrow, kitchen-in-the-dining-area space, and so we did. And we did it again. And again. And again.
The gnocchi aurora's smoky mozz makes my palms sweat (that's a good thing) and the just-tossed pasta sauce on any dish is worth venturing from all corners of the city for.
Service can be slow at times, but who cares. Get a drink (nicely priced, by the way) and settle in for huge portions that will keep your wallet as full as you. -
Review from Gary C.
I really didn't know what to expect. I mean, I like to judge books on movies, so I definitely had an idea of what the Pasta Bowl was all about: pasta (duh!).
I went in with high hopes, a hungry stomach, and my girlfriend. We were greeted by the staff and walked to a table near the "kitchen" (they cook everything in the bar area). We took a while to order because everything sounded delish. We wound up ordering the garlic cheese bread (meh, not too impressed), cappellini pomodoro (classically done), and the day's special: a chicken and ricotta tortellini dish served on a bed of pesto and topped with sun-dried tomatoes. Holy smokes! This was amazing. I mean it looked small, there were three tortellini, but it wound up being quite filling. (Tip: this tortellini dish was a special, but you can customize your own stuffed pasta dish on the menu!)
The service was phenomenal. We waited like four minutes for our meal. It was super quick. Our server was very friendly and easy to talk to throughout our meal. He offered a sneak peak at desserts at the end of our meal. Normally we pass, but we said "When in Rome..." and ordered a cannoli. It was chocolate covered, and chilled. Very sweet and a perfect ending to a delightful meal.
To round out the review, the prices were great. Super affordable, even for the guy asking for spare change off of Lake Shore Drive. -
Review from Mark D.
Chicago, IL
12/27/2011
I ordered catering from The Pasta Bowl for 6 people on December 21 for a work holiday party. The catering menu is budget friendly and the food arrived hot and on time. I would definitely order from them again.
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Review from Sara E.
3/16/2011
I've ordered deliver from here a couple times. It's always been solid food - I've had the Farfalle Pollo - bowtie pasta and grilled chicken with a cream sauce and sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms. I'm a sucker for mushrooms.
Be sure to order with plenty of time to spare - whenever we order, it generally takes a full hour for delivery (worth it) but we can get kind of punchy after 45 minutes or so... -
Review from Hoang L.
4/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The pasta is just okay. We ordered the Gnocchi Aurora. Here is their description:
Gnocchi with grilled chicken, mushrooms, spinach, and a marinara cream sauce all smothered in melted smoked mozzarella goodness! $9.95
Sounds good huh? Let's just say friend and I split the meal and we didn't even wanna finish it. Please stop being so stingy with your chicken because I think I saw like 2 small pieces.
One thing that I did not appreciate was when we asked if we could get the dish separated in half. Our waiter refused to do so but suggested we take 2 plates and do it ourselves. And please don't reach over me to get the check just because you're in a hurry to go home. I doubt I'd come back here.
Last note: tables for 2 people are super small that our plates were hanging off the edge. -
Review from Amanda C.
1/27/2011
I would go back here. It's a cute restaurant with a combo of booths and tables, around an open kitchen where you can see them cooking your food. I didn't see the games but apparently there is an arcade of sorts. It's fun to sit in the window table. Looks like they had a good takeout business too.
We had the goat cheese appetizer, which you can never go wrong with. I ordered spaghetti al frutti di mare which was very good- loaded up with shrimp and mini scallops. I was only able to eat half of it. Everything here is a great deal ($8-10 for entrees), and they have Blue Moon pitchers for $10 some nights. dEaLz.
They played Katy Perry's Firework a lot which I enjoyed. -
Review from Jamie S.
Chicago, IL
3/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of the most reasonable priced and best tasting pasta places in Chicago! Hands down. A great casual place that is good for a date, meeting up with friends, or coming with a small group. By far the pasta chicken farfalle ever! It is amazing. Their shrimp alfredo is also amazing. What is nice too is that they have a decent wine selection that pairs nicely with their dishes. I drink more red than white these days; however, the Brancott Sauvignon Blanc works well with some of their pasta dishes.
The place gets kind of packed because it is small and it is best to arrive early. It is attached a bar called "the other side." Once again, casual place that is good for getting a drink while waiting for your table. -
Review from Maria P.
Glen Ellyn, IL
5/31/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I've ventured to this place a handful of times with my other half and neither of us have ever left disappointed. The food is always hot and delicious and the staff is very friendly.
This place has a very casual feel, there is nothing fancy about it. The food on the other hand is another story. There was definitely thought put into it, it's just not a place that serves pasta and sauce. -
Review from Christine V.
Chicago, IL
7/13/2011
Every dish I've had at the Pasta Bowl is super flavorful and delicious. I wouldn't normally frequent this place on the grounds of "I can make pasta at home, and cheap!", but the Pasta Bowl is different. Flavorful is not a strong enough word. Go there and you'll see what I mean.
This is fancy Italian restaurant level food at just-a-smidge-above-Noodles-&-Company prices. What's not to love? -
Review from Lauren C.
Chicago, IL
3/3/2012
Great pasta for cheap! Plus $2 delivery is awesome. The bread is terrible... it tastes like bread from a nursing home that they've kept in the bread warmer for 6 days. If they can get better bread I'll upgrade to a 4.5
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Review from jasmin v.
3/25/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I loooove this place!
Fast, cheap, yummy!
My favorite cheap pasta places!
Good specials too!
Half price bottles of wine on Tuesdays!
The only downside is parking is horrible but what do you expect in Lincoln Park. -
Review from Dakota F.
Indianapolis, IN
10/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
The only unfortunate thing is the service sucks. I'm going to assume she was new but that doesn't excuse her unprofessional behavior. When we had sat down, the table was disgusting and the waitress opted to chat with her buddies for a good 10 minutes rather than acknowledging paying customers. We had to clean our own table. Unsanitary Pasta Bowl, geez, and frankly I wasn't paid for my labor. When my boyfriend ordered one beer, she brought him a pitcher which she then pressured him into buying even though he really didn't want to.
I wasn't drinking which is a personal choice and something that shouldn't be scoffed at at bar/RESTAURANTS because frankly I am still a paying customer. I had asked for water and nearly 15 minutes later saw it on my table. Too slow sister, too slow.
We ordered a few things on the menu. The farfalle pasta ($7.95) here is AMAZING! Hands down the best thing on the menu. In addition to the rockin' farfalle, we ordered a pepperoni thin crust pizza. It was gross. Hey at least it came with an extra beverage---grease! EW.
When we were done with our food we asked for a box to wrap it up. The waitress brought us a box and put it ON TOP of our pizza as opposed to sitting it on the table. That's disgusting.
The service here is horrendous and I don't understand why they treat customers so poorly. They really need to improve this, it's unsanitary, unprofessional and makes your business look really bad.
