Pasta Pomodoro
Category: Restaurants [Edit]
Neighborhood: Castro2304 Market Street
(between 16th St & 17th St)
San Francisco, CA 94114 (415) 558-8123
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
97 reviews
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights
"I've had Peruvian food at Fresca and Limon... both of which are great. But Piqueo's was just different. The menu offers a wide selection…" read more »
49 Reviews for Pasta Pomodoro
The food here is alright, nothing spectacular. The pasta I got was undercooked, but the waiter promptly replaced my food. It's a decent place to people watch and such, but I'm not a big fan of Italian food in general. The fact that it's an Italian restaurant and they serve pasta and couldn't get that right the first time really told me it wasn't that great of a place to go. Once it was fixed, the food was good, but like I said, nothing spectacular.
A great spot to people watch.
I love sitting out front here on a nice day.
It's like when Steve in Sex and the City encounters Miranda and Carrie out on the street - "That's what I love about New York - street traffic."
For me, that goes the same for SF. There have been some odd run-ins while sitting down and eating here, but for the most part... a glass of wine and some pasta never hurt.
The food at this location has been oddly inconsistent at times. Brunch was good when I had it here one weekend where I forgot my ID for Lime and lunch this time was okay. The bolognese sauce tasted just okay and didn't have the meatiness that a good bolognese should.
Service was exceptional this time as always however. That's always a plus. But odd thing happened, they ran out of the wine we had and only had a little which didn't fulfill our order. But we still got charged for a taster glass when a girl who delivered it said it was free.
Hmmmmm...
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The food isn't as bland as Fuzio's on Castro but this location is so small and cramped that they can't do much to accommodate more than couples. I made the mistake of trying to eat here with a party of three and they tried to seat us at the counter - in the time it took them to seat us at a real table we could have walked up and over Liberty Hill to their far more spacious location on 24th street...
It was alright.
It really was.
While looking out the window I couldn't help notice the sexy people across the street at Gold's Gym running their little hearts out on the treadmill.
That's one of life's greatest pleasures, watching miserable people while loving life? Isn't it?
Also, am I the only person that likes to eat dinner while watching Food Network? Seriously, that is the BEST THING EVER.
Anyways, the food is good here and pretty cheap. Two meals plus an appetizer plus wine was less than $75 (with tip). I think that's pretty fair.
I think next time I'll take my leftovers directly to Gold's and eat in the lobby. I'm one sassy bitch.
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I like the food a lot, especially the pesto dip with warmed focaccia bread to start. We know some of the regular waiters and find them pretty friendly.
The tables are very close together, so it is loud and can be a pain to get in and out. Fairly typical of a moderately priced Castro restaurant.
They are open fairly late most nights.
The overall chain has revamped its menu a number of times, which I find confusing. Just about the time I get a few favorites there is a whole new menu.
Yummy food. Good for vegetarians. I had a vegetarian salad with vegetables and it was nice. Good pizza with walnuts and gorgonzola cheese. Yum yum. Good salmon too. Got served Coke in a carafe. Pretty cool. We had two waiters and it was twice as nice. Unless there is another place I can't remember, this is now my favorite chain restaurant. It sure doesn't feel like a chain. It's pretty cool.
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the Fast Food of Italian food. I like it. I only wish that sizes were a bit more consistent. The food tastes really good, and it's very affordable. The only thing that bugs me about this place, and any place in the Castro, is the whole "hi, I'm young, I'm cute, and I'm gay and I work as a waiter in the Castro, therefore I am hip and I can rest in peace" attitude. Hmmmmm, I guess I was there at one time and not I've only got to reminisce of those days... and as I do so, I enjoy my spinach salad and my vegetarian pasta. Salute!! (or something). Oh, is this the hip version of Olive Garden?
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This place was really good. It's kinda small and they cram alot of tables into the space they have, but its not too bad. The waiters were really nice. The one that was helping us kept forgetting my order.... I think he just wanted me to keep talking to him. lol
But, seriously this place has good pasta and their bread and pesto stuff they give you for appetizer is outrageously good! You could seriously make a meal out of just that.
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really good food...from the bread and olive oil to the pasta, always consistantly good...I frequent here alot and have never had a bad meal.
Generic.
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Dear San Francisco,
You are searchin for Fools' Gold if you pass this fresh and crunchy little gem lettuceof a chain restaurant by. They will basically cater to your every whim. Its worth paying two bucks extra for the second least expensive 1/2 caraffe of vino. The waiters are muy delicioso and one manager, Josh Red Hair has the nicest, cleanest hands you have ever seen. Additionally, I have had excellent service from all of the wait staff. They seem to love you even if they hate you and there is not one bad thing on the menu. Ceasar salad and spaghetti bolognese.. yummers. I like my hoi paloy and I like my Pasta Pom. Affectionately the PP when texted to always eager dinner companions. I love you San Francisco, and I love YOU, PP. Do not be fooled by Antigone or any other naysayers. Yaysay I Say. Love and conviction, Angelica
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I just took two children I was babysitting, both of which are under the age of 5, here for lunch! First, the lunch was amazing! A gourmet mac and cheese for the kids, and an incredible squash ravioli for me. They kids were crazy, climbing in and out of the booth, but the waitress just laughed. She was wonderful! If they treated us with such respect, imagine how they would treat you.
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Don't get me wrong, I love Pasta P's food especially the tortellini w/ cream sauce and pancetta -- to die for! I always like the bread and for the most part the servers here are pretty nice. But I have issues with the servers bringing out the bill when I haven't even asked for it yet. What you want me to go already? Geez! I was promised a gift card for my gripe about that policy. It finally came like a month and a half later after calling the management here repeatedly. It could certainly fair better, but then again that's why I go to the one in Noe Valley.
No apologies for patronizing a chain and enjoying it! Food and service were speedy and good. Gamberi appetizer with plump, perfectly cooked shrimp and scrumptiously delicious sauce pleasantly surprised us. My small portion polpette was too oily and only featured one meatball, which seemed chintzy to me. The heat lamps made it tolerable to eat outside with Sadie in the cool autumn dusk.
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This is my favorite of the Pasta Pomodoro locations. It's lively and fun, the food is good if not outstanding, and here's another thing: 2 for 1 specials whenever you want. Ok, you have to work a bit....
You know that postcard rack near the front door? Grab some and send them to yourself or friends. That's a coupon special, buy one entree get one free my friends. Can be used at any of their locations.
Pasta P's sauteed spinach is great, as are most of their vegetable sides and pastas. Disclaimer: quality & atmo can vary from location to location, but overall pretty darn good value.
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I know, I know, it's a chain. But I have to be honest! I'm a sucker for the Gemelli, and it's tough to find a spot in the city where you can get an appetizer, two glasses of wine, and two entrees for $50.
This particular Pasta P has fantastic service as well. The servers are so nice!
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Very good Milano style food. I had the Verdure which is a vegeterian dish. It has roasted brussel sprouts, asparagus and broccoli, olive oil and spicy Pomodoro sauce. It was delicious. The waiters are very charming and attentive. You forget you are at a chain restaurant.
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Recently a couple of friends of mine had a baby and he's the cutest thing you've ever seen! But, as a newborn, he requires a lot of care and feeding which doesn't leave a lot of time for his poor parents to cook (or sleep or take a shower, for that matter.) So recently I offered to bring them dinner. I fled the FiDi, hiked up the hill to my apartment to get my car and cruised down Market to their home. The only viable option on the way? Pasta Pomodoro.
And this option might sound crazy if you knew the dietary restrictions of the baby's father (no wheat, rice or flour) but in fact, I found plenty for him to eat including grilled asparagus with arugula, extra virgin olive oil and pecorino romano, sauteed broccoli with garlic and chili flakes, grilled skinless chicken breast and polenta broiled with fontina, spinach, brown butter and sage.
Sure, Pasta Pomodoro isn't going to invoke fond memories of your semester abroad in Italy, but the food is priced right and getting it to go is very convenient. I was in and out in under 15 minutes and on my way to soothe a crying infant and feed his hungry parents!
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One of the worst meals I ever had in San Franscisco was at Pasta Pomodoro. I hadn't eaten here in YEARS, and then one day, my partner and I decided to give it another chance. The result was good.
Barring the foccacia which tastes a bit stale (or does foccacia always taste like that?), my pasta dish was simple, but good. I ordered the Verdure without eggplant. (I love eggplant, but I think they mangle it.) To their credit they have no problem removing the eggplant and replacing it with more of the other vegetables. The Ceasar and spinach salads are good as are the polenta appetizer and the spinach ravioli in gorgonzola.
The waitstaff tries awfully hard. Maybe too hard? I think they can dress down a bit and not be instructed to put on airs. It's a chain. No one is getting fooled here. I think it's ok to act like it's a chain.
This is a good place to put in your restaurant rotation once every 6-8 weeks.
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I didn't come here with high expectations. My cousin and I just wanted a little food in our bellies after drinking a couple pops in the Castro. I ordered the capellini pomodoro with a side of sauteed spinach and sauteed broccoli, while my cousin went for a veggie fusilli dish.
Now, to get right to the point here, everything we got sucked. My pasta was devoid of any flavor and sauteed broccoli tasted like it was boiled. I didn't even try my cousin's dish because she said that hers was also really bland. We ended up not eating much of anything. There was so much food leftover that we boxed it up and gave it to the first homeless man we saw on the street. I can almost guarantee that he probably thought it sucked too.
On the other hand, our server Adam was awesome. He's the only reason I'm giving this place one star.
An Italian restaurant that relies on salt more than anything as the flavor transport. The prices are just a little too steep for average chain Italian. I only wish I could taste the real food that Paganini intended when he opened up the first Pomodoro restaurant. Because now, there isn't a lick of Milan influence in anything I've tasted here.
Pasta is average but edible (though salty). The sides didn't kill me, nor did any of the breads, and you're safe in the appetizer and insalata modes too. If you're thinking of ordering wine, for goodness sake just save your money and buy a nice bottle afterwards, down the street.
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this place has never disappointed me, and i reluctantly give it 5 stars. yes everything has a ton of butter and cheese all over it, but i love butter and i love cheese and i don't go out to eat in order to deprive myself of these things. the polenta appetizer was AMAZING. i also really enjoyed the squash ravioli... maybe i liked both these things because they are smothered in "brown butter"... what the hell is brown butter? sounds disgusting... disgustingly DELICIOUS.
seriously... the only reason i would give this place fewer stars would be because it's not cool to be impressed with a chain that serves "comfort food". doing such a thing would make me just another three-wheeled stroller pushing, endlessly breeding/adopting, young urban professional sanfranfoodie.
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Average American-ized Italian food.
I used to work at a Pasta Pomodoro, so when my friend wanted to get some cheap, quick italian food in the Castro on a Friday night, I suggested that we come here.
It was a little busy, the food was good, but the service was TERRIBLE. we waited a half hour for water and by then, we already had our food. We were sitting outside, and I watched our waiter give someone inside refils on the bread stuff three times.
I guess, all in all, i wouldnt recommend going there. It's probably better if you just cook at home for the night.
1 star for being a little better then lean cuisine because you don't have to heat it up yourself.
1 star for the free ice tea refills. for 2 bux i better get free refills. and cuz i'm chinese and anything free is to my liking.
1 star cuz it's nearby my house and it's a good drop in place if you don't feel like eatting lean cuisine from safeway and heating it up in the microwave.
3 stars total.
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Don't kid yourself. This place is straight comfort food. It's fast, cheap, and good for the price. Sometimes you don't want something fancy and you don't want burritos again. This is the place to go. I aways come away stuffed and never over 25 bucks for two people... with beers!
This place will always hold a special place in my heart though since I got my entire butt tattooed and couldn't sit down. Pasta Pomodoro in the Castro was the only place that had super high tables in the back and I could stand up while eating! I know this is an odd situation but I'll never forget it!
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This place is great. It's cheap, comfortable, super-nice waiters/waitresses, and the Gemelli is indeed something worth coming back for. I need to find more places like this in the city, that's for sure! I'd give it a 5, but this is my first review ever. ;)
This is not fine dining, but the place is fairly consistent, the staff is nice, and it's a decent option if you live in the neighborhood. Let's be real here - it's not authentic. It is, however, a fair attempt. I used to rate PP higher, but my favorite dish kind of sucks lately. There must be a new chef.
Wow! We were totally impressed by the amazing service. Everyone was so nice and it felt that they were genuinely glad that we were there. We happened to walk in exactly at the wrong time as there were two parties of 4 ahead of us. If you haven't been there, it is a really tiny place and space is limited. A table for two opened up and they let it sit for about 5-10 minutes hoping that the other table for two next to it would finish so they could seat us. We weren't so lucky (the other table for two were on a date and were still talking when we left), so they starting seating tables for 2 that had come in after us. All in all, we waited 40 minutes for a table on a Wednesday night. Normally, we wouldn't have stayed, but it was warm, we could tell the people were trying and hadn't forgotten about us, and we didn't really want to go anywhere else. Finally, they were able to seat us and did so right away - they didn't do any other tasks, just immediately cleaned the table, even by moving the dirty dishes to the 2-person table beside it rather than making us wait while they took them in the back. The man who sat us thanked us profusely for waiting, apologized, and brought us a large bruschetta on the house - extremely good! With that we felt better and that amends were made and our perception of this restaurant was back up to where it had been.
Now to the food. My favorite part about pasta pomodoro is they serve normal human-sized portions rather than mammoth portions that they expect you to eat all on your own. I'm not a big leftovers person, so usually all that food gets wasted. They give you the option of ordering a smaller portion at a smaller price, and its still enough to make you full but not in pain. The food was just plain yummy!
Here's the icing on the cake (literally): once they took our plates away, as we were finishing our wine and anticipating asking for the check, an amazing chocolate souffle magically appeared courtesy of our very friendly waiter. He said that he had heard that we waited a long time and that the dessert was on the house. Not only were we overwhelmed by the gesture, but that thing was pure magic!
Not only were they nice about the wait, they gave us a free appetizer, and then gave us free dessert. The first is something I expect to be standard at any good business but unfortunately is not, the second I would recommend who wants anyone to come back after a less than ideal experience, but the third was above and beyond. Unfortunately, most restaurants lately seem to act as if they don't want you there and if your experience is less than ideal then maybe you should lower your expectations. Pasta Pomodoro blew me away with their customer service. I definitely recommend them and will definitely be going back - a lot!
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Low on flavor, but for the price, I'm a repeat (once a year) customer. I've never left unsatisfied, I enjoyed their Fett. Alfredo this time around. Great Ceasar salad also, but most other dishes fall short of "tasty". BUT - nothing has ever tasted bad, that is for sure.
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It's been a long day. You forgot to go grocery shopping last weekend. You look around at the items in your pantry and are unimpressed with the chili, canned tuna, and cereal for last resort dinner options.
This is when you go to Pasta Pomodoro.
With the disclaimer, I feel more comfortable telling you of my favorite little treats at this reasonably priced "could make this at home" restaurant.
The bread. It's too good to pass up.
They have a beet salad (on their 'specials' menu) which is great.
The spinach salad has a nice harmony of spinach, pancetta, feta, pine nuts, and marinated onions.
I choose the 'healthy chicken' (no butter/oil), and change up the type of pasta I get with it every time. Sometimes you're in a fusili mood, sometimes you're in an angel hair mood....
Go there for the quick and easy, consistently fresh, good food that you need to have in under an hour.
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Here's what I was thinking: 'I want some decent take-out Italian food that I can eat in my room while I work on some stuff.'
Unfortunately the chicken parmigiana I got went past 'just ok' and crossed the border into 'only edible when starving' territory. Not disgusting, but I quickly lost all desire for it and didn't finish it.
The tiramisu, on the other hand, was ok.
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I actually love Pasta Pomodoro...excellent fresh authentic Italian food with amazingly affordable prices. I've eaten at several different locations but I really like the Castro one, small and friendly. All the restaurants remain consistent . I love the Mafaldine. Good wine list.
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Pasta Pomodo on Market st is way better than the one in Japantown. The service in japantown is horrendeous and waiters are rude. I have experience many times waiters tried to avoid you when you ask for service. To me, pasta pomodo is like a quick italian fast food. You get a quick bite and you're out of here. This place tends to get crowded on weekends. But, wait time is fast. It depends on the waiters, some are pompous and snotty.
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(the bad thing about reviewing restaurants that really suck, is that when browsing your past reviews, you are reminded about the bad experience. ok, now time for the review...)
Despite my better judgement, I went to this restaurant. I was hoping that somewhere on their menu they might have something that was not terrible.
They serve bread with to the table with an olive oil and, i believe, pesto (because it is green) base. It looks delicious. It is not. A good olive oil alone would be better. The bread is the only thing we ate that was ok (but only ok).
I asked their waiter for a pasta recommendation. He asked be if I preferred red or white sauces. I said white. He "suggested" everything on the menu that used a white sauce. The dish I ended up ordering was especially bad.
I also ordered an impossible to screw up appetizer, the caprese. It is one of my favorites. All you need is fresh mozzarella, basil, tomato, and olive oil. Well, i do not know what this restaurant is doing serving this dish with unripe tomatoes. It was a disaster.
My recommendation is to not go here, ever.
Ive had more authentic Italian cuisine from a box of Lean Cuisine. Annoyingly small and crowded space. Annoying manager walking around and servers who are either overbearing or never seen. Save your money, go to Trader Joe's and buy some Emeril Spagetthi Sauce.
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With a new menu and a constantly changing staff, this place is a safe bet for eating. It's not 'dining', it's just 'eating', so drop your need for precious and cloth napkins and velvet thrown about. This is quality produce, ably prepared by line cooks that know what they're doing. OK wines with specials of both food and wine make this worth your $.
Ok, ok -- LOOK -- I like chain restaurants even less than you do - okay -- you little Yelpie snob foodie?? But seriosly - let's be fair...
Went there last Saturday night with a hankerin' for some PASTA. And I don't mean a little bit of pasta -- I mean like some pasta that would feed a large man. So... we go there - order an (affordable) glass of Sangiovese -- a Caesar salad to split and the pasta special of the day and -- OH MY DEAR GOD -- it was soooo f'ing good.
Let's analyze: First, the ambiance. Kinda cool: modern, hip, and intimate. Not too loud. Great service. Ok, on to the food: The bread. warm, soft, tasty. Comes with a pesto-parm-oil dipping sauce. Yum. The salad -- perfect. Just the right mixture of Romaine pieces (yes, I don't want all HEARTS -- IT PEEVES ME -- just too damn watery). The dressing - parfait. Croutons -- great. Not stale. Dressing - just right. Not too watery but not too rich either.
Let's move on. The pasta special: veggie pasta in mini lasagne-esque noodles in a creamy tomato sauce with asparagus. Ate it allllll.
The best part of the meal -- we got our bill. All that good stuff for $35. Thank god I love right down the street. I will be back soon....
A good basic Italian place. It's trying to go more upscale, and the specials and wine list have improved. Still, Pomodoro is best at the basics, spaghetti and meatballs or primavera. Only complaint -- the waiters were much hotter when the place opened in '96.
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