This Maria's is in a medium to large sized strip mall. Although they have several locations, this is a family owned business and not a big corporate franchise outfit. There is a small lot with limited parking out front and a much larger lot in back and some parking on the east side. Despite the numerous spaces, there are many popular restaurants and businesses in this mall so parking can be challenging during peak hours, holidays, and weekends. Nevertheless, you can usually get a spot in back and walk further even when it is pretty crowded. Maria's has indoor and outdoor seating. They are casual dining, but with a more upscale feeling with white table cloths, nice wood furniture, and upscale decor. The outdoor covered patio probably has almost as much seating as indoor. The menu has all the typical Italian items most similar restaurants have: chicken and egg plant parm, pizza, various kinds of pasta including lasagna, spaghetti and heat balks or sauce, Alfredo with the option to add a protein, and cannoli and tiramisu desserts, etc. On our visit we got the Rosemary bread (4 pieces for $1), side Caesar salad, linguine with clams, and carbonara pasta with added chicken. The Rosemary bread came with oil and vinegar premixed in a small bowl like Maggiano's used to do and was a great value at $1. The side Caesar salad was very good and had a ton of cheese in it for a small salad. The carbonara is a white sauce pasta and paired perfectly with the chicken--it was the best dish and we would definitely get it again. The linguine (really spaghetti here) with clams was not bad but could use some improvement. The white wine sauce was good, but had way too much lemon in it for our taste. We asked our waiter and he said we can order it without lemon, which we recommend trying. The clams were a mix of west appeared to be from a can and several small clams. While this is disappointing, it is typical for many Italian restaurants now days and even the most upscale places do not have the large sized clams they used to 2-3 decades ago. If you just ask for no or very light lemon sauce then this would be an enjoyable dish. Our order was a lot of good for two people and we took some home. Consequently, we would have liked to try their cannoli and tiramisu, but did not have room. Our waiter was very nice and did a good job checking up on us. Maria's is definitely a better experience than eating at Olive Garden, probably not as good as Maggiano's, and comparable to Bucca. The Yelp 3.8 star average is a little low and should be at least 4 stars. We had a 5 star experience despite the lemon in the linguini and clams. We would definitely come back here and recommend you give them a try. read more

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We have been coming here for the last couple of years, and it's a huge favorite for the kiddo. He absolutely loves their lasagna, and orders it almost religiously. We've had their other items that are just as great that include their antipasto salad, the caprese salad, spaghetti carbonara, pappardelle with Italian sausage, mushroom risotto and their Blvd Pizza. Everything is top rate, but the stand outs would be the carbonara, pappardelle and risotto. Service is really hit or miss: we've had some great ones, and then not so great ones. We don't come enough to have the same one twice. Sometimes there's a wait, but it's never too long. At least they have a bar that you can sit at while you wait. Have a Chianti! Parking is super convenient with a large parking lot, so that's a plus! read more

Last night, my husband and I were too tired to cook dinner at home, so we headed to Maria's. Their summer specials are back, and I ordered the pesto bruschetta. It was absolutely delicious! I love this restaurant because the servers are always attentive and the food is consistently amazing. The summer specials are especially great because they are fun, seasonal dishes served in slightly smaller portions, which are perfect for hot summer evenings. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are looking for delicious food, great service, and a calm place to unwind from the chaos of everyday life! read more

The foods were always amazing. Shyly has great attitude and amazing customer service-!! Been coming here for years and nothing's changed. Not sure if everything made in the house but they tasted so fresh and can't be compared to other Italian restaurants I've been. read more

Definitely a very popular place in Pasadena. we went in on a Friday at 615p and had a short wait because we had called ahead. But the walk ins had about a 40 min wait. The servers are all very friendly. To start, we got glasses of cabernet sauvignon and lambrusco which were both light and delicious. The flavors paired well with our food. To start, we got calamari, fried zucchini and rosemary bread. The fried zucchini was a little oily. The rosemary bread was fresh and warm. However, next time, will probably skip the starters. For entrees, I got the eggplant parm and it was delicious. My husband got the chicken parm with noodles and seasoned veggies. The veggies were seasoned so well. He enjoyed his entree. My mom in law got the meat lasagna and enjoyed it. My dad in law got the meat ravioli and liked his dish too. The entrees were definitely more of a hit for us. Their entree sizes are incredibly generous, we took home a lot of leftovers. To end, we got the tiramisu and apple crumble. The tiramisu was very coffee forward which i love and not too sweet. The apple crumbl was nice and warm, paired well with vanilla ice cream. We definitely went home with a food coma. Worth checking out if you're in the area, definitely worth for the entrees and dessert. I forgot to take photos of the entrees. But will post the ones I got! read more

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Great food and service , Mr.Alfredo our server very attentive and friendly , Gabriel the server attendant as always very friendly and helpful!!! Thank you , Maria's Team!!! read more

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I love Maria's! I usually dine at the one on Pico in Westwood however, I decided to order in from home tonight, from Maria's in Pasadena. Service is always stellar at Maria's and it goes to show their excellent service stems restaurant wide. I called to request Fettucine sauce on my fettucuine noodles as a substitute for the marinara and spaghetti with the Sesame Chicken. The gentlemen Christian who answered the phone was so kind, professional and accommodating to my request. There was no option on Postmates to substitute which is why I had to call and Christian provided excellent service, even after I called him 3 times. Excellent service is rare nowadays so when I come across such kind professional service, it is greatly appreciated. Let's not forget my meal was perfect, my requested noted and delivered and OH SO DELICIOUS!!!!! Well done, Christian and the Manager, for accommodating my request with care. This is why I will always return to Maria's. The food is always delicious, plentiful and the service is on point. Thank you! read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Sesame chicken with fettuccine instead of spaghetti marinara. - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I lived near Maria's Italian Kitchen in Pasadena for nearly 6 years but it was my first visit there just last week. The service was excellent- greeted upon arrival, seated quickly, and our server was cheerful and friendly. The restaurant was nicely decorated with photos of Maria's family and it just gave me a homely, welcoming vibe. The food was excellent! We ordered their signature bread (they charge $0.50 for butter), half portion of the calamari (love how there's 1/2 size portions for their appetizers), a bowl of minestrone soup, Chicken Marsala, and Spaghetti with Meatballs. I really liked the flavor of the marinara sauce! I was super full by the time I was done with my entrees so I didn't have the chance to try their gelato. I will be sure to save room for dessert at my next visit! Highly recommend! Thank you, Maria's for a great evening! read more

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My main complaint is a restaurant that doesn't clearly let you know they will be adding a service charge to your meal. Restaurants should price their food to cover costs of taking care of their employees. It hits me the wrong way that the owners are 'virtue-signaling' that they charge you this fee for their workers. The service was better than at my last visit a few years ago, but it was still so-so. Food is good. read more

I absolutely love this place! My daughter, brother, and husband took me here for brunch on Mother's Day and we had such a great time. The food is really tasty, and the prices are quite reasonable for what you get. I have to say, my favorite dish is definitely the cheese ravioli! read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Celebrating Mother's Day - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

Came to this location for dinner with my family due to the gluten-free menu options. I was shocked and pleased that they had appetizers, meals, and even a dessert that I could eat. Between us, we ordered the kids ravioli, gluten-free pomodoro, gluten-free flatbread, a kids Caesar, and a cup of the vegan minestrone. We all enjoyed the flatbread, but it was a little tough - still tasty. The kids loved the ravioli and the salad. The minestrone was absolute lava and it took until the end of our pasta to even try some. The gluten-free pasta was a strange shape, something I've never seen before. However, it was filling. The pomodoro sauce was a little too acidic without much balance. The guy who took our order was a little hard to pin down at times. He was nice enough, but wasn't really around too often. We had to wait quite a while for the check, which threw off our evening plans. The ambiance was basically a classic Italian kitchen experience. It was homey, a little loud, and everyone looked like they were welcome. When I had come in, I saw these huge portion sizes around me, so I figured that we didn't have to order a lot, but they weren't quite enough for 2 adults and two kids who are enthusiastic eaters. Still, we left mostly satisfied (as much as my kids are at anything). We may return, since it was still a fairly pleasant experience, we would just go when we have more time to wait. read more

The restaurant has a warm and cozy atmosphere that immediately makes you feel welcome. Mariana, our server, guided us through both the wine and food selections with excellent recommendations and attention to detail. We decided on the Chicken Marsala, served with risotto and pasta, as well as the rigatoni with meatballs. From start to finish, the entire experience felt effortless, comfortable, and inviting. While waiting for our meals, we enjoyed a glass of wine along with fresh focaccia bread, which was a great way to begin the evening. Once the dishes arrived, everything exceeded expectations. The portions were perfectly balanced, the presentation was elegant and well-executed, and every dish was outstanding. The bolognese sauce was rich, balanced, and full of flavor, while the risotto was cooked perfectly. What truly stood out, however, was Mariana's exceptional customer service. Her professionalism, warmth, and attentiveness elevated the entire dining experience. The restaurant also offers plenty of parking and very clean restrooms. We will definitely be coming back. read more

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

This was my first time here and worst experience I felt like having some good Italian food. We walk inside and wait to be seated as our waiter sat us down at our table we ordered after a few minutes of looking at the menu. We got our water and bread ( they don't charge for btw) I didn't know we got charged for bread anyways for our table, but that's besides the point. when we ordered, I got the vegan minestrone and my daughter got the fettuccine Alfredo plate and asked for broccoli and we were told we would be charged two dollars extra for broccoli and then my friend asked can we please have a little bit for my daughter's birthday and we were told no we don't do that here we charge two dollars and we said OK and continued to ordering our food. After getting our meals, I jokingly said something about my soup being so small and my waiter Waylon did not take it as a joke. He brought us our waters and I said are going to be charged for those too LOL and he didn't like that joke very well either and we all laughed when it was spoken and as HE walked away he said you should've just went to McDonald's then and I didn't take that very lightly. I even lost my appetite after his smart ass comments and very disrespectful demeanor. So I went to speak to someone in charge to get our waiters name. HORRIBLE SERVICE!!!!!!!!!! read more

Absolutely DELICIOUS! We're from the Bay Area & are in town for just a couple of days - we happened upon this place while looking for a place to eat....oh my gosh. The food is EXCELLENT & the service is great! We had the lasagna (hub always tests Italian restaurants by their lasagna) and I had the Chicken Picatta - both were phenomenal! We couldn't bring leftovers with us, so made sure we finished everything...had to roll us out the door.... Seriously though - if you're a fan of authentic FRESH MADE Italian food, this is your place!!! read more

Marias is a Pasadena GEM! I came with my family which is perfect. We ordered a bunch of dishes and shared them amongst ourselves. All the pasta dishes were phenomenal. We tried the Chicken Piccata, pappardelle and sausage, Shrimp Scampi, Spaghetti and Clams. The Christmas Salad was also perfection with the perfect tang and toppings. In addition to that, we loved the appetizers (fried zucchini, calamari, Christmas cauliflower) which I forgot to take pictures of because they were delicious!!!!! Overall, I suggest people try Marias for that homey Italian meal! The servers were super hospitable and helpful and the interior really takes you to that classic Italian feel. read more

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Absolutely delicious. Ordered the vegan pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, and vegan risotto. All dishes were made with intention and care. Service was also exceptional read more

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

So my go to meal here is: Pappardelle sausage pasta, rosemary bread, calamari, bruschetta....almost done hang on. Blood orange pellegrino, tiramisu and some coffee. That's it. read more

My lady been wanting to try this spot I have not been here over ten years the one in Pasadena. The young lady Shaunte was very professional and really nice. We took advantage of the $40 that include salad, cheese garlic bread, and main course Chicken Alfredo fettuccine. My lady was blown away how much food which they are known for, plus we got huge Sunday omg was ridiculous. Overall was great choice and will come again. read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Huge Sunday for like 4 people - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Maria's Italian Kitchen is one of my fave chains that feel like a mom and pop shop. Located in a small strip mall, this Italian restaurant is always busy. I came between lunch and dinner at around 430 pm on a Sun and it was already buzzing! This place serves up one of my favorite carbonaras. I think it's because of the smokey flavor of the sauce. I love the pancetta and peas that accompany the noodles. Yum! I also love their bread with olive oil and balsamic. Used to be free but they now charge $1 for the basket of bread. We also got the calamari. It's light and airy, just like it's supposed to be. The hostess was really nice. Our server was also. Overall a great experience, as usual, at Maria's. Will be back for more! read more

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I have wanted to try out Maria's for about a decade. I drive by it on my way home, often. I finally got to try it out, because my friend sent some of their food to me. I chose the fusili and broccoli with pesto, and added chicken. I also got a small salad. My mom happened to be visiting the same day, so I ended up ordering her the fusilli with arrabbiata sauce, and a small salad. We were both extremely pleased! I thought the pesto dish was very flavorful, and the chicken was a good addition. My mom's dish was really spicy, just the way we like it! She let me try some. I personally am not a fan of garbanzo beans, or tomatoes, so I could have skipped those in a salad, but my mom really liked them. Overall, we had a really good experience with their food. And we even got it delivered! Great service! I asked the delivery guy not to knock on my screen door, because I have a new baby who was sleeping, and he totally followed the directions! I cannot speak to the ambiance, because we did not go to the physical location. read more

Waiters are nice but really hard to get attention. Place is beautiful to dine outside or inside. No complementary bread or anything so don't expect they would serve anything. Food was okay since we were disappointed with our last dish. We order one of their famous most highly recommended dishes and when it was served we noticed the sausage or meat they used was burnt and covered up with sauce they served to us on top of pasta. The whole time when we took a bite every sausages was burnt. Left the dish there and paid. Didn't complain since our waiter was hustling the whole time. The other waiters were talking and laughing while our waitress was running in and out. read more

Great service! Even though it was getting crowded, the server took our orders in a timely manner. The food came out quick enough, and was fresh with large portions. And my family has always the nostalgic interior with many of the owner's family history and photos! read more

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Perfect date Day! Great servers and delicious food!! This is our second time here and so far it's all been delightful read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and shrimp - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Pizza is great! I usually could take up but it's always ready on time and the staff is very friendly. Love this place.

Great food, good service! One of my favorite restaurants Always a good choice for Italian food, many choices to choose from Smooth soft music while enjoy lunch or dinner Try Maria's today... highly recommend Easy parking too! read more

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Maria's Italian Kitchen in Pasadena is located in the hasting ranch plaza. They are continently located in a shopping center with plenty of parking spaces and next to a market and bowling alley if there is a long wait. The food is okay, I went with my family and nothing stood out but nothing was disappointing as well. It's your average Italian joint that has a lot of options on their menu. The service was great and the prices are average. They were quick to seat us and keep checking in for refills. read more

We drove all the way from Anaheim to to try this and it was just like i remember. Great people great food . Lots of tables and booths and clean restrooms. There's nice music playing. I love their water. Our waiter was Alfredo very nice guy. read more

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Now I know why Maria's Italian Kitchen has been here at this location for years! The quality of the food and the service is really what makes this restaurant incredible. I recently coordinated a holiday work dinner last month and I have to say, it was an amazing experience. They had the different "Party at Maria's" online already so it was easy to look at the different options. Making reservations for our party of 40 was easy, I called their phone number and was directed to Sergio, the Assistant Manager. We didn't have to put down a deposit for the reservation, but I called back a few weeks before our holiday dinner date to finalize the menu. It was helpful that Sergio and Martin provided a breakdown of the cost of the food, plus the 20% automatic gratuity, plus the tax, plus the 3% credit card processing fee. I wonder if they charge a 3% credit card processing fee to all checks, even if you are not a large party... The restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with charming decor and a very friendly and helpful waiter, Alfredo. Alfredo was the best, we were so lucky to have him take care of our party that evening. He was very patient and very kind. They blocked off the outside patio area for our party. For a Tuesday night, it was pretty busy at the restaurant. Our Family Style Dinner was quite a feast. We ordered Calamari Fritti, Bruschetta, Caesar Salad, and Chopped Italian Salad as the first course. Then for the second course, we ordered Spaghetti with Meatballs, Baked Rigatoni, Chicken Parmigiana, and Beef Braciole with Ragu. For dessert, we had cannoli and tiramisu. Out of the items that we ordered, the Spaghetti with Meatballs was my favorite. The Chicken Parmigiana and the Beef Braciole was a little dry, so I would try something else next time. The Chopped Italian salad was delicious, not sure if it was the freshness of the vegetables and/or the dressing they used, but I had two or three servings of that salad! The tiramisu was so good, but the cannoli was disappointing. The cream that they used for the cannoli was a little off. The portions overall were large and satisfying. I would highly recommend Maria's Italian Kitchen to anyone looking for a delicious Italian meal in a lovely setting. read more

Parking is hard because of small parking lot. I brought a bottle of alcohol for my cousin as a gift for his bday. And the worker kept staring at us when our waitress already told us we can't open it. We were never gonna open it anyway but a little annoying that he kept staring at our table. I like the half and half pasta they do because you can get 2 flavors. read more

They charged surcharge of 3% when I used my credit card. The reason they stated was that I didn't spend enough to cover the credit card processing cost to them. The bill before the surcharge was $26. It seems like a desperate move to stay afloat. However, I don't like this deceptive practice so not coming back again. read more

thank you maria's! that spaghetti and meatballs kid sized dish is AWESOME! because it's my child's favorite meal!

This is a great, casual restaurant to have lunch. Our group ordered the chicken Parmesan sandwich, penne pasta in pink sauce, garlic bread and the chicken piccata bowl with veggies. Everything was delicious and our server was very attentive and friendly. We will be coming back. read more

Italian food is so good on a chilly day, so dinner was especially good this evening. Our server was so wonderful and attentive by keeping our drinks fresh and a friendly nature to her. I want to always order the seafood here, as it's fresh and plentiful. read more

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Came to this location based on the reviews and I was not disappointed. Such friendly service, delicious food, and a cozy venue. Bruschetta is a must have to start off with and I wasn't able to decide on one thing so I did the pasta duo on their Summer Menu. Penne Pomodoro was my favorite of the entire meal. If you got a sweet tooth then I recommend finishing off with their tiramisu. I have no choice but to come back to try the rest of their menu. read more

I ordered the rigatoni bolognese and added 2 meatballs to it and my food came out with hardly any sauce, and the meatballs were also dry. Definitely not woth the $28. We ordered our apps and entrees from the server, recieved our apps from the runner, ate our apps, received our entrees from the runner. I had to ask the runner to give us salt n pepper, cheese and chili flakes because we hadnt seen our server. We wanted more bread then 10 mins later we finally saw our server to order more bread. I wanted to give the server the benefit of doubt but the 2 tables he sat next to us before we left the had his full and prompt attetion. I go out to eat with my wife every weekend and I dont like to leave bad reviews but spending $100 to eat somewhere nice and your whole experience was not nice made me have to write this read more

Sergio the manager, and Nancy the server was so good to us at the restaurant. The food was delicious too. I had mushroom risotto with chicken masala and passion fruit ice tea. My mom had a sandwich and ice water our family friends had a salad and watermy other family friend had Michelangelo angel hair pasta with passion fruit ice tea read more

Maria's Italian Kitchen - Pasadena - Us enjoying a great day with family and friends today - Italian Near Me - Pasadena, California

I had been to this restaurant many years ago and remember their food to be ok, especially for families. I was hesitant to go back due to the bad reviews, but this place is so close to my house and the kids didn't want to drive far, so we gave it a try. We were seated fairly quickly for a Saturday afternoon. Restaurant was clean and ambiance was nice. It took some time for waiter to get our orders but eventually this is done. Service is not very attentive. They kept forgetting our drinks. By the time we ordered our food, the place was empty so I didn't understand why the bad service. The pastas were ok, the pizzas were delicious and the caesar salad was excellent! The garlic knots were too oily! They brought the food fairly quickly but forgot a bunch of things from our order. Not even apologetic for it. I think if servers get better, this restaurant can improve. read more

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

Food was very good but two dinners for take out was $80, just too pricey for me to use again.

This place is seriously legit! Food and service are excellent and I love the specials. So many places have the same tired menu, but not here. I tried the chicken Marsala and it was so full of flavor. Here's a tip you need to dine in. Do not judge the food by take out as everyone should realize that the flavor is not the same. Also tried the Eggplant Parmesan and yes another winner. read more

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