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    Paulie's

    4.1 (1.1k reviews)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Paulie's Photos

    Business Info

    PAULIE'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Paulie's

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    Interior
    David C.

    Paulie's has been a Montrose staple for about as long as I can remember, and after coming here countless times, I feel bad that I'm just now writing a review to show my appreciation. Unfortunately, Paulie's is closing on 12/31/25 so I had to come in 1 more time to get my pasta fix. I came here right at 1145am on a Thurs just before their major lunch rush came in. Their service is counter service, which is generally quick and efficient, but their food is definitely full service dine in quality. The casual ambiance makes this a popular spot for lunch everyday of the week. As far as the food goes, they have a variety of pasta, salad, paninis, entrees, and sandwiches to choose from. I generally rotate between getting their bucatini amatraciana and their canestri alla funghi. The half portion is already a ton of food especially if you add chicken or another protein. Get the full portion if you're looking to share or take home leftovers for sure. The pasta here always comes out piping hot, consistently delicious, and it comes with their perfectly buttered toasted bread to soak up all the sauce. Thank you Paulie's for being a neighborhood institution! You will for sure be missed!

    Bolognese
    Tiffini D.

    Absolutely gutted that they are closing soon. I've lived in Houston for so long and never got to try but I've been twice this month and I absolutely loved it. The lines are long but service and turnover is quick with seating outside as well. The service is quick and the servers efficient, knowledgeable and friendly. The first time I ordered the bolognese with lamb and beef and the second time I got the spaghetti but subbed meatballs for grilled chicken with a vegetable soup on the side for later. The pasta on the bolognese had the perfect chew and the sauce flavorful and rich. The entrees come with grilled sourdough toast which was different but still tasty. The spaghetti noodles were a bit too soft but was delicious still. And the soup was perfect for a cool day paired with some rice. I am thankful for small, cozy places, especially ones like Paulie's. It's like eating with family.

    CANESTRI ALLA FUNGHI
    Tiffany K.

    Paulie's is closing down by the end of the month, so I decided to bring my family here to try it before the Houston OG is gone. We were very lucky getting there at the perfect time. We were able to snag a table and the line was moving fast. When sat and waiting for our food, the line was out the door! Everybody is trying to visit Paulie's so beware that it's very busy. I don't want to say it, but perhaps that's why the quality fell off. The canestri alla funghi was delicious as always. If there's anything you should try, you need to order this one. Highly recommend. I decided to try Mediterranean Pasta Salad, and it did not disappoint. Great flavor and very refreshing. Now onto why this updated review is so disappointing. We ordered the Fusilli Pasta with Pesto and the Rigatoni Bolognese, with half chicken per order. Both of these pasta dishes were lacking in flavor, and both need to be salted quite a bit. The chicken was also dry. My sister said that it might be the most bland pesto pasta she has ever had. I have the tendency to overhype certain restaurants, and this is what happened here. My family and I were looking forward to this all day. My family members said that they most likely wouldn't return.

    Zanarah K.

    So I know this place is closing down soon and it's been on my list forever, but unfortunately, the hype that I had in my head with the line out the door was not it for me. The food was not as tasty as I would've imagined with how packed it was on a Friday night. We were very shocked on how bland the food was. This place has been open for a while, so I understand it's closing down, but it was underwhelming. Very chill place. Street parking

    Creste di gallo, fusilli with pesto
    Jess F.

    After years of waiting to try Paulie's, I finally went and I'm so sad I haven't been earlier. Some of the best pasta I've ever had, and portions are huge! Incredibly disappointing that it'll be closing soon. The restaurant is fairly casual, with a counter to order from and then you seat yourself. Tables are scarce for the amount of people that come! I went around 5:15 pm and that was the last time I saw an open table without people waiting to snag it. Fusilli with pesto - a warming, comforting bowl! Not quite as flavorful as I'd prefer, but the olives did contribute to the overall profile. The pesto was great but more aromatic than strong. Creste di gallo - absolutely amazing. This pasta alone will live in my memory forever. The sauce is so rich, tangy, and spicy; combined with the sausage and onions, every bite left me wanting more. I'd go back just to get this again! Overall, Paulie's is a truly memorable Italian spot that holds a special place in Houstonians' hearts for a reason.

    Rigatoni Bolognese
    Rachel W.

    Solid place for well priced pasta! This place seems to balance value and flavor well, with a bit more emphasis on value. I enjoyed the Rigatoni Bolognese the most - though for all their pastas, I wish there was more sauce. It felt a tad skimpy on the sauce. Portion sizes are fairly large! It was so busy when I came on a Thursday night. The line was slightly out the door when I arrived, and by the time I ordered food, the line was a good bit out the door. I did hear that this place is closing by the end of the year, so perhaps lots of people are coming before its gone. It took a while to find a table after ordering, but it should (magically) work out. By the time we found a table, our food was ready within a few minutes, so don't panic if you order and you can't find a table. Some indoor and outdoor seating, but it would've been easiest to take out in my opinion. With it getting colder, I think more and more people will be crowding the indoor seating. There's a small parking lot for Paulie's, but it seems like it's always full, so I ended up finding free street parking

    Grilled Chicken Sandwich with pasta salad.
    John B.

    One of my favorite places in Houston! Always friendly service. Always pumping food out as fast as they can. It's a very casual-elegant feel type of restaurant. Nothing fancy, but it has a comfortable feeling of a classy joint. Tonight I had the roasted salmon. Great char on it! It comes with broccoli and creamy potatoes, but I subbed sautéed spinach for the potatoes. And of course, I ordered a small side salad which is always delicious! Portions are a little on the small side for me....I have a Texan sized appetite. But the food is always great, fresh tasting, and hits the spot! Give Paulie's a shot if you actually like amazing food.

    Cacio e Pepe
    Lorece S.

    Went because their special is the Cacio e Pepe which is my favorite pasta dish. But it had absolutely no flavor at all. I appreciate a more casual less expensive Italian spot, but the food is not great.

    Friend doing her Yelp thing
    Mark W.

    A Houston iconic restaurant that has been here for 27 years as they open back in 1998 but set to close at the end of December 2025, so visit they one more time before it is too late. They are known for their home made pasta and other Italian food and a great wine list and the cookies. You order at the counter, then find your table, and when your food is ready your pager will go off and you get your food at the pick up food area. You will get your own water and utensils, it is a nice and clean neighborhood restaurant where if you live around here you may run into some what you know and I feel like that is a good feeling.

    Creste di gallo w chicken
    Jennifer V.

    I came during the closing period because I wanted to try this beloved Houston staple. Because it was 2 days before closing, the wait to order was over an hour and they had run out of the mushroom and bucatini, so my friend and I decided on sharing a large creste di gallo with additional chicken ($33!). The portion was prettt abysmal for $33. The pasta texture was good but the tomato based sauce was very one note. I wish there were more spices, herb, flavor?! The chicken was bland to complement the pasta however the smoky taste from the grill was a bit much.

    Italian Potato Salad
    Sonia C.

    Paulie's in the Montrose area is a charming little Italian spot with a cozy, casual vibe. The ambiance is definitely one of its strengths--it's cute and laid-back, making it a potentially great pick for a first date or a relaxed lunch with friends. The location on Westheimer, across from Lanier Middle School, adds to the charm, and there's limited but pleasant outdoor seating if you want to people-watch while you eat. It's important to know going in: it's all counter service, no table service, and seating is limited. They also ask that you wait to claim a table until after you've placed your order, which makes sense given the small space, but can feel a bit rushed--especially with staff who seem eager to keep the line moving. As vegetarians, we didn't find many options, so we let the group behind us go ahead while we made up our minds. We tried the Pizzitola panini, the portobella mushroom sandwich with roasted red peppers, and the fettuccine alfredo. The alfredo was good, not outstanding, but my daughters enjoyed it. The panini was unfortunately bland and forgettable. The standout of the meal was definitely the portobella sandwich, which was flavorful and well-balanced. It came with an Italian potato salad, which I didn't personally care for, but others might enjoy the tangy, herb-forward profile. Prices are a bit high for what you get, especially considering the self-service format and the average quality of some dishes. That said, the food is fresh, the atmosphere is inviting, and it's worth a visit if you're in the area--especially if you're drawn more to the ambiance than the menu. With a few tweaks to elevate the flavors, Paulie's could really shine.

    Panini with Mushroom Soup
    Bryan V.

    I ordered the lunch special with a panini sandwich and mushroom soup. Very underwhelming. I thought the panini would have a nice sauce/spread and vegetables in it but it was just meat and cheese... the mushroom soup was also extremely bland and watery. I tried my friend's mushroom pasta in hopes that'd be a lot better but it was also quite bland... Overall, I was very disappointed.

    Rigatoni and cacio e pepe with Cesar salad
    Maddie F.

    Decided to try this place out, there was a line outside the door around 7:30pm. They had a special with cacio e Pepe that came with a salad and bread so we ordered that as well as the rigatoni. Service was fast and our food came out fairly quick. Very casual spot you order and pay then come up and grab your food. Our food was very bland unfortunately, we had high hopes it looked better than it tasted. They also ran out of bread.

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    Page 1 of 28

    Ask the Community - Paulie's

    Do they have a lunch menu?

    They have the menu with regular and small portions. The small portion is perfect for lunch and priced under/or close to $10. The menu also offers a Daily Dinner Special.

    Do they have oat milk?

    Yes they just started

    Paulie's is one of my all time favorites. Unfortunately, we recently learned that my husband has celiac and therefore cannot eat any gluten. Are there any GF pasta substitutions? Are any of the main dishes gluten free?

    There are no GF pasta substitutions at Paulie's but several main dishes are gluten free. Please call the restaurant and they will be happy to go over their gluten free options with you!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Northern Pasta 北方面食

    Northern Pasta 北方面食

    4.3
    (163 reviews)
    8.8 mi
    $$

    Best noodles and dumplings I ever had. Traditional Chinese noodles and dumplings for sure. Love itread more

    Their advertisement pictures on the store front's glass got me drooling so I wanted to check it out…read morewith my boyfriend, also I'm a huge fan of northern chinese food because it's my mom's hometown. The got nice wall art too, depicting the popular dishes from the north so I had my expectation and hopes up. Service is ordinary, she speaks little English but can get by ordering, we order first at the counter the sit anywhere. Braised egg is 2 for $3.50, salty but expected since it's marinated. Came out steaming hot, and yolk was not overly cooked and dry, not bad. Starting with the Chinese hamburger I felt sad and know not to expect too much from the other dishes we ordered. First the meat look different than what others have posted before, and it was kinda dry and too salty to eat. There was no other spice, only the meat juice flavor. The bun they use was stale to eat. Traditional way of making this should be the flaky oily pancake, or at least make the buns softer to eat. The mutton stew was clear and very heartwarming to drink on a cold day. But the portion is super small for the price. The glass noodles were gone in literally two bites. I had none to share with my boyfriend. This dish come with the burger bun too that you can soak them in the soup so I guess this is the extra carb make up for the less noodles. Oil splash noodle is their specialty? It was good but didn't wowed me. Noodles are chewy and well cooked, came with lots of bean sprouts. The sauce is flavorful and actually not too oily which I enjoyed more. You can add the beef for an extra charge, it's the regular braised beef, was just ok. I find it funny that their all food arts on the wall look nothing like the actual way they serve it.

    Photos
    Inside (chairs put up at 3pm, but can bring them back down if needed)
    Inside (chairs put up at 3pm, but can bring them back down if needed)
    Beef noodle soup
    Beef noodle soup
    Lamb soup.

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    Lamb soup.
    Hu's Cooking

    Hu's Cooking

    4.5
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    Look no further for authenticity, flavor, and complexity in Chinese cooking near the med center!…read more Though we opted for more "simple" dishes during this experience, you can judge a place by if they can do their simple dishes well. The mapo tofu is one of the best we've had outside of Bellaire with spicy, savory, numbing, and warmth that you expect from a good mapo tofu. Crispy popcorn chicken is a classic that's spicy, lightly fried, and crisp. It has an authenticity that other places around can't replicate and makes you keep craving more. The portions are also appropriate for their price. Service is incredibly quick, and you can order as you go and receive your dish within 10-15 minutes, regardless of how busy they are. As for the ambiance, it's loud, it's hectic, and it's simple... maybe a stretch, but makes me feel like I'm eating at a mom and pop shop in the heart of China. This place is definitely a go to if I'm convincing a friend of Houston's great food scene! Rating: 4.5/5

    I've been a happy patron of Hu's Cooking ever since they opened the year before the pandemic, but…read morebecause of their instant success and local renown from their excellent eats, speedy service, busy-but-not-crowded vibes (see: their 1000+ Yelp reviews) I've never felt the need to drop a review of my own - until just this week. On my most recent visit we ordered mapo tofu with pork intestines off the specials menu - a hybrid of two of my favorite Sichuan-style dishes. The blend of bouncy, savory morsels amidst tender, saucy tofu was at once revolutionary and so obvious; why hadn't I yet seen this at any other restaurant? And sure, innards may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's important for you to know that none of my past orders from the 50+ item menu have ever failed me, whether enjoyed in the restaurant or at home. Maybe you'd prefer the aromatic, classic, perfectly balanced three-cup chicken? Or the sweet-skinned duck, glazed so delicately that specks of sugar crystal threaten to jump off onto the plate as you pick up a juicy slice with your chopsticks? And if you're vegetarian, might you consider the punchy garlic eggplant or the wok-kissed string beans? I could go on. Do yourself a favor and come see for yourself, though I'd recommend parallel parking on the neighborhood streets behind the restaurant rather than the rocky parking lot, to save you some trouble. Bring friends and chow down family style - you'll need help covering as much of the menu as you can, but you'll definitely have to come back to try everything.

    Photos
    Spicy chicken, clear noodles with red pepper sauce, and stir fried green beans
    Spicy chicken, clear noodles with red pepper sauce, and stir fried green beans
    Open til 11:00pm on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat
    Open til 11:00pm on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat
    Hu's Cooking

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    Xing’s Kitchen

    Xing’s Kitchen

    4.3
    (79 reviews)
    15.8 mi
    $$

    I love Xing's Kitchen. Whenever I find myself in Sugar Land, it's my go to for Chinese, mainly…read morebecause I love the Shanxi oil noodle which is the best I've had. I swear it's just one really long hand made noodle, so it's a bit hard to share, but it's a must-get. We also tried the Claypot noodle and it was good as well but a bit of an acquired taste. The restaurant is located inside Jusgo grocery store. The seating is quite limited so I wouldn't recommend it for large parties. And it's pretty mom and pop, so if that's your jam, go for it. Chairs are mismatched, drinking water is somewhat self-service in small cafeteria-style plastic cups, and tables are small. Like I said - mom and pop, and that's not a bad thing. It's just not exactly a place where you would have a nice business meeting. Service was ok - nothing to note. You pay at the cashier which is like 2 feet from where you ate. Yes, it's a small space. Overall - I love this place and will keep coming back.

    The restaurant is quaint and you basically seat yourself. The waitress brings you water and…read moreutensils. The Shanxi oil noodle is still the best in town with perfectly chewy noodles with the most well balanced sauce. I decided to try the claypot noodle with crisp pork which arrived piping hot with excellent flavor and the same hand pulled thick noodles. The soup was very well seasoned and paired well with the noodles, but I'm not certain that I would get it again since their other dishes are so spectacular.

    Photos
    Interior / ig: @joyyeats
    Interior / ig: @joyyeats
    Henan lamb stewed noodle / ig: @joyyeats
    Henan lamb stewed noodle / ig: @joyyeats
    Outside

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    Outside

    Paulie's - sandwiches - Updated July 2026

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