Really good food & service. Always busy when gone there but still worth the wait. I was going to bring a friend here for dinner on a Fri night but decided on another place. However, I was so craving them that I decided I would come get some to go the following Tue only to find out they were permanently closed. Absolutely dumbfounded & so saddened to find out they closed. This is why Houston doesn't have really good & great affordable food places. Leasing & locations too high priced. read more

Solid five stars. I don't like Italian food at all. I think it's the most overrated food there is but my gf wanted to get some so we went. We been together for over two years and this is the second time we get Italian lol. Im for real I can't stand Italian food. So to get five stars from me it must be good. The real reason I gave them five stars is because the customer service is great. The decor really cool on a Friday evening with rain. Something like from a movie watching the cars pass by. This is five stars and the customer service is five stars. Also too the price is five stars. I got the Garfield spaghetti and it was solid. I really like the meatballs. The small plate is more than enough. In fact if you order the small plate for 12.00 and simply add 3 extra meatballs you could feed 2-3 people off that. For the price they hook you up with Texas sized portions. Everything was very good. The table bread was top notch! That was prob one off favorite parts of the dish. I would definitely some back. So sad they don't sell the skirt steak anymore. That looked amazing. read more

Paulie's - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Such great quality pasta and wine. It was a bit packed but seats opened quickly. It was all so delicious!

Paulie's is so consistently good on the pasta. Mushroom, broccoli, pesto, amatriciana - we've never had one we didn't like. The pizzas aren't as strong, but there's so many pasta options you still have a lot to choose from. read more

Sadly I was not a huge fan of Paulie's :( service was very quick and nice, including a great bartender next door in the wine bar! However, I ordered the rigatoni bolognese and... it was unlike any bolognese I've had before. It wasn't much of a sauce but rather some sort of liquid with sparse meat sprinkled on top? When our buzzer went off for our order I didn't pick up my plate at first because I thought there was no way it was my bolognese. Positives: Portion size is great! I got a half order of pasta and still got a huge amount, larger than some restaurants would typically serve as a full order. Parking was also really easy in the lot right behind the restaurant. I'll definitely be back to the attached wine bar, very good vibes in there! I'll have to check other reviews to see if there's some other dishes I'd like to try in the future. read more

Paulie's - Rigatoni bolognese - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Ordered the spaghetti and meatballs. Spaghetti Pasta so mushy. Meatballs (3) wasn't that good Hardly any Spaghetti sauce? Maybe this is Pauline's version. Butter toasted bread was kinda chewy and oily. If you're craving for some pasta you're better off going to a grocery store. Get a jar of spaghetti sauce Parmesan cheese, spaghetti pasta and Italian sausage. I'm sure you'll make a better version than Pauline's. The place is kinda cute but cute isn't going to satisfy my craving. read more

Paulie's - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Paulie's is one of my favorite Italian places in Houston. Very casual diner vibe with delicious pasta. If you haven't been before, you can't go wrong with the canestri alla funghi (their creamy mushroom pasta). The portions for any pasta dish are huge for the price you pay. We were served quickly even in the middle of a busy lunch rush. The parking lot in the back is very small, you might have to find street parking out front. read more

Paulie's - Canestri alla funghi - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I took myself on a solo date to Paulie's because I was in the mood for some pasta. Parking is a little limited but i was able to find parking pretty easily in the lot + there's street parking nearby also. I ordered the half size Cesar salad, half size bucatini amatriciana, and a peach Bellini. The drink was AMAZING! My food came out quickly and it was delicious. There's many many things on the menu that I want to try and based on how delicious my pasta was, I will certainly be returning. The person who took my order at the front was also really sweet, and I appreciated that the counter to pick up your food had someone checking order numbers so you know exactly what tray is yours. Overall, 10/10 experience - will definitely be returning read more

Paulie's - Bucatini Amatriciana - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Quaint casual spot with a small parking area in the back of the restaurant. At peak times, you'll probably be able to find parking on the side streets only. Upon entrance, find the counter to place an order and view the chalkboard menu to the left. You'll receive a buzzer to grab your food at the counter when its ready. The line moved quite fast on a weekday evening but tables were also grabbed in the same manner. There's a sign that says order before grabbing a seat as a gentle reminder. There's another room past a door towards the back of the restaurant which seems to lead to a wine bar area. My friend and I order a meatball slider entree that came with a side of potato salad and a grilled cheese sandwich with a side of fries. When we placed our order at the counter we were informed that they ran out of their regular grilled cheese bread but could do it with their panini bread instead, which was fine with us. The bread was very good and the cheese was nicely melted. The fries went hand in hand with the grilled cheese sandwich. I usually like mine with a cup of tomato soup too, but this by itself was satisfying. The meatball sliders were a plate of three with a side of the potato salad, which to our surprise had dill and olives meshed in. That took us by surprise, as I've never had any olives in my potato salad before and while it did give my tastebuds a shock, I wasn't a big fan of that flavor. The meatballs were not too firm and more so soft and maybe even a little bread like inside. Not sure what the mixture was for the meatballs, but the flavor wasn't very bold. The sauce on the meatball sliders were very tasty though, with just enough tomatoey sweetness to it...wish we had more of that sauce. We also had their cucumber water and a ginger iced tea which were nice and refreshing. Good portions and very reasonable prices on these menu items. Will have to come back for their pastas which come in half and regular size portions and individual pizzas too. Food was served quite quickly so even when you're in a time crunch it might not be a problem. read more

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This dish was great and a big portion. Counter serve but everyone is always great at the restaurant. read more

Paulie's - Fusili Pesto w/ chicken - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

I saw they had some cookies with rodeo-themed designs so I had to try one! Nice thin shortbread cookie with what I believe is royal icing. They are fairly large cookies, too, which is a win! read more

Paulie's - Shortbread cookie - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

The place is so nice. Love the aesthetic, and the staff is so helpful. Now... everyone is right. Smaller plates are recommended unless you want leftovers. This pasta is filling in the best possible way. I went with the spaghetti since that's what's on the T-shirts they sell. It was hearty and delicious. My husband ordered the amatriciana, which was spicy. It had a strong smoked bacon/ham flavor. It was also delicious. We went the day before Thanksgiving, and people were walking out with big boxes of something . We thought they were pies. They had beautifully decorated Thanksgiving themed cookies. We did try the oatmeal cookie, which BTW was so perfect. We also tried the strawberry filled cookie, which was also delightful. 100% we are going back. read more

Paulie's - Delicious cookies - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Awesome lunch spot! Counter/self service. Reasonable price for home made pasta, sandwiches, pizza. Small parking lot behind building. Staff was friendly. Loved the pasta, salad - stick to the small portions (pictured). Pizza - just ok Chicken salad - enjoyed Will be back! read more

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BEST PASTA PLACE IN HOUSTON EVER!!! The paninis are a bit too greasy though. Service is nice, your food is out quick, staff is friendly. The ambiance is so cozy and reminds me somewhat of a jazz place but it's more of family atmosphere. read more

Paulie's - Pasta bolognese - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Today was my first time coming to Paulie's and I'm still ravishing my experience with my two lovely girlfriends. Since it was a Saturday, I took advantage of the special which featured spaghetti carbonara... 10/10 recommend it was so incredibly divine. a caesar salad along with toasted bread accompanied my heap of beautiful, fresh pasta. i loved it. plus, for my sweet tooth enthusiasts, they have a great dessert menu featuring cookies, cakes, and ice creams. wonderful spot, for a decently priced & delicious dinner. i will be coming back ;-) read more

Paulie's - spaghetti carbonara, caesar salad, pizzitola panini, caesar salad - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Food was so good ! I was suprised, never have I been to a restaurant where you order at the counter and the food was this quality. They also have complimentary lemonade that was delicious ! I'm not too much of a pasta person but I was impressed. 10/10 definitely coming back ! read more

Paulie's - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Have to love this place, it's counter ordering but the food is sit down restaurant quality. I ordered the same thing this time as last time and still fabulous. mushroom pasta - can't remember the name this time. So creamy and delightful, packed with chopped mushrooms and breadcrumbs on top for a nice little crunch. The pasta is always cooked to perfection, al dente, nice and hot, just a cozy, tasteful delight in every bite. The portions are large for pasta. The half plate can easily be split for 2 if your not super hungry. Salmon - Comes with parmesan red potatoes, smothered in the sauce that I can't even describe, very fresh and homemade, creamy but mild not the taste you would imagine for parmesan. They almost remind me of a hot potato salad. Doesn't matter, order it! Fresh broccoli. The salmon is cooked nicely, crispy on the outside, flakes nicely, very wholesome, not over seasoned, this is a nice non guilty pleasure dish. The food is fantastic the only thing that makes it better is the company your with. read more

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Amazing pasta! I wish they had more descriptions under the menu but the employees are more than eager to explain what each dish is and to help you find what flavors you're looking for! Great ambiance and plenty of seating for indoors and outdoors. My friend and I both got the rigatoni bolognese and the flavors were all so well balanced. read more

Paulie's - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Cute restaurant that's good for a casual lunch. You order at the counter and get a table while waiting for your buzzer. I got the pesto and really enjoyed eating the toasted pine nuts that had been sprinkled on top. I could've gone for a few more dustings of cheese on top. The pasta comes with bread (not totally sure it's necessary) and is a generous portion! Could be cooked a bit less (more al dente) but still hit the spot :) read more

Paulie's - Pesto - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

My partner and I visited Paulie's for the first time on July 24th - around 8:30 pm. We ordered a ceaser salad (which was essentially a plate of warm, wilted romaine), pesto/tomato pizza (nothing special about the pizza except for the "adventure" we went on after eating), and chicken piccata - the 8oz to be specific (an oily mess with no really flavor). Sadly, this was my first and last time dining here. Service is nonexistent, yes they still except at least an 18% tip - you order at the counter, walk your drinks to the table, wait for your pager to go off and then pick up your meal on plastic trays. No one comes around to see if everything is ok, or if you need anything. I can get over the lack of service and lack luster food but what I can't get over if the dirty ceiling (looks like it was never cleaned) and the fact both my partner and I got food poising from eating here - think projectile vomit and explosive, watery diarrhea. How do I know it was Paulie's? Well it was the ONLY meal we shared on Thursday and we BOTH got sick with the same symptoms. Never had food poisoning this bad before. The management and "chefs" should be ashamed of themselves and learn proper handwashing techniques. We went to our primary care doctor doctor and they dx us with gastrointestinal issues and indicated based on our symptoms and the sudden onset of those symptoms (less than 2 hours after we are there) it was most likely the result improper handwashing.... Don't say you haven't been warned. I wanted to like Paulie's but at least I never got food poisoning from Olive Garden..... read more

Paulie's is a perfect laid back, old school counter service restaurant! The food is slightly expensive and I would pass on the vegetarian sandwiches but the pasta is fresh and flavorful. Their desserts are amazing and freshly made! read more

Paulie's is my go-to affordable Italian food restaurant. They have delicious pasta dishes and the wait time to get your food is relatively fast considering how busy they are most of the time. Each pasta dish comes with garlic bread and the small portion of pasta is plenty for one person. Some of my favorite dishes are canestri alla funghi and the bucatini amatriciana. If you are spice sensitive like myself, be aware that the bucatini is quite spicy, worth the pain though in my opinion. Sometimes seating can be hard to come by but normally if you wait around for a bit something will open up. They have a small, chaotic parking lot but you can usually find street parking not too far away. read more

One of my favorite pasta places in Houston! Service is pretty quick: you order at the front and they give you a buzzer to tell you when your order is ready. The pastas are pretty big portions and all really good. read more

Paulie's - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

So impressed with Paulie's! This place has counter-style ordering, where you order at the counter, pick up your food, and sit wherever you like. However, the quality is just like that of a nice restaurant. The ambiance is cute, reminiscent of a more hole-in-the-wall establishment, and the location is great. I ordered the Rigatoni Bolognese and fell in love! The pasta itself was so hearty, and the sauce was flavorful and creamy. I ordered the large portion, but I'll definitely get the small next time; it was way too much for me LOL. Definitely recommend stopping in for some delicious (and reasonably priced!) Italian food. read more

Paulie's - Rigatoni Bolognese (Large) - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

I am so surprised I haven't left a review for Paulie's yet because it is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Houston. The pasta is so so good, I usually try to get a different dish every time and they never disappoint. It's a pretty laidback restaurant with good vibes. You pay at the counter, seat yourself, and grab your food when your buzzer goes off. Paulie's is always a go to for me for hanging out with friends! read more

Paulie's - Principe Panini & Rigatoni Bolognese - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

I live dangerously close to Paulie's and I've always wanted to give it a try. I'm pretty much obsessed with Italian food And finally, the opportunity presented itself. The good: the restaurant was spotless, the Westheimer people sighting was prime, and staff were extremely friendly. Unfortunately, the food was hard to get excited about. My pizza reminded me of the Boboli crust pizzas I grew up with. This crust was definitely crispier and dense, but the sauce was not great and the toppings didn't seem like anything I couldn't have put together in my own kitchen. My friend got a panini that was badly needed sauce. I'll be back -- I really want to try the pasta they are so well known for. But as for the pizza, it's more like something you'd find on a kids menu elsewhere. read more

It's a bit late to say, b/c last I heard this restaurant is closing: I was not necessarily a fan of all the menu choices, taking on with another, but the Shrimp BLT was definitely a standout! One of the best sandwiches in town, and served with an excellent German potato salad. I'll miss it -- just as I sorely miss Diedricks coffee shop 1/2 block west, (after I finished up at Paulie's). This little section of Westheimer definitely diminished. But-- still a few days to get a Shrimp BLT! read more

Popular and reasonably priced casual Italian eatery in Montrose with a parking lot. Friendly and accommodating counter service. Fresh ingredients that are well prepared and ready quickly in spite of long lines. Will have to try some of the other menu options after enjoying our classic Caesar salad and Spaghetti and Meatballs. Ample portions ensure that no one leaves Paulie's hungry. read more

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I liked the vibe and I had heard quite a lot of praise for Paulies, but the italian hoagie was a complete waste of money. Dry bread with two thick slices of flavorless ham and salami, supposedly mayo and vinaigrette (but I couldn't find either) and watery veggies. Tasted like a bad sandwich I could make at home, wasn't large, and cost more than a sandwich at Central Market or Primos. My friend's pasta was fine, simple, and came with quite a lot of food for a small, but I can't see why I would go back for either. read more

I was craving a hearty meal and Paulie's delivered! It's hard to go wrong with their pasta selection. The large portion was hugeeee for $22. I could easily split that pasta into 2-3 meals, so definitely a bang for your buck. I really liked how casual the ambiance was since most Italian spots are rather upscale. This is a nice spot to go to on a weekday when you don't feel like dressing up to get some delicious Italian food. You order at the counter and everything's pretty much self service. read more

Paulie's - Chicken breast with potatoes + fettuccine alfredo as the sides Rigatoni bolognese - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Our second visit to this amazing little joint! The atmosphere is cute and welcoming! The service was quick and pleasant. The food... oh my,was amzing, very delicious Italian flavors! The meatballs are delicious as well and the paninis. Must try! Ps we destroyed all our food fast and forgot to take pictures lol read more

Paulie's - Vanilla latte and cortado - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

So happy to finally try this place - I love pasta as much as the next person, so finding a relaxed location for a huge bowl of carbs makes me happy. We came around 530pm on a Saturday and it wasn't too busy; we were able to find parking in the small lot behind the restaurant. Counter service is the name of the game here - the attendants were friendly and helpful when we asked for advice. I went with my old standard favorite, chicken alfredo, and it was prepared classically. Very rich, creamy, and the perfect backdrop for chicken and red pepper flakes (that you add yourself at the table). Each pasta dish is served with bread, which is totally unnecessary based on how huge the portions are here, but I always welcome bread. I will definitely come back - the spaghetti and meatballs looks amazing. Make sure to stop by the bakery counter on the way out to grab a cookie - they are delicious! read more

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Paulie's for the WIN! Mmmmmmm. Mmmm. Wow. We went for lunch and got two pastas. The service sizes are huge and can easily be shared. The flavors in both the mushroom pasta and the spaghetti were amazing!! And, the staff is always friendly and everything moves pretty quickly. Very casual vibes and counter service which makes it so easy to get in and out. Parking is tough but that's known in the area. read more

Paulie's - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

Took food to go, but it was a nice casual place to order pasta. We ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken, Canestri Allá Funghi, and Rigatoni Bolognese and Tiramisu. Loved that all of them came with some bread, and portion sizes were bigger than I expected even for the small. The large portion could feed at least 2-3 people. read more

Every time I come here there are two constants, the parking lot located behind their restaurant is always full, and the food is pretty tasty! My last visit to Houston was no exception! They have quite a selection to satisfy any craving from salads, pizza, pasta, soups, platters, panini, sandwiches, and even Cloud 10 Ice cream for dessert! However, during my most recent trip I was craving pasta so ordered the Canestri Alla Funghi because I am such a sucker for fungi. Oh and as a heads up they offer two sizes for their salads and pastas so of course I went with the larger portion. When I opened up my to go bag I was very happy to see the generous portion. The pasta also came with a delicious slice of house bread which was so tasty I wished I could have had more. As for the pasta, I liked how it was balanced with a creamy sauce which was lightly flavored as well as some texture coming from the panko/bread crumbs they sprinkled on top. The pasta itself was cooked perfectly al dente, a good amount of shrooms, and the whole dish came out piping hot. Sadly, I was too impatient to eat and burned my tongue, but oh was it worth it! However, for those who are patient, I would strongly recommend letting it cool down a bit, I actually think it tasted more flavorful after resting a bit! read more

Paulie's - Menu - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

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We've been to Italy a few times and have had excellent authentic Italian food so we are a bit picky here in the States. Paulie's food comes close. Wr enjoyed everything we ordered. The prices are also very fair for the portions you get. We will definitely come back! read more

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Food was good. Scratched an itch for a deli sandwich but not the best ever though. I would recommend for quick service and decent food.

TL;DR - local, authentic, and handmade pasta served with no hassle counter service in a clean and rustic Italian interior. Would highly recommend and will definitely be back to try them all! Food - I got the mushroom pasta and it was excellent (cooked al dente, lots of mushrooms, perfect pasta shape and sauce). It's served with two pieces of freshly toasted bread that were surprisingly high quality (dense and crispy). Service - I love this place because they serve high quality Italian food that's affordable and order at the counter. This means you don't need to mess with wait staff and seating, so you can just come, eat quality pasta, and then leave whenever you want. I find local Italian restaurants like this to be quite rare (they're all either sit down and expensive, or cheap with terrible taste), which is why this place was such an amazing find for me. The gentleman at the counter was very nice and was great at recommending their dishes. Ambiance - cozy, rustic, and modern interior with the classic brick walls and steel tables. They have warm yellow lighting inside, and it's perfect for an Italian date night without breaking the bank. read more

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I was not expecting this restaurant to be as good as it was. Great prices and clean restaurant. Probably one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had!! read more

Paulie's - the best pasta i've ever had - rigatoni bolognese!! - Sandwiches Near Me - Houston, Texas

I had to update my review and really hit them with everything I got. Try the chicken piccata it is amazing. That's all. read more

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