Pasta Panino

I rarely write poor reviews but have a few thoughts about this restaurant. The Caesar salad and garlic bread was very tasty, but the butternut squash ravioli and chicken Marsala dishes would have Italian grandmothers rolling over in their graves. The butternut squash was covered in frozen corn and peas and very unappetizing. The $24 chicken Marsala was sliced, dry chicken over various sautéed vegetables. The sauce was unlike any chicken Marsala I have ever had without the taste of Marsala wine but almost like a spicy enchilada sauce. I really should have said something but I chose not to. If you are expecting authentic Italian food I would steer clear of this restaurant but if you are open to interesting new flavors this might be the spot for you. The Caesar salad was very tasty and well made but the two main dishes were not something I would order again. Please see the photos.

This is the value Italian pick in the Castro. It's very casual, but the service is friendly. Prices are excellent and portions are large. One of my favorite Castro eats.

Great local, no-frills Italian spot. The food is very fresh and flavorful and the owners and employees clearly put a lot of care into their work. My partner can’t eat gluten, and they had gluten-free penne or spaghetti available for her. I should also mention that the host is incredibly nice. We forgot both our box of leftovers and umbrellas, and he ran down the street to catch us with them in hand. Highly recommend coming here, and love having this as an option in the neighborhood!

Great food and service. I came because of the nice reviews I read on google and I was not disappointed. Food is so delicious and fresh like an authentic Italian restaurant. Arancini is a must try. Congrats to the chef and server for the best service.

Excellent, well prepared and fairly priced Italian food! The staff was super friendly and attentive and thoughtful enough to bring out 2 sharing plates for my husband I- we shared the plate of spaghetti and meatballs which was sufficient for 2 people and left space for more menu items. The calamari was DELICIOUS and a couple of fried lemon slices in it was a good touch. The spaghetti felt like good ole home cooking without the frills. I can't wait to go back!

Absolutely wonderful meal. Service was phenomenal and so friendly. Food was very good as well and priced reasonably. Very accommodating of food allergies. Was able to order dairy and gluten free with no issues.

First time here and the servers were super accommodating. I even met the head chef or could’ve been the owner- I didn’t ask. But I enjoyed my meal! I had the spaghetti, Cesar salad and garlic bread … I pretty much ate everything lol Only disclaimer is they were pretty busy so it is pretty noisy but considering there a new business I am happy to support and happy others are supporting too !!! Also not lying about the prices .. you get so much food and you don’t break your bank !

Great Italian restaurant in the Castro. It’s not fancy, but it’s delicious! The food is made fresh and the portions are decent. Make sure you ask about the specials! The service was friendly and approach. On a weekday night it was fairly busy and they had a regular stream of take out or delivery orders. The restaurant isn’t huge, so it’s best suited for smaller parties, couples, or solo diners. The restaurant entrance is at the corner of the block. With curb ramps close by and the restaurant all on one level, it creates an accessible place where anyone would feel comfortable. ♿

What's not to love? This little corner spot is really good. I had the Polenta fries with lemon aioli, a house salad and Capellini Pomodoro. The polenta fries were crispy on the outside and soft of the inside cooked perfectly. House salad was crisp, fresh, and wonderfully seasoned. The capellini dish was wonderful! The service was on point- Derek the manager/server had the warmest personality too. I've been missing a good Italian restaurant that's in the neighborhood and is moderately priced. Big portions -- so I can take the rest home and have it later - Yum. so glad I stopped in. I'll be back!

After living in San Francisco for 10 years I think I've found my favorite new pasta. Note this review is based off a delivery order under a mile from Pasta Panino. I ordered the Penne alla Norcina and Polenta Fries. The Italian sausage pasta gives robust umami flavor with the perfect amount of heat. The polenta was crispy outside and tender on the inside. It's served with lemon aioli though would be nice with marina sauce to cut the richness. Delicious but think it would pair better with a protein than a carb-ie pasta. It was so satisfying to eat at home-I can't wait to try it in person!

The food was fantastic. We had the arancini, spaghetti with meatballs, beet salad with added chicken, Peroni beers and we also sampled the chicken marsala. The prices are so reasonable and the portion sizes are very generous. Thank you for the great service too. We noticed a lot of take-out in addition to a packed restaurant. It's a gem in the Castro.

We had a great dinner tonight at Pasta Panino. The service is really friendly and excellent and the food tastes home made and rich. We had the spaghetti and meatballs and gnocchi with pesto. Definitely a neighborhood gem.

Pasta Panino is a gem in the Castro! First off, the food is so delicious! I got to try the: * Polenta fries - Crispy and piping hot which paired beautifully with the lemon aioli (though you could also ask for marinara on the side) * House salad - a delicious spring mix with tomatoes, onions, croutons, asparagus, and deviled eggs. I'd highly recommend this special salad! * Spaghetti con polpette - Delicious, classic spaghetti with GIANT meatballs. It's a classic Italian staple. The servers here were so kind and prompt with the service. I'd highly recommend supporting this local joint!

Not sure who owns this restaurant, but someone forgot to tell the owner it's 2024, and that the menu is still show 2020 pre-pandemic prices...but great for the customers! It's not cheap dining out in San Francisco, but if you're looking for good Italian for reasonable prices this is it This small cozy restaurant keeps the interior clean and simple, letting the friendly, handsome, charming, and rizz-filled waiter be the eye candy/interior decor. $8 Caesar Salad...fresh, crisp, with the right about of caesar dressing and cute little whole anchovy fillets $22 Linguini aloo Scoglio...seafood pasta loaded with Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, mixed Roasted Peppers, Calabrian Chilis, Roasted Tomato, White Wine and Parmigiano, lovely! This would be $25-30+ entree anywhere else in San Francisco!

Pasta panino is delicious. I came on a random weekday and it was not crowded but I can definitely see this place getting super busy on the weekends and for dinner. Portion size is huge! The appetizers were so filling and everything was delicious. It gives off a mom and pop style shop, the service was fast and quick, very attentive. Our waiter was nice and checked on us regularly throughout our meal. Everything was delicious, food tasted so good. I will definitely be back to try more dishes. Biggest struggle is definitely going to be parking, but if you go on a random day or just find yourself in the area I definitely recommend checking this place out!

VERY solid inexpensive pasta place to hit up. This place used to be a taco shop - so not fancy inside and pretty bright (so not a romantic date place). The waiter was efficient. We split the Cesear salad and the garlic bread. Both fine - nothing out of the ordinary. I got the pasta al Norcina which was a healthy portion (I took half home) and pretty good. The sauce was a white wine cream sauce - so not as heavy as an alfredo and very tasty - for $17 it was a deal for SF. For my money I prefer Italian Homemade (a few around the city) - but would not be mad at all to go here again.

I didn't realize how much I missed having a casual pasta restaurant in the Castro until I accidentally came upon this spot on 18th Street just this past week. Remember Fuzio on Castro? It wasn't that great, but I was still bummed when it closed over a dozen years ago (...I miss Welcome Home, too). Funny thing was that I wasn't looking to carb up. Nope, I was supposed to get a salad. Yeah, right. It was the prospect of spaghetti & meatballs that really appealed to me. The new owners took over the former El Capitan space. It was OK, but I think the Castro will survive with one less fast food taqueria. When I arrived, the new place was filled with a gregarious vibe, bustling with all the dining tables quite occupied. I managed to secure an empty seat at their small counter. That worked for me because I had the constant attention of my server. I decided to start with the small $8 Caesar Insalata, a smart move on my part because it was a manageable portion with romaine, garlic, anchovies, croutons, and parmigiano (photo: https://yelp.to/OyNv9J4kIy). Pretty tasty considering the simplicity of the ingredients. My entree, of course, was the $19 Spaghetti con Polpette, which did not disappoint. It was a hearty, genuinely satisfying plate of homestyle pasta with huge meatballs made of ground beef and spicy Italian sausage and ladled with marinara sauce mixed with onion, celery, parsley, and parmigiano (photo: https://yelp.to/F9S6B8CfJj). Simply delicious and maybe partially because it had been so long since I had such a well done plate of spaghetti & meatballs. Really glad to see this pasta house in the neighborhood. FOOD - 5 stars...spaghetti & meatballs done right AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...casual and comfortable SERVICE - 4.5 stars...pretty attentive given my space TOTAL - 5 stars...welcome home, Pasta Panino RELATED - Exploring the Castro? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2HrpFPC

Really happy overall. To be honest I thought the ambiance was a little sparse, but from the moment I walked in the door the people were super friendly and nice. I was not super hungry so ordered the grilled cheese and tomato soup. The sandwich was ample and delicious. It had greens and some great flavors I was not expecting but very happy with. The soup was also delish. In the end I really had a wonderful lunch and can highly recommend this place!

Coming in hot with a highly anticipated tasting of the new pasta restaurant, 3 blocks away from our residence, built on the bones of an El Capitan. Derek, our wonderful and informative waiter, told us that Pasta Panino has ties to the now closed Pasta Pomodoro. I grew up on the meatballs of Pasta Pomodoro and immediately made a mental note to text my mom after our dining experience of the experience was good. Spoiler alert, the experience was great. Derek told us that they want to create a community based pasta atmosphere that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The order: a bottle of Pino Grigio, garlic bread, beet salad ("you won't skip a beet"-Derek), and many different pastas. My Barbie roommate who needed to add just a lil pepper said, "once I added pepper, it was pepperfection. I'm realizing I should have brushed my teeth post pasta consumption". My Alaskan Bush Woman friend said, "I forgot the butternut squash ravioli wasn't even vegan." She's not vegan but she did eat off of her fresh boyfriends (of 3 weeks) plate, which wasn't vegan. My "Barbie's Little Sister, Kelly" roommate said, "would inhale again." Birthday boy DK (also named Derek) said, "on god, no cap, bussin'." Side note, DK didn't even join us on this adventure but I had to include him in this review because HBD(K).

This was my fourth visit to Pasta Panino since it arrived in the Castro a year ago. It has been a welcome addition to the neighborhood! The food never disappoints -- it is fresh and delicious. Their pastas are the star menu items. I have had the seafood linguini; the polenta with meat balls; and the gnocchi marinara. All were expertly prepared and very enjoyable--with portions large enough that you can take some home for later (yeah). The Caesar Salad is one of the best I have had--fresh and tangy. I would put their Garlic Bread up against anyone's--it comes to you hot and crispy with tons of garlic and well-laced with cheese. The deserts that I have tried--the Tiramisu and Panna Cotta are honestly tastier than any I have had anywhere else. Their prices are a welcome relief compared to the insane amounts being charged elsewhere throughout the city. You can get an appetizer, pasta and desert here all for around $40 which is quite honestly, amazing in this current economic climate. The service is pretty terrific as well. I would strongly recommend joining them for lunch or dinner ASAP -- you will not be disappointed.

Chill and laidback place to get a bite with friends, coworkers or fam. Staff is really friendly and welcoming! It can get pretty crowded and they do put customers on a waitlist if you don't have a reservation Food is really reasonable and portions are generous! spaghetti con polpette: I love tomato based sauce, this one has 3-4 meatballs in portions are pretty generous! I would order this again tiramisu: love the visuals and texture, I wasn't that used to the strong alcohol quick when I took the first bite, but over all it's pretty good garlic bread: kinda meh, not the best I had Caesar salad: not bad, the anchovies definetly enhances the flavors Follow me on Instagram for more food: https://instagram.com/foodwithpiggy1?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

We went to Pasta Panino for the first time a couple of weeks ago because we were in the Castro and a friend who was visiting from out of town was in the mood for Italian food. We saw the reviews for Pasta Panino were good, so we gave it a shot. From the moment we walked in the door, we knew that this was exactly what we were looking for. The menu had a great selection of sandwiches, pasta dishes, beer and wine. The vibe is nice but not "upscale", so you can feel comfortable regardless of what you are wearing. My wife and her friend had the Cappellini Pomodoro, and I had Frutti Di Mare Risotto. All were excellent, and though the portions were "just right", the Risotto was more filling than I expected. The house wines are nice, and served in short stemless glasses, Italian "family style". Adam and the other servers took great care of us and we never had to wait for anything. We've been back twice since our first visit as a couple and with another friend, and the service and food have been spectacular - the pasta is always perfectly al dente as it should be. For the quality and flavor of what you get, the prices are extremely reasonable. I can't recommend this place highly enough if you are looking for authentic Italian food at a reasonable price.

Always bustling when I walk by, this place is serving. Feels very approachable with yummy satisfying pastas. Friendly service and a great price point. An awesome place to go on a weekly bases and will please you each time

We were so skeptical of another pasta place in the hood after so many less-than-stellar options had come and gone (and Poesia, which is delicious but the portions keep getting smaller and the prices keep getting larger). We grabbed take out shortly after their opening and were so pleasantly surprised! Not only was the food absolutely delicious but the prices were more than fair for the portion sizes. We've continued to order take out from here because we are hermits and every time it has been excellent. One rainy day we decided to dine in and the staff was absolutely wonderful. Our waiter was friendly, funny, and attentive. He also talked us in ordering the garlic bread which was just what we needed on a cold day. Highly recommend! Our current favorites are the spicy Penne alla Norcina and the Penne Rigate alla Norma but the Gnocchi is also lovely.

Still love this place, still coming here for great and affordable pasta. A friend of mine order their panini sandwiches and also really liked them, they're big and delish

After walking by a few times I was really excited to try this place out. The restaurant feels more takeaway focused vs being a sit down restaurant, however we had good service and our food came out quickly. I ordered the meatball panini on focaccia and it wasn't my favorite. The focaccia was a bit too crunchy and didn't have much flavor, and the crunchy outside made eating the sandwich super messy. I ended up having to eat with a fork and knife. I also asked for no onions but it still came out with onions. The sandwich also came with a side of spaghetti which was a fun little surprise, however it tasted very basic and also didn't have much flavor. I tried a couple bites of the penne pasta, and it was definitely much better than the panini. I would try this place again, but would definitely go for one of the more unique pasta dishes instead of a panini.

ordered takeout and my food was still warm. I got the eggplant panino on focaccia and the focaccia was so soft. the eggplant was delicious and the sauce kept everything moist. the portion was huge as well.

I was really excited for this place to open and have now tried it a few times, twice for dinner and once for lunch. Sadly, I have to say that I've found the food to be disappointing (though the service has generally been friendly and attentive). I have tried polenta fries (bland with no flavor aside from the dipping sauce), butternut squash ravioli (it was OK), meat lasagne (delicious flavor but ice cold in the middle--thankfully the server made it right), arancini (they were ok), and the penne alla norcina (this was abysmal with a watery sauce that had a troubling tangy flavor--I could not finish eating it). This is just two blocks from where I live, and I really wanted to like it. But no. Hopefully the chef can turn things around (which I think will mean a complete revamp of the menu and recipes).

Amazing food and service! Great prices too. We really enjoyed the gnocchi and arancini. Sometimes I'm not a huge fan of pesto when it's too pesto-y but I really enjoyed this. It was creamy and flavorful. Will be back to try more :-)

The place is cozy. The food is delicious. The service is outstanding. The staff is gorgeous. I will be back soon!

This place was recommended to me by a friend of mine. As a pasta lover I am really picky about where I eat my pasta. This place is legit! All the servers were so friendly and so easy to talk too. Definitely the kind of service that is top tier. For a small hole in the wall in the Castro, this is for sure a great place to eat! The portions were just right for the price! It's also accessible via muni for those that don't drive. I was surprised that they just opened and I know for sure I'll be back again! To the wait staff and chefs at Pasta Panino, thank you! I found my new pasta spot!

SO. SO SO good simple non fussy , great everyday pasta is what this city needs. And kid friendly our girls LOVE it the desserts are delicious

Thanks to Pasta Panino for a great meal. The food was very good, fresh, hot, and delicious. It was also plentiful. We started with the Bruschetta Ciabatta, which was very flavorful. I had the Roasted Beet Arugula Salad, which was very large. I then had the Chicken Marsala, which was also quite large, very tender and tasty and it came hot, which is always appreciated. My friends had the Spaghetti Con Polpette and Linguini Prawns. Everyone enjoyed their meal and the friendly atmosphere. My only criticism would be to improve the ambiance. The environment is a bit sterile. It could use dimmer lights, perhaps darker wall paint color and maybe table cloths. That said, I would go back again for the food and friendly environment. Well done!

Great food, great chef, great owner, and staff. Have not been disappointed once. Prices are awesome, and don't break the bank for the amazing flavors.

Right off the bat; love that even for a small place they are well staffed and friendly. They have done a tasteful refit on the old space while still keeping it a light neighborhood vibe. The full order of the caesar with its ordered topping anchovy filets is perfect to share or a meal itself. Im always a fan of the basics. It often how I judge a restaurant. The Spaghetti Aglio e Olio; ($11) Was vibrant with garlic, crushed chili peppers, olive oil and parsley especially topped with shrimp (+$6). While the Linguini aloo Scoglio ($22) had that bright edge of white wine blended with Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, mixed Roasted Peppers, Calabrian Chilis, Roasted Tomato, and Parmigiano. For those that like an extra kick. Try the Penne alla Norcina ($16) Spicy Salsiccia, Onion, Garlic, Mushrooms, Tomato, White Wine with Pecorino Romano. It will make you sit up and sizzle.

Charming spot that completely transformed the vibe of the taqueria that came before. It's a pleasure to be in the space, with its separate yet convivial feel. The Caesar salad was resplendent with the requested anchovies and was followed by a glorious gnocchi. Service was brisk and witty. Prices were completely reasonable. Characters in movies sometimes say that San Francisco is "very European," and you'd hold up Pasta Panino to support that.

Terrific food, even better service/staff. These are the same owners/head chef from Catch across the street. All the staff was incredible friendly and welcoming. Cute & casual ambience. Went here with my partner and her family and everyone was happy! Highly recommend this new Castro spot for yummy pasta/risotto.

Great new spot in Castro! Amazing food, very friendly and attentive service as well as good prices! Completely recommended!

Came here after someone recommended it. I'm a die hard sausage factory fan but was convinced that Pasta Panino was good competition. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The service was very good and the food was excellent. We had garlic bread, meatballs, and a pasta dish. Everything was very good and tasted fresh. It felt a lot lighter than the hearty Italian I was used to. Which wasn't a bad thing. I feel like this restaurant could be very successful. The place itself was a bit small and crowded. Based on its popularity and service, I would say they should expand and take one of the larger storefronts in the Castro! The location felt a little too hole in the wall for the food and service we were getting!

Excited to see this new neighborhood Italian gem finally open its doors. The menu at opening had a lot of interesting choices and the prices are very approachable. My partner and I split the house salad, which includes a deviled egg and was fresh and delicious. We each opted for spaghetti, me with meatballs and sausage, his with chicken in olive oil. Both were delicious. Because we were eating a late lunch and not dinner, we didn't have won't, but I look forward to trying their selections on my next visit. Service was friendly and attentive I predict this place will do well, and we will be back soon!

The food is what keeps bringing me back. The service is impeccable. You must try the french fry polenta so crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Amazing. Inside it could be a little crowded a little sterile, a little bright. My only suggestion is turned down the lights, some and maybe carpet. Other than that, I look forward to coming back again and again.

Update after most recent visit to my favorite SF restaurant: The dishes are still fresh and tasty! I have now decided the house salad is as fantastic as the beet salad which is saying something because the beet arugula salad is hard to beat! As server Derek says "it doesn't miss a beet!" The setting is comfortable and unpretentious. Old world Castro just steps from historic Castro & 18th. Think Harvey Mil's camera shop. The loudest shout out, though, is for the servers. Our server Derek was funny & clever while he presented the menu. To me it seemed pleasantly unusual to find personally attentive service combined with humor and decorum. Love the service! My single complaint remains that I am unable to get there more often.

My experience at the restaurant was simply exceptional. From the moment we walked through the door, the kindness and willingness of the employees made us feel welcome in this cozy place. The customer service was remarkable, setting the tone for a pleasant evening.

I order from PP pretty regularly and their food ranges from ok to really good but this was an unfortunate exception. The lasagna tasted like someone had dumped a full shaker of salt into it. I doubt I'll finish it. Very disappointing.

I recently stopped by for dinner and was impressed by the quality of the food. The pasta was cooked to perfection - al dente with just the right amount of bite. The sauces were flavorful and made with fresh ingredients, adding depth to each dish

Got delivery of meat lasagne and a side of asparagus. The sauce in the lasagne was way too sweet. Completely overpowered the whole dish. Asparagus was fine and portions were good. First time eating there so I will try again but not impressed yet.

Believe the hype - the food here is beyond fantastic. From the house salad to the delicious pastas, everything was perfect. The service by Derek was friendly and helpful and he had plenty of great suggestions. Can't wait to come back to try out more of the menu.

The service was impeccable and charming, and the food was delicious! Will definitely return next time we're in the city. % recommend!!!

First time customer, and live in the neighborhood. A few friends had already recommended it, and I have to enthusiastically echo their sentiment. Walked in, and was immediately greeted with a friendly and warm atmosphere. Ordered the Penne alla Norcina, and heaven help me it was delicious. *Very* flavorful, not too thick and not too thin, and invigoratingly spicy. (The dish has Spicy Salsiccia, Onion, Garlic, Mushrooms, Tomato, and White Wine with Pecorino Romano.) Like my teenage self many years ago when discovering the first stages of adulthood, I might have curled my toes a few times and let out a few quiet moans. The garlic bread was crunchy, rich, and tasty as well, and was an effective way to mop up the remaining ambrosia - I mean sauce. But in all seriousness, the food was super tasty, the place had friendly and attentive staff, and I will absolutely become a regular. All thumbs up, five stars. Looking forward to the next time.

I've eaten here three times now and it's always a pleasure. The service is excellent. This last visit, Daniel and Derek were our servers. Daniel is especially good at upselling, like suggesting some vanilla bean gelato with your bread pudding. I've eaten the spaghetti con Polpette twice. Three big mealballs made of pork and beef are nestled in with spaghetti and some spinach. Unless you're really hungry, you'll be better off eating half and taking the rest home to eat the next day. Delicious! My sister had the Fettucini Alfredo with chicken. The sauce wasn't too heavy and there was a lot of chicken. I think Pasta Panino serves generous portions at reasonable prices. Do yourself a favor and have dinner there. They open kinda late for lunch, but said they hope to open earlier.

New great addition to the Castro Street neighborhood. Very tasty and reasonably priced Italian food. I suggest trying the Lasagna, Spaghetti with Meatballs and Caesar Salad.

My friends and I came here the other night to try the new restaurant. This surpassed my expectations. Everyone got different dishes, and every single one was delicious! The lasagna was great, but the Penne alla Norcina was the best dish! Ending with tiramisu was the way to go. Everyone was full, and the prices were great. I truly enjoyed the service of all the staff. For a group of 7, they were incredibly attentive. They were fun, made us laugh, and were just nice people. It's still new, so not many people were inside. I'm sure once more people try this out, it'll be a new favorite to all of them. I can't wait to go again!

New restaurant to bless the Castro! Great food, favorable selection of entrees, and snacks. They also deliver next door to Toad Hall. Tasty

Hey, I stopped by this afternoon and I couldn't resist the menu. I had spaghetti and meatballs that was just incredible. The one downside to the entire meal was that my kids weren't with me to enjoy this. What the neighborhood needed was a nice comfortable inexpensive place for healthy comfort food. This fits the bill all the way I can't wait to go back and take the kids. Try the garlic bread, their bread is Semifreddi's, which has the all-time best baguettes.

I've been coming here 3 times since grand opening 2 weeks ago. There are surprisingly many items I'd love to try from the menu. I have no doubt this place will do very well.

Excelente lugar para convivir con familia, pareja o amigos. Deliciosa comida, el servicio es muy bueno. Y los precios bastante accesibles.

We had stopped eating i the Castro after so many mediocre overpriced meals but walking by one night my husband, much to my surprise, said he wanted pasta and let's try it. Glad we did. First the atmosphere was casual and welcoming. And best if the service was genuinely friendly and attentive. The pasta was perfectly cooked. Slightly disappointed with the pesto as we weren't used to a creamy pesto, We later found out we can order it without the cream. Which is what I'm doing next time. Finally a bright spot with good food real waiters and reasonable prices. We're excited about going again tomorrow.

I don't usually post reviews but the pasta was amazing and the service is AMAZING. I forgot to get their names but the servers are so attentive and kind. Great energy all around!