Chef Paolino Cafe
726 Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD, 21228
Chef Paolino Cafe Menu
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Antipasti
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Soup
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Salads
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Pasta
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Dessert
Healthy Meal suggestions for Chef Paolino Cafe
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Antipasti
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Soup
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Salads
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Pasta
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Dessert
Visit below restaurant in Catonsville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Catonsville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
726 Frederick Rd
Catonsville, MD, 21228 - Phone (410) 747-4949
- Website https://www.chefpaolinoscafe.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Jonathan G.
The wine and beer selection is pedestrian, they have (well, had, at least, last I recall) a minimum purchase amount for credit cards, anything with their ricotta cheese tastes awful, the fries are low-quality, and none of the sandwiches are especially memorable. As long as you get a very plain pizza, or very basic dishes, it's okay - but the ricotta cheese has made me sick before.
(2)Stephen S.
Very much enjoyed the NY style pizza. The crust was thin but sturdy with a slight crunch, just the way I like it. Very good flavorful sauce. Looking forward to going back to try many of the fantastic dishes passing by me while waiting to pick up my carry out pizza! Attractive setting.
(4)Angelique W.
Had a mediocre dinner here. As I had read the other reviews on Yelp, I was prepared for the restaurant style (order at counter, soda machines, no table service), but also was expecting great food that outshined the casual atmosphere. The first let down was the bread basket--bread was cold and hard and, while we nibbled on that and our iceberg lettuce salads, we overheard the manager or owner (??) standing at a nearby table complaining about past customers--including a tale about a party getting sick off the food, including a young child. My confidence in the rest of the meal was not high at this point. Our starter (mussels marinara) led me to reconsider and was the high point of the meal. Our entrees, as other reviewers commented, had huge portions (we each finished only half of our entrees) and were okay. I wasn't blown away and was kind of sad this wasn't going to be a regular for either of us--the format just felt awkward (though I bet it's great for a zippy lunch) and the food felt overpriced for what it was and clearly favored quantity over quality.
(3)Ann G.
The atmosphere is family casual, and the staff were nice enough. The ordering situation is a little weird since you order and then sit but they still have standard laminated menus like you would for table service. That's really no big deal, though. The much bigger issue is that the food did something horrendous to my intestinal tract which i won't describe but use your imagination. I've eaten lots of questionable items in my day, and my system usually works like a champ. But this pizza... I had leftovers so I tested the theory. It was definitely the pizza. Maybe it's just too greasy or there's too much cheese, but it felt more fundamental than that - like something in the dough. Anyway, I had found the pizza a bit boring so I wasn't planning to go there again but I definitely won't now. Anyway, the other people seemed to be having a good time and they looked like regulars. And there are lots of other things on the menu to try. But I don't think I'd chance it again.
(1)Lindsey L.
Went here a few weeks ago for a morning-after slumber party gossip session with a girlfriend. For that purpose, it was fine. It's an Italian place where you order at the counter, seat yourself, then wait for the cooks to call your number. It's a step up from a purely fast-food place, but has the soda machines and utilitarian booths just the same. No table service. The pizza by the slice was tasty (maybe $3.50 per slice) and the caprese salad was huge. My friend did not like her spinach roll thing. The portions are large. I envision two types of patrons: generic older people out for a 'nice' night and then lingering groups of teenagers wanting to stuff themselves and chat.
(3)Mike L.
What cures a hangover?? The answer my friends, is greasy food and what's more greasy than a cheesesteak from Chef P's. This place is right up my alley and the service is great, especially the nice boy at the counter. I took my great grandchildren there and they really seemed to enjoy the pepperoni pizza. I got a cheesesteak which was enough to clog my pores with grease. Just my kind of style!!!
(5)Amanda P.
Very easy to order & quick service. Always leftovers to take home. The Calamari is good. Even reheats well. I have liked everything I have ever eaten. Seafood specials are always amazing. Friendly service always. Very clean
(4)Stephanie S.
We went here as the son of the owner is in my husband and daughter's culinary class. He, along with the other staff are amazing, well worth a 5 star rating. So what brought it down - the cheese. We went there twice. The first time we had New York style Pizza. It was authentic NY pizza and good with one exception - salty. Now I should add that I rarely cook with salt so I have a high sensitivity to it now, but this was SALTY. My husband took apart the pizza and come to the conclusion that sauce was excellent, pizza dough good, but extra salt was in the cheese. Second time there I had stuffed eggplant. It was amazing with the exception of melted cheese over the top that was flavorless and rubbery. Once removed, the rest was excellent. The canoli was awesome. I could go back repeatedly just for that. Unfortunately, the cheese really brings down the place. Hopefully with the economy improving the place will get better cheese. Until then, the cheese brings down the place to a 3 star.
(3)Michael M.
Spent the afternoon with some old friends from HS here on Saturday. I had the aribiatta and some garlic bread. Was very impressed with the flavors. Most time you order that its just over loaded with crushed red peppers or its oily. Not this... very well done. Everyone had a salad with their meal and had a variety of things to eat but everyone had the same result a clean plate and a smile on their face! I shouldn't be surprised as Baltimore has some great Italian places to eat but this did. Try it out you'll like it!
(4)Rebecca A.
Paolinos is awesome! Been eating here for 3 years. Love their sauce, love their pastas. The salads are fresh. The service is great. Their gourmet crust veggie pizza is my absolute favorite pizza in this area. This place is a staple for us.
(4)Christina H.
As an intern at the Social Security Administration, my lunches were often spent either at the picnic tables outside of the building with my dad (he also works here) or at Chef Paolino's a short ride away. Chef Paolino's was one of the better restaurant choices for lunch in the Catonsville area and they know how to serve it quickly so you can get back to work in a timely manner. I can't complain about any of the food. They give you generous portions for a great price. Greek salad, Chef Paolino's tossed salad, stuffed shells, manicotti, and the chicken parm are all very delicious. They also have sandwiches, subs, and pizza, and all look so tasty. My dad said their pizza is excellent. He thinks everything is good. =) It gets super crowded around lunch time so parking might be an issue. It's really busy right around noon. Try to carpool or wait for someone to leave. I suggest going before or after the lunch rush so you don't get caught up in the crazy small parking lot.
(5)Clint S.
I've had both styles of pizza here (New York and Sicilian Pan). They're both decent. I like that the pan style is a little different than what you will find in the area and is a nice change. For the NY style I like the white and gourmet veggie pizzas. I would have liked more sauce on both styles of pizza. While the pizzas were decent, I felt they were overpriced. The Mista Verde salad is really good.
(3)Rob N.
It's a neighborhood pasta and pizza joint, yes, but it's better than you'd expect from that description. You want generous portions? Look no further. Tomato sauce made in-house from real tomatoes, not blended and homogenized, over-sugared crap? They got that, too. Pasta is hearty and generous, and the sauce is savory with a more acidic tomato bite than you normally get in an inexpensive place like this. Everything seems to be fresh, and they make the best of an unpretentious menu. The calamari rings flash-fried with a light breading seasoned with Old Bay are bloody delicious. The pizza crust tends more toward the light and crispy than the dense and chewy, but it holds up very well to sauce and cheese. The pizza toppings are first-rate: thinly sliced fennel sausage, ricotta cheese, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, spinach, fresh basil... I could go on. No conveyor-belt pizza toasters here. Spaghetti Puttanesca is pungent and salty with plenty of anchovy and capers. Linguine with clams is more than bland marinara with chopped canned mollusks - Paolino's excellent marinara is paired with hearty pasta and in-the-shell steamed littleneck clams. The only misstep I've had here was a cream sauce for tortellini that had broken and curdled, but those are rare. Good food, good value. Run by three BIG Italian guys, and they don't skimp. Part of Catonsville, MD's walkable main street, that after years of lousy takeout is starting to offer better and better food. Among inexpensive Italian, this blows most places out of the water.
(4)Todd B.
I would say sometimes I have had 4 star pizza here, sometimes 3 star. It is good, it is the style of my NJ childhood but not quite the same quality as even our local pizza place. Nice place, the people are nice, the layout is open and there is always activity. I would say go out and give it a shot, I usually enjoy what I get. There garlic knots were great last time I went.
(4)Mrs T.
I'm a Native New Yorker and finding authentic pizza in Baltimore is a real challenge. Chef Paolino's makes the cut! It's about as close to NY pizza as I've found in this area and I've surely tried enough to know. Carry out service is fast and efficient. The prices are reasonable. Dine is service is good, although slightly awkward in that you take a laminated window, walk to the counter to order/pay, then seat yourself. Once you've done it once, you get the process, but there is always a patron in standing in the front doorway looking confused as to what they should do next. Although the staff is pleasant, they are moving about very swiftly and don't usually take the time to tell the newbies what the process is. Menu winners are any kind of pizza, garlic knots, and eggplant parm. And, if you have 15/20 minutes to wait, order your custom calzone and you will not be disappointed.
(4)Richard M.
This is a great little gem that my wife and I found on the way to a cafe that had a mile long wait. When you first arrive, instead of being seated in the traditional manner and then having a waiter take your order, you instead order and pay for your entire meal at the front. At first I thought this was a bit sketchy...but in reality we have never had such amazing service. Throughout the entire meal the waiters/bus boys were exceptionally attentive. The food was pretty good as well. We started with a house salad. It was nothing special and lacked a bit of flavor, but was fine. Then we had the calamari and clams casino. We were surprised how delicious both were. The calamari was tasty and crispy, without being burnt or stringy. The marinara sauce it was served with was very good and had a very balanced flavor that was not overwhelming and complimented the lightly seasoned calamari. The clams casino, although loaded with breading, had whole fresh clams and an amazing flavor with roasted red pepper and crisp bacon. My wife was actually surprised at the complexity of the flavor and how much she enjoyed the dish. The portions of these two appetizers made them meal worthy. Our main course was the lasagna and it was enough for two people. It was baked in an individual dish and had a great flavor, although a bit greasy and sweet for my taste. We ended with a cannoli that was crispy but not dry and delicious, although the portion could have been larger. Overall, I was very happy with this establishment. We could see whole Italian families eating dinner there, which is always a good sign. It was very reasonably priced and the food was above average. I did take away a star, as our only bad experience was we found a hair on one of the plates...but it was taken care of and the rest of meal was well done. A hearty meal on a skinny budget.
(4)Art J.
First visit but extremely happy. I had Veal Parm with side salad and side of spaghetti. Win had Fettuccine with Bolagnese sauce. Everything was amazing. The sauces. The Al Dente pasta. The salads with house dressing. My only complaint was the veal was a tiny bit tough. Not bad. Just a little tough. It was great veal. Not ground veal like many places. Sauce is flavorful and not sweet. Highly recommend for casual Italian in the Catonsville area.
(5)Brooke T.
Tried this place out for lunch one day since it is close to my job. It is in the shopping center with the Friendly's and you can't see it from the road. It seems to be like a cafeteria style. You order your food, pay, select your own table and go get your own food. I ordered something that was like a stromboli but called something else. It had Italian sausage and peppers. The bread was great, the sausage, peppers and marinara were underwhelming. My friend had a salad that wasn't thee greatest. Not sure if I would go back.
(2)Mach S.
On a visit to the Baltimore area, my brother brought my family to eat at Chef Paolino Cafe. I had no expectations and enjoyed my meal. The ordering process is different than most restaurants. You simply place your order and pay for it at the counter. You also clean up your own table after you are done. I had the Fettuccine Alfredo ($12). This is a good test dish that any good Italian restaurant can make. Chef Paolino Cafe passed the test. It was so good that it had me sopping up the left over sauce with bread. The portions were huge. My wife had Spaghetti With Meat Sauce ($12). It was much more than my wife could eat, so I had to help. The sauce is not sweet and I prefer a sweeter variety sauce. The sauce has a very rustic darker red color. My wife wasn't too impressed with it. She felt the sauce was bland and not fresh. Additionally, her salad she got was overdressed too. Some of the reviewers here talked about how good the pizza can be at Chef's, so we'll need to go back and try it. This restaurant meets all the qualifications of your "around the corner" Italian restaurant and is easy on the wallet.
(3)Erin B.
Many, many years ago, Chef Paolino was in Columbia Mall. Whenever my family went to the mall, we had to get a slice. Sometimes, I think my mom purposefully burned dinner so we had to go to the mall for Chef P's pizza. When the mall was restructured and Chef Paolino was no more, our hearts were broken. On a trip down memory lane with a friend, they laughed at me and said, "Chef Paolino? The place in Catonsville??" I had no idea. The family made a Sunday dinner visit. The restaurant is very nice - earthy and rustic looking. We walked up the counter, placed our order for an XL pepperoni pizza, and took a seat. We noticed there weren't waiters, per se, but young men/women working the restaurant who would help patrons get booster seats for their children, grab extra napkins if needed, etc. We also noticed that it seems to be a community hot spot with people of all ages and family styles: older couples, singles, families, young families. The pizza was delivered...and it was greasy goodness, just the way we remembered it. The sauce has a mild kick to it, the cheese is gooey, the crust is thin but not soggy... so, so happy. We will definitely be coming back for pizza. We may branch out and try the many other menu items, but the pepperoni pizza is where it's at for my family.
(4)Jeff M.
I've had their pizza and stromboli in the past and never been impressed. However, people at work like it, so I decided to give it another try. I had the spaghetti with meat sauce. The salad was good, the garlic bread was good, and the spaghetti was terrible. There was a lot of it, but it was very bad. It tasted like the sauce was slightly burnt, and they definitely didn't pour off any of the grease before putting the meat in the sauce. Also, they apparently use no spices at all, but maybe the grease is considered sufficient. Very greasy, very bad.
(1)Chris B.
I had the eggplant parmesan, and it was good. The kids all got the pizza, they said it was very good. The husband got a cheesesteak sub and he said it was good. We all liked what we got, however, it was a long drive to meet family there, and I was hoping for something spectacular. Instead, it was unmemorable. Good...but we didn't leave there saying we would come back if we were in the area again.
(3)Jay L.
I love good pizza. With that said, Paolino's has a pretty good pie. It's a cute little place that serves their community and patrons that like to breeze by-- like me. There's a bit of a "towny" feel which is comforting. I revisited Paolino's last night and bought a Veggie pizza to-go. It is a good thing. The veggies work on it well and the crust is substantial enough to hold the weight of so many toppings. I now want to try their Sicilian slices-- in NEPA, where my families hail from, they have the best Sicilian cuts known to people (Victory Pig, Pizza Perfect). But better than their pizza are their pasta dishes. They are tasty, comforting, and I think Paolino's makes their own pasta. I ordered some lasagna from them a while ago and very impressed. Soft, fresh pasta creates a difference and makes the whole dish creamier. Which this was. Quick Plug: If you run over to the Pakistani store nearby he sells DELICIOUS samosas for $1. It's amazing. He's a sweet guy so I wanted to give him a little plug here. Sowut? Yawannafightaboutit?
(4)Sara J.
If you are having a lazy night and don't want to cook, Chef Paolino will do the trick. Their spaghetti and meat balls is really delicious. They also have a pasta dish with shrimp that is really good too. Their calzones are also quite good, but I am not a fan of their pizza. Stick with the pasta--generous portions!
(4)Galina P.
I am from CT and am admittedly a pizza snob. Nothing beats New Haven pizza... yum... Chef Paolino's pizza is the closest to New Haven style pizza that i have been able to find in Baltimore/DC. I haven't been at their restaurant for a sit-down meal, or tried anything other than pizza off their menu, so my 5-stars are purely for their pizza, which is absolutely delicious. I usually get a white pizza with feta, basil, garlic, and spinach - it's out of this world and very generously sized. Salads are also super tasty. Outside of the pizza and salad options, the food is nothing to write home about, in fact some dishes are pretty bad. Stick to their salads and pizzas and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Sam E.
Please, I beg of you, if you are getting pizza in Catonsville, get it from here. This is the ONLY decent pizza in Catonsville! Peace A Pizza is gimmicky and the pizza sits out, Scittino's has way too much cheese and tastes weird in general, and this place serves pizza. It's not amazing, it's not as good as real NYC pizza, but it's very good. If you want pizza in Catonsville this is the ONLY place to get it.
(4)Marsha W.
I wasn't a fan of pizza until I had a Chef Paolino's pizza. I LOVE the veggie pizza. Instead of finding just some half-cooked vegetables on your pizza you will find marinated veggies. YUM-O! Their sausage pizza has a wonderful taste and not just spicy for spicy-sake. The pasta dishes are very generous. Make sure you get the special described to you. I often order from the pasta specials and have never been disappointed.
(5)A J.
Very tasty and comparable to Olive Garden. The salad is typically pretty good, but sometimes a little bland. Garlic bread and tortellini can't be beat!
(4)See E.
The only pizza I have ever consumed have been from Domino's, Pizza Hut, BJ's, and CPK out in California. When I moved out here to the Baltimore area, it was the only time in my life I knew what a pizza should taste like - I'll never look at pizza the same way again! At Chef Paolino, they do New York and Sicilian style pizza. No matter what style of crust you get, it'll always have that crunch in your crust. They are even able to replicate that crunchy crust in their rolls and strombolis. Their tomato sauce compliments the crust really well and isn't some oily glop to be put on haphazardly as part of the pizza. I'm not a huge fan of cheese pizza, but it wasn't until I ate Chef Paolino's cheese pizza that I realized that quality cheese truly does make or break a quality pizza. I would really like to know who their cheese supplier is! I can't give an opinion about the rest of their menu since I've only been here for rolls, stromboli, and pizza but I'm sure it's pretty tasty. Their rolls are around the $3-5 range, as well as their stromboli. They sell pizza by the slice which can range from $1.95 to $2.50. For extra topping, it's $1.95 more on your pizza slice. For a whole pie, we're talking from as cheap as $9.95 to $18.95! If you're looking to treat yourself out, wait for Tuesday at around 4PM to partake in their pizza deal: buy one pizza of your choice and get a second cheese pizza for only $2! Their Tuesday pizza deal used to include the cheese pizza for free, but I guess management was taking too much of a financial loss from cheapskates like me who needed a meal to last them for more than 2 days, haha. I have only one major complaint about Chef Paolino, though, and it's part of the reason why I gave them 4 stars instead of 5. Every time I come in, I always notice the cooks or the wait staff always eating the product right in front of me behind the counter. I mean, eat or drink somewhere else like behind the kitchen door so I don't see you chowing down and then using your unwashed hands to prepare my food or the other customers! If it weren't for the fact the food is really good and the Tuesday pizza is a steal, I'd go to the Baltimore location instead. Also, I like to think of myself as the type of person with a good sense of direction. However, Google maps failed to accurately locate Chef Paolino and I hate walking around like an idiot in a parking lot. To make it easier on future patrons, the Catonsville Chef Paolino location is in the shopping center where a Friendly's is facing Frederick Road, in a lone brick building directly behind the bank, and is diagonal from a Pakistani grocery store in a strip mall.
(4)Patrick Y.
Always been a fan of Chef P's! Large portions and a hometown atmosphere. One of Catonsville's best spots to get a slice and take in the local charm. This isn't a traditional american sit down restaurant. It reminds me of the Roman style mom and pop cafeterias that can be found all around the blue collar neighborhoods of Roma. Admittedly though, the food in Italy had more natural taste and variety.
(5)David G.
I'll say it: I am a pizza snob. NY style, thin-crust pizza is the one true pizza, and it is very hard to find outside of the NYC area. That is why I routinely make the drive up to Catonsville to eat at Chef Paolino. This is the best pizza in Maryland by far! My usual order is a large pie with pepperoni or sausage, and a side salad, and it runs me about $20. Good value and good pizza make this my go-to pizza joint despite the drive.
(5)Rachel L.
For a while I worked in Catonsville, frequently for lunch a coworker and I would head over to Chef Paolino Café for what is arguably the best Caesar salad I've ever had. Fast forward a year later and I'm hiking with a friend and we are discussing where we should go for dinner after the hike. We wanted something on the lighter side, and while Caesar salad isn't the 'healthy' salad, it's significantly better than some of the other things we could be eating. It had been about a year since I last visited Chef P's, but the Caesar salad was as good as I remembered it. The dressing was incredibly creamy and the salad was well dressed. Caesar salad in general is nothing particularly special, but if you have the craving for one, this one is dressed very well. To accompany our salads, we ordered a side of Garlic Knots, the knots were the perfect. They were garlicky and greasy, just how garlic knots should be. But they weren't too greasy where the thought of touching them disgusted us. If you're out in Catonsville and craving some quick delicious Italian food, Chef Paolino Café has plenty of great options. On previous visits, I've tried their pizza and pastas and loved them both!
(4)Heidi F.
This is my favorite take out in Catonsville! I usually order the Capellini Adriatica and its extremely fantastic. The Stromboli is also a favorite. What I like about this place is that it's tasty, local, and decent prices. The staff is always so friendly and helpful. The location is clean and great for dining in. I like that they have an area for dining patrons and take out so your never competing for attention. Check it out! Great lunch deals too.
(4)Whitney A.
I have been to Chef P's several times for varying occasions. I love the fact that you can buy pizza by the slice in quite a few flavors and the quality of pizza is pretty good. I have also had the calamari before. I have to say, with a beer it is quite addicting. The atmosphere is definitely family-friendly, but some people complain that it gets too loud with the amount of people in the dining area. I think the atmosphere is great for a casual dining experience with good prices, fast service, and tasty food.
(4)K A.
This is my favorite pizza restaurant in Catonsville. You will always see local Catonsville families, and the pizza and pastas are like no other. I love coming back here when I visit my family.
(5)Andy B.
Food was good. Place your order at the counter. Very noisy, little kids running back and.forth. So much for quiet dinner conversation. In fact we packed up our food and left.
(3)Margaret L.
I only eat the pizza there but since I am vegan I order the gourmet vegetarian without cheese. It is so good and it totally satisfies my craving ( and my husband's craving )for pizza. It is loaded with a ton of vegetables that cover almost every inch of a rich yummy sauce and a thinnish crust.
(4)Puneet M.
Italian food I found you!! Oh man what a find in Chef Paolino Cafe! When you first walk in you think you might be a deli or a more upscale soup nazi, but nope you are at a right place at the right time. First you grab a menu, which are next to the soda machine and your look through the mouth watering selections, pizza, chicken parm, the standard Italian fare.Once you order you can go pick your site in the decently large dining area, its kinda like a serve yourself no frills place. You get your own soda, straws etc no waiter that comes to your table. Note: the people are super nice, and there wine by the glass and bottle are pretty cheap as well. The wife and I ordered a Med. cheese pizza and an eggplant Parm... the eggplant parm comes with garlic bread and a side salad. Both were good, cant really mess those up haha The pizza is awesome at this place, totally NY style, great crust and it tastes just as good re-heated the next day vs fresh! Note: its slighly on the greasy side, but totally worth it! The Eggplan parm was great as well, only negative was the eggplant wasnt crispy, but then again it wasnt fried lol, but the pasta and sauce were ohhhhh sooo good. Best pasta sauce around, super super flavor, and not too tart or tangy, a must try! So overall this place is awesome, great food, service and its a nice down home feel, nothing fancy or in your face. The people who work there are mainly younger guys(maybe highschool or college) and are very nice and helpful. This place is a must go... and remember Forget about it! Salud!
(4)Rishima P.
Have these people that have written these reviews eaten at a Good Real Italian restaurant?! Wanted to love this place. We ordered dishes like Fettuccine alfredo, and penne.These dishes shouldn't be bland, how can you mess up?We were so disappointed and to top off everything... Expensive for no reason! I saw them use the ... Wait for it.... Microwave! Now it all makes sense, the food is terrible and microwaved. Bland watery sauce, old Alfredo taste and dry Italian bread. Never again.
(2)David N.
Another miss for Yelp and word of mouth. I don't know why there are so many 4 star reviews. I came to try this place out during lunch since so many people recommended it at work and the decent reviews that I saw. It was really dingy and dark when I came in. The pizza didn't look too appetizing (they looked like they had been sitting there for days) so I decided to opt for the chicken parmigiana. I had to wait for 5 minutes for someone to acknowledge my presence so I could place my order. Then I saw their sign regarding credit card minimums (see below). I ordered a soda to get over the minimum on my Visa. Lucky for them I love soda. When I finally got my order and sat myself. The chicken tasted fine (passable) but the pasta sauce was really watered down and pasta was overcooked. It was quite disappointing, especially after the good word of mouth from coworkers and the Yelp reviews. Happy face: Most of their lunch specials are pretty decently priced (~$8-9 for a pasta dish) Sad face: $10 min for credit card. $30 min for American Express. I would never spend $30 here. Sorry!
(1).Hon H.
Chef Paolino Cafe is a good place to go for some quick and decent Italian food. We had ordered pizza and a couple of sandwiches to carry out. The slice of Sicilian that my hon of hons husband ordered was enormous and had lots of pepperoni on it. My Italian sub with everything on it was one of the best things I put in my mouth on our recent East Coast trip. The pricing is right and the cafe itself is bright and clean. Why only three stars? Well, the guy who took my phone order was rude and curt, as was the cashier when we picked up the food. Not good.
(3)Jim S.
We went based on yelp reviews. As usual my friends at yelp are money. So you walk in and place an order and then you are seated. It is a little odd but ti works. and then the wait staff come and offer refills and such. We started with oysters rockefeller as an appetizer. These were crazy good. There were 5 of us at the table, and only 2 of us eat shellfish. I am soo happy no one else at the table had an interest; my daughter and I had finished this plate in about a minute flat and both looked up as if to say "where did they go?" We all shared salad. It was salad and that is all I have to say about that. Overall I would give them 4 stars but honestly the cheese on the pizza was very salty and nearly flavorless. After dissecting the pizza we figured out that the cheese is not good. The crust is nice and thin, the sauce is really good, and the pepperoni was really good. Who the hell uses crappy cheese on what would otherwise be a great pizza. Next time I will try something other then Pizza. One funny thing that happened while we were there involved a cute little waitress who, I learned later, is named Jade. Apparently Jade is a dessert selling machine. I had just returned to the table with a desert for each of us. Just as most of us at the table were digging in jade walks up and asks "would anyone care for a dessert?" to which I replied "nope, we are good." and she wandered off. Oddly she is not a blond..... For desert we each had a cannoli. I give credit where credit is due. these were really good. If you don't know Cannoli are Sicilian pastry desserts. The singular is cannolo (or in the Sicilian language cannolu), meaning "little tube". Most of the cannoli I have had in the past have a grainy almost gritty shell. Chef Paolino made the shells light and crisp. They are usually stuffed with a ricotta cheese mix often with chocolate chips and often far too sweet. This was a very good stuffing that was just barely sweet. All in all it was a good experience, and I can't wait to go back.
(3)Stephanie M.
This is a counter service restaurant. Once you order and get your drink, they will bring out the food to your table, offer drink refills and bus your table. The veggie pizza is awesome. It's overflowing with toppings. I have only tried a few other items on the menu, they were all pretty good.
(4)Stephanie H.
My opinion of this place just dropped a star. An Italian joint should be able to do an Italian cold cut. I would have been happier with subway or Quiznos Italian sub. Sigh.
(2)Stephanie K.
We came in at 9:10PM on a weeknight, not that long before close. We got the veggie pizza and it was very good. Thin crispy crust, good sauce and cheese, quality toppings. Due to the great and friendly service we felt completely comfortable even though we were the last ones in the restaurant and left right before closing. Definitely coming back!
(4)