Montrose favorite serves mammoth portions of homemade pastas and other Italian specialties.

1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

(713) 807-7271

Website

11AM–9PM Mon–Sat (closed Sunday)

When we moved into Montrose last July, one of our new neighbors suggested that we try Paulie’s for Italian food. Not long afterward, two long-term-Houstonian friends suggested it, and when we finally made the easy walk to Paulie’s from our apartment, a recent acquaintance from another context gave us a friendly greeting from behind the counter, and then two other friends walked in for lunch. Clearly, it was meant to be. The menu posted on the wall looked a bit expensive (around $18 for a full order of most pasta dishes on the menu), but we had received advance warning about the huge portions at Paulie’s. We ordered a small plate of Bucatini all’Amatriciana, a small Italian Family Salad, and a grilled portobello sandwich, poured ourselves some iced tea and cucumber water, and picked a pleasant table by the window.

Bucatini all’Amatriciana (small order, $11): In this dish, house-made bucatini (similar to thick spaghetti, but with a hole running through the center) comes tossed with a spicy, smoked-bacon-enriched, and slightly sweet tomato sauce with whole, cooked cherry tomatoes, and topped with grated pecorino. This dish is on the noticeably picante side, which, as heat seekers, we both rather enjoyed, but the chile-intolerant might try another menu item. A small order of this dish is plenty for one person with a normal appetite, especially as it was served with two slices of garlic toast. We both enjoyed this dish tremendously and used the bread to leave no sauce behind.

Italian Family Salad (small order, $8): This salad of mixed veggies and romaine lettuce comes smattered with kalamata olives and dice-sized salami. This is a satisfying salad-as-a-meal with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Ours was topped with a black olive vinaigrette and grated parmesan cheese, but several other dressings are available (vinaigrette, gorgonzola, honey mustard, or ranch). If we had to do it over, we would either pick the black olive dressing again because it paired well with the kalamatas and salami, or give the gorgonzola a spin for another take on Mediterranean-style savory saltiness. Like the pasta, a small order suffices for one person for lunch, but you can get a large for $13 if you plan to share.

Grilled Portobello Sandwich ($10): A burger-like presentation of juicy portobello mushroom on a very fresh, light, airy, and eggy bun, accompanied with tart goat cheese, slabs of roasted red bell pepper, lettuce, and tomato. The sandwich is served with a scoop of fresh potato salad upgraded from the usual with more kalamata olives. Like the rest of our order, ingredients were top-notch with the exception of the disappointingly flavorless, pale-pinkish tomato. If you seek a stand-out portobello sandwich, this one certainly fills the bill, but we were truthfully a little more knocked out by the pasta and salad.

Conclusion: Paulie’s is the sort of go-to restaurant we were happy to find in our neighborhood, within walking distance. It’s a little more expensive than our usual lunch outing, but the high quality of the food is obvious and well worth the price. Paulie’s is a place we imagine visiting for a celebratory lunch, a neighborhood date-night spot, and a special place to take friends and family visiting from out of town. We think you will probably like it too, but remember to order a small unless you are sharing or have a hearty appetite.