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The Pasta Bowl
Master Critic Review
The Pasta Bowl
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Happy Hour Hotspots
This 1996 Lincoln Park staple delivers generous bowls of straightforward Italian-American pasta in a cozy, quirky atmosphere. The open kitchen lets you watch cooks toss your farfalle pollo or spaghetti and meatballs while the full bar pours drink specials late into the evening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Farfalle Pollo, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Lobster Ravioli
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Nearly 30 years of crowd-pleasing pasta at honest prices
Who should go: Budget-minded diners wanting big portions
When to visit: Tuesday wine nights for great value
What to order: Conchiglie Pollo, Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Cheese Bread appetizer
Insider tip: Head next door to The Other Side bar after dinner
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Clark St, can be tight after 6pm. SpotHero reservations available nearby, no valet.
Dress code: Super casual - jeans, t-shirts, whatever. College crowd from DePaul sets the tone.
Noise level: Moderate - cozy but lively. Open kitchen adds energy, bar next door adds buzz. Conversation-friendly but not quiet.
Weekend wait: 20-30 min without reservation on Saturdays. They take reservations for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Walk right in typically, fast service
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple meatless pastas like Cacio e Pepe, Capellini Pomodoro, plus salads and Caprese
Vegan options: Limited - marinara-based dishes can work, ask about dairy-free modifications
Gluten-free options: No gluten-free pasta available. Salads are your best bet.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual third dates than romantic first impressions. The vibe is fun and unpretentious, but tight seating and moderate noise mean it's not intimate. Great if you want to keep things low-key and test compatibility over big bowls of pasta.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekdays yes, almost always. Weekend evenings expect 20-30 min waits for parties of 4+. Call ahead for groups larger than 5. Counter seating at the open kitchen often available for walk-in pairs.
Is it kid-friendly? Very. Huge portions mean easy sharing, straightforward pasta options kids love (mac & cheese, spaghetti & meatballs), and the casual vibe means nobody blinks at noise. The open kitchen entertains little ones.
Best For
Better for: Feeding a crowd without breaking the bank. When you want generous, unpretentious Italian-American comfort food and a neighborhood bar vibe over white tablecloths.
Skip if: You need gluten-free pasta, want a quiet romantic setting, or expect refined regional Italian. This is red-sauce crowd-pleaser territory, not Nonna's Sunday gravy.
Hours
Monday11am - 11pm
Tuesday11am - 11pm
Wednesday11am - 11pm
Thursday11am - 11pm
Friday11am - 11pm
Saturday11am - 11pm
Sunday11am - 10pm