Skip to content
312 Eats
Portage Park · Italian · $

Pasta Fresh

4.9457 reviews ·Opens at 9AM tomorrow
I live 30 minutes away & I would totally come back for the super fresh, delicious & affordable pasta
V TV T · 319 Google reviews
Read the reviews on Google →

Pasta Fresh — one of Portage Park's strongest italian spots. Classic neighborhood feel, nothing here chasing trends. Rooted in technique and tradition throughout. Well-priced, owner-operated. Brandon Becker: "The Pasta e Fagioli is amazing-the braciola so good and the pasta is without a doubt the best I've had" [$, cash only]

💵Cash only — hit the ATM first, worth it.

What 457 diners keep saying

Great valueNeighborhood institutionFamily runOld schoolFamily friendlyQuick bite
Plan your visit
3418 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60634
Portage Park
Today9AM-6PM
SunClosed
Mon–Sat9AM-6PM
Own Pasta Fresh? Claim this page · Spot an error? Suggest an edit

What 457 diners keep saying

verbatim, from Google
Review photo by Jess Loy
May 2026

We are late to the game here! We just went for our first time and loved everything about this place. Ida, Rick and Jorge were all so welcoming and the food was really tasty — we got cheese ravioli and the sausage panzerotti. We can’t wait to keep going here to try the whole menu. :)

Jess Loy

Jess Loy

50 reviews on Google

Review photo by michael Valente
Aug 2025

Little Italy on Harlem, great food.

michael Valente

michael Valente

138 reviews on Google

Review photo by Marcia Boehm
Aug 2025

Delicious fresh pasta, sauces, breads .Very friendly staff and owners . Tony treated us to fresh foccacia. We ordered fresh ravioli for a quick lunch that we enjoyed in the dining area. Like a trip to the old Italian neighborhood. We met Gino who I think runs the Italian grocery across the street. We will definitely go back.

Marcia Boehm

Marcia Boehm

46 reviews on Google

Review photo by terri cali
Jul 2025

Best panzerotti’s, Arancini’s and fresh pasta at Pasta fresh in Little Italy on Harlem Avenue. I ordered some mini panzerotti‘s for a party along with their Arancini’s, They were phenomenal. I have been in their shop on numerous occasions. Also purchase their fresh pasta, outstanding!! They have prepared homemade sauces, homemade lasagna everything so fresh. We have been going to pasta fresh since the late 80s the owners are so friendly they make you feel welcomed, like your family. This is definitely a place on Harlem Avenue. You just can’t pass by. When you stop, heads up, it’s cash only!

terri cali

terri cali

64 reviews on Google

Review photo by Abbey Davis
May 2025

I’m in love! I feel like I’m in Italy, not Chicago. Tony and Gino are so sweet! Waiting on my lunch, and Tony made me an espresso and brought me a little panzerotti. I took a bite and wanted to cry. I’m transcended to another place and time. Do yourself a huge favor and pick up some fresh pasta and sauce for your dinner tonight along with a delicious lunch. I’ll be back, like a lot.

Abbey Davis

Abbey Davis

5 reviews on Google

Review photo by Elegant Occasions
May 2025

The best pasta I have had thus far! I was in search of Italian dishes for a party of 10 and I stumbled upon Pasta Fresh. As soon as I walked in, I felt like family. Ms. Tina was very helpful and freely offered samples of their delicious treats. Needless to say I left with what I needed and purchased pasta to travel back to Georgia with. Next time I am in town, I will be back!

Elegant Occasions

Elegant Occasions

36 reviews on Google

Review photo by Sunny Bhawnani
Mar 2025

Old School Italian spot with the freshest pasta and sauces. Great quality and service. CASH OR CHECK ONLY but everything is very reasonable and restaurant quality. They also have a great selection of cheese, pasta, bottle and canned goods from Italy. Including some great Italian olive oil.

Sunny Bhawnani

Sunny Bhawnani

105 reviews on Google

Review photo by Dara Hudson
Jan 2025

How was Pasta Fresh? Come on, forgettaboutit. No review needed! You want home cooked Italian meals straight from The Mother Land? Then drive your butt right down to 3418 Harlem Ave and pick it up. Best noodles, best gravy, best everything. Mama Tina would say; don’t think about it too long, someone else in front of you is going to take the last Panzerotti and lemon cookie and you will be crying in your Arancini ball.

Dara Hudson

Dara Hudson

13 reviews on Google

Review photo by Esmeralda Ojeda
Feb 2026

Ordered arancini which was delicious but cold in the center.

Esmeralda Ojeda

Esmeralda Ojeda

24 reviews on Google

Review photo by EMPRESS T
Jun 2025

Ordered calzone & it was very tasty

EMPRESS T

EMPRESS T

151 reviews on Google

Jun 2026

Truly, the best Italian Foods you will ever get Great old school family making all the family homemade recipes selling them fresh frozen and some warm I’m Italian Grew up in an old school, Italian family, and this taste like my grandmother made it nothing better… if this isn’t good enough for you, then you have no idea what good Italian food is

Robert Lucas

Robert Lucas

11 reviews on Google

Jun 2026

Yummy please

Shelo Fried

Shelo Fried

3 reviews on Google

Sounds like your kind of place?

Star it — your hit list is where dinner decisions get made.

First Bite

One email a month — new openings, hidden gems, and where locals are actually eating.

More Italian in Uptown & North Side

See the ranking →

In the same lane · Italian, budget

If it's packed, walk to…

More good rooms in Portage Park, minutes away.

Keep exploring