Justa Pasta Co Reviews

For as long as I can remember, my wife has loved Justa Pasta. Whenever she was working in northwest Portland, she never missed the chance to go here for lunch. However each time we went together for dinner, I couldn't quite understand her fondness for the place. Sure it was good, quite good in fact, but I just didn't feel about it quite the way she did. I don't think I can really put my finger on just what brought me around to my wife's way of thinking. There wasn't really one particular meal that stands out from the rest. It was simply that one unspecified day sometime last year I suddenly found myself thinking that Justa Pasta was the best restaurant of its kind in which I'd ever eaten. From their chicken parmesan lasagna with alfredo sauce (my favorite) to their rich and creamy risottos to their Caesar salads that pack a garlic-rich bite, everything served up by Justa Pasta's chefs is delightful. And for dessert, their exquisitely simple and straight-forward cheesecake paired with an espresso can't be beat. Come early, particularly on weekends as it tends to get busy as the evening goes on, and check the special board before even reaching for a menu. Trust that everything will be prepared just as you'd want it to be, relax, and enjoy.

A great neighborhood spot, love the ordering at the counter and the casual atmosphere. Came with our two boys aged 13 and 11, we all had either pasta or lasagna, all dishes were great. Fresh and flavourful. Cheesecake dessert outrageously good. Wish we lived in Portland as I’d be here every week!

This little neighborhood place, nestled between a hair salon and Parr's Lumber in the Alphabet District on the NW side of Portland, is a great place for lunch or dinner. They make the pastas for many of the local high-end Italian restaurants, and share their great products here every day. For Gluten-free folks, they also have a daily risotto special and a sautéed veggies dish that you can adorn with grilled chicken, grilled prawns or grilled salmon for a great meal. Their raviolis are the best, and their choice of sauces give you the opportunity to make your own dish, and pair with their fresh salads. They also have a daily choice of special salad, 2 Lasagnas, and a main dish. Great selection of wines, too. Parking usually available in front or on one of the neighborhood streets. And Outdoor dining is also available during the warmer times.

We LOVED the food here. Such a cool restaurant, with absolutely wonderful food. I got the spinach spaghetti with Alfredo, and my husband got a veggie lasagna that was out of this world. Definitely recommend!

Ordered takeout and got the most delicious bucatini carbonara and lasagna! High-quality, fresh ingredients and homemade pasta. They also sell ravioli and a variety of other pastas and sauces. What a great find. An outdoor terrace was in the process of being built. Will definitely be back!

This was our last meal in Portland. It was delicious. I had the prawn and pasta special which was great. My sister had the chicken and couscous which she devoured. My friend had the spaghetti. She stated that this was here favorite spot to eat in Portland so far. You walk in and order at the counter. They have their specials on the blackboard. They also have salad, wine and desserts available. Our two dishes, two side salads(several to choose from), two glasses of wine, and a dessert was $66.00 Would stop here again.

My daughter recommended our family and friends have dinner at Justa Pasta. Glad she did. Homemade pasta and other yummy dishes. Salads are terrific too. Great wine selection, including wine by the glass. A type of pasta for any palette. Service is great and value exceeds price.

Love this place! Fresh food at excellent prices. Friendly staff. Parking can be a bit challenging depending on time of day, but really worth the effort. Great wine choices too.

Small, family run restaurant with outstanding food. Pasta is freshly made and served quickly and with great joy. The owner went out of his way to come over to see how we enjoyed our meal. Family oriented. Yummy!

Food was good. Service (you order and pay at front counter and food is delivered to your table; water is self-serve out of dispenser; Mexico cokes are sold by the glass bottle) was friendly and quick. Limited seating and parking on a Saturday evening. I felt that prices were a bit steep, but I haven't eaten at any other restaurants in the area to compare it to. I would probably revisit if I was in the immediate area, but I wouldn't go out of my way.

Choose your pasta type and your sauce, and anything you want with it on the basic menu, or select from the specials, I had a yummy risotto with asparagus and shrimp. What I liked ... the food. What didn't work well, not being served my beverage even after requesting it. The

Great place for Italian food reasonably priced. Staff is great, food cooked to order. Have been here several times, always worthwhile. Spaghetti is great, meatballs obviously made in house. Highly recommend.

Amazing meal. Did I say amazing. 😀😀 I had the Lamb Lasagne. Yummmmmmm!!! My son found his pasta so good that he had to order another one. My wife had the vegetable Lasagne, another winner dish. Loved this place!!!!

We have been to this restaurant twice while visiting friends in Portland and both times are dinners were excellent! This last time, we both had the herb and goat cheese raviolis with a pomodoro sauce (sauteed fresh tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil)....wonderful! The atmosphere is low-key and seating is provided both indoor and out. A good value, too... Three dinners, two beers and a coke cost less than $40. We will definitely return the next time we are in Portland.

Visiting Portland we stayed at an apartment in the alphabet district, and found Justa Pasta around the corner. It provides excellent fine dining quality pasta with a casual ambiance and very reasonable prices. How smart to have 2 small eating areas--a deli style room for families and a more "dressed up" dining room for adults only. We usually try to do pasta at least one meal while traveling, and this was better than the several spots we tried in Manhattan recently. We had the meatball & sauce with chili oil and the puttanesca, along with splitting a spinach salad and 2 glasses of chianti. Yummy.

this is the place to go. Owner is attentive to what you want. Small place, very good food. Do an excellent job of cooking food they way you want. Economical with good taste.

Justa Pasta doesn't have a great location... in fact I'd never heard of this place before I started working nearby. It is a hidden jewel. I've eaten here maybe 5-6 times now and I've always had a great meal. Their pastas, salads, soups and breads are amazing. Today I had the butternut squash soup. Heaven. Their mushroom and spinach alfredo lasagna is fantastic. Their roasted beet and candied walnut salad is amazing. It costs anywhere from $8-16 on average for a solo meal. At that price I usually go home with leftovers but here I never do. I'm not completely sure if that's because the portion sizes are smaller or because I eat everything on my plate every time. Justa Pasta has a intimate wine bar atmosphere so it might not be the best family restaurant but is perfect for a solo outing, dinner date, or business lunch. They sell bags of their pasta to cook at home as well. Service is friendly and quicker than average. Can't go wrong!

I've been to JP multiple times. They have a great variety of basic pastas and a changing board of specials. Pasta is made on site. We usually have a "regular" caesar salad and split it for two of us. The wines are a great value - you pick from shelves as you enter and then order your food at a counter. Many wines are less than $20. In nice weather you can eat outside. . It is family and kid friendly. It's very casual but the pasta is always excellent.

Best cheap eats ! Best kept secret !

Northwest Portland, reasonably priced, high quality food. Homemade pasta, sauces and desserts. Friendly staff and comfortable ambiance.

Normal food, Normal people, that is what you get at Justa Pasta along with good food and great desserts. Everything in Portland seems to be "fusion" which to me means confusion. This restaurant has normal Pasta dishes, my husband had spaghetti and meatballs , myself lamb lasagna. Also nice to see, everyone was well dressed there. No flip flops (in Portland this is difficult to find even in expensive restaurants) Here's to another 12 years

I've had two good meals here in the past, but was so disappointed this time. All 4 past dishes we had were just okay. My dish had great ingredients, but the sauce was lacking flavor and the pasta was even a little overcooked. It seemed like the B team was cooking. There are many other great pasta options, but I will give it another chance sometime.

If I was writing this place just on food it would be at 2. Mediocre chewy pasta served cold with Tangy Tomato Sauce. The reason I'm giving it a one-star is because it doesn't deserve the 4.7 start reading it has now. The top that's all off the owner is rude, pushy and abrasive. This guy ran around their West Front looking lost I never even smile the once while dealing with us . Even though the law states that you do not have to wear a mask while seated at a dining table, this jackwad requested that we wear a mask unless we were actually raising a fork with food on it to our mouths. And to top it all off, he couldn't even serve a cold drink. I just remembered, the meatballs we're so ground up and processed that they had the texture more a meat foam then anything edible. Avoid this clam stand with all passion

This is a great, charming place where you order first, and then sit down for your meal. It is small, warm and inviting, with great Pasta dishes - and only pasta dishes.

We had three different dishes, all shared with everyone smiling and really savoring each bite. My portobello lasagna was really good as was the ravioli dish. The cheese cake was very velvety and a hit with my friends. The pasta being made fresh adds a whole other level of taste. The service was good and the atmosphere enviting.

We've eaten at Justa Pasta many times. The food is consistently excellent and priced right. You can't go wrong with lasagne or ravioli. Excellent spinach salad too - simple but yummy. There isn't much service here - you order at the counter and they bring your food to you. The staff is friendly if busy. It is loud and often crowded. But this is far outweighed by the food. Great for famlies (they are accommodating) and a later dinner for adults. Oh, and their desserts - definitely save room!

We went to Justa Pasta on one of the hottest days in Portland, but the restaurant was very comfortable. You order at a counter but your food is served at your table and there is a nice table setting. We split a Cesar salad (was the perfect amount) and had two of their raviolis. The pasta was perfectly al dente, the sauce was so good we finished off the delicious bread dipped in the sauce. We had a chilly rose wine and serve yourself water. I'm sure that if this was a table service restaurant the prices would have been higher, as it was, for the quality of the food the price was extremely reasonable.

Went there with a friend. I ordered meatball with linguini, and tomato soup and they felt home-made and fresh. Would go back again during our stay in Portland.

The food is not bad at all. I just don't understand the fancy restaurant prices with the fast food "serve yourself" mentality. This place should be half the price (or better yet, double the service) and it would be a 4 or 5 star joint.

Great Cheap Pasta

Not big not ultra fancy, but if you are looking for really good pasta, good/friendly service, decent wine selection and you are in Northwest Portland this is a unique worthwhile destination restaurant!

cheap, fast and good.

I should give you a full review on the main entrée as well as the dessert. Ohhh nay, nay! I’m going to tell you about the dessert! Before going to eat here, I read some reviews. There was enough mention of cheesecake where I thought maybe I should take the advice. Boy was I glad I did. Italian food is just that. Delicious. Order what you think sounds good because it will be. My dish and my daughter’s dish were both delicious. I could tell you what it was, but it’s overshadowed by dessert, anyway. So, just order what sounds good to you. But, if you have The slightest desire for cheesecake, if you enjoy cheesecake occasionally, you need to do yourself a favor and get a slice here. I have had many a cheesecake. I don’t normally order dessert out for dinner. I ordered a cheesecake here. You will not be disappointed if you get the cheesecake. In fact, you will be asking for the recipe. I found a recipe on Pinterest and it may not be spot on, but it’s pretty darn close. I live in Michigan, I may not make it back to Oregon, but I have something in my kitchen that takes me back to a better time! Cheesecake! We had it with some sort of steamed mocha and it was a few minutes of pure heavenly delight. I will post a picture of the restaurant and I will post a picture with the cheesecakes that I made.

Fastastico hand made pasta that is affordable enough to treat the whole family! The menu is simple, but there is something to please everyone's taste. Authentic home style pasta that won't break the bank.

I'm always a little skeptical of 5* reviews - but Justa Pasta is just that good. The service is seamless, but not pretentious. Our table of five, each called a different entrée "the best of the night". Of course, the others were wrong, the angel hair with wild gulf prawns was The Best. (since I am the one writing this) The wine drinkers found their favorite. The margarita drinkers all agreed, one of the top margaritas in memory. A great relaxed evening. Thank you.

I dropped my car off nearby for alignment, and asked the guy if there were any nearby outdoor restaurants and he told me of this place and a Thai place. If is very good. Pretty good set up for safe dining , not the best but pretty good. Might go back today for the lamb version if they are open (raining)

Nicely prepared dishes, pleasant staff, and tasteful decor. Wish there was an overall rating between average and very good as this is leans towards the lower end of the latter as you have to order at the cash register, pay for the meal, seat yourself and wait for food. A bit odd, given the prices. Nary the rose without the thorn. Still, I would go back, as few other places seem to know how to cook pasta.

Nice atmosphere. The noodles were yum.

Small, regional, casual restaurant with excellent home made pasta dishes served with great sauces, good soups and the absolute BEST Cesar Salad you'll find anywhere at any price. Enjoy.

I love the simplicity of Justa Pasta. It is a cross between a nice Italian Bistro and fresh food fast. I had been thinking of going here for sometime and never actually got a plan together. Then on the spur of the moment, we decided to go out for dinner, and I was changed with deciding where. Justa Pasta! At first I was surprised by the order at the counter, but quickly adapted. The menu is basic and complete, and the special board offers a number of tantalizing options. I went for a vegetable lasagna - could not have been more pleased. Truthfully, I think a lot of the Italian Food in the Portland area is just okay. Some of my old favorites closed or changed hands or cooks and were never the same again. The lasagna I had at Justa Pasta was by far the best lasagna I have had out in Portland. I will be back!

We were somewhat disappointed after seeing many rave reviews and the comments of friends who asked us to join them. Our friends said they had never had such poor service before – staff worked hard but did not seem to know which table had ordered what they had been given to serve, and when they came to our table the dishes were not exactly what we had ordered. It was a chilly evening and the door to the outside seating was left open all the time making it somewhat cold in the restaurant -probably warmer outside with their space heaters! The food was acceptable, but expensive relative to a pasta restaurant we frequent. I had a special, Lamb Ravioli Arrabiatta, but the spice in the sauce overwhelmed all taste of the meat – one could not even guess what the meat was. The menu said the sauce was made with garlic chili oil, not the red pepper flakes we normally expect to provide the spice in Arrabiatta. Perhaps they accidently added too much. The one thing that might brings us back is their excellent list of Italian wines. Many were from Casa Bruno, a fabulous local importer/distributor of wines. As a retired wine retailer who bought many wines from them, I’m well aware of the wholesale price of the wines served at Justa Pasta. Most of the mark-ups were around 2.3 times wholesale, just about unheard of in Portland restaurants where 3.5 times or more is usual. We would recommend the restaurant to fans of Italian wines, but it would take another more successful visit to recommend the food, service, or ambiance.

We happened to pass this restaurant and decided to give it a try. It was well worth it. We had raviolis and spaghettis with alfredo, pesto, and marinara sauces, as well as salads and (an unexpected find on the menu) sautéed spinach. All were delicious, and the pasta portions were reasonably but not overwhelmingly large. The place itself is unpretentious and very casual. It appears also to be somewhat of a neighborhood place and welcomes kids. We would go back, over other pasta places, and I would definitely recommend to others for a great meal in a comfortable space.

Went for an early dinner. You place an order at the counter then it gets delivered. Didn't wait long at all for food. Menu is diverse and there are specials. Ravioli was very good, but a bit spicy for my wife. Spaghetti and meatballs were very good. Angel Hair special was very good but the shrimp were overcooked. Extensive non-alcoholic drink menu, including Italian Sodas. Atmosphere was very good and we would return to try other dishes. Parking right in front.

Everything is fresh and homemade. The cheesecake was the creamiest ever. We were able to be seated without a reservation. Recommend highly.

When we want a neighborhood place with great food at a reasonable price, this is the place. The pasta is all house-made and the best in Portland. The caesar salad is usually the best in Portland, but can sometimes be overly seasoned with garlic. Bring your own wine or select from their reasonable priced options.

I wish there were half stars, I would give this a 3 1/2. It's a great place for a no-brainer lunch. The lasagna is really good, and the pastas are good. Nothing is excellent, but I also haven't had anything bad.

We stopped in here for later night light dinner - found by accident and so glad we did! Order at the counter, menu is posted, and it was clear that the chefs wants to do a few things very well... and that was confirmed when the staff brought over a lovely bowl of homemade linguini pasta covered with delicious pesto. There is also outside seating, quiet inside tables and you can watch the talented folks in the kitchen preparing your delicious meal!

Great spot with excellent food for a casual meal. If you're looking for service at your table and a full fine dining experience, go elsewhere. However, if you want an excellent place with local flavor & great food that is a cut above a chain restaurant come here!

I took a good friend for her birthday. Her meal of linguine with prawns and arugula was outstanding. My lamb lasagna was just OK.

Justa Pasta is a wonderful find in the Alphabet District. The fresh pasta and sauces are delicious. You feel at home here. It is a casual, comfortable restaurant where you order at the counter and have your food delivered to your table. There is an fine selection of wine. The specials are to die for! The staff is very friendly and helpful.

This popular spot in NW Portland is cozy, candle-lit and quiet on one side, brighter and kid-friendly on the other. The people are nice, the service very fast. You order and pay at the counter, pour your own water and take a seat. A basket of tasty bread arrives moments later. My green salad was fine, but drenched in too much dressing, should have ordered it on the side. Several pastas are on the menu, as you can tell from the name, and I'd expect it to all be good, but my whole wheat pasta with pesto was much too heavy and too oily, though flavorful. The strips of grilled chicken on it were perfect, not overdone. Prices seem a little steep for a casual pasta place, but maybe that's just me. Several wines are on the menu and they offer dishes other than pastas. I've heard the soups are great. Customers seemed quite happy.

If you're looking for simple, fresh, and creative Italian without all the fancy frills, then this is your place. You can eat in or take out but the quality will always be great. Check out the daily specials online before you go, they're always surprising. You can choose your serving size depending on how hungry you are. Worth every penny you spend there. Very family friendly.

We ordered takeout and loved our food. She ordered the regular ravioli with marinara and I had a special spinach salad with golden beets, pumpkin seeds and goat cheese. Our selections were yummy and we look forward to returning.

We had to purchase and take home because of the Corona Virus but the food was great, the portions were large, and prices were reasonable. We had dinner with my sister-in-law and enjoyed an evening of good food and conversation.

While visiting friends in Portland, we enjoyed dinner here. We had been a couple of years ago and jumped at the chance to return. The interior is spartan but the food and service is great. We each picked something different off the menu or chalkboard specials. Everything was delightful. Excellent wine selection. The bottles are on a shelf next to the ordering counter. It is nice to be able to read the labels and ratings on the shelf. Great cheesecake too. The cost is very reasonable. Very nice night out with friends.

The set up here is a little different. There is seating outside, in front of the counter where you order and behind the counter. We ordered and then found a table in the back. I'm not sure what happens if you order and then cannot find a place to sit because it's not a takeout restaurant. We were served our meal without a problem. The pasta is fresh and very good. Not expensive.

I loves this place because it was original and different. Menu is on a blackboard inside. You order at the deli and then it is delivered to the table. What I did not like was you pay upfront and they want you to tip upfront too. So you are expected to tip prior to the service. Frankly, the waiter never refilled our drinks and it seemed a bit much to want a tip with no wait service.

We really liked this place, recommended in the Rough Guide to Oregon and Washington and near a streetcar stop (maybe 3 blocks?) in northwest Portland. The food was good and the staff was genuinely friendly. As Don G and others have mentioned, you order at the counter and then your food is brought to your table.

Justa Pasta has nice pasta dishes, excellent service and a nice atmosphere. I appreciate that the pasta is made fresh and they use local produce when they can. The decor is really neat, we loved the flower lights!

Really enjoyed the food and atmosphere - I would have preferred not to stand in line to order but after doing so, thought the rest of the experience was great. Pasta one of the best I've had.

A very pleasant, friendly place with excellent, well-priced food. You can mix and match pastas and sauces; choose the amount that you want, order specials and appetizers, and get beer, wine, and good espresso. It's low-key, family-friendly, but welcoming to adults too. Highly recommended.

Great Italian food, Casual, order at counter than sit down and they bring wonderful food.  Great staff.

This is the best home made pasta anywhere in town!

This place ended up being a last resort for a Monday night dinner. Was surprised so many restaurants in Portland were closed on Monday/Tuesday. I was put off by the glitchy name and assumed the food would be basic (step up from Olive Garden). This was truly a "foodie" gem. Had a magnificent blood orange margarita cocktail. Did not realize how fresh all the pasta was. Great warm bread for the table. I had one of the ravioli specials with spinach and it was amazing. Next time I will enjoy dessert as the group at the next table raved about the cheesecakes.

Having been doing once a week takeout. Great food as always. You can also order fresh pasta and sauces to cook at home for other days of the week. Prepay and get curbside delivery. Same great food and service as when you could eat at a table inside.

Well, I am kinda justa pasta'd out. They have lasagna's are hit and miss (but when they hit they are delicious), and most of the food is pretty heavy so come with an appetite. Nice, not so formal, and they have a good system for to go orders.

This is the best pasta around! Homemade noodle taste with lots of flavor! The owners are really nice. You can either sit outside on the patio, or inside and watch the cooks make your meal. Very quick and hardworking cooks! They bring bread out while you are waiting, and that also is mouthwatering! It's such a treat to get to go here when we are in portland!

A friend recommended Justa Pasta, so I went with four friends. EVERYONE LOVED their meal. There are many choices of dishes...as well as size of portion. We all got "small" which was more than adequate. The pasta was home made and the sauces were delicious. Being able to add your choice of protein to a pasta dish is a bonus. There are also many daily specials...and an excellent choice of wine. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable. I'll be going back SOON!

First things first: Do not try to go on a Friday or Saturday night, you will not find a place to park or sit. I love the pasta here, but even more so, I like the way they do things. You walk in and order at the counter, pay, then find a place to sit and they bring it out to you. No waiting for a server to bring you drinks or a check, you get it all out of the way up front. They have daily specials and you can buy uncooked pasta to take home. I love the butternut squash ravioli. They keep it dimly lit at night, which I enjoy, and the street it is on is fairly quiet. I have been going on dates here since high school, which says a lot. It was a sophisticated place for me then, and it is a laid back, special treat place for me now. They have a few spots for large-ish groups, but it is more of a small intimate space kind of place, I wouldn't take a group of more than 4 if you expect to all sit together.

Been eating here for a few years. Covid did not dampen the quality of food or service. Hard to pick a favorite dish! And their wine pours aren’t skimpy!!

What more can I say other than what is in the title. We have eaten there several times and maybe it was just an off night but our dishes were not at all good and my wife's pesto, which was all garlic no other taste, came out cold and we were surprised that their solution was to stick the dish in the microwave.

Very good value, all homemade and fresh. Many choices on menu. Daily specials a day outside dining in good weather. Take reservation for 6 or more.

This is my second visit. Ordered the same dish both times and this was a disappointment. Had the the three cheese ravioli with marinara sauce. The ravioli was chewy not tender, the marinara sauce was watery. Hoping that it was just a bad night for the chef. I wasn't very happy with my meal. Not upset enough to complain, but not very satisfied.

I'm obviously in the minority regarding negative reviews on this place but I have to tell it like it is. One can only hear the story about "family-owned" and "make their own pasta" so much and assume that these two factors must equate to a quality dining experience. I ordered the spaghetti with meatballs. The rubbery noodles were a bit al dente but otherwise bore little resemblance to spaghetti. The marinara sauce lacked substance and was watery. The two meatballs were large but practically devoid of flavor. My wife's risotto was flavorless as well, non-creamy and accompanied by overcooked soggy vegetables. Justa Pasta charges full-service restaurant prices but you must go to the counter to order and pour your own water, cafeteria-style. The minimal service was friendly but couldn't compensate for the deficient food quality. Nonetheless, this place has been in operation for quite awhile and is quite popular with Portlanders so be your own judge.

We love Justa Pasta! We eat here at least once a month and always have some of their fresh/ frozen pasta in the freezer to pull out for weeknight meals. Things to know: -Walk in, get in line to order, read the huge daily specials board, or order off the menu -You get a cute wood number to place at your table and your food will be brought to you. -Portions are very generous (but we never share-- take it home for leftovers instead) -Splurge on a glass of wine, the staff is happy to suggest a perfect pairing -Beautiful entree sized salads -Purchase fresh pasta and sauce and take it home to cook (or freeze for later) -You can call ahead and order to go The ambiance if family style, comfortable, cozy, and just perfect. You will be pleased.

Sat outside and enjoyed a lunch in the outdoors. I had the chicken lasagna which was very good - everything else looked good too.

A restaurant with an industrial feel but delightful. The staff are welcoming and friendly and the recommendation that I got was to go with the specials menu on the blackboard. This was good advice. I had a green salad to start with a delicious dressing followed by their special chicken lasagna - simple, wholesome and very tasty. The wine list was also very good and keenly priced. This is not a fancy restaurant but it is a very good one, albeit low key. Highly recommended