Pepe Rosso To Go

Sorry to say this, but my neighborhood go-​to spot has jumped the shark. What used to be amazing food is now mediocre at best. I think new management or ownership is cutting too many corners. Shame.

Amazing hole in the wall that serves the bestest freshest Italian food! My husband is Italian so when he approves of a place you know it’s the real deal. The price is one of the greatest thing here as well because it’s not overpriced and you get good quality for what you pay for

I’ve checked off most of the interesting places surrounding my old job off of my Seamless bucketlist (yes, I actually have one) so I decided to trek out a little further into the West Village – SoHo/​TriBeCa is full of places with small-​portioned, $ 15 dollar meals that will have you binging within the next hour.
I ordered the Tagliolini and Porcini Mushroom in Tomato Cream Sauce for a pick-​up order and when I arrived, the sweet Italian gentleman happily handed me my prepared order. The inside is cute and small and it is perfect for dining in the summer. If I had the choice, I would’ve stayed and dined there. I feared my pasta would be dried and lukewarm by the time I walked back to my office (roughly a 15 – 20 minute walk), but it was still hot as if it was just handed to me and it was delicious! The tomato sauce tasted like vodka sauce and was the best part – you can taste the small chunks of tomatoes! Yes, it is mainly a takeout place, but don’t underestimate the quality for fast food quality. It is really hearty, delicious takeout food and you will fall in love with the charm of this place!
I can’t wait to come back once the weather is warmer and I can finally have a sit-​down meal here. I wish there was a location near my job, but the West Village is more suiting for this place.

More like Pepe Grosso.
Is this ham or plastic?
Why is my panini soggy and undercooked?
What is this little rock-​like thing in my pasta?
These are the questions you’ll be asking yourself if you make the poor decision of eating at Pepe Rosso.

New York is a haven for good Italian food, but most exist in the form of fine dining. If you want delicious no fuss, unpretentious, pasta, Pepe Rosso has got it hands down. Mainly a takeout joint, there are a few spaces to sit down for a quick bite if you can snag a seat.

I was running out of places to eat by work, and really wanted to try something new.
So I started Unilocaling around work, and finally found a place that’s still walking distance from my job. This place is really a hole in the wall, and it’s really Italian! Came here during a hot summer day, and ordered penne with spinach. The pasta was cooked al dente, and I like that they gave me bread to go with the meal. Furthermore their olive oil and vinegar were really yummy, which made me like this place very much.
I would love to try some more dishes from the menu, the photos posted by fellow Unilocalers looked yummy!

This place is REALLY small, only about 3 tables. It seems to be owned by a real Italian person, so I enjoyed the authenticity of it. I ordered the takeout and he wasn’t the friendliness on the phone. He hung up before I could ask how long it would be. Other than that, the order was ready fairly quickly. I ordered the taglioni porcini, and I really liked it, but I didn’t find it that filling. Either way, I’ll probably be back for a quick takeout while I’m at school (NYU).

Decent. Nothing to write home about. Good concept but not impressed with overall flavor profiles. I can only imagine the place during rushtime, sloppy and no attention to detail. Plus, the front counter, when you’re handling money, DO NOT PUT YOUR BARE HANDS on my FOOD! YUCK! Penne was al dente, a major plus! Vodka sauce needed salt. Didn’t like the smoky staleness of the Pancetta or the hardened bread that accompanies but there are plenty of other options. Cool, relaxed hangout spot though.

It really upsets me that I have to write this review for a restaurant that I really like, or that I really used to like. I’ve been going to this restaurant for a very very long time and in the last year or so I’ve been ordering from work almost every Saturday or Sunday an average of 20 to $ 40, today I ordered a garlic and oil on spaghetti, a Caesar salad and a piece of onion focaccia. I asked for extra garlic… the gentleman on the phone said not a problem. When the food came there was practically no garlic I’m talking maybe 5 thin slices in the whole dish. I looked at the receipt the request for the extra garlic was not there ?.. I called the restaurant he told me he was sorry that they were busy? Okay I started to eat the food and realized I can’t spend this money on a plate of pasta that doesn’t taste right– and with some spaghetti stuck together., perhaps they had a different cook today I’m not sure… so I called back and asked for a refund for my spaghetti (only) …he said, quote– okay but I will Never ever deliver to you again! Now if this is the way to deal with a loyal customer ??? or any customer??? it’s just plain wrong. I was basically threatened. Unfortunately I will never order or eat in this restaurant again and I will tell everyone I know to stay far far away their service is horrendous and rude and inexcusable.

Wonderful Italian restaurant! iv been eating here for almost 20 years and always come back here .
Owner is a cool Italian dude, always friendly .
Only bad thing it’s a small place and you might have to wait some time.

Dishes got smaller and more expensive but still good Italian eats. Very small space to dine in, perfect for a quick in and out sit down. Best for delivery or take out. Yummy but wish the size was as before and/​or the price. times change…

I picked up lunch from Pepe Rosso To Go on this chilly winter day. The food itself was great – made with fresh ingredients and made to order. The fresh arugula on top of my Rigatoni Prosciutto Arugola in Pink Sauce really put the dish over the top. Pasta is homemade and served perfectly al dente. Service was also good as the person behind the counter was polite and took my order promptly.
The issue is that this place is overpriced for the portion sizes. I will definitely be heading back, but will be ordering more food or asking to buy a larger portion.

Came here today for the first time with a huge craving for some good pasta. The space is small but cozy, and has a vibrant atmosphere. I ordered Farfalle with shiitake mushrooms and pesto cream. This dish was delicious with the enough portions. I was able to finish the whole plate! This place is more self-​service but if you need anything just ask. The workers were friendly. I think what made my visit more better was also the people who were there speaking Italian and seeing all the vibrant wall prints caught my attention. I would definitely come here again and recommend it to anyone who wants a good bite of pasta!

I love this place. Yes it’s small. Only 3 tables but it’s so good I don’t care! But my god I finally found a decent Marinara sauce that taste just like my grandmas. I can just tell how Authentic Italian the food is and gluten free pasta too! Yes please. So glad I found this on a whim. I’m now a permanent customer. Grazie!

It was aight– i got the
Spaghetti and meatballs
Pasta was cooked al dente
Meatballs were small and too compact. Slightly dry as well

Enjoyed this smart-​small eatery with my cousin. Cosy, fast dishes, but I fear not a place for the Friday-​Saturday night crowds.

Cheap prices for simple pasta. Nothing out of this world good (the pastas were very al dente, and the flavors are simple), but it’s great for a pasta craving if you’re trying to keep it budget friendly. Portions are generous. Tiny room with 8 seats, so it’s better to go! Friendly service.

Came here to order a panini. Saw their cash-​only sign but my order was close to the $ 10 minimum. I told him I didn’t have cash so he told me to order a drink (which I didn’t want — I had a water bottle visibly in my arm). He wasn’t polite at all. Furthermore, there are now startups offering low-​free credit card processing so a business doesn’t need a minimum. One of the three — their attitude, their cash policy, or their credit card processing — needs to change.

Read about this somewhere on an article and on Unilocal.It has high reviews, but nothing flavor wise to blow you away. It’s quick, convenient, and meets expectations but nothing more.
Small spot, so do intend to take your food to-​go unless you can get a seat.

Greeted nastily when picking up a Seamless order of Rigatoni Prosciutto di Parma and Arugula in Pink Sauce $ 12.95 (bland prosciutto di parma, limp and mushy arugula, decent pink sauce*) in the tiny space (hence the name).
*My description, not Seamless’

Very small place as other had mentioned. About 4 small tables only and a bench outside the small storefront.
I ordered the $ 9.95 penne with spinach and enjoyed every bit. It didn’t seem like a large portion but I left feeling full.
I also tried the lemonade which wasn’t sweet at all. Didn’t exactly help my sweet tooth but it was refreshing for the hot day.

I stopped at this place for a refreshing home made lemonade. It was gud but the food at this tiny spot looked quite appetizing. I am surely planning to drop in for a bite sometime.

I wouldn’t call this place the best Italian food in NYC. If you think that, you clearly don’t venture into the Bronx. However, for a cheap no frills Italian place in Manhattan, this joint is pretty spot on. It’s a nice spot for lunch but it’s not really meant for eating in — hence their, «Eat fast. We need the table. You choke we do hemlich.» sign.
I had the Penne Vodka with Pancetta and it set me off on a Penne Vodka addiction for the rest of the month…

I was still thinking about this place after coming here about a week ago, so I suggested lunch with a few friends here.
It was about 3:30PM on a Monday afternoon, so once again there was space to sit. This time, I noticed we were in time for the lunch special (11AM — 4PM) which consisted of the soup of the day or a mixed salad and your choice of two different paninis or a fusilli pasta.
My friend ordered the black tagliolini with seafood I mentioned in my previous review (still delicious), the other friend had the caprese panini, which was very fresh and the bread, lightly toasted and soft. I had the lunch special with a leek and potato soup and fusilli pasta with a spiced tomato sauce and arugula ($ 10).
The soup was simple, with a small amount of diced potatoes and onions, not anything noteworthy. The pasta was cooked just right, and the sauce had chunks of tomato in it, your average tomato sauce with a kick to it. The arugula was tossed on top and it’s semi bitter taste made the pasta more sweet and flavorful.
The lunch special was alright, but my heart will forever belong to the black tagliolini seafood pasta! And this time, I don’t think my heart will ever stray again.

A quaint little hole-​in-​the wall in SoHo — no fuss, no frills, just straight-​up quality Italian food. PRTG is a to-​go restaurant that offers to-​go-​sized portions. Should all else fail, PRTG is an admirable plan B.
I stopped by the neighborhood one morning (11:00 AM, at which time all my local favorites Italian restaurants have not yet opened. Fortunately, Pepe Rosso was opened (and offering lunch specials)!
PRTG is nominally a «to-​go» restaurant … meaning they do not offer table service. The food is brought out for you to pick up and water is available at a self-​serve station.
In big letters, the words «NO SKIM MILK, NO DIET COKE, NO DECAF COFFEE» are chalked along side their menu. A cozy Italian bistro with «not enough room for you to be talking on your phone while dining». The décor appropriately reflects the owner, a spunky old Italian man — intimidating at first, but real funny and hospitable. The food came out in an proper manner — though separately.
I ordered the prosciutto, mozz, basil, tomato panini ($ 8.95): well-​portioned though the prosciutto was too salty (go figure).
My S.O. ordered the basil spinach tomato sauce with ricotta penne ($ 8.95): well-​cooked and very flavorful (al dente and all) however, the portion could have been a little bigger. The pasta was accompanied with a basket of bread, which made the whole experience feel a little less «to-​go».
Certainly the portions aren’t as generous as full-​fledged Italian restaurants. But for what is, Pepe Rosso delivers (figuratively, not literally). Though some of my favorites are right around the corner, Pepe Rosso was worth dropping by.

Pepe Rosso
NY: Manhattan: Soho
8pm Sunday 28^th September 2014
Five Stars
I stopped by this little Italian restaurant. The bread was soft. The flavored olive oil was spicy and delicious. I ordered the Daily Special: Pappardelle with Spicy Short Rib. The pasta was thin and flat and cooked al dente. The tomato sauce was sweet and rich. The short ribs were tender but were not pulled up apart. There was a bit of a bone. The dish was delicious. My favorite part of this place was the signs: 1) No breast feeding children over 12. 2) Purchasing meal entitles you one seat, half a table, and 15 minutes to eat. 3) Eat fast we need the table, You choke we do hemlich.

I absolutely love this place. It is my all time favorite restaurant. I could eat here every day for the rest of my life and be happy. Even if I ate the same pasta dish for breakfast lunch dinner and dessert. I’ve always wanted to visit Italy, but if the pasta there isn’t as good as Pepe Rosso. I’ll be very disappointed.
First off, the quality of the pasta here is just unbeatable. The pappardelle is freshly hand made and you can taste the difference in the dishes. All their pastas are cooked perfectly al dente, and they have a specials board that rotates every week. The rigatoni pasta with chicken and mushroom is my favorite though, and it’s a permanent item on the main board. Oh! And I love how everything comes steaming hot out of the kitchen.
Second off, this is an Italian restaurant in Soho, NY. How they can only charge $ 10 – 12 for a plate of pasta is beyond me. Most places will easily sucker $ 20 out of you, and it’s not even close to being as good as Pepe Rosso.
The saddest part of about moving to Boston was not being able to frequent this place as often as I did!