Italian Spaghetti House & Pizzeria

This place has so many memories. My family and I are so sad to see it go after sitting on Lake City Way for what seems like forever.
Since it doesn’t look like it will be coming back, I’ll just use this post as a nostalgic flashback.
There was a time when the carpet was brighter, the paint was newer, and the prices weren’t so expensive. This was in the 90’s– mid 2000’s, so the recent reviews only give an image of the «The Italian Spaghetti House sliding into perpetual oblivion» instead of the actual The Italian Spaghetti House. This if of course not anybody’s fault except the management, but I’m not here to complain.
Many times as a child, I came here and always ordered the spaghetti al burro — aka the creamiest, gut busting spaghetti you’re ever going to eat and have your stomach ultimately reject; yet you keep ordering it anyways.
This was accompanied with bread, butter and cracksticks (aka bread sticks filled with crack; OK maybe not, they were just really good).
I could go on, but I think I’ll just write two short memories:
— After my palate became more refined, I decided to bypass the spaghetti al burro and order the spaghetti with clam sauce. While eating, I found a clam shell burrowed in my pasta. Somewhat disturbing, they refunded my meal except for the sides I ate, *IN ADDITION* to my mom, who happened to order the same thing but insisted she was traumatized.
— Around 2005, my lola (aka grandma) was unfortunately hit with a stroke and ended up developing dementia. My family and I ended up taking her for a meal here, and she ordered a coffee for dessert. She was looking for the sugar on the table, and mistakenly grabbed the parmesan cheese. She was about to add it to her coffee, until she caught herself, and started to laugh hysterically. We all had a good laugh together, and it’s one of the more vivid memories I have of her post-​stroke.
Italian Spaghetti House, we’re sad you’re gone, but glad to have known you’ve had better days indeed.

I haven’t been here in quite a while, because they’ve been closed for remodeling for quite a while! I’m sad about that. I really liked their pizza. Please come back…

They’re out of business now, apparently. The phone number doesn’t answer and there’s been an under construction «this month» sign on the door for the last 3 months.

I used to love this restaurant, but I haven’t been to the ISH&P in at least 20 years, we were meeting friends and this was the halfway point so I suggested we go there. I have to admit as we were parking in their big lot that I was nervous about recommending a restaurant that I had not been to for so long.
As I read the menu there were some changes but they all seemed to be for the better, and the prices were still resonable. We decided to order so we could all try each others entrée, we started with sharing the salads which were delicious but were bigger than we thought they would be, so beware, and the Bread was great, I always like good first impressions and the salad and bread were just that. I did notice the table next to us had ordered the anti pasta plate and it looked great, something to look forward to next time.
We ordered the meat lasagna, linguini puttanesca, veal marsala, linguini with clams and my favorite chicken parmigian along with a pizza for an appetizer. It would take too long to comment on every dish, let me just say everyone was very happy with their meal and the entrees are large enough to share. I do have to say the chicken parm was fantastic, and the pizza was a big hit, it was delicious with a perfect crust.
The servers were very nice and helpful since we were sharing, it was a nice experience and I will not wait another 20 years before going back there, it will be more like within 20 days, I can’t wait

This place is enjoyable. We always go as a family when they are in town. My daughters and son LOVE the «Macaroni and Cheese». It’s more like noodles with butter and cream. Doesn’t get much better.
The meatballs and spaghetti are, as are all the red sauces, good, but not great. The cream sauces are good — very rich. The meat dishes are quite good, the food is not fancy but solid. There is no attempt at frilly cuisine.
Standing this restaurant apart is the SERVICE. Both times dining here we’ve had the same waitress. She is UNREAL, remembering us from our three month ago visit. Older, an accountant by day, this place would SUFFER if they ever let her go.
A good place to visit. Love it for what it is: Solid, simple, Italian.

Sadly, quite disappointing.
Don’t get me wrong — we honestly know how to enjoy Ye Olde Spagetti Factory or Bucca or even the Olive Garden with a bunch of families and kids when the time is right.
I also grew up on Long Island where there’s 2 family-​style basic Italian standards like this one on virttually every block.
We drive past this place all the time, thought it looked like a quaint Long Island throwback, read the reviews here and were excited to try it for fun with the kids.
Simply not good — honestly lower quality in both food and service than the chains that were inspired by the wonderful places of its ilk.
Decour is what you’d expect (fun family italian kitsch), but drab and not the cleanest.
Food was just weak. Not terrible, just weak. One positive exception was the kids macaroni and cheese which was essentially Alfredo, reminiscent of our long-​forgotten pre-​kids late night dinners at 13 Coins and their salmon fettucini alfredo.
Gelato for the kids was crystallized and flavorless. They didn’t even finish it, which speaks for itself.
Sounds like this place may have at one time been a lot better — but again, even with a healthy appreciation for the super simple, super economical family-​friendly staple Spaghetti House is supposed to be, unfortunately it’s just not hitting the mark.

I’ve eaten here a handful of times over the past 25 years. There was always something familiar about the «dinner» option: salad, soup, dessert. I remember restaurants like this in the North Beach neighborhood in San Francisco. Tonight, however, we were faced with a new menu – it seemed to have more choices but everything was ala carte. Despite the lack of nostalgia, I think this menu is much more diner-​friendly by offering options to people. And the bill ended up being much less than if we’d all ordered the full dinner. I ordered the penne puttanesca – absolutely delicious!

My family has been going to this restaurant for 30 years and I think the only reason it is still in business is their old-​time customer base. Why would old people pay so much for such mediocre food? I honestly can’t understand why this place is so busy on a Saturday that it takes 15 minutes to take your order. Perhaps the food flow is just poorly managed. I mean, they did lose our order and we sat for an our at our table without food.
Can I just say that there are no vegetables at this restaurant? Iceberg lettuce doesn’t count.

My two kids and I gave this neighborhood place a shot having not eaten here for several years. We came for pizza but got a lot more unfortunately.
The service was absolutely awful. Older server who has obviously been working here for years and has «mailed it in.» She literally turned her back walking away several times before I could even finish a sentence.
The appetizer we ordered was never delivered and she made me feel like an a-​hole for asking about it – again having to call her back to the table as she was walking away after slamming the pizza down.
Pizza was OK and I even had a follow-​up call with the Mgr. to express my surprise at the lack of service. Mgr. was great and sincerely disappointed but we won’t be coming back. Too bad because we live in Maple Leaf and drive by all the time. We weren’t expecting a 5* experience b/​c we know where to go to get that, but this was just sad.

I have been eating here since I was in a high chair! My family loves the pizza and the meatballs and marinara sauce… yum! They still have a core group of waitresses who have been there forever! (We always have to sit in the same one’s section, extra points because she always remembers us!!)
Although I heard they are changing up the menu a little bit, I will always order their minnestronie, meatballs and marinara, finished with a HUGE heaping scoop of supmoni ice cream… and half a carafe of their (god-​awful but it’s tradition) chianti! Do the same and you’ll be a loyal customer for years.

This long time local post WWII style Americanized Italian house on Lake City Way earns points for longevity and tradition and being unique. Before The Spaghetti Factory and places with names like Ye Olde Pizza Parlor emerged, this family run business was turning out average but copious dinners with a smile.
I went old school and had the spaghetti and meats balls. It was a tad Boy-​Ar-​Deezian, bland but respectable. The garlic bread was super. The service VERY friendly and sweet and the prices very fair.
I suspect they think «al dente» means a car door ding, but hey, that’s OK, its still pretty decent.
I’d come back, great for a large family.

So I found the bright use of faux plaster, fake ivy and assorted other Italian things very cheerful. I am charmed by what seems very ordinary to most middle Americans. Kitsch is cute.
I want to address the elephant in the room: the other reviewers are right. They use canned mushrooms. They are gross. They cost them a star. It’s like a pizza place buying frozen pizzas. Gross. I am most decidedly unhappy with this.
Like some older and not booming businesses, this one was most interested in sticking with it’s obvious repeat customers than going all out to get us to come back. Thus our waitress’ dogged dedication to intoxicating the middle aged men and women who drank like fish. She slammed or dropped all of our food on the table but carefully placed beer bottles and wines glasses. I guess she knew they’d be better tippers drunk,
It’s always a turn off when an older person (or any person) in the service industry literally decides you are not worth their time .
Anyhow the Pizza was okay, but if we’re splitting soup and salad and cheesy bread and end it with spumoni– it means we did not like the pizza. I could eat it without feeling like it was some weird social experiment but I usually expect more than that. If you expect more than that I would suggest not going. If you’re taking a kid under 10 or older relatives that don’t like new things (like fresh mushrooms in restaurants) then this is a good place.

Spaghetti House and Pizzeria seemingly has not changed since my college days so many years ago. I eat here a couple times a year and it’s always the same. Friendly service, comfortable atmosphere and simple Americanized Italian food. Foodies looking to relive their Tuscan vacation should go elsewhere.
Basic pizzas are very good. Don’t look for white truffle shaving, they use canned mushrooms. Pasta dishes are basic and satisfying. One notch up from Spaghetti Factory or the Olive Garden. With that in mind you’ll have an enjoyable meal. It’s also a refreshing contrast to the pretty penny pasta and pizza places.

I had to go here after passing by the place so many times. I figured, it can’t be worse than the ‘Old Spaghetti Factory’.
The staff is lovely. Quick seating, attentive and just very nice people. The décor is a little cave like but some of the maps and pictures are quite interesting.
But the food the serve is just not good.
We wanted pasta and could hardly wait for it! But I was a bit surprised when my spaghetti with mushrooms came out and it was a big pile of cooked button mushrooms sitting on top of my pasta and sauce. Not in the sauce, not cut up, just sitting there. They tasted fine but I barely could eat so many of them that way. It really wasn’t what I wanted and I felt disappointed.
The boy thought his meatballs were alright, but nothing special. The same with the garlic bread. As a meal, it was just a miss.
I have heard their pizza is quite good. So I do plan to give that a chance and update. But if you are thinking of stopping in for pasta, I would just go home and make your own.

Long may the Spaghetti House reign as lord of the Italian-​American neighborhood restaurants.
I grew up in this place and, other than the menus, nothing (not even the waitresses) have changed since my first time there.
Don’t come here expecting culinary greatness for your palate, come for culinary greatness for your soul.
Great italian dressing, good pizza, the spaghetti and meatballs (get the spicy marinara) and tortellini al burro are classics. The Parmesan-​crusted steak cooked in the pizza oven is also a champion. Top it off with a bowl of spumoni and you’re set.
Wine bottles wrapped in twine, wall to wall murals of Italy, and waitresses who stop to chat about anything you care to make this a great place to feel at home.

Have only passed this place like 5000 times, but finally stopped in the other night. This review is for the pizza only. Looking at the menu though, the selection of entrée’s looks pretty good, but pricey.
The hostess was very nice. Actually greeted us, what a concept, especially what we had been through with a different restaurant earlier that night. The interior of the pizzeria was old school, but had a certain charm to it.
Now on to the pizza… thought the crust was very good, but lacked enough cheese for my choosing. The toppings were fine, could of used more pineapple, on my half of the pizza.
I think we will try this place again, due to good customer service, and the pizza being A-​OK.

I honestly cannot believe this place is still in business. I went with a friend the other day to try it out, after passing it on Lake City enough times. There were probably three times as many people working as customers in the restaurant, though I’m not sure what they were doing. Perhaps opening cans of marinara sauce?
The food was bland, made with cheap, canned ingredients. There was nothing remotely authentic or even that tasty about this meal The «salad» was made with old iceberg lettuce with Kraft dressings. Eating at the Old Spaghetti Factory or the Olive Garden would have been tastier and cheaper.
Don’t fall into the trap that IS the Italian Spaghetti House!

Although I’ve heard the pizza here is award winning, I’ve never tried it… simply because I am addicted to their lasagna with a side order of meatballs. Dishes can be purchased ala carte or full meals. The meals are HUGE! You get bread AND breadsticks; soup AND salad; your main dish AND dessert. I usually eat the soup, salad & bread and bring the rest home for dinner tomorrow.
This is a family favorite and we never miss it on our way home from visiting grandma. A definite must for anyone who loves good Italian food.

A Seattle classic … We «take out «pizza here about once a month. Look, opinions on pizza are a totally subjective thing. everyone has their favoriite style and place and there really is no standard for excellence. it depends on where you come from I guess; that said, occasionally one of these grand pizzas hits the spot. we order sausage, pepperoni, peppers and olives .(see my pictures above) about $ 20 for the largest. it must weigh over 6 pounds. this is a gross out pizza rather than a gourmet pie. they re-​heat wonderfully. evokes the old Northlake Pizza style.

I’m not normally a fan of Italian food, so I probably wouldn’t have ever gone to the Italian Spaghetti House if it was up to me (each time I’ve been there was because of someone else’s birthday celebration). While not exactly in my «birthday dinner» echelon of restaurants, the Spaghetti House is still a fun and festive place to get a big ol’ mountain of pasta.
The restaurant sits by itself in a parking lot, scootched all the way up to the curb like it’s pleading for attention from the cars passing by — and indeed, it’s never very busy inside. The place is decorated like the Olive Garden’s hippie cousin: cheerfully amateurish Italian-​villa murals painted on the walls, wooden trellises with fake vines hanging off them everywhere you look, and a red/​brown vinyl-​and-​faux-​wood-​paneling color palette straight from the ‘70s.
Dinners range from $ 16 – 21, and while you can order entrees a la carte, it’s a better deal (and more fun) to get the «dinner» option, which includes soup AND salad AND bread AND dessert. On top of that, the portions are so huge that it’s best to literally divide your meal in half and just focus on finishing that — there’s more than enough for lunch the next day. The chicken parmigiana is huge and satisfying, and comes on a big bed of pasta. The spaghetti with garlic, olive oil, and anchovies is a somewhat lighter option, but definitely on the salty side, and you should know that the anchovies come whole and are not blended into the pasta. I hear very good things about the baked lasagna, too.
The service is no-​nonsense, but friendly and attentive, with the kind of waitresses who get their hair set and call you «hon.» And at the end of it all, you get spumoni! I’ve heard that this restaurant is being sold to new owners in fall 2007, so you might want to give it a try sooner rather than later, because I have a feeling the prices will get higher and the portions will get smaller under new management. Even if pasta isn’t normally your thing, you can find something cheesy, meaty, and marinara-​soaked to love at the Italian Spaghetti House.