Padua Pasta Makers & Italian Deli

Visited Upland for the first time a few weeks ago with a friend and we were told about this little gem and are glad we checked it out, such a cheerful, charming place, you would never know it from the outside. Great ambiance with the Sinatra-​esque soundtrack in the background, an open stainless steel kitchen, one of a kind décor items here and there, and lots of appealing displays. They have a small Italian grocery area where I found both the anchovies and anchovy paste I needed for a recipe. Even better they sell adorable little treats and trinkets — novelty tea towels, pretty jars of candied violets, gourmet items, kitchen and table items, cookbooks, it’s a great place to pick up a hostess gift. My friend and I split 2 sandwiches, a hot roast beef with swiss, and a fig jam, goat cheese and arugula, with a side of fresh pesto pasta with lots of whole pine nuts, and an assortment of cookies from their little bakery, and a split of wine — it was all SO good. They have a large assortment of soft drinks as well as beer and wine. We lucked out and didn’t have to wait for a table but they could definitely use more tables.

glad to see this addition to downtown Upland. Was surprised to see a handful of patrons last night out in the rain with me. Friendly staff and lovely ambience.

This is truly my go to place for pasta and fresh bread!!! Love the staff!!! I am here once a week in the morning, there is a great variety of Italian items to choose from. When I’m planning a party, taking a dish to one or just cooking at home this is my go to place! I even love the fresh lunch you can grab n go!!! Can’t say enough good things and I hope they are here to stay. If your ever in the area stop by and just take a look around.
Tastefully satisfied,
The Vazquez family

Where has this place been all my life ! I absolutely love this place ! First time coming here and I fell in love! Very clean and the food is delicious! My husband and I got turkey sandwiches and they were big portions and filled us up! As soon as we got there (I’m assuming it was the owner) very politely asked me if my son could have a cookie. I said yes and she came and brought him a cookie and my son loved it ! She was such a sweetheart I don’t remember her name but we felt very welcomed coming in for our first time. The whole place is beautiful and even the bathroom is breathtaking! I must say that this is definitely going to be our go to spot to grab a bite to eat! I want to try their pasta it looks so delicious ! Oh and their ding ding dongs are amazing ! They’re so tasty! I have a big sweet tooth so that hit the spot ! I’m for sure coming back

This place is a hidden jem. Always friendly staff even when they’re busy. I can’t tell you what sandwich is the best, there all great. If you don’t like this place that’s your problem, one less person in line!!! Hahaha

Came here twice, waited for «Spaghetti Wed» to finally write out my thoughts on this place.
First visit: Spent $ 90. Purchased two sandwiches, 1 lasagna and pasta stuffs and sweets.
Sandwiches were good, lasagna was dry because the server did not prepare it with hot marinara and mozzarella. Went home and made some of the fresh raw pasta; got a stomach ache, next day made some more fresh pasta; another stomach ache. Dropped tons $$$ on two large sauces and fresh pasta, got slightly sick from the food.
Second visit: Spaghetti Wed. ordered mine with an Italian sausage; you get a boiled sausage and barely enough sauce to coat the pasta. The server could not flash enough looks of contempt fast enough, didn’t even need to be a body language expert to see this.
The spaghetti noodles tasted like large ramen noodles, the way they serve it leaves water sloshing around the bottom of the tray so expect that, the sauce is nothing to write home about.
Food: overall it’s so/​so, their hot roast beef is very good actually, it’s just about the only redeeming item here. (my personal take, just experience everything for yourself and come to your own conclusions.) Also they only stock High Fructose Corn Syrup sodas here, so good luck finding one that’s real sugar.
Service: depends on who’s helping you, the girl with the fidel castro hat is very sweet and has very good grasp of service etiquette, she knows how to bring customers back. The others I’ve run into seem to let their personal prejudices govern their attitudes, you may or may not see what I mean.
Price: Too steep for the mediocre food, the hot roast beef is worth a try tho.

The Pasta is amazing, the desserts are delicious. But the beard is made daily, oh did I mention the staff they love customers! I know a place where you get fresh pasta and they want help you in any way. This is my go to spot for a quick and very tasty dinner… It should be a 6 Star review.

So so so so so so sOOOO GOOD!
I love the owner too. She’s such a sweetheart and her food is absolutely incredible. Just try it out. Go ahead! The sandwiches are top notch, and the staff are so friendly. A++ rating on my end. If I could give 10 stars I would. :-)

WHOA!!! Seen this place being changed from what it was before, lagged on coming in! This place is amazing!!! Had the Padua special sandwich, was great! Will continue to come here !! A must have if In The area

Wow this place is beautiful! It looks like my dream kitchen complete with a full staff that know how to cook/​bake! It stands on its own in a corner on the outer edges of down town Upland. The parking lot only has a couple of spaces and not worth the hassle. However, right across the street is an easily accessible city parking lot with plenty of spaces. Inside, Italian food/​products galore to take home or eat in, but if you plan to eat in, it’s very informal, seat yourself and dig in to your goodies (i.e. no table service). On my first visit, I ordered a 6 inch Caprese sandwich. Fresh and flavorful mozzarella, tomato, and basil on a fresh baked roll. The sandwich was generously stuffed, causing me to save half of it for dinner (cool problem to have ;-). Washed it down with a refreshing pompelmo flavored San Pellegrino soda.
On my second visit, they were hosting an open house – score! I was treated to lots of yummy samples, including flavored olive oils, breads, rigatoni, short rib ravioli, salami, cheese, and wine. There was a very charming gentleman at the cheese/​salami station who described the cheeses in such elaborate detail that I could almost picture his small home town in southern Italy where one of the cheeses originated from. I was sold! Picked up some of this cheese and a salami roll. Also took home some sandwiches – (1) Roasted pepper and (2) the Padua Special. The roasted pepper is served warm with ricotta, mozzarella, and herb butter – simply divine, and my new favorite. The Padua Special is also quite delcious with mortadella, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato and dressing. The pasta is freshly made in house, and the sample I tasted was excellent. So for dinner, I could not resist taking home some rigatoni, marinara sauce, and humongous meatballs (nearly tennis ball size). The meatballs were great, and the rigatoni was some of the best pasta I have ever tasted. And of course, for dessert, Spumoni! It can get a little pricey, but it’s all high quality, fresh, and tastes better than what many restaurants offer.
For my third visit, I picked up another Padua Special sandwich to split with my hubby. And for dinner, took home some lasagna, stuffed peppers, and arancini. Also a small container of dark chocolate salted gelato. The sandwich was just as good as it was last time, and I really enjoyed the lasagna, but not a fan of the arancini. It was made with rice pilaf, and not what I was expecting. However, the gelato made up for my disappointment with the arancini.
Overall, I really like this place. The only reason I did not give 5 stars is with regards to service. There is one young lady behind the deli who comes across as a little surly and abrupt. Not sure what that is about because everyone else is very helpful and pleasant.

Great little deli with high quality food. We heard about this place from multiple friends so we decided to grab food for Christmas Eve. Super clean, really nicely displayed foods. I bought some meat sauce and Ravioli that heated up in minutes. Super tasty and super easy. Tim went gourmet with fresh made pasta in minutes, love it. Plus I also got some of their mixed olive and mushrooms, really tasty. You can also eat there and I look forward to enjoying a casual café type sit down with great food.
Also, smart move we were one of the last customers on Christmas Eve and bought over a $ 100 in stuff but the lady at the counter through in some free Christmas cookies. The cookies probably would not be good when they reopened on the 26^th so making us feel special by giving us free cookies, way smart. As a business owner I admired what and how they do it.

This place is incredible!!!
Best fresh bread I’ve ever had and the sandwiches are incredible. I recommend the Rob Special which is off the menu.
I also had the blue cheese olives which are far and away the best I’ve ever had.
Don’t think, just go!

Used to be a florist shop, used to be a dance studio — but now it IS an Italian pasta/​sandwich deli-​restaurant. … Here to stay for sure! It is a complete make over — from quaint tables to enjoy their fresh bread and salami subs — to Frankie crooning his famous ‘My kind of town’ in the background. Going back soon for a plate of freshly made pasta.
Carly the manager insisted we pay after after we finished our meal She knew we would like it — and we did. You will too!

This place seems harmless enough. They have the Italian tomatoes and pistachio honey nought. And then… BAM! WHAMMO! You see the FRESH pasta display case. Right next to the fresh pastries! And around the corner you will find more amazing salads, meat, cheeses, and breads than you will know what to do with.
Don’t want to make a mess? Only got time for a quick meal? No problem! They make the most brilliantly crafted and perfectly balanced sandwiches in a 20 mile radius, easy! There’s a very nice wine selection as well as unique finds will keep you busy while they make your order.
Don’t forget the homemade pink sauce, whatever you do! If I had to choose a last meal, I would happily name some of their sauce paired with one of their heavenly baguettes.
Seek this place out! You won’t regret it.

Well organized, super clean, and friendly staff.
But enough about that, the pasta! I found out a couple months ago that their pasta is made from eggs not flour! So they are actually healthy, especially the spinach pasta, mmmmm.
They make sandwiches too which have freshly baked bread and gourmet details.
My favorite sandwich is the padua special but they make meatball subs which are a close second.
And don’t forgot to grab a cannoli!

My coworker picked up a Padua Special sandwich for lunch. Luckily for me, it was too much for her to eat alone and she gave me a piece.
Oh my! The flavors of the bread alone aroused my mouth. I asked her why had I never experienced this place before? She said she just never has leftovers. I can see why. I cannot make their hours during the week so I may have to hire a personal shopper.
Next I want to try their egg salad and tuna sandwich. Do yourself a flavor and try their Roast beef sandwich.

I spotted this location last week when I went to drop off Little Bit’s Bridal shower invites… but they were closed then. I promised I would do some research and see what they were all about as I could see marble counters and a vintage ‘deli’ look about the place.
Went in yesterday to browse a*k*a be nosy =} ended up buying some Lasagna (2 serving size) and Carly (sp) the owner gave me a side of extra marinara sauce and shredded cheese OMG! it was divine and so was the garlic bread. Yes those Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel cookies are HUGE and would be perfect for any dessert. Speaking of desserts they had an assortment that when combined would make a nice ‘Tea’ Tray if you were so inclined. The walls are done up with beautiful current cookbooks, mustards, olive oils, sauces, cheeses and other kitchen accompaniments (including plateware)
A really great addition for downtown Upland… funny thing is all I kept thinking was I hope it get’s enough foot traffic here and doesn’t waste away ={ I live in Upland and do all my gourmet shopping in Claremont Village I hope Padua Pasta Makers can hold their own. You can tell they love what they do!
Respectfully Reviewed

I love this deli/​bakery! First impressions: it reminds me of some of the more classy deli places in Napa. A cute, Tuscany inspired, white on white interior with marble floors, marble countertops, and just a few marble tabletops in case you wanted to eat there. Great smells (but isn’t that expected with great Italian food?). And wonderful, friendly workers.
It is located in a very dated building that is typical of old Upland. It gives PPM that well established look, like it was there for generations even though it has only been open about 6 months.
The deli food is beautiful and homemade. You will also find a limited selection of imported canned goods, crackers, wines, etc. I guess their claim to fame is their fresh pasta. And we did buy some fresh cappellini (angel hair pasta), not yet tried. And let’s not forget about the precooked squares of Lasagna that can be warmed up at home. They provided sauce on the side if you preferred. The deli has a respectable but not huge selection of entrees, sandwiches, salads.
They have several different varieties of frozen ravioli in their small freezer, a short rib filling and a cheese filling. Pricey but certainly less $$ than eating at a restaurant. You can buy one of their house sauces and cleverly put a «homemade» meal on your table without making a disastrous kitchen mess.
We loaded up on all the flavors they carried of San Pellegrino sparkling sodas: Orange, Blood Orange, Lemon, Pomegranate, Grapefruit, Clementine, and Chinotto (a dark juice made of the fruit of the myrtle-​leaved orange tree). I must confess, this brand was just recently introduced to us both. We found it quite special, thus the hoarding.
The cashier was giving out samples of their freshly baked Italian bread. No problem accepting that. Soft and wonderful.
And let me tell you about the salted chocolate chip cookie. A big, plump, soft one, and most definitely featuring plenty of chocolate. Sorry, no picture. Unless you want me to take a picture of the crumbs around my lips. So good, so full of chocolate, Mr. B was whining that he was still looking for the cookie part. Such a problem.
They also carry some interesting flavors of Italian ices. I would definitely be tempted.
Even their bathrooms are out of the ordinary. Beautiful white and grey marble subway tiles line the walls. Classy and pristine.
I am quite impressed. And after reading Andria M’s glowing review of Arancini with sugo, I know I will have to return just to see what that is all about.

I really like this place. It’s small and quant, everyone is very friendly.
I came here for lunch with a couple friends and had the 6 inch chicken sandwich and it was very fresh. For the size I was surprisingly full. They offer a great selection of cold pasta salad which looked amazing yet I didn’t have a chance to try. Maybe next time.
I highly recommend his place.

I came here knowing of this place when it recently opened. I wanted to try their sandwiches and cold salads of theirs. I got their mortadella sandwich which had provolone, lettuce, mortadella, tomatoes, and mayo which was tasty. Their fusilli pesto with pinenuts was tasty as well.
They take card, small parking lot though.