The Italian Homemade Company

The food is simple and very good. Note, it's quite noisy if you dine in, and parking is difficult. Selection is a bit limited but you can get any pasta with any sauce.

I am a big - make that a huge - fan of the original Italian Homemade Company on Columbus Street in San Francisco. I used to live around the corner and spent many evenings in this unassuming yet excellent restaurant. The lasagna was my favorite, with pasta that was pillowy soft that you could cut with a fork while being ridiculously delicious. All of the food rivaled what you would find in Italy, and it often surpassed it.

I was happy to hear that the business was expanding, and it ultimately opened three more locations of which am aware - in the Marina, near the Civic Center in SF, and in Berkeley.

I’ve since eaten at each of those restaurants, and have been sorely disappointed at each. The Marina location - the first one added - seems to be the most true to form, yet it still falls significantly short of the original. I’ve only eaten at the Civic Center once, and it was not bad but nothing special.

I’ve eaten at Berkeley three times now. Since I have moved to the East Bay, I keep on giving it another chance. But this may be my last. The first and third visits, I ordered the lasagna. Unlike the pasta in Columbus Street, it was heavy and very rubbery. As good as Columbus Street was, this was bad. It also consisted of layer after layer of this rubbery pasta simply stacked on top of each other. The second time I was here, I ordered the gnocchi. Instead of pillowy puffs, they were thick and chewy. Such disappointment.

I have tried to guess as to why something so good can turn so bad. The only reason i can think of is that the staff making up the original location - which were as authentic as they come - simply can’t be replicated at other locations. How can they fix this? Maybe by having their original staff doing long-term rotations at the other locations and (this is important) teaching the other staff. And it’s important that they fix it quickly. The people who are currently being introduced to the brand are not going to be impressed, and you can never have the chance to make another first impression - especially if they don’t return.

I really want to see this franchise do well, and I still hope they can. But they need to replicate the quality of food at their original location as soon as possible lest their expansion efforts result in failure.

I soon plan to make a pilgrimage back to the Columbus Street location and am desperately hoping that they have maintained the quality and magic that I used to experience there on a regular basis. Fingers crossed.

The best handmade pasta I've ever had. They have a selection of pasta types and a selection of sauces and meats you can choose from. The white sauce was amazing, the lasagna was delicious and hearty, the meatballs were delicious. I highly recommend checking this place out if you're craving italian food and pasta.

Not quite the same vibe as the old AG Ferrari, but I'm glad to still see something Italian in this space, and I really like their fresh pastas. And they do still have some sandwiches, deli meats and cheeses, and a few imported Italian dry goods for purchase. Also looks like they have an extensive catering menu.

Been going to the one in SF since I used to work there for a couple years now. It is hands down the best Italian food I have ever had. Its like going to an Italian families house and getting a meal made just for you. Have tried almost everything on their menu and there is not one thing I do not like. Also I am not a fan of Tiramisu but I have to admit theirs is the best thing I have ever had.