I would give 3.5 stars if I could, as I don't believe in grade inflation, but I chose 4 because anything less than 5 is tough for small businesses. And 3 certainly seems punitive. And the 3.5 is really only relative to what Marcella's used to be under prior ownership (which was an easy 5/5). Bottom line: New owners are doing a pretty good job, and food is still well worth it, but it used to be GREAT. If I had to guess, maybe the new owner(s?) are sourcing ingredients differently, or they're just not able to find the same quality as before. The girls actually making the food in the back are all (mostly?) the same, so I believe they are still masterfully assembling and cooking everything as they always have, but.... those olives in the puttanesca just simply aren't as good as they used to be. And the texture of the pasta and lasagna noodles is just a little off these days. The extended version, if you care: the first time I had Marcella's, probably 5+ years ago, it blew me away. I am Italian, grew up eating grandma's and mom's pasta probably 5+ nights a week for ~15 years, been to Italy several times and had pastas made with tomatoes, garlic, and basil from the farms behind the kitchens. I am just an amateur, but I have experienced good Italian food. Once I moved away from home, very few things came close. Then, 30-something year-old me walks into Marcella's, and I'm blown away. It was the quality and flavor of Italy right there in a little Potrero hole-in-the-wall, only open for weekday lunch. (I didn't tell my mother, but it was much better than hers... and for ~$15? Incredible, and particularly unique among all the over-price, over-rated places that manage to survive in the bay area.) The Italian-family casual vibes G (prior family owner) brought with each step and interaction, along with the food, was worth taking a day off of work and doing whatever you needed to do to get a bite of that lasagna, or any of the other incredibly delicious pastas. All were spectacular. Prices have gone up, even under G's ownership.... but that is to be expected, and I wouldn't bat an eye for the quality and flavor that he was serving. But a few months ago, I got my go-to penne puttanesca, and someone other than G handed me my food. And the dish just fell a little flat. Maybe the sauce was a little watery, the noodles a little less chewy? Condensation from the to-go lid? I couldn't place it, but a sadness fell over me. Up until this point, Marcella's had never missed a beat. Their food was so incredibly, reliably fantastic every time. I thought maybe I was imagining it: maybe G didn't hand me my food, and so it's all just in my head. But I ordered the dish two more times, and then the lasagna, and the lasagna again. And each time, it was just missing something. This review is meant to be constructive. To the new owner(s), if they happen to read: wishing you the best. I am sure you had G's blessing, and I believe he handed it over as best he could. If absolutely nothing has changed, then maybe there is just a bit of magic that G brought to the table... and you will hopefully create your own magic in due time. And if you had to make tough decisions to keep the business alive, well I understand. What you are serving today is still well worth it, and I will keep coming back and recommending it, but it's hard for me to urge people that they need to play hooky to catch a weekday lunch, or dedicate prime hours on a Saturday to catch a meal. And I am left with just a bit of sadness knowing that the peak may be in the past, but grateful that there's still a splendid little neighborhood Italian place that I can (hopefully) continue to rely on. Thank you!

Hospitality is second nature here. Kimberly and John are awesome. Too bad I missed your meatballs last weekend! You sold out in 3 days, maybe it's time to consider adding "Dana's meatballs" to the menu?! Lasagna is to die for - I always make a stop here when visiting for work and yesterday brought some home to share with my coworkers. Pasta vongole and Carbonara are NOT TO BE MISSED. The abruzzo lasagna is my favorite it has a nice spice to it. Lots of pride taken in cranking out delicious dishes on pristinely clean skillets. Even with a power outage yesterday, they found a way to keep going and service delivered with a smile. Will be back! -The girl from OC who wants meatballs

I finally got a chance to try Marcella's last week and had a great experience. We got here around noon on a Friday so there was a bit of a wait, but it was worth it. There are ample tables outside, nice for a warm sunny day, or if you have your pup with you. We ordered two lasagnas, the abruzzo and the bolognese, and the pasta of the day. Both lasagnas were tasty, but I think i liked the abruzzo more because it's a bit spicy. Aside from the lasagnas, I think I actually liked the pasta more. The creamy garlic sauce was amazing. They have a ton of options for lasagna. I'm eyeing the mushroom and the pesto ones for next time.

Dogpatch, Potrero and SF in general need more of these kinds of casual lunch places that you can stop by for a quick bite in the middle of the work day. I was glad to finally get to try the Abruzzo Lasagna after hearing a lot about it: the portion size was good (and should be expected given the high price for a quick lunch). The sauce and cheesiness was good as were the sausage pieces but I would have liked a little bit more of the sausage throughout my lasagna - it seemed like a light sprinkle and a bit uneven. Will be back to try more dishes soon.

Marcella's Lasagneria is a true neighborhood gem. Finally had the chance to visit on a weekday right when they opened to avoid any lines. First one sat down and opted for an outdoor seat. Dogs are welcomed for outdoor seating so I brought mine alone. Service was quick and friendly and waters were served quickly upon being sat. - Lasagna Bolognese - top sirloin angus beef, ground in house, in a savory tomato sauce. Possibly one of the best lasagna I've had in a minute. It was a very hefty piece, loaded with flavor and generous meat, with a perfectly crispy bottom that added another element of texture. - Spaghetti Carbonara - local champignon fresh mushrooms, smoked pancetta, touch of cream, grated Parmigianino. Fantastic balance of creaminess and cheesiness without being too strong or overbearing. Pancetta added a bite of texture and fattiness and was perfectly cooked. Can't recall if I've had mushroom in a carbonara before but this one was a winner.

My boyfriend and I visited the restaurant on Tuesday at around 10:30 am. It was empty except one table, so we were seated immediately. The shop is small, cozy, and rustic. Only one person was handling the floor, and she was very nice and took our order promptly. Parking is free on the streets. We were given a basket of complimentary bread basket which was enjoyed with olive oil and balsamic. We ordered two lasagnas to share which was the bianca lasagna ($22) and abruzzo lasagna ($22). Each lasagna came with either a soup of the day or side salad. We got a soup and a salad; tomato soup was light and tangy while salad was typical. The bianca was my favorite between the two since it was more unique. It was creamy, rich, and the bites of pancetta were delicious. The abruzzo tasted like a classic red sauce lasagna, was not spicy as it stated, but still tasty. I thought both were a little too salty though. Overall, Marcella's serves up great authentic Italian dishes and flavors. We will definitely be back to try their pasta dishes!

What an absolute gem! I stopped by here for lunch while working from home. It came from the recommendation of a chef friend of mine who spoke very highly of the Bianca lasagna. This was the first time I've ever had a white sauce based lasagna and it won't be the last! The guy who runs the place seems very friendly with the locals which is cool to see. Do yourself a favor and sit outside if the weather calls for it.

Wherever i have a rare day off work, this is where i want to spend my lunchtime. They are only open from 10am-1:45pm so gotta keep that in mind. I had the mushroom lasagna today which is my personal favorite, especially if you love mushroom, but they have several other lasagnas all with unique tastes. Also tried the fettuccini con ragu and i loved the noodle texture and the flavor was really good. Outside of the food the service and atmosphere feels very cozy and authentic. the best part are the blankets you can use when it's windy outside

Okay usually I don't review a place just from takeout, let alone even just one dish as eell, because I like to experience the food at the restaurant and give a more holistic review. But this place was too good to not review!!! My friends were raving about this place for a while, but due to limited hours never really got a chance to try. But finally got to order for takeout on a Friday lunch, which they still seemed to have a long wait for dine in! Waited for takeout for about 40 min after calling, but it was well worth it. I got the Verdura, which was their pesto vegetarian lasagna with zucchini and nutless pesto. The aluminum tray was still warm after bringing it back after 30ish min. They also gave a good amount of side salad and two pieces of bread, so it's a pretty solid meal. The lasagna, omg was it amazing! From the first bite you can tell how balanced the flavors were, from the pesto, to the well cooked pasta, and the cheese. I was surprised at how well it tasted for takeout, hence me writing this review! It definitely had me wanting more. Next time I will definitely try this place in person, if it was this good for takeout. But I wouldn't be disappointed if I got takeout again to try their other flavors! I'm a huge fan of this place and hope others get to discover and enjoy it as well.

A Taste of Homemade Italian Bliss at Marcella's Lasagneria Tucked away in the up-and-coming Mission Bay neighborhood is an unassuming little eatery that transported me straight to a warm Italian family kitchen - Marcella's Lasagneria. From the moment you step inside, the aroma of bubbling tomato sauce and freshly baked pasta envelops you in a homey embrace. The owner, Jean-Franc, is an absolute delight - a consummate host who treats every customer like a longtime friend. His warm greeting and insider knowledge of the area's best spots immediately put me at ease. Regulars seem to flock here as much for Jean-Franc's hospitality as for the incredible food. Speaking of the food, let's start with the lasagna Abruzzo - a masterpiece of perfectly al dente noodles layered with a luscious, slow-simmered meat sauce that puts even the versions I devoured in Venice to shame. But it's the lasagna's pièce de résistance that truly sets it apart - a house-made fresh cheese that lends a delightfully light and creamy richness unlike any ricotta I've tasted. The seafood pasta was a celebration of briny ocean flavor, with tender clams luxuriating in a garlicky white wine sauce that had me seeking out every last drop with crusty bread. With its cozy, intimate vibe and Jean-Franc's welcoming presence, Marcella's Lasagneria is the perfect spot to savor a little taste of Italian soul food made with heart. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait during peak hours when this hidden gem gets packed to the rafters with savvy neighbors. Whether you're craving homestyle lasagna that tops anything you'd find in Italy or want to experience warm Italian hospitality, Marcella's is a must-visit for carb-loading bliss in the Mission Bay district.