There's something particularly cruel about discovering a place you love just as it's about to disappear. That's what happened to us at Paulie's—we walked in for the twins' birthday, fell for the spaghetti and the easy warmth of the place, and then learned it's closing on December 31st after 27 years on Westheimer.

Twenty-seven years. That's not a flash-in-the-pan restaurant that couldn't make it work. That's a neighborhood institution.

The Kind of Place Houston Needs More Of

Paulie's opened in 1998, founded by Bernard and Kathy Petronella and named after their son Paul. It started from catering roots and grew into something rare: an affordable, unfussy Italian spot where the food was generous, the vibe was welcoming, and you could show up solo for pasta or bring friends for wine and stay all evening.

Paul took over in 2007 and kept the family legacy going—house-made pastas like Bucatini all'Amatriciana and Rigatoni Bolognese, paninis, salads, and desserts that became almost iconic. (If you know, you know about those raspberry shortbread sandwich cookies.)

It's counter-ordering, which means no pretense. No fuss. Just good Italian comfort food in a neighborhood that's been reshaped a dozen times over but somehow still holds onto places like this—until it doesn't.

Why It's Closing (And Why That Matters)

The closure isn't because of lack of love or loyalty. It's a lease issue. The landlord and the restaurant couldn't come to terms on a renewal, and so after nearly three decades of serving Montrose, Paulie's is out.

This is part of a bigger, quieter trend in Houston: long-standing independent eateries shuttering because of economic pressures—rent hikes, lease disputes, rising costs. The scrappy, neighborhood-defining spots that made Houston feel like Houston are getting harder to hold onto.

Paulie's also had a wine bar next door—Camerata at Paulie's—that opened in 2013. Together, they were the kind of pairing that made a block feel like a destination. Low-fuss food, good wine, friendly service, and a sense of continuity. That's increasingly rare.

What Made It Special

Here's what we noticed, even on our first visit: it felt like a place that had been loved. The pasta portions were honest. The space had that lived-in comfort of somewhere people actually went, week after week, year after year. It wasn't trying to be the trendiest spot in Montrose—it was just trying to be good, and it succeeded at that for 27 years.

The staff was kind. The food was exactly what you wanted it to be. And when you left, you felt like you'd been fed—not just physically, but in that deeper way that good neighborhood restaurants manage when they're doing it right.

Go Before It's Gone

If you've been meaning to try Paulie's, now's the time. If you've been going for years, now's the time to go back. December 31st is the last day, and honestly, this city loses something real when places like this close.

Grab the Bucatini all'Amatriciana. Try the Fettuccini Alfredo. Get one of those raspberry shortbread cookies. Bring someone you love, or go alone with a book and a glass of wine.

Not every restaurant closing is a tragedy, but this one stings a little. Because Montrose—and Houston—needs more places like Paulie's, not fewer. Places where the food is honest, the people are kind, and you can sit down and feel like you belong.

Go say goodbye. And if you're one of the lucky ones who's been going for years, go say thank you.

Paulie's
1834 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
Open until December 31, 2025