Sugo Italian Pasta Bar — Restaurant in Santa Cruz

We drove from Gilroy to celebrate our 4th anniversary, leaving our two toddlers back home with their grandmother. We don’t get time to leave often, much less during this pandemic. We arrived at 7pm there and it took them 30 minutes to just bring water to us. When we first arrived, it wasn’t packed but 15 minutes later, there was a line outside. They took orders from people who arrive after us and had larger amounts of people in their party. We didn’t get served until 9pm AFTER all the other families who came after us were served first. Not only that but people who came to order carry out, got their food first. Not only did we wait 2 hours for our food, the food was undercooked and the pizza wasn’t even round like the first time I came. I had pictures of proof of how my last order was served before. I was severely disappointed and so hungry that I ate it anyway. Our anniversary celebration was cut short as literally the time we had to do other things were spent at the restaurant. I regret not leaving after an hour of waiting but I really wanted my husband to try their Italian food because it was sooo amazing last time. I will never be returning again. The manager only offered their condolences for being so behind. They never offered a bread to munch on in the meantime. I don’t know if it’s tradition to give cold bread but it was cold. However like I said, I was so hungry, I ate it. I had only eaten in the morning so I was starving. If you plan to go, avoid going on the weekends, or DoorDash it if it’s an option. I wish I would have gotten a refund or something as recompense for their lack of service and poor food. However, I want to believe this isn’t always the case with them. Like I said, the first time and only other time I went with my best friend, the owner personally was serving us and talking to us. There was no wait, no delay and the food was so delicious. However considering it’s a drive to eat at this place, I will no longer be...

I can not for the life of me understand why this place has so many 5 star reviews. Our experience was mediocre at best and a sad shot at Italian at worst. Upon arrival, the small place was very crowded and there was a 30 minute wait but everything else around was closing. The prices seemed reasonable, and the menu was diverse enough, so we thought we'd give it a try. Don't trust the reviews on this one because the food was terrible. The putanesca sauce was oversalted on the mushroom ravioli. When the server asked if everything was okay and I said it's fine but the dish was salty she basically said that's what I ordered since it had anchovies, olives, and capers in it. This should not account for the entire dish being salty to the point of almost being unbearable. There was no discussion about different options or trying a different meal since this one took over 30 minutes to arrive. Is some Italian grandmother hand making ravioli from scratch in the back? No. It does not take 30 minutes to cook 4-6 ravioli and some crushed tomatoes and add olives, capers, and anchovies at the end. The place is so small inside and the patio seating out back can't have more than 6 tables, it should not take an hour to receive food once seated. I also tried my husband's basic spaghetti and meatballs to see if it was just my dish that was below par. It wasn't. Pasta being al dente I can understand. But the strange grainy texture of this pasta was something I have never experienced in my life eating a lot of great food from other cultures. I will never recommend or eat here again. At some point while waiting for our dinner, my husband noticed a rat climbing over the fake vine trellis behind me. This should have been the red flag we needed to leave but we decided it was outside and we should give the food a shot. Take my word for it, watch for the red flags and take them for what they are and go...

By far the best dining experience I've had since being in Italy a year and a half ago. And easily the best dining experience in Santa Cruz since long before the pandemic. Sofia made it so special. How would I describe her service, knowledge, and engagement, you ask?

"Essere in gamba!"

She provided informed recommendations that hit the mark, showing a mastery of the menu and wine list. She was engaging and personable, exhibiting the professionalism and pride in restaurant work that is standard in Italy, not so much here. As someone with celiac, she immediately understood and gave me the sort of reassurance and support that is rare in the US. Offering gluten-free pasta was what attracted me to Sugo in the first place.

Fortunately the food did not disappoint. More people would eat anchovies if they tasted like the ones served on the Caesar Salad. The seafood in the (gluten-free) pasta allo scoglia was delicious and fresh: not at all fishy. Finishing off with affogato made with pistachio gelato put the exclamation point on a great meal.

We ate in the outdoor area in the back parking lot. If this had been a movie, when we walked out we would have found ourselves strolling the streets of a charming village in Marche. But winding up in the warm sun in Santa Cruz on a beautiful autumn afternoon was just great...