Pete & Sam’s Restaurant
3886 Park Ave, Memphis, TN, 38111
Pete & Sam’s Restaurant Menu
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Appetizers
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Soup
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Salad
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Sandwiches
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Chicken
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Ravioli
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Pete & Sam’s Restaurant
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Appetizers
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Soup
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Salad
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Sandwiches
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Chicken
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Ravioli
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Desserts
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Address :
3886 Park Ave
Memphis, TN, 38111 - Phone (901) 458-0694
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:30 pm - 9:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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MozzarElla D.
Homestyle Italian comfort food, pure & simple. Wonderful service. BYOWine (they have beer). Had eggplant parmigiana which was delicioso and the side of Italian spinach had just the right amount of olive oil and seasoning. Even Prince Mongo made an appearance, as my Memphian relative pointed out, making the restaurant feel even more legendary!
(5)Thomas O.
Well I had deleted my previous review and photos of Pete and Sam's thinking I didn't want to promote them any longer and thinking I wouldn't return. I also didn't want to pan them with a bad review but you reap what you sow. I have been to Pete and Sam's countless times over the years. I lauded Pete and Sam's as having some of the best steaks in town. I won't do that again. About 2 months ago I went and ordered a Rib Eye, medium rare. I can easily eat a rare steak but what I was served was a raw and cold piece of beef with 50% fat. I am not one to complain. I normally would just suck it up and not return but after two bites the steak was so bad I told my server I could not eat it. My meal was comped and I left thinking not to return. But I did. Tonight I returned thinking it had to be a bad stroke of luck. The steaks before have been so good. I ordered a Beacon salad, avoided the Rib eye and chose instead the Sirloin strip medium rare. The salad was room temperature, limp lettuce only half eaten as it was taken away. The steak was beyond atrocious. So tough and tasteless with an odd purple streak through the middle. I tried a couple of bites but I could not eat this abomination. Again my meal was comped but it wasn't worth the effort. Since Sam has passed this place is on a steady decline. My last visit ever.
(1)Joelle P.
There's an Italian phrase "Mangia che ti passa" that means, "Eat and it will be over, you'll feel better." In other words, Italian is the ultimate comfort food. And this place is the perfect old timey Italian joint - I can't emphasize just how very old school this place is, which is a huge part of the charm. That, and the verrrrry personable waiters, and the yummy food, and the huge portions. OK, so there is a lot that adds to the charm of this place. And the mini pizza sides are cuuuuuute - pocket size! Loves it. Anyways, if you're not sure what to order, you can't go wrong with lasagna or ravioli. Ahhh, pasta. I'm going into a carb coma just thinking about it.
(4)Chris M.
Pete and Sam's is a Memphis institution. Old, dark and has had very few changes since opening in 1948. Let's be honest the food isn't modern anything as the menu never changes much at all. With that being said, there are a lot of great things on the menu including but not limited to the beacon salad, sausage pizza, lasagna, spaghetti with sausage or meatballs, etc, etc, etc. We have learned to stay away from a few items but there a ton of great things in the menu. Make sure and take several bottles of wine and its BYOB. This is a great place for birthday parties or just parties of any kind! Forgot to note that they make a great steak.
(4)David M.
I have been eating here since my Memphis St days and it is one of the few places that have always been consistent on their food! Great Italian!
(4)Jack B.
Childhood memories shattered! Returned to a place I really enjoyed as a kid and young adult. It had been along time since our last visit. For years my wife refused to go, now she has me in her camp. Arrived at 6:30, party of eight, promptly seated and then we sat, finally a waiter comes over said did not think his station but let me get you some water and find your server. It was him and he worked hard but he was covering for a no show, I hope. Long time to order, appetizer only came after asking for it after salads, food took over a hour to arrive. Food was at worst cool in some places to room temp at best. Manicotti not good, pasta with red sauce cold but ok, ravioli not good, spinach ok, Italian sausage too spicy, hard and been cooked a long time (maybe for days) and warmed up to room temp, mini pizza under cooked and cool. Waiter tried his best and took care of us apologizing for the kitchen being over whelmed. As I recall Friday night was a big night for years there and do not understand how kitchen could be unprepared. It appeared they were short on wait stay. I guess if you are a regular, it might be better. I prefer the memories of years ago and will try to forget this night but do not plan on going back again any time soon.
(1)J B.
Fun vintage 50's supper club style. Good menu. Good Italian salads bread and toasted ravioli with meat sauce. Great staff.
(4)Blake B.
My review is biased. Only for the reason that I go here once a year... on Christmas eve. I always order the same thing, though most of the food is excellent. It's a different atmosphere on this particular night, everyone is festive, it's an east memphis christmas eve tradition -- yes, they are open, much to the delight of the moms that don't have to cook on that night. I love the bbq pizza and the supreme pizza... the manicotti is excellent, the toasted ravioli is amazing. you have to make your reservations in september for the christmas eve festivities... i know that this particular night of all nights probably influences the review... but i'm ok with that. One of my favorites.
(5)Shaun B.
Since moving to Memphis, I've been on a mission to find a good Italian establishment. After my initial attempts were not very fruitful, I turned to the good people of Yelp to recommend some establishments and was lead here. I've heard a lot of conflicting reviews of Pete and Sam's, but decided to give this place a try. We walked in and it truly looked like this place had not been redecorated since the 70's, which honestly I kind of liked. This place has a serious nostalgic feel to it, and the look of a true-blue Italian establishment. However, the individual seating us had a somewhat cold and careless demeanor about him, which struck me as a bit odd, as typically you'd want the first face a customer sees to be warm and welcoming. After all, first impressions do mean a great deal, but I digress. Regardless, this was a place that had the right feel to it walking in, and I really wanted to fall in love with this place, so I went to my seat with an open mind and eager anticipation. After being seated, we were greeted by a very friendly server who was attentive throughout our dining experience. The girlfriend and I each decided upon the full Italian dinners which come with an entree, two sides, and a salad. I got the chicken parmigiana and the lady got linguini and clam sauce. For my two sides, I got spaghetti and marinara and a small pizza. One thing I need to throw out there is that this restaurant has a very eclectic mix of people. I was in a polo and jeans, a gentleman at the table to my left was wearing a full suit with well-groomed hair, and a gentleman at the table to my right was wearing a Pantera shirt and rocking a buzz cut. And somehow, everything blended in and just worked. As per what's typical of Italian establishments, bread and butter came out; their's was pretty good. Then the salad came out; the salad was also very good as was the dressing. They did not shy away from using cheese in their salad which was nice. We're off to a great start! Then...the mini pizza comes out. It's super thin and as crunchy as a cracker, and frankly tasted eerily close to a hot pocket. Definitely would not recommend this side to anyone except for the most avid of hot pocket lovers. Then the chicken parmigiana and the spaghetti with marinara come out, along with the lady's entree. The chicken parmigiana looked promising, as it was a hearty portion and swimming in marinara sauce. The spaghetti though was very minimal in size and they used linguine and tried to pass this up as spaghetti; this trick wasn't working on me. The chicken was good, but the marinara had a somewhat funky aftertaste that I couldn't put my finger on, but definitely distracted from the meal. We got the bill and felt that the price was rather reasonable for the amount of food we got, although the quality certainly could have been better across the board. This place interestingly has you pay on the way out, which is a lot more like a Denny's than a nice Italian restaurant, but again, I digress. We went to check out and the same indifferent individual who seated us was the person who checked us out. He again acted rather indifferent and did not act in a fashion that expressed gratitude for our business. So we walked out on an awkward note just as we had walked in. My girlfriend then informed me that he was part of the ownership of this establishment, which was a huge disappointment. Things may be different around here in general (although as evidenced by another local establishment is not lost on this region), but one of the things that really makes an Italian restaurant is a friendly owner who will walk around the establishment while people are eating and ask how everything is, introduce themselves, thank them for coming to their restaurant, and strike up a conversation with their guests. Italian restaurants aren't only supposed to have a family feel to it, but are supposed to make you feel like you're family. Pete and Sams has the nostalgic element and friendly servers, and it's sad that the missing touch on service came from the ownership. I sincerely hope this was just an off night for this gentleman. Overall, this was a middle ground experience for me that left much to be desired. I would not be surprised to see myself coming back here at some point in the future, but my focus for good Italian restaurants is shifting in other directions.
(3)Stephanie C.
A Memphis tradition indeed! I've lived in Memphis most of my life (we will not go in to how many years - IRRELEVANT), and I've always heard mixed reviews of Pete & Sam's. My advice - go in with an open mind and an appetite. Don't go too hungry, though, because you're almost guaranteed a wait. However, I promise you, the wait is worth it. Let me start by saying that you can get pizza and pasta, both, as a side dish. Yes, I said "side dish", in addition to your delicious entrée Unheard of! And those little pizzas are just enough to accompany your main choice. I'll also warn you- they go BIG on the garlic, so you might not want to choose this a first date location if you're planning on crossing over into first base. Bring your own wine - they offer a set-up for a small fee, and they also have bottled beer. You will almost definitely leave with leftover eats for later. This is some of the best Italian that you can get in the area. Just don't get hung up on appearances - unless you're into the 70's, in which case, you will be in heaven
(4)Colleen G.
I know this place is one of those old-school Italian restaurants where your grandparents like to take you when they want to go out. There is nothing wrong with that! There are a few places like that in my memory, and generally you remember them being better than they actually are. This is the case with Pete & Sam's. The food we ate had a frozen and/or tin can kind of taste to it. My lasagna had this weird liquid quality to it, which made it pretty much unappetizing. The best part of my meal was the salad, and I wasnt really impressed with that. After hearing all the rave reviews from the locals, this was disappointing. The drink glasses are ridiculously small, especially if you drink a lot of water like I do. This place is obviously near and dear to many Memphians. Everyone around us was happy and enjoying themselves. I'm willing to give it another shot, but I just think there is better Italian food around here. Or at least, I hope there is.
(3)Don C.
Been coming here for 40 years. Always look forward to Pete & Sams. Cut many political deals here in the old days.
(4)James W.
A MEMPHIS CLASSIC I don't live in Memphis anymore, but this is always on top of my restaurant list when I come back for a visit. The food is great: unique, delicious thin pizza with stringy cheese, and excellent housemade pastas. The prices for the pizza and pasta are very reasonable, although the steak and seafood dishes do get a little pricy. Some of the other reviewers don't seem to get it! There will always be contrarians who complain that Pancho's cheese dip isn't served hot, or that they hate the dry rub on the ribs at the Rendevous. But I'm sure the majority of Memphians can recognize that Pete & Sam's is a classic and a staple, which is why they continue to pack the place after 56+ years.
(5)Jere D.
I have to admit, I was raised on Pete and Sams and it is one of my stops when I am back home in Memphis. The food is always on par with restaurants around the world that I have the pleasure of dining in and the service is friendly. My favorite is the BBQ Spaghetti and the baby BBQ Pizza's, yum, and the family style dinners, well, expect to be served to complete fullness and ask for a box to take some home with you. Thanks for decades of primo service and food Pete and Sams!
(5)Bill U.
Two nights in a row we ate at Pete and Sam's so I guess that tells the story. The pizza is delicious and the pasta was great. They could replace some ceiling tiles though.
(4)David D.
Not a place that would be on my habit trail. It definately needs some attention for it to be a viable place that I would recommend or take others to. Here is what an "out of towner" thougtht. My wife and I were in Memphis for the Memphis in May festival and we looked up a place to get a decent meal that was not down on Beale St. Pete and Sam's was rated pretty high and the reviews made it sound like it was diamond in the rough. It probably was back in the 70's or 80's judging by the decor. It is sad that they still had vinyl tablecloths and the wallpaper would be something my grandmother would have said "it's time to change". Here is a classic sign of management give up and that is look at the ceiling tiles. They were stained and dingy and that would be very inexpensive to change as they become stained. Now, when we walked in there were three servers and a manager standing there and all of a sudden their heads looked up from their phones to check us out. Just didn't make a good impression to see people standing around passing the time on the web. It was more disappointing that when we went to pay the manager was doing the same thing. It is disappointing to a customer to see a place that has potential fall short because of mismanagement. The food was ok, I had a steak which was cooked perfectly. It could have been seasoned a little better but it was better than average on the char so thumbs up. My wife had a Italian shrimp dish that was pretty flavorless. We had the baked ravaoli which were hard but the sauce was very good. It just seemed that half of the things were very good and the other half were less than stellar. I found that serving butter, sour cream, bacon bits in small paper cups was less than great and that presentation needs to be improved. I will say that the staff was very friendly and there were no complaints on that, the manager even asked if our server had taken care of us and yes, I do appreciate good service so thumbs up on that one. I would hope that the owners take a hard look at the place and come up with a way to reinvent the eatery. You still have people saying good things but I don't see you keeping the reputation for a long period. Good luck.
(2)Gilda G.
Horrible!!! By far the worst italian food I have ever had. The worst food I have ever had at any restaurant. Un friendly waiter. Soggy salad. Basket of sliced French bread and crackers. Ordered the chicken parmigiana , small old piece of chicken with absolutely no taste at all, with a half melted slice of mozzarella cheese. All this with no pasta on the side! When we asked about the side, they brought us a small plate of over-cooked pasta with no sauce on top. They have the nerve to charge 18.00 for this horrible tasteless food! I have had better italian frozen food than this . I cannot believe that this is one of the top ten italian restaurant in memphis. Obviously the critics and the poor people of memphis don't get out much. No stars for this experience. I Had to give it at least one star or it wouldn't let me post my comment, this restaurant deserves NO STARS!!!!!!!!!!!
(1)Joel C.
Me and my wife went last night. As usual, the food was great..I don't see why the big fuss over people not liking their food. It has been great every time I have been and still was last night. Also, I saw someone say the places feels like it's stuck in the 70's...I like that! I don't necessarily agree with that statement but I look forward to a place having that old feel and charm even if the decoration and looks, look outdated. If it's clean and nice than I enjoy it! Not every place can be nor should be modern and hip. It adds a certain class to this place. This place is very nice casual but you would still look the part if you were in a suite! I love this place. The prices are a tad above average but the food and atmosphere make up for it. Good place and I'll return anytime. Beer is available only in the bottle. No liquor drinks. You can bring a bottle of wine if you like.
(5)Katie K.
Visited here with the family and remember it being great! However my recent visit was not the best. The quality of the food has gone down hill. Everything is very standard and bland. It's like they serve quantity over quality now. The chicken Marsala tasted like paint thinner. Although the food was quite distasteful we had the nicest server and the salad was great! I hope they vamp up their food because this used to be a family favorite.
(2)George T.
It is a classic. If you know what you're ordering, you will have a wonderful meal. Miss Vita's salad, BBQ Pizza, toasted ravioli are all unreal. The meat sauce is very good as well. Classic italian, with bring your own bottle. Great family-run place.
(5)Joe C.
Would rather go to Olive Garden...don't waste your time with this place. Pasta was so over boiled, it bordered on criminal.
(1)Amanda M.
After being told how great this place was, I went with a group of 10. Our dinner took over 3 HOURS from start to finish. Three hours without ordering appetizers, drinks, or dessert. I got a salad and pizza, both of which were not good. Between my tiny side salad, a 10" pizza and my date's veal parm our bill was $50. And better yet, while we were there our friend's car was broken into and several possessions stolen, along with about 10 other cars.
(1)Mahendra P.
One of the oldest and best Italian restaurants in Memphis.
(5)Elizabeth K.
How this Memphis icon could recieve less than 5 stars is beyond me. The ambiance leaves much to be desired if you're used to "fine dining", but what it lacks in decor, it makes up for in outstanding Italian food. If I was stranded on a desert island and could only eat one thing, it would be Pete & Sam's BBQ pizza. Hands down - the best. Italian ravioli, beacon and Italian salads, Italian spinach - how could anyone not love this food?
(5)Kerry C.
Pete & Sam's is one of those windowless family-run joints that seems to have gotten stuck in whatever year it opened (in this case, that was 56 years ago). It's constantly Christmas inside Pete & Sam's, but they decorate for other holidays in spite of the twinkle lights and tree (last night, for example, everything was covered in Halloween cobwebs). The main dining room smells like garlic and melted cheese. My mom recommended the ravioli, so I ordered it toasted as an appetizer. While it was very good and all crispy and warm, I probably will reconsider ordering an appetizer next time because the dinner menu is kind of insane. Everything in the "Italian Dinners" section of the menu (mostly pasta dishes) comes with a soup or salad and two sides: baked potato, Italian spinach, a small pizza, ravioli or spaghetti. You can get pasta as a side to your pasta. I ordered the lasagna with minestrone soup, Italian spinach and salami pizza. The minestrone soup was pretty tasty, but nothing super special. My pizza, which came out between the soup and lasagna, was good, though. The crust is cracker thin, which kept it from being too filling. My lasagna came out in a huge, oval serving dish that was only slightly smaller than a football. It was a homestyle mess of meat and cheese and sauce. If you have an Italian grandma, this is probably the kind of lasagna she would make for you. The spinach was so rich, creamy and cheesy that there's no way it actually counts as a vegetable. I made it about halfway through my lasagna before the mind-reader waitress brought a to-go box for me. She told me that everyone leaves with a to-go box, and I'm sure it wasn't hyperbole - my dinner was the sort of thing you'd eat if you were training for a marathon or trying to move up a weight class. Pete & Sam's is both kid and large crowd friendly. They're open Sunday - Thursday from 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. If you're planning to go on a weekend night, prepare for a wait - the restaurant is hugely popular.
(3)Albert M.
This place is your NYC no windows Italian steakhouse, but down South. The menu is unchanged. The food is simple and delicious. Instead of bread, they bring baskets of wrapped crackers. The salad is lettuce and a peppercini pepper with oil and vinegar. The pizza is THIN and cracker like! The steaks are thick! It is simple, it is plain...it is perfect. However, the most emabbarrising part of it is that the food item that got my beloved Pete and Sam's on this list I have never tried..and I am ashamed to say I haven't. The BBQ chicken pizza....WHY THE HELL WOULDN'T I TRY BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA AT MY FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN MEMPHIS!!! THIS THOUGHT HAUNTS ME...I try not to think about it......
(5)Chris G.
The food is average Italian fare. I honestly do not see how this restaurant is consistently ranked as one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Maybe it's nostalgia? It has a very loyal following as it has been in business for generations at the same location. But I found it to be overpriced, noisy, and just "ok". My main problem was the service. When my partner and I walked into the place, two male employees standing behind the counter just sort of stared at us like some sort of Mexican standoff as we waited to be seated. Finally, we said, "table for two" and they seated us. Why didn't they walk right up to us, greet us, and seat us? It was quite strange. We didn't feel welcome.
(2)Ann Clark H.
I've been coming to Pete & Sams since high school. I've always loved it until this last trip. We had a class reunion dinner(reserved for a month at least). Every one arrived but server(s) for the 2 tables. Most of us had to go get our own beers,or wine glasses(for those who brought it) Finally water arrived and a bit of service! The servers were not the most competent.(I've served at Calvary Waffle shop and the Womans Exchange and I could have definitely done better)Things were asked for but never brought,food arrived after an exceeding long time and then,it was in drips and drabs, ( kitchens not servers fault) each ticket had a name but orders were wrong. We'd ask where certain food was and 10 minutes later it might arrive! And on top of it all,Almost all was lukewarm food ,at best! Not one time did any manager come back to check . If we'd all showed up unannounced I might understand but they knew we were coming and we were each in charge of our own bill and picked there to go because of our high school connection . If it weren't for the people we' d have had a miserable time! We got there at 6:30 and the last person was served between8-8:30.I took my pizza pan w/ my bare hands! Think it was hot? NOT! I can guarantee if Mr.Sam was still alive that would never have happened! If you take large parties (there was another group of 20 or so!) get competent servers to serve food,get drinks,bread,water,hot food,etc) Three asked for another beer(Stella) never saw it. If you don't want our money say so and we'll go elsewhere .As it is ,many from here won't be going back anytime soon and we'll never make that same mistake again. It was managements fault for failing to over see things!
(2)Michelle C.
As family as a family restaurant comes - Pete & Sam's is our staple spot (like macaroni and cheese in Mommy's pantry). My husband and spent a cozy evening here on a date very early in our relationship - I later learned it had been his go-to good date spot for years because the history never fails to impress - Family owned and operated, Elvis' favorite Italian, the stories are innumerable. By the time he had confessed to repeat dates at Pete and Sam's our family was already hooked. We go for weeknight supper, birthdays with friends, dinner with Grandma, and everything else. A time capsule of a place, Pete & Sam's is specific to no style, yet serves our family well for any occasion. The Italian dinner menu is the only way to go! The food is great - just as it always has been. It is tradition that makes this place. Go not to be floored by modern innovation, but to be well fed in pleasure and comfort!
(4)Ashley H.
I admit, I've never really been wowed by the food. I went for the nostalgia, and because I loved seeing sweet Mr Sam, smiling and chatting behind the register. The food was decent, and the service has always been fantastic, and the prices are reasonable. I haven't had the heart to go back since Mr Sam passed away. Lately, I've been craving a great lasagna bolognese, which I can't find in Memphis. When I mentioned that to my husband, he quickly suggested we eat at Pappy and Jimmy's or Aveeno's. (He can't remember the names of places, but I'm fluent in Marcus so I usually know what he's talking about.). I decided on Pete and Sam's because I prefer the sweet Northern Italian sauces over spicy Italian food from the Southern region like they serve at "Aveeno's." Pete and Sam's was a good call, because they seem to have really stepped up their game. It makes me wonder if they knew they were going to have to make some improvements to keep folks coming back without Mr Sam there. They brought out the cracker basket and butter, but the cracker basket also had a considerable portion of French bread in it. We ordered the ravioli for an appetizer, and they were perfectly cooked with a crispy outside and a great beef and seasoning mixture on the inside. I had the Chicken Marsala, as usual, and Hubby had the Spaghetti ala Caruso, and we were both very impressed. We both started with a salad, which was large and covered with chunky blue cheese dressing. For the sides I had a baked potato and spinach. The potato was a typical potato, and the spinach was delicious. We split a cannoli for dessert, which was obviously homemade and pretty yummy. It was our first time trying the cannoli. We're hooked on the spumoni, which is absolutely divine. It was somewhat sad taking that first step back in there, but I'm so glad we did. I can see us going back more often, now for the food.
(4)Barrett R.
When I ate at this restaurant, it reminded me of an out-of-touch tourist trap with food just the same. I detest the fact the kitchen staff run across Park Avenue to go to the gas station in their APRONS! A grotesque violation of sanitation I shall not forgive...and tacky business practice!
(1)Tom J.
I recently went to visit my mother in Memphis and we decided to check out Pete and Sam's. This place has been around since the 1940's and I hadn't been in, oh, a *few* years. I remember, as a high schooler, going here with some friends and having stupendously tasty barbecue pizza. This time, we decided to get a pizza that was half pepperoni and half chicken barbecue. While not as great as I remembered it, I did really like the pizza because the crust was very thin and the pizza itself was not greasy or heavy at all. It was almost like eating a "dry" pizza, which sounds terrible, but was actually very good. I also liked that the barbecue pizza was with pieces of grilled chicken in a barbecue seasoning rather than chicken on top of a super sweet sauce like many places offer. It was a very simple take on this dish and reminded me a lot of the pizza I had while in Rome. For starters, we had the house salads, which were serviceable, but what I greatly enjoyed was the baguette they served with it, which was very soft and tender, not hard and crusty like so many places seem to have. The atmosphere is old school and fun, and our server was friendly and charming. While we were there, we saw tons of people coming in with gifts for several birthday parties. Fun stuff! Pete and Sam's is definitely worth a visit if you live in Memphis or happen to find yourself there for a visit. Thanks for the memories, guys!
(4)Andy S.
Pete and Sam's is an Italian restaurant that has been in Memphis since 1948. They are known for their large portions. The building also has a lack of windows, but it's a fun experience. They don't serve liquor or wine, but you can bring your own into the restaurant. The server was very friendly. Since some of my group had never been before, she brought us all a sample of their meat sauce. If you get a dinner, you get a salad with your choice of two sides. For your sides at this Italian eatery, you can choose between spaghetti, pizza, spinach, or a humongous baked potato. So... yes, choose your pasta to go with your pasta. I ordered a spinach pizza as my side as well as Italian spinach. One friend ordered the loaded baked potato, which seriously could have been a meal in itself. For my entree, I ordered the eggplant paulo. It was like an eggplant casserole stuffed with shrimp and crab. My only wish was that it had more shrimp in it. Everything was really yummy. When I left, I had to be rolled out, because I was so stuffed. Go there on an empty stomach!
(4)Tom G.
Excellent Valentines Day dinner. 4 of us, everyone ordered lasagna. And as always, most of the lasagna goes home with us because it's so much food, so good. Their blue cheese dressing is fantastic - I've even bought it by the pint before & use it at home. And, a bottle of Chianti to compliment the dinner.
(4)Amanda G.
Old-fashioned ambiance. The Italian salad dressing is to die for. I think it is pure oil and vinegar, but I swear the olives for the oil are from heaven!!!!
(4)TJ H.
A memphis tradition... but sadly for no good reason. There are much higher quality food establishments in Memphis. It's just been around for so long, it has a loyal following. It's not "fine" cuisine or even "good" cuisine. It's kind of like a typical spaghetti house, the same sauce is used on everything and the pizza is just ok. Go once to say you tried it. I will say that I have ordered large portions of their spaghetti to-go... for casual dinners. Convenient and passable to eat. You know... kind of like how you might get a bucket of chicken from KFC or Popeyes... it fits the same kind of role.
(2)Kelly T.
Went there late on a rainy Saturday night (about 930pm)- the place was empty, and the waitress we had wasn't too keen on serving another couple at such a late hour, but once we settled in, the food and service was good as gold. Had the toasted ravs to begin, and they were very good. For dinner, had chicken modiga- an interesting variation- the chicken was mixed in with the pasta- very tasty. The wife had spaghetti with red sauce and liked it a bunch- it wasn't a sweet red like we tend to see. No wine, but you can bring your own in...not sure if there's a bottle tax or not. Overall, a good meal. I'd go again. As for the decor- like everyone else says- it's been there a long time, and it shows. It reminds me of some of the Italian places on the hill in St. Louis.
(4)Doug W.
OK. Maybe there is something to the legacy of this place but it certainly doesn't live up to the hype. The salad was exactly as someone else described. Two black olives, two eighths of a tomato and one pepperoncini. I didn't order it with dressing since I don't like salad swimming in dressing ... I mixed my own with the oil and red wine vinegar on the table. I ordered the "eggplant parmigiano. " It tasted like someone had spilled an entire bag of sugar on it. I understand that there are some red sauce recipes that may call for a pinch of sugar but I couldn't get past the first bite without wincing. The Italian spinach tasted OK but it was a little dry. The server was a decent guy although he didn't as why I did not eat my dinner. Why is it so difficult to find a decent moderately priced Italian restaurant in Memphis?
(1)Sarah C.
Always amazing! I love this family institution. Great place to take kids. BYOW. Spaghetti and ravioli are to die for. The blue cheese dressing is a must.
(5)Don S.
Wow, this place was awful. What is wrong with Memphis people praising this place. My wife and daughter ate there last night. I had the linguini with chopped clams, my daughter had spaghetti ala Caruso and my wife had eggplant Paulo. Mine was the dinner choice the others were not. The bread was warm and nicely presented with real butter/ Parking is impossible as there are absolutely not an abundant amount of spaces and only one handicap slot. Getting back to dinner, my choice came with a salad and choice of two sides. One of the sides was spaghetti, I don't get this since pasta was the dinner too. My pasta with the chopped clams had NO taste at all, just like eating cooked noodles. The white sauce had no seasoning and the clams were far and few to be found. Very bland to say the least. The eggplant Paulo came with a hint of eggplant with a bland flavor too. The chicken livers in the spaghetti ala Caruso was the crown on the thorns. They were so dry and without flavor and crusty in nature. Really bad to say the least. We ordered beer before dinner (no glass came with it), at least they have beer, other than that your on you own for libations at this place - no wine of mixed drinks to be found. The bill for this farce of a meal was over $60.00 and we all agreed that it was the worst meal we have ever had. The place was crowded and people were waiting to be seated. There is standing room only, no seats while you are waiting so beware of this is you are handicapped. All is all I would never go back and not recommend this place to anyone I know unless they were on my nasty list. My conclusion is the people who frequent this place just have no ideas what good tasty food is. I guess it is a Memphis thing and if this is southern cooking, thank god for the north and their food for the discerning people.
(1)Jennifer C.
Toasted ravioli and bbq pizza are definitely worth trying at least once. (I'll be reordering next time for sure) Also liked the chicken parmigiana; they have a great slightly sweet tomato sauce. Will also be taking advantage of the BYO wine/liquor on our next visit.
(4)Samantha B.
I highly disliked this place. I went because I thought it would be authentic Italian food. If authentic means "tastes like vinegar" then I guess I hit the jackpot. But everything I ate tasted like it had been dipped in vinegar and it just wasn't my cup of tea. I don't mind giving some places second chances, but I don't think I'd want to here. It was pretty pricey for the quality.
(1)Karen L.
I had the misfortune of attending an office party here (full disclosure: I no longer work there). The place looks like it's stuck in 1972 and the food is just terrible. Awful. I had a hard time keeping a straight face as my boss raved about how great the food is here and how his kids just don't get it...gee, maybe because they have taste buds? It's possible Pete & Sam's used to be good (like, say, thirty years ago), but they aren't anymore. Stay away. Far away.
(1)K B.
Went here just before the marathon. Passed on lots of foods I'd like to try because I wanted to avoid cheese. So I went with spaghetti and ravioli. Both were really good with the side of spinach. Now I like butter, but I'd say the amount in said spinach was overkill. Otherwise everything was really good. I was finishing my last bite when the polite waitress said the news was reporting the race was cancelled. Suffice to say it was a disappointing night, but not because of the food.
(4)Shannon L.
Overall, Pete and Sam's not only has amazing food and an inviting atmosphere, but it is also authentic Italian. The wine flows freely, the air is relaxed, and everyone is having a great time.
(5)Larry C.
Ok...full disclosure first: I've been going to Pete & Sam's since I was a child and I have a lot of fun memories. Over Thanksgiving 2008 I was in Memphis again and went to Pete & Sam's. It did not disappoint. The service was full on classic Southern Hospitiality and the food was wonderful and the prices very reasonable. Yes, they haven't changed the decor in 40 years but that's just the way it is - its clean and tidy; not hip and urban. The thin-crust pizza is especially good - one of the best ever thin crust pizzas. The toasted ravioli is one of my favs. The chicken parmesan was flavorful and filling. All in all a good meal and a good time. And, best of all, Sam Bomartio was still working the cash register!
(4)David M.
Pete & Sam's is hold-out from a bygone era of family run (and oriented) restaurants. Like Anderton's (RIP), Coletta's, Dino's, the Bon-Ton and others, you don't go for 'haute cuisine' as much as you go for good basic comfort food and friendly atmosphere. If it's great Italian food you want, I suggest you hop a plane to Las Vegas and check out Nora's. Otherwise the food is what you'd expect from Martin Scorsese's mother kitchen. What? You ain't gonna disrespect some body's grandma, are you? Whatsamatter with you? Now finish your spaghetti. Try the lasagna or the fettuccine alfredo.
(3)Lawrence M.
Pete and Sam's reminded me of the Italian restaurants I used to visit when I was a child in Chicago. They had at least ten different types of spaghetti on the menu and standard Italian family restaurant fare - raviolli, fettucini, pizza etc. They had two green vegetables available - iceberg lettuce and spinach. The service was quick and pleasant. Ambiance was very poor overall. It has not been redone since the 70's - wood panelling, drop panel ceilings, vinyl table covers and old carpeting. The ceiling panels need to be replaced due to ceiling leaks, dust and dirt. I've been to Italy a number of times, and this is far more "american" than Italia - Macroni Grill (a chain) does a far better Italian rendition. If you want a flashback to restaurants of the 70's this is for you, if you want Italian go elsewhere.
(1)Kyle S.
There is nothing wrong with this place but I feel like the people who say that they love it are just remembering loving it in the 70's. The decor would have to improve for it to be bad, and some nights the average age of customers is approaching triple digits. Overall, the food isn't bad. The barbecue pizza is fantasic and the crust is thin, crispy, and as good as you'll find anywhere. There is no bar which is a problem on weekends when the wait can get long so BYOB, get a pizza and some Italian spinach and you'll leave happy.
(3)Corey G.
red checker table cloths! food is all ways good , been going there since the early 90's
(4)Sarah N.
The food here has definitely changed since sam passed away. i always get the eggplant parm w salad and spinach. The salad has improved enormously (RANCH) but I didn't like the changes made to the eggplant. We noticed improvements in the bread ( fresh and warm!) and seemed better quality. I can't judge overall on all the food because I always got eggplant here forever. It's the only thing I can comment on- the bits of garlic were way too big and plentiful - I will still be back- but may get something else next time.
(4)Misty R.
I like several of the other reviewers grew up coming here. It was the place for family celebrations, really the only place we went out to it too expect for McDonald's. It was back in the days where going out to eat was a luxury. So, Pete and Sams is nostalgic in that respect. I now go once a year for my grandmothers birthday by her request. It is her favorite place to go so off we went tonight. They definitely have their regular clientele- mostly families and senior citizens and they know them by name. It's a familiar and comfortable place for many and I respect that it is a family run business that has been in the area for over 50 years. Having said that, if you have no emotional connection or family celebration to attend I would enjoy Italian food somewhere else in the city. The food is not the best Italian you can get and it takes awhile to be served. For those who have enjoyed it for years, be delighted that it is still the same place it always has been and will probably remain the same for many years to come.
(2)Trevor T.
I thought I had eaten in all of the authentic Italian restaurants in Memphis and don't know how I overlooked Pete and Sams. Upon entering the dining establishment, I thought I had traveled back in time or was visiting the movie set of the Godfather.The atmosphere and decor is strictly ole school, but so is the food and service. Lea my server was great. I had the Fettuccine Siciliano shrimp tossed in a light tomato and cream sauce with spinach and it was delicious. Additionally, my food was brought to me hot and in a timely manner. I will be dining at this restaurant in the future. I truly recommend this restaurant if you want authentic Italian cuisine.
(4)Sheila B.
Walking inside Pete and Sam's feels nostalgic. Tasting the food also takes me back in time in a way that makes me not want to go back. I grew up in the northeast so my expectations for a family-run Italian restaurant are high. I really wanted to like it, but this place needs a Restaurant Impossible makeover. The "famous" Italian salad may be famous for drowning in an overly-vinegared dressing. Our entrees were fine. Spaghetti and meatballs were ok, though the sauce was bland. My ravioli were beef and not cheese as I expected. I ordered them with a side of spinach. It was "Italian" spinach sautéed with egg and olive oil. This was very odd and yet tasty. I've never encountered this at an Italian restaurant before--perhaps it is a Memphis thing? Not sure that we will return. We had wanted to order pizza but went with standard entrees. Perhaps we should have ordered the pizza?
(2)Ed S.
Almost the definition of my perfect place. The pizza is awesome. Don't expect NY style, it's its own thing and worthy of 5 stars. The toasted ravioli is its equal. Other dishes hold their own. The service could improve. Bottom line: I'd go over and over if given the chance.
(4)Sunny M.
I have always been impressed with the food and service. Anytime I come back to Memphis to visit family I must eat here.
(5)Erica B.
The husband and I headed over to this place last night after months upon months of folks telling us it was simply the *best* Italian food offered up in Memphis. Well, I sure hope that isn't true, because this place paled in comparison to even Olive Garden -and I loathe Olive Garden. From the service to the food to the decor- everything was seriously lacking. My husband ordered the Italian salad and toasted ravioli as his dinner options. The salad was warm, the lettuce was mealy and the oil and vinegar dressing was more oil than anything else. There was one pepperoncini, one tomato triangle and 2 black olives floating about in nothing but iceberg lettuce. He took 2 bites and shoved it aside. Would ya know the waitress didn't even ask why his salad was still full? The toasted ravioli I am familiar with is breaded and fried and fabulous. These raviolis were plain- no breading, and fried. So, the outer consistency was more like cracker crust. They were seriously awful. I had the prosciutto and chicken tortelloni dinner. Being that it was $14.95, I was scared it would be an onslaught of food, especially given the fact that most Italian restaurants offer up large portions. When I ordered, I was surprised she didn't ask for my choice of soup or salad -apparently these are not included in their dinner options. When it came out, I had 6 tortellonis on my plate swimming in a congealed white sauce (it was so congealed it had crispy hunks in random spots. While the tortellonis could have been decent at best, the sauce ruined it due to the consistency and the fact that it was bland as all get out. It tasted like flour and water mixed into a paste. Given that our waitress was horrible (she waited on a table of 6 before bringing us silverware to eat our dinners she just placed on the table) the glasses of pop or water are seriously the size of shot glasses, the decor is straight out of a 1970s bungalow and the bill came to $30 bucks (we were still starving when we left) I can safely say we will not be returning.
(2)Cassandra C.
Great for the price, and good service. Food can run a little bland and safe... and the place gets PACKED on the weekends. You can bring your own bottle of wine though which is a lot of fun. Someone needs to update the awful decor however.
(3)W M.
This was our first visit, but it won't be our last. If you're looking for a hip, trendy, and now kind of place, this isn't it. But if you want some old school Memphis, this is one of the places you want to visit. Food was very good and so was the service. Memorabilia all around, including a August 19, 1945, newspaper declaring the end of WWII. Good time!
(5)Jennie V.
If I could choose my last meal on earth it would probably be my grandmother's chess pie, mom's lobster bisque and last, but certainly not least, Pete and Sam's BBQ pizza. YUM!!! I love this place through and through and would not trade the cheesy 50's style decor or crowds of Irish gypsies for anything. In addition to the BBQ pizza, you should try: the toasted ravioli, spinach, and beacon salad.
(5)Jolynna M.
Love it, love it, love it! Sam Bomarito started this place over 50 years ago, and it's still going strong. Family oriented, laid back and casual, it's all about enjoying some time around the table with good food and friends. Be prepared to bring your appetite when you come. The portions are large and the food is good, classic Italian fare. The lasagna is my personal favorite, and I also really love their creamed spinach. They don't serve wine, so be sure you bring your own bottle and they'll pour it up for you for a very small corkage fee of $2.50 per glass. Not bad at all.
(4)DJ B.
Ok, I get it that this is a local nostalgic favorite, but for those who grew up elsewhere, it's just poor food and fair service. If you're not originally from Memphis and are looking for a good family run Italian restaurant, check out Brooklyn Bridge.
(1)Mary F.
Used to come here as a child when this was a BIG night out for the family. We lived down Getwell at the time and this was my favorite place. You have to have been born and raised on Pete and Sam's to appreciate it, for those who don't. The italian spinach is fabulous and so are the cracker-thin pizzas. If you are looking for upscale Italian, go to Grisanti's. You are not going there for the ambiance...the decor is pure, unadulterated, weird 70's kitsch. You are likely going there because you were raised on their food or you are an out-of-towner's guest.
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