Pete & Sam's Restaurant

06/02/2008 Posted by SUSAN07

My family went to Pete and Sam's to celebrate my father's 80th Birthday. We had a party of 30 people ( we had reservations so they knew we were coming). Unfortunately, they only had ONE server and even she was covering other tables!!!!! In her defense, she did an OK job - but food was cold - she didn't know who ordered what . She simply stood at the end of the table and screamed out the entrees that were on her tray. It was up to us to determine if it was our dish being served. The tables were not bused between the dinner and desert so my sister and I had to bus them ourselves to make room on the table for dessert. It was horrible!!!!!!!!!!! I let the management know about the situation and they acted clueless.

07/12/2007 Posted by dannyw98

After over half a century, Pete and Sam's is still the best. The atmosphere is refreshingly non-stuffy and perfect for a large family, the wait staff is always friendly and most importantly, the food is outstanding...time-tested recipes unchanged by trends or fads. The Veal Scallopini with a side of sausage pizza and ravioli with a fresh, crisp Italian salad is an incredible feast that I have enjoyed for years. Occasionally, I will sample my wife's eggplant parmisan and it's very, very good as well. The wine list is up to you. Stop by Buster's Liquor at Poplar and Highland on the way...Pete & Sam's is BYOB for a small corkage fee. If you are looking to spend $$$$ for modern ambience and food that is more suitable to the eye then the palate, may I suggest another restaurant. But, If you are looking for the very best Italian food in Memphis, go to Pete & Sam's.

Pros: Family friendly, Great Food, Great Service, BYOB (wine)

Cons: Parking

07/31/2006 Posted by aodhan51

I've been eating there 40 years, but in the last 3-4 years the restaurant has diminished greatly. The food is now only fair, the kitchen is mismanged - food comes irratically to your table, often cold, and the service is non-existent. On my last visit, and I emphasize LAST visit, there were 6 of us, and every entre came at a separate time. The first entre didn't arrive until an hour after we ordered. It's sad. It has been extended-family run for years, and the manager/nephew who held things together left about 3 1/2 years ago. Now the owner's kids run it, and they have failed. It's one of those situations where they take the customers for granted, and the old-time customers have had enough.

Pros: Pizza is still good-if you get it hot

Cons: Everything has gone downhill

06/26/2006 Posted by trippd

only things i've ever eaten are their ravioli & min-pizzas, but they are heavenly! I've been eating them for a long time. I wish Atlanta had one... going here & thru the Corky's drive-thru on Poplar are the two things I do every time I vist Memphis.

Pros: very good food, inexpensive

Cons: the parking lot -- couldn't possibly cram more cars in smaller spaces

11/11/2005 Posted by me1111

We are from Sicily but have been living in Louisiana since I was 10. Both sides, maternal and paternal carried their culinary skills back here and kept them active. Since being displaced by Katrina, we have taken residence here in memphis, and gave Pete and Sam's a try. NOWHERE, besides my mother's kitchen have I ever tasted such great Italian food. The owner was extremely nice to us, spoke my language in Sicilian dialect, made us feel like coming back - forever! From a personal point of view, and ffrom a person who (knows) what Italian food should taste like, all others can shut the doors - at least the ones that I tried.

Pros: Everything

Cons: No wine in house

05/08/2005 Posted by officemom2

When I move, my priority is to find a decent Italian place. Pete and Sam's was my first attempt here. It is in a part of town requiring a guard outside. The lot is super tight so put on your maneuvering cap. The atmosphere, owner photos, service and bread gave me hope this could be my new Italian place. The antipasto was good but could use more salad items. (Yeah I know everyone makes it different.) Then the entree came. Pizza is made with orange cheese. My eggplant was unrecognizable under a ton of sauce. No cheese on top. The side of spaghetti came in tiny vegetable bowls. All of this could be overcome if the sauce had not been so super sweet. Spaghetti sauce that tastes like dessert? Definitely an acquired taste. No offense meant to those who love and enjoy it but I am going to keep looking!

Pros: service, atmosphere

Cons: food, parking

05/17/2004 Posted by slopokypup

If you're looking for some artsy fartsy designer chef with a degree in elitist snob cookery and a show on the food network, go somewhere else. This is not rarified cuisine. It is simply the best. This is decadent, indulgent comfort food. The ravioli is better than sex. The toasted ravioli is beyond compare. If you're on Atkins and can't indulge in pasta, the steak and Italian salad is so good it will make you cry. There's a second Pete & Sams that opened up in the boonies of Cordova. Come early to both restaurants because there's always a crowd. And don't wear tight clothes, because you will have to loosen your belt.

Pros: the food, the food, the food

03/21/2004 Posted by slylox

If you are looking for tasty and authentic italian food Pete and Sams is not the place for you. Don't be fooled by all the recommendations this place gets. It is simply not good italian food. The only highlight of our dining experience was receiving a mini-pizza as a side dish and watching the kid at the table next to us throw spaghetti at his sister. That is good fun! Otherwise there was nothing overly exciting or authentic about anything our party of four received. I must say though that the house red wine is much better than the "chateau yesterday" they are pushing over at Coletta's.

Pros: Inexpensive

07/02/2003 Posted by sowbug2000

Pete and Sam's is a classic Southern Italian family-run restaurant with great food, healthy portions, friendly service all at reasonable prices. Great for groups or the extended family. Bring your own wine. My favorites: Pizza, Italian Salad, Steak Tenders for Two. Only need reservations for a big group.

Pros: Good Food, Old-style portions, Cozy/dated amtosphere

Cons: parking, not the best 'hood

04/03/2003 Posted by donj

This place is not fancy, but the food is great, the service is excellant given that the place is so busy all the time, and the prices are reasonable too. It's a great place to take the whole family. It's hard to find parking, because it is so popular, but it is worth the trouble.

Pros: Great food, good service, reasonable prices

Cons: parking, crowded