**** Sadly Pete's has closed
I hadn't been to Pete's Meats in Little Italy for a very long time. In fact, Cathy, who posted on Pete's Meats last year has probably been there way more times than I. When we first moved to San Diego, I enjoyed Pete's for a nice simple Sausage Sandwich. Or for something even better, a Spitini Sandwich, basically a breaded veal roll, which was some awesome sandwich. I hadn't been to Pete's in at least five years, and was sad to notice the Spitini was no longer on the menu:
Other than the increased prices, and the removal of my beloved spitini, much looks the same.
The place has a real divey feel, and things are pretty much stuck in a rather pleasurable time warp. Pete's hearkens to a time before all of the condos and upscale restaurants made it's way to Little Italy. It oozes personality…..
You simply order, and they get to work on your sandwich. Since there was no spitini, I went with my other stand by the Italian Sausage Sandwich. The sausage is made inhouse, and I've picked bought the spicy sausage a few times in the past. It is prepared simply; cooked, in this case heated on the grill, topped with onions and peppers, and placed in a good roll. I believe they use Solunto's bread. It stands up real well.
On this visit, I think the sausage had spent a bit too much time "in the drawer" before reheating, and had seized a bit. It still tasted great, nice, mild, herbaceous flavor, but was kinda tough. Perhaps I shoulda just picked up a coupla sausages and some rolls from Solunto's……
On my next trip I decided to check out something I hadn't had before…… a Meatball Sandwich. The meatballs are kept simmering in a huge pot on one of the stove-tops. The sauce was much too runny, and mild for my taste…..
But those meatballs were melt in the mouth tender, and had good flavor. And combined with a good roll that added a nice contrast to the meatball, this was a good sandwich. Though I'd still take the Sausage Sandwich on a good day over this.
Pete's is one of those places that have stood the test of time, it is no frills, and I'm happy it has endured. The menu is gratefully simple, and you also have Pete, whose personality is worth an entire post of its own.
Pete's Quality Meat
1742 1/2 India St.
San Diego, Ca 92101