Pete and Sam's

Pete and Sam's is an old school Memphis Italian dining room where red sauce, pasta, pizza, and family habits matter more than contemporary styling. The menu also has a verified fried chicken tradition, making mixed tables easy to satisfy. Start with a familiar pasta or pizza, add a house specialty, and let the direct service and long local history define the evening.

Picks from Memphis Magazine

Pete and Sam's is known as an Italian American institution, yet Memphis Magazine makes a persuasive case for its fried chicken. The pieces arrive with a crisp, deeply browned crust that fits naturally beside spaghetti, ravioli, or familiar vegetables. Ordering chicken in this red sauce dining room reveals how Memphis restaurant traditions often cross category lines without losing their distinct family character.

Picks from Memphis Magazine and Memphis Flyer