This Tennessee Italian Restaurant Has Been Serving Family Recipes With Sicilian Roots Since 1948

By the time a restaurant has been around since 1948, it has probably watched more than a few food trends come and go. This Tennessee favorite never needed to chase them.

Its menu still leans on the same kind of Italian cooking people came for decades ago, with Sicilian roots running through the recipes and plenty of old-school comfort on the plate.

That means hearty pasta, rich sauces, familiar entrees, and food that feels built for people who already know what they like.

There is a confidence in keeping things that simple. No flashy reinvention. No need to turn every classic into something unrecognizable.

That is exactly why this Tennessee restaurant has lasted so long. The recipes have history, the menu has staying power, and generations of diners have kept proving that sometimes the old favorites are still the ones worth ordering.

Two Cousins, One Name, And A Story That Stuck

Every great restaurant needs an origin story, and this one comes with a twist. Back in 1948, cousins Pete Romeo and Sam Bomarito opened an Italian eatery in Memphis.

They put both of their names on the sign.

Here is the funny part. Pete only stayed for about six months before moving on. By then, though, the name Pete and Sam’s had already caught on with the neighborhood.

So the name stayed, even after Pete left. Sam kept the kitchen running and the ovens hot.

Changing the sign would have been like renaming a favorite dog after everyone already knows it.

That choice tells you a lot about the place. It was never about fancy marketing or big announcements. It was about feeding people well and letting the community decide what mattered.

Today, the Bomarito family still carries that history forward. The restaurant has now been serving Memphis for more than 75 years.

That makes it one of the longest-running Italian kitchens in Tennessee.

Think about how much has changed since 1948. Cars, phones, and music have all transformed many times over. Yet the name on the door has held steady the whole time.

When you sit down here, you are part of a story that began with two cousins. One left early, but his name never did.

Sicilian Roots Simmering In Every Pot

Grandma’s notebook never needed a fancy cover. At Pete and Sam’s, family recipes have been handed down through generations of Bomaritos.

Each one carries a piece of Sicilian heritage.

Sicily is the large island at the toe of Italy’s boot. Its cooking leans on bold tomato sauces, garlic, cheese, and hearty pasta.

Those flavors traveled across the ocean and settled into Memphis kitchens.

The red sauce is the star of the show here. The family proudly calls it a recipe rooted in their legacy since 1948. You will find it ladled over spaghetti, meatballs, and ravioli.

What makes old recipes special is their patience. They were built for big families and long Sunday dinners. Nothing about them feels rushed.

Here is a helpful tip for first-timers. Order something classic with the house red sauce before exploring the rest of the menu. It gives you the clearest taste of the family’s history.

A bowl of spaghetti with meat sauce is a smart starting point. It is simple, filling, and honest. Sometimes the plainest dish says the most about a kitchen.

Each bite connects a busy Tennessee street to a sunny Mediterranean island. Few meals can travel that far without a passport.

Ravioli Made From A Secret Family Recipe

Secrets are usually hard to keep, but this family has managed it for decades. The ravioli at Pete and Sam’s comes from a secret recipe made in-house since the very beginning.

That means these little pasta pillows have been crafted by hand for more than seven decades. They are not shipped in from a factory. They come straight from the family’s own kitchen tradition.

You have several ways to enjoy them. Classic ravioli in red sauce is the traditional pick. There is also a spinach and ricotta version for those who want something a bit greener.

Toasted ravioli shows up on the appetizer side too. It is crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. Dipping it in marinara makes it a fun dish to share.

Smaller appetites have an option as well. A half order of ravioli pairs nicely with spaghetti, and some folks top theirs with pesto. That way you can sample two favorites at once.

Want to enjoy them later? A cooler near the front door holds sauces and dishes to take home. It is a handy way to bring the flavor back to your own table.

Homemade pasta takes time and care. Here, that care has never gone out of style.

Italian Spinach Steals The Spotlight

Spinach rarely gets a fan club, yet this side dish has one. The Italian spinach at Pete and Sam’s is one of the most talked-about plates on the whole menu.

What sets it apart is a unique recipe that includes egg. The result is rich and savory, with a texture that feels almost creamy. It is nothing like the plain steamed greens many kids push around their plates.

This dish proves that sides can be stars. Many diners plan their whole order around it. Some even say it is the reason they keep coming back.

Here is a smart ordering trick. The dinner versions of many entrees come with a salad and two sides. Choosing the Italian spinach as one of them is a popular move.

Another side worth knowing about is the baby pizza. Pairing the two gives you a little taste of everything. It turns a regular meal into a mini feast.

Parents, take note. If your child claims to hate spinach, this might be the version that changes their mind. Cheese and egg have a way of winning people over.

Good cooking can make even humble vegetables shine. This Memphis kitchen has been proving that point for generations.

Thin-Crust Pizza With A Memphis Barbecue Twist

Memphis is famous for two things: music and barbecue. Leave it to an Italian family to put the second one on a pizza.

The BBQ pizza at Pete and Sam’s is a true local legend. It mixes Southern pulled pork with a crispy Italian-style crust. The dish has even been featured on the Food Network.

The crust here is thin, with a satisfying crunch. It holds up well under toppings without getting soggy. Each slice snaps a little when you bite into it. Not a barbecue fan? No problem.

The menu offers plenty of other choices, from the Everything Pizza to the loaded Supremo.

A fun idea for groups is to order one BBQ pizza and one classic. That way everyone can compare flavors. You might discover that you like the mash-up best.

This pizza says something sweet about the restaurant. It shows how a Sicilian family grew comfortable in Tennessee and blended cultures together. The result tastes like both places at once.

Food history is full of happy accidents and bold experiments. A barbecue pizza in a decades-old Italian restaurant might be one of the tastiest examples around.

Stuffed Celery And Other Quirky Classics

Celery is usually the snack nobody fights over. At this restaurant, it has been a signature specialty for more than seventy years.

The stuffed celery is a throwback appetizer that feels straight out of a vintage dinner party. Crisp celery gets filled with a creamy mixture. It is cool, crunchy, and a little surprising.

Few restaurants still serve something like this. That makes it a fun item to try, especially if you enjoy food with history. Think of it as a tasty time machine.

The menu goes far beyond pasta, too. American classics share the spotlight with Italian favorites. You will find steaks, chicken, and seafood alongside lasagna and cannelloni.

Ribeye and filet mignon both appear on the menu for those craving beef. Blackened grouper is a good pick for seafood lovers. There is even fried chicken for anyone wanting pure comfort.

Free bread and butter arrive at the table as well. It is a warm, simple start to the meal. Try not to fill up before your entree shows up.

This variety makes the place great for families with picky eaters. Everyone can find something, from adventurous bites to old reliable favorites.

Old-School Charm On Park Avenue

Some dining rooms feel like a movie set from the 1960s. Here, the dark wood, soft lighting, and classic music create that exact mood.

You will find the restaurant at 3886 Park Ave in East Memphis, close to the University of Memphis. It has been a neighborhood anchor for generations. Grandparents who once went on dates here now bring their grandkids.

Vintage neon signs glow over red-and-white checkered tablecloths. Sinatra-style tunes often drift through the room.

The whole space feels cozy, like a family dining room that grew very large.

A recent renovation added a few modern touches while keeping the old soul. A bar area joined the space, and the classic feel stayed intact. Change came gently instead of all at once.

Planning ahead is a good idea. Doors open at 4 PM daily, closing at 9 PM most nights and 9:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Early evenings tend to be calmer if you want a quieter meal. Weekends can get lively, which is part of the fun.

The decor is not trying to be trendy. It is simply proud of where it came from, and that confidence feels refreshing.

New Generations Keeping The Tradition Alive

Family businesses work a bit like relay races. Each generation grabs the baton and keeps running.

Today, Sammy and Michael Bomarito, sons of the original Sam, co-own the restaurant. They have kept their father’s recipes front and center. They have also found ways to keep things fresh.

For the first time in its long history, the kitchen now offers weekly specials. These dishes are dreamed up by the brothers along with assistant manager JD Sloyan.

New flavors arrive while the family classics stay put.

Big gatherings are another specialty. A party room hosts birthdays, holidays, and celebrations of every size.

Group menus with lasagna, spaghetti with meat sauce, and fettuccine Alfredo keep crowds happy.

Portions are famously generous. Bringing home a to-go box is almost part of the tradition. Leftover lasagna the next day might be the best bonus in Tennessee.

Takeout and delivery are available for busy nights. Orders often arrive with bread and seasoned olive oil tucked inside. Those small details show real care.

After more than 75 years, Pete and Sam’s still feels like a family table. With new ideas and old recipes side by side, the story is far from finished.