What's to eat in San Pedro?

[glutton]

My wife and I will be in San Pedro on Saturday afternoon. As long as we'll be in that neighborhood, I figured we should sieze the opportunity to eat anything good down that way. Do you have any can't-miss grocery stores, takeout places, or restaurants in San Pedro? I'm assuming there must be something tastier than the Whale & Ale and Papadakis down that way...

[JimmyC]

best deal a1 market 12 inch sub 4 bucks good meat shredded lettuce nice tomato extra dressing wow oh yeah good bread. busy bee grat place. my vote a1 but im from jersey what the do i know

[KaimukiMan]

I will be visiting mom at the end of February (2008) was wondering if anyone had any updates for this thread. One thing I miss is good Mexican, so if anyone has specific suggestions there, would appreciate it. We almost always eat at Pacific Diner (montecristo's) Bonello's Pizza, an enchilada stand on Bandini, sometimes Busy Bee. There is also a nice Italian place down on 6th or 7th we have eaten at a couple of times. Anyhow, any other suggestions/updates from this thread would be great. Thanks!

[HPLsauce]

It's been a few years but I quite liked Marcello:

Marcello Restaurant
470 W. 7th Street
San Pedro, CA 90731

http://www.marcellorestaurant.net/cli...

[Rizza]

I believe Marcello's has changed ownership several times in the last 5 years. I don't know how consistent it is. I haven't eaten there for at least a year.

I have just recently started having lunch at Niel's once a month. The food is so good. They make an outstanding seafood pasta. the pasta is cooked al dente, and they seafood is really fresh. The tomato sauce has an incredible depth of flavor that is very rich. I was treated to local white anchovies from the chef one day. They were perfect. Not overpowered by vinegar as they can be sometimes. They definately get great fresh fish from the local market. Unfortuneatly the anchovies have not been available again. I ask for them every time i go.

[peterboy]

that would be Neil's on 5th street a block and half just east of pacific.
wonderful food. I am jealous about the anchovies or smelts, or whatever.
the chef is a true character and a delight.
Marcello's has had some problems of late.

[bex29]

Busy Bee used to be good, but now it's just okay. A-1 is better for sandwiches. There is a fabulous mexican place down on lower Pacific..I don't even know the name but it's painted blue with fish all over the building, next to a laundrymat..Amazing food, no one there speaks much english..try the shrimp tacos. Sushi-Ya changed owners and used to be great, now just okay. The Brewery is always good but nothing to write home about. A new Persian place opened on 8th Street, Gypsie Way BBQ that is quite good. The fish market, but only inside (not crazy outside patio) is great and cheap fish without the madness, but you can watch it from a window seat. Nam's is good Vietnamese food. Fantastic Cafe on Gaffey has the best fries in town..burgers aren't bad either.

[DiveFan]

In respect for this topic, links for everyone!

-----
Baja Fish
611 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Gaffey Street Diner
247 N Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Big Nick's Pizza
1110 N Gaffey St Ste G, San Pedro, CA 90731

Slavko's Harbor Poultry
1224 S Pacific Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90731

San Pedro Fish Mkts & Restaurant
1190 Nagoya Way, Los Angeles, CA 90731

A 1 Imported Groceries
348 W 8th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Nam's Red Door
2253 S Pacific Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731

Canetti's Seafood Grotto
309 E 22nd St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Papadakis Taverna
301 W 6th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Rincon Espanol
79 Berth, San Pedro, CA 90731

Neil's Pasta & Seafood Grill
383 W 5th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Bonello's New York Pizza
832 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Sixth Street Bistro
354 W 6th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Rex's Cafe
2136 S Pacific Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731

Las Brisas
1110 N Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Pina's Restaurant
1430 W 25th St, San Pedro, CA 90732

Taxco Restaurant
29050 S Western Ave, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Enchilada House
133 N Bandini St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Babouch Moroccan Restaurant
810 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Walkers' Cafe
700 W Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro, CA 90731

San Pedro Brewing Co
331 W 6th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

La Espanola Meats
25020 Doble Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90710

[Gingerleen]

Gaffey Street Diner for the best breakfast (you will need a nap when you are done). And Baja Fish also on Gaffey (I think it's Gaffey & 6th).

[Das Ubergeek]

We actually went to San Pedro today after an introductory trip to La Espanola Meats (in Harbor City, just up the 110 at Sepulveda), but we had to pick fast since She Who Must Be Obeyed was a ticking time bomb -- we ended up at the San Pedro Brewing Company and the burgers were tasty, but the service was... well, "automatisme" comes to mind.

[leetmom7]

Ooooh Ubergeek we love La Espanola. Whadja get?

[Das Ubergeek]

Fuet, imported pernil serrà (only $28 a pound, can you believe it??), butifarra, brandada de bacallà, Idiazábal, Montcerdà, fresh goat cheese, codonyat (a kind of quince preserve that can be sliced), and cava.

A true Catalan feast -- along with almonds, amanida verda amb vinagreta (green salad with vinaigrette), peas cooked with some of the fuet, and crema catalana.

[Normal Garciaparra]

There's a big Filipino festival happening in San Pedro this weekend in Pt. Fermin. They have a culinary arts pavilion. I know of at least two other Chowhounders who will be there :)

www.filamarts.org

[kandykane]

Pedro has many good eats-
My favs are --
For fancy morrocan and a show-try Babouch on Pacific?
Nams Red Door-vietnamesee-yummy hole in the wall-
J Traini's on 9th Street for Lunch-Local italian-great Calamari.
and then there is Walkers Biker Dive-

[peterboy]

did I sayNeil's - maybe two or three times.
went there already this week.
ah the stuffed pepper. just like I got 50 years ago as a kid.
linguine clams
shrimp fra diavolo
lobster ravioli
soups to die for.
real bread.
real linen
an insane owner who cares about food as the thing that creates love.

[cls]

Enchilada house on Bandini.

[WildSwede]

I lived in SP for a year in 84-85. There are two places I remember (vaguely) one was on Western and was a deli that had a octopus salad (my step-sister and I would take the "suckers" and stick them on our foreheads and walk around - hey, I was 14 and definitely weird!!) and another greasy hamburger place on - was it Pacific? The street that the 110 ends on, you turn left and it is on the right hand side - IIRC. Mike's?? I loved their burgers and chili fries!

[fizzie]

WS, any chance you might remember the deli with octopus salad? I love that stuff. Thank you.

[glutton]

If you love octopus, then you must try the grilled octopus appetizer at Petros in Manhattan Beach. A wonderful, wonderful dish. Easily the best thing I ate there and I ate a lot.

[WildSwede]

It was in a deli on Western on the west side of the street. A strip mall. Between Capitol & Toscanini but closer to Capitol (Trudie) - maybe even on that corner. I cannot remember perfectly, though! Sorry!
I am kinda thinking that chili place was Tommy's. I am fairly certain that it was on Gaffey (now that I look at the maps)!! Thanks! ;-)
Also, I think we did to go Cigo's, too. We were all over that place!

[gaylenwaydelich]

WS - sounds like you went to Cigo's back in the day. They served Croatian-style seafood. It was on 9th and Pacific. They had the BEST octopus salad. I have never had another like it. My best freind and I loved that place. We miss it and still reminisce about the great meals we had there growing up. We would order the fishermans platter and the mermaid platter and share it. The owners eventually retired back to the old country.

I think the burger place is "Tommy's" on 12th & Gaffey that you may have been to. They definitely still have chili fries, but I think nostalgia is better in this case. Hate to see you waste the gas - for a possible bad case of gas!

[Ernie]

It sounds like the burger place WildeSwede remembers might be Big Mike's on 7th St between Gaffey & Grand? I loved their burgers, enormous beasts with hot links in them. However it closed a while back, and is now a Middle Eastern restaurant

[peterboy]

also pedro chamber is hosting the annual taste in san pedro at pt fermin park 8/4-5
a nice time with bands...but you have to pay ten smackers for the privilege of buying food and drink, unless you can get in as a senior or military, which is just a nice thing about being old or having served.

[Ernie]

I checked out the Taste of San Pedro this weekend and it was a lot of fun. The weather on Sunday was exceptionally gorgeous, good vibe, and lots of tasty eats.

We sampled a Texas-style BBQ beef & baked beans stand, fish tacos from Baja Fish, and fresh peach pie a la mode from the Marie Callendar's stand. All were great and it was a good thing we worked some of it off walking back home :)

[leetmom7]

What kind of venue are you looking for? From the two you have mentioned, I assume not too casual and down by that area (too bad I was going to recommend Baja Fish on 5th and Gaffey).

I agree on not Papadakis. Its a caricature of itself.

Sixth Street Bistro, is good American food.

Rex's Cafe, 2136 S. Pacific Avenue, great wholesome/healthful casual.

Here is a link to SP restaurants:

http://www.sanpedro.com/spcom/restur.htm

[katkoupai]

Almost tried Rex's today-- it looked like a cool spot. Gaffey Street Diner also seems like a neat spot.

San Pedro seems to have many independent burger and fries places. Which ones are good? Indie pizza shops also seem to be abundant.

By the way, the link of SP restaurants above is nice, leetmom7. I like it.

[Ernie]

I tried Gaffey Street Diner this morning and it was fantastic. I hope to write a more detailed account soon

[katkoupai]

Great. :) Looking forward to reading your review.

[gaylenwaydelich]

Did you have the biscuits and gravy?? Excellent - not bland with a nice ratio of meat to gravy. They were recently featured on the Food Network.

[Ernie]

Yes, didn't know about the Food Network feature but they caught my eye on the menu and were excellent. The gravy had a great rich sausage flavor and the biscuits were tender, moist, and not gummy or doughy at all.

We also tried the corned beef hash special and an order of blueberry pancakes. All were great, portions are enormous, and looking forward to our next breakfast (and post-breakfast nap!)

[gaylenwaydelich]

Oh yes, the corned beef hash. I felt like Sophie's Choice the morning I switched to the biscuits and gravy. I like the corn beef hash extra crispy - although my cardiologist disagrees!

My daughter and sister tried the chorizo and eggs that were also featured on TFN but were disappointed. I like the chorizo breakfast at Las Brisas on Channel and Gaffey, Pina's on 9th, or Taxco on 25th & Western.

Happy eats Ernie!

[katkoupai]

I saw a review of Gaffey St. Diner (in San Pedro) on the Food Network last night with my family. They interviewed the owners of Gaffey St. Diner, and they spoke about how everything is made fresh, from the chorizo, to the biscuits, to the hashbrowns. There was a shot of a huge waffle covered with fresh berries and whipped cream that looked so good. If I ever have the time, I will check this place out for breakfast.

This is probably the same Food Network show mentioned by people above. The guy who hosted the show had bleached blond hair and two big earrings. He was going to small diners across the US and showing the ones he liked best. I looked him up on www.foodtv.com, and his name is Guy Fieri. His show is called "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives."

[Tony Miller]

Just tried Gaffey St Diner too. More-than-decent eggs, bacon, and pancakes; huge portions, very cheerful service. Funny, it looks like such a dive from the outside but is really pleasant inside.

[Steto]

Papadakis is fun if you don't get embarrassed when the waiters in Greek restaurants start dancing, food is good, but expensive.

[peterboy]

skip papadakis. the owner is a bore.
if you are there after 5 pm go to neil's on 6th street. italian as good as I found in Italy.

BusyBee is good, but kinda gross if you are over 45.
Saturday afternoon has most of the finer places closed.
good nystyle pizza at Bonellos on Gaffey and good family-style italian at Nonnas on western
Also fine sushi on western...sushia...just north of the trader joe's.
If it is early afternoon good diner food at the Pacific Diner on pacifc at 38 street.

[gaylenwaydelich]

Oh peterboy - I guess I'll have to give Nona's another try based on your reccomendation. I ate there for the first time expecting food like my old Croation Nona's and was so disappointed.The pasta was over cooked and the sauce tasted like ragu. The salad dressing was brought in an assortment of Kraft bottles. The food was inedible as far as I was concerned. For that "Pedro family style" place I prefer Dominick's on Western Ave. For that deadly garlic lemon roasted chicken and mostacolli. The game is always on and Teresa and Lydia remember you and treat you like family.

Bono's and Bonellos are good. I still can't bring myself to eat sushi in San Pedro after so many bad experiences at sushi 21, Senfuku, and the place across from Taxco on Western - yukko! I just head further down Western Ave to Torrance for descent sushi.

[leetmom7]

What gaylenwaydelich said about Nona's. I'm not Italian or Croatian and I can cook better than that!

gaylenwaydelich, is the 'place across from Taxco' called Tashiro?

[gaylenwaydelich]

I'm not sure. I drive by several times a day and I just tried to erase it from my memory. I judge my Asian retaurants by how many other Asian's are dining. For the record I am Eurasian, married to an Italian for 19 years and neighbors with Croats all my life. So if I am the least Asian looking person in an Asian restaurant - that is a good thing. ; )

[Tony Miller]

I think gaylenwaydelich is referring to a place on the West side of Western. Tashiro, which is further along in the same complex as Taxco, is very good IMO. Not world-class, but nicely fresh and a good portion size-to-price ratio.

[leetmom7]

Well there is no other sushi 'across from Taxco'. The only other close place is either Kobe Grill in the Terraces which isn't a 'sushi bar' or two blocks north where the post office is - Sushiya - which I put in the same class as Tashiro.

Just curious so I can stay away from whatever is bugging gaylen, but I can't figure out specifically which restaurant!

[gaylenwaydelich]

The Pink Plaza at Capitol and Western Ave. (I remember what a ruckus the paint color caused when it was first built.) The one in the same plaza as Taxco, Circus Donuts and Ace Cleaners. Kobe Grill is a reincarnation of the BBQ place that was there previously. I think it is the same owners.

[leetmom7]

Ah, then you are talking about Tashiro. I haven't eaten there enough to form an opinion. You've lived here a long time - when I worked for FHP maaaaannnyyy moons ago - I lived in Fountain Valley - I knew they had a Medical Center where the Harbor Spa is now in that center.

Didn't Kobe Grill (a chain) replace a deli and before that a Penguins? Ah we need better eats along Western Blvd., sigh. The only place my kids can agree on going to is Chicago for Ribs (ducking and running for cover, LOL).

[gaylenwaydelich]

It has been a few things over the years. Leetmom7 - I'll be running and ducking with you. I live in Whites Point and I was actually excited to get a new choice in the neighborhood. Although ChiRibs is a last resort when I'm too lazy to drive, I have been know to go incognito to pick up to-go when the demons take over.

[peterboy]

folks I know who crave sushi swear by sushiya.
I am no sushi fan, but I ate there with them and I thought it was fine

[gaylenwaydelich]

OK peterboy - usually the two of us are of the same mindset with the exception of Nona's. So I guess I'll have to give it another try.

[Tony Miller]

I really don't mean to be argumentative, but there seems to be some uncertainty as to which sushi place your comment (yukko!) addressed. I really have had a lot of very satisfactory sushi at Tashiro, and have recommended it successfully to other sushiphiles. I suggest giving it another chance.

[Foodandwine]

Peterboy, i was planning to go to A1 and Busybee for a sandwich run.. why are busybee geared to the under 45 crowd, I guess I missed your point..

[gaylenwaydelich]

My Mom is 87 and still eats Busy Bee - albeit not with her original teeth! My brother who are in his 60's drive in from Redondo Beach to pick up sandwiches. Peterboy may be refering to the younger locals waiting in line for sandwiches. It can resemble the lunch line at SPHS any day of the week. I personally think the sandwiches at A-1, especially the eggplant, are better. (When I am in NYC, that is the one sandwhich I miss most!) Sandwich Saloon is also good. they also have the option of the whole wheat Ischia roll that the others don't have.

[peterboy]

I went to nonna's once and it was fine...cant swear by it though. Had the chicken parm and she threw in spag at my request. I thought it was fine and the spag was firm.
Busy bee...just meant I was getting to old to slug down one of their heroes like I did 12 years ago. I do enjoy it though, and regret it later.
I think A1 eggplant is good, never had it in a sandwich though. I like to buy cold cuts there, especially mortadella with pistachios.
Busy Bee is such a pedro institution that the high school kids get extra sandwich paper from them and use i to cover their text books.

[Jerome]

There's a diner near the 22nd street landing called Canetti's. It was once featured in a pbs series on diners. Great? no. BUT decent, nice atmosphere and I liked the fish and chips i had there.
Papadakis Taverna is still decent although itsounds like you don't care for it.
CANETTI'S SEAFOOD GROTTO
309 E 022ND ST
SAN PEDRO
90731

PAPADAKIS TAVERNA
301 W 006TH ST
SAN PEDRO
90731

I've heard good things about
RINCON ESPANOL
79 BERTH POC
SAN PEDRO

But I haven't been so I can't recomend it.

[katkoupai]

I was recently in the San Pedro area, and I noticed many Mexican restaurants. I was unable to stop in, but I wondered which one was really good, given that there were so many choices. Another thing I noticed-- a small, hole-in-the-wall, shack-like Vietnamese place. Has anyone been there?

Nam's Red Door Vietnamese
[phone]
2253 S Pacific Ave
San Pedro, CA 90731

[Normal Garciaparra]

BUSY BEE SANDWICHES, BABY!!!!

-----
Busy Bee Market
2413 S Walker Ave, San Pedro, CA 90731

[JeetJet]

What kind of bread do they have? Also, what do you think is the best sandwich there?

[Normal Garciaparra]

I've only tried the Italian sammich. This was a couple years ago...but Busy Bee is a Pedro institution!

[Foodandwine]

Normal, I went there today and could not make up my mind so I ordered the torpedo, they were pre made and I think I had made a mistake. The hot sandwiches looked better, at least from the steam table. My torpedo was ham, provolone, salame and lettuce with allot of drippy runny mayo and somewhat wilted lettuce. Do the make this sandwich fresh? There must of been 15 on the counter. Perhaps I will try again want to keep an open mind but was in Palos Verdes and took the drive. In fact I only ate half and threw the other half away..

[Ernie]

Busy Bee is best for hot sandwiches. For torpedos in San Pedro, A-1 Italian Import market makes them better. No mayo, just a very simple bit of vinegar and oil, and the lettuce is always fresh.

[gaylenwaydelich]

The bread they use is called an "Ischia Roll", after the island of Ischia. It is available at the local italian bakeries. I posted below regarding the bread a few weeks ago.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/421619

Try the BBQ pork at Busy Bee. Messy and yummy. For a killer sandwich, I prefer the eggplant from A-1 Market on 8th Street.

[glutton]

Scheduling vaguaries and some other interruptions to the plan meant that we had to get a quick, late lunch on Saturday. We went to Busy Bee because it was around the corner from where we were. The line was long, but it moved pretty quickly. I got the turkey pastrami. It was good, but not crazy good. They use a real soft white Italian roll for the sandwiches, which means they soak up a lot of the juices. That's good. However, I would not put this up there with the best sandwiches I've eaten. Good, but not among the best. Not sure why it's such an institution. Perhaps I've been spoiled by Bay Cities?

[Tony Miller]

Me too -- Monday at 3, long line of blue collar guys, but service was brisk. Tried the meatball and Torpedo sandwiches, and thought they were both pretty good but in no way remarkable. Conservatively seasoned, I would say.

[Ernie]

Try the meatball + sausage sandwich aka "Donato's Pick" at Big Nick's in San Pedro. Great stuff and my favorite meatball/sausage sandwich in the city

[Tony Miller]

Tried "Donato's Pick" the other day. Enormous! I ate one half for lunch, and my wife made two meals out of the other half. It's also so big around that you can't put it into your mouth -- I ended up eating it with a knife and fork.

Very good taste, though. Thanks for the reco.

[Ernie]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to report back. Yes, Big Nick's portions tend to be enormous but somehow I am able to eat the whole thing LOL

[gaylenwaydelich]

Aaahh Glutton, turkey pastrami is an anomaly. Their strenght lies in the meatball, sausage, bbq turkey and bbq pork - my favorite. Place is an institution because Pedroites won't go to SM for a sandwich. But I know people from Santa Barbara and Carlsbad that come up to Pedro for Busy Bee. I guess it's what you grew up with. I have clients who work on Colorado in Santa Monica that beg me to bring up Busy Bee for in-house lunch meetings. Sort of a drag because I like to go to Bay Cities since Busy Bee is a 5 min. drive down the hill from my house! There is room for every taste.

[Foodandwine]

The Poor Boy at Bay Cities is a KILLER Sanwich, just had the torpedo at busy bee, what a mistake!! see above post to normal..

[Ollie]

I second that recomendation

[SIMIHOUND]

I have heard about San Pedro Fish Market and Restaurant being a wonderful place for fresh fish at fair prices. To be honest I have not been there myself.
1190 Nagoya Way
Berth 78
Ports O'Call Village
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-832-4251

[JeetJet]

I have been told, but have not confirmed, that the San Pedro Fish Market and Restaurant is owned by the same people who run Fisherman Outlet Market in L.A. Whether or not that is true the Fish Market has been my fav place, since my Dad first took me there decades ago, to by fish and the outdoor seating (perfect ambiance -- like a movie set/scene of a wharf -like lunch place) is a perfect place to enjoy a fresh fish meal. The only reason I go to the Fisherman Outlet more often is because it is closer, but being down near the water adds to the ambiance of the San Pedro Fish Market. After lunch it is nice to walk-off the big meal by walking around the shops at Ports O'Call or to visit the fireboat station nearby and look at the boat through the windows.

Fisherman Outlet Market
529 S Central Ave
634-G3
[phone]

[Servorg]

http://losangeles.menupages.com/resta...

[wilp]

Been there many times, kids love it.

It really is seafood chaos as soon as you walk in. Along the long wall is a full seafood case, but behind it is an assortment of bins with the catch of the day. Ive see grouper, shark, Monkfish - all kinds of good stuff in there. Across the way is a separate section for shellfish - its totally hit and miss for prices - but if you get a good day for lobsters, dig in. Grab an assortment of fish and shellfish and have the guys behind the counter clean your fish (follow what everybody else is doing), take below to the lower deck area - they will grill or fry your selection, add some serious bread, potatoes and onion. I usually only visit the full service counter below (fish and chips, corn dog, etc) for the kids - but they do have some interesting food.

My only warning is that with harbor can be a stinky place, and the Market can get pretty crazy and dirty. Only good thing about kids in diapers - endless supply of wet wipes.

[Carrie 218]

I lived in San Pedro 15 years ago -- back then, there was a great take-out fried chicken shop called Slavko's. It has to still be there as it was 50+ years old back then (just to see the giant, antiquated fryers is worth the trip!). Grab yourself a picnic from there and don't forget to add some of the massive, plum-sized olives!

[katkoupai]

Yes, I do think this is still there-- on Pacific. The sign is really cool-- looks like graffiti art. :)

[Tony Miller]

Just recently got around to trying this. Delicious chicken, if a little greasy for my taste. I was excited to find that they prepare roast goose, duck, and other delicacies on 24-hour notice; I know where I'll be getting my holiday dinner.

[Tony Miller]

As promised, I got a roast goose from Slavko's for a birthday celebration a couple of weeks ago. Came with yam puree and a nice dressing with apples, sausage, and cornbread.

Not the best goose I've had (both of which were in Germany), but good. Big hit with the guests. It was cooked with an orange glaze. Spit-roasted, it had the fat rendered out (can be a serious problem with goose), might have been a trifle overdone. All dark meat, slightly chewy, with the sweet glaze for flavoring.

I think my search for great goose is over now.

[torty]

Can you share the cost?

[Servorg]

Too late, his goose is cooked (and eaten). ;-D

[Tony Miller]

It was pretty spendy. The goose + the sides (yams & dressing) was about $130. Estimated 12 lbs, fed six with leftovers for days.

Jim @ Slavko's charges by the pound -- don't remember how much -- and an additional charge for cooking it. The sides are separate too.

He said that they get the geese from Canada, and that they were scarce this year. I first talked to him ~ Dec 1 and reserved the bird then; actually had it cooked on the 9th. He said that was the only one he would have before the end of the year.