Pete’s Deli: Nutley’s Italian Jewel Since 1977

Walking past Pete’s Deli, you can smell all the amazing food even before you go inside. “Everything is always very good and fresh when you go to Pete’s. Sandwiches are awesome. The eggplant parmesan is amazing,” one Yelp reviewer said. A lot of people agree. The smell alone is enough to make you drool. 

The inside is a tight squeeze and has no seating area, but it's warm and cozy, giving off a homey vibe. Another reviewer wrote, “great old-style Italian deli. Everything is homemade and delicious. The service is like you’re at home.”  The staff is friendly and welcoming, working their hardest on the food. Things tend to get rushed at Pete’s, but that's inevitable. Only a few people work at a time, and they need to work as quickly as possible to get all the orders done. 

The sandwiches are made right in front of you, so you can pick exactly what you want on them. This is helpful to say your order while they make it, so the process goes quicker, and they don’t mess up. They’ll ask if you want Swiss or cheddar, ham or turkey; it’s a very interactive experience. A preferred choice is the classic Italian sub; it's made fresh every time. When you don’t know what to get, it’s a great option, or really any sub. They're all amazing. 

If you’re looking for something else, the eggplant parmesan is considered their most famous and signature sandwich.  The bread is soft, so it's not hard to bite into, and the inside is warm; it's the perfect temperature. Once you take a bite, there’s no going back. The ravioli is pre-made and ready to be eaten. The cheese ravioli is like a cloud, light and fluffy, it’s made easy to bake, like it’s fresh. Their homemade gelato is truly exceptional. It’s super creamy and full of flavor; a town favorite is the Cioccolato (chocolate), so they’ve said. 

Pete’s offers take-out, catering, and street parking. The parking is tight, and many of the residents who live on the street aren’t too happy with how the streets are packed every day. They say it’s hard to back out of their driveways in the mornings. It can be considered a good or bad thing; it does show how much business they get. On the other hand, neighbors aren’t too happy having to navigate their own street. A resident mentioned that there are always boxes from Pete’s flying around, and no one from the business seems to pick them up, which affects their living environment. 

On Pete’s Deli’s website, it says they provide a wheelchair accessible door, which would be great if it were actually wheelchair accessible. When you get there, there's only steps in sight. Their pricing is reasonable, but Pete’s is a cash-only store. This could be a problem for those who don't carry cash and could eventually impact the number of customers they get. 

Overall, the experience is delightful. Getting to eat delicious food and interact with workers in that environment is superb. Pete’s Deli does have a few minor kinks, but it's an excellent place to go. Whether you’re going to grab an eggplant parm or a container of gelato, Pete’s Deli is always fresh, tasty, and full of life. You’ll leave happy, full, and planning your next visit. 
 

Open - 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Mon - Sat closed Sunday

Address - 209 Prospect St

Take out 👍

Street parking 👍

Catering 👍

Wheelchair accessible 👍they say so, but no.

Cash only

4.5 stars

Price range is  under $10 ($)

“Everything is always very good and fresh when you go to Pete's. Sandwiches are awesome. The eggplant Parmesan is awesome.” - Yelp reviewer 

“great old style Italian deli. Everything is homemade and delicious. The service is like you're at home. The place is old but inviting.” - Yelp reviewer