Pete’s Deli

Eggplant Parm sandwiches have always been a comfort food for me so when I saw the raves here for the Eggplant Parm at Pete’s Deli I knew I had to try them. Well. thank you fellow Unilocalers! A very generous sandwich piled high with delicious eggplant and topped with a big thick slice of fresh mozzarella (you wouldn’t believe how many delis cheap out and put sliced store bought mozz– Wrong!) This is a real deli, very small but clean with a couple of refrigerated cases and one frozen. The staff behind the counter couldn’t have been nicer. A note, my sandwiches were waiting me for but were not hot. They did offer to warm it up but I knew I would have to heat them up for dinner anyway so I passed. But if you are ordering ahead and you want the sandwich hot make sure yiu let them know. Great find!

This place is always packed around the holidays. They somehow manage to keep everyone happy too. It’s a residential area, so the place is tiny. They simply have the best Italian specialties and fresh pasta!

Pete’s is amazing! They have the best eggplant parm! I love everything I’ve ever had from Pete’s!

Wish I could give more than 5 stars. By far the absolute Best Italian deli anywhere! Nobody makes a sandwich like them and the Italian knot cookies are fabulous. Everything else is great too… including the owners. Sweetest people alive! Can’t say enough good things about this place. Love you guys!

The eggplant, just fried or parmigiana is excellent. The sandwiches are stuffed nicely and reasonably priced. Took off a star because I feel like sometimes it’s a bother for them to help customers, especially if it’s nearing closing time. But none the less I still go here often.

I have lived in nutley twenty years and have passed this deli numerous times but did not stop because it looked small. l stopped in today and boy I didn’t know what I was missing all these years. ordered a sandwich and it was the best Italian sub I have ever had and I can eat. Don’t make the same mistake and go by this deli like I did all these years stop in and you will not be sorry I’M NOT KIDDING TRY IT!

I love this place! Freshest coldcuts and the potato salad is out of this world. Have ordered several dishes from there and each time they were delicious.

I found this quaint little delicatessen here on Unilocal!I work in the town where it is and had even driven past it a few times. I didn’t know what I was missing, lol. It reminded me of an «old school» Italian deli so I knew I was in the right place. The employees there were very nice and I enjoyed being in there presence. I got a #2 sandwich and it was great. I can’t wait to go back and try some of there daily specials!

Old school and delicious. Their eggplant and gravy are the best.

Joanne, the beautiful, understated master chef will transport you back to your grandmother’s kitchen if you are Italian and If you are not, you will finally «get it» about the superiority of simply made high quality Italian dishes. In my humble opinion, her egg plant parm and potato salad are the only store-​bought (albeit crafted with love in this deli’s little kitchen) are the only potato salad and egg plant that are worthy of purchasing. Sandwiches and cold cuts are fresher than Joan Rivers. Be sure to bring cash. Did i mention that the homemade Ravioli are as good as borgattis on Arthur Avenue. A trip to Pete’s– a must if you are a foodie!

Pete’s deli, some words that immediately come to mind — delicious, consistent, authentic. I have been visiting this deli since we started to walk to middle school back in 1996. back when the student sandwiches were just a buck and a quarter for a meat, a cheese, and lettuce & tomato on a tasty roll. We have pictures of us as wee preteens sharing sodas, pepperoni breads, and tarralles on the side of the building.
Today its 19 years later (OMG) and I’m still visiting and ordering student sandwiches, ($ 2.50 now– but theyre the perfect size for a quick snack!) picking up pepperoni bread (or sausage or eggplant or chicken parm), tasting homemade pizza and cold cuts (whatever roast was made at xmas was cut down for me on the slicer and was so fragrant with rosemary and peppercorns — aye!!), or ordering hot sausage meatballs, coleslaw, or fresh mozz salad for a party.
You cant beat Pete’s. My only concern is as they move into the future, with close to 0 advertisement, how will they maintain the old school feel, prices, and flavors when faced with modern challenges? I would love to see their presence on a social media platform…

Good people here… And great Italian specialties and side salads for your next BBQ. We drive from out of town to support this business because the people are worthy of that loyalty, and so is the DELISH food. Best meatballs, mozz, Mac salad, cole slaw and all the rest… For miles!

Pete’s Deli is the last of a dying breed: a family owned deli where everything you taste is homemade.
Hoagies (yeah, I call ‘em hoagies) are great (a turkey, prov, L&T, oil & vinegar, fried long hots was orgasmic), their bread is amazing, they have anything you need for an antipast platter, but hidden gems are items like their eggplant parm, manicotti, ravioli, roast beef and pizza – all homemade.
Bring cash, be prepared to take your food to go and leave your delicate sensibility at home – Pete’s isn’t really known for their patience or kindness, unless you’re a regular then you’re greeted with a smiling face.
It actually pains me to write this review because I wanna keep Pete’s all to myself. Yeah, this place sucks, stay away.

Best bread. Best cold cuts. Best hot food. Could use a cleaning. Ceiling fans have a layer of dirt on them. But I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

I’ve been here twice and enjoyed it immensely both times. As most others here have said, it’s a throwback italian deli located on a random road. I have only gotten sandwiches here but it’s real simple– there’s no menu (or I havent seen one), i just tell them what I would like on my sandwich, pick what bread i want it on, and bam! A delicious italian hero just for me just the way I want it! Things seem to move quick here – know what you want. The sandwiches I get are usually something involving sopresatta, capicolla, prosciutto, extra sharp provolone, and such. I can’t comment on anything else, but I liked what I got. I always make sure to get some taralli with my lunch and I love that they have three different kinds right there (plain, garlic, hot).
Go here.

I was excited by the buzz around this place but when we got there the 3 people working weren’t rude, but they seemed bothered that we were there.
I figured it was worth it if the subs were great, but the rolls were too hard.
Lots of delis in Nutely. I will find another one for my tailgate subs.

I went with a chicken cutlet sandwich. The bread was delicious. I’d recommend it over the other sandwiches, since I know what to expect from a Thumans sandwich…

Cash only.
Good tasting subs piled high with Thumann’s meat. I got an Italian Sub with everything (why not? it’s a very Italian place). ¾″ pile of ham, ¼″ salami and 3 or 4 slices high of provolone. I was a bit bummed to see they didn’t throw in peppers or olives.
Italian rolls have a bit of crunch, but are a little on the tougher side for my tastes. Service is a bit sluggish, but friendly. The rest of the food looked appetizing.
This is overall a good, solid local deli, but I wouldn’t say it’s amazing.

I am mad at myself for living in Nutley for 5 years and not hearing about this gem. It’s tucked away on a residential street, and I’ve never seethed advertised before, but Unilocal happily led me to them.
The place is tiny and busy with cases of deli meats, and Italian specialties such as ravioli, manicotti, etc that I assume they make on premises. Behind the counter they have fresh baked bread. Think old school Italian deli. My sandwich was delish!
This place is a throwback to a better era when quality mattered and I wish them success for many more years. A place like this puts attention into a meal that a quick check or these gas station deli’s can never replicate.

I work in Nutley and a local introduced me to Pete’s as the «GO TO» for the BEST deli sandwiches. WOW were they right. Ever since my first experience, I am hooked. I go in at LEAST once a week. Not only are the sandwiches out of this world, so is the eggplant parm, homemade soup and the homemade Anisette Cookies — ARE THEY GREAT OR WHAT!
What I love about this place are the PEOPLE that work there. they are sweet and they really get to know you. They always have a smile and are warm and welcoming.
The breads they make the sandwiches on are fresh and just the right soft to crunch ratio. I could probably live off the bread! The house made oven roasted turkey is just out of this world. so fresh, tender and puts any Thanksgiving turkey I have ever had to shame (Sorry Grandma) and last but not least — these people know how to nail the perfect sandwich. they also have a «junior» sized sandwich which is about 3 inches long and is perfect for a little lunch. I live off them.
Pete’s is worth the detour off of exit 150 off the GSP if you aren’t in the area. Love it!