Is there parking nearby?

North Park has street parking along 30th St, though it can get tight during lunch and dinner rush. Your best bet is arriving off-peak or checking the lot situations on the side streets—don't expect a dedicated lot, but spots are usually findable within a block or two.

Do I need a reservation or can I just walk in?

Walk-ins are welcomed, especially at the bar where you'll get seated quickly. Lunch and dinner can get packed (especially Saturday around noon), so if you're coming with a group, calling ahead is smart—but solo diners and couples rarely wait long.

What should I order first?

Start with the warm lobster roll—it's loaded with meat and comes out fast. The fried calamari is killer too, but ask for tartar sauce instead of the red sauce. If you want something warming, the clam chowder has plenty of potato and won't disappoint.

Is this place good for kids?

Yes—it's tagged as kid-friendly and the casual vibe works well for families. The extensive fried menu means there's something for picky eaters, and service is quick so you won't be waiting around forever with restless kids.

This spot is pet-friendly with outdoor seating, so dogs are welcome on the patio. Just make sure you're sitting outside—that's where your four-legged friend can hang.

What's the best time to go to avoid crowds?

Avoid Saturday noon and standard lunch/dinner hours if you hate waiting. The bar fills up even when the dining room has space, so if you're solo, that's actually your fastest route in. Early lunch (before 11:30am) or mid-afternoon gaps are your move.

Do they have options for dietary restrictions?

It's a seafood and sandwich joint, so seafood is the star. The menu is heavy on fried options, but they've got fresh fish and shrimp if you want grilled or non-fried preparations—just ask. No evidence of dedicated vegan or gluten-free programs, so call ahead if you have strict dietary needs.

Is takeout or delivery any good, or should I eat here?

Dine-in is your move—fried food travels, but the quality drops compared to eating it fresh off the line. Reviewers who grabbed takeout noted that components didn't hold up as well. Eat it here and wash it down with beer or wine while it's hot.

Pete’s Seafood and Sandwich — San Diego

“Pete's brings Boston-style seafood shacks to the 30th Street corridor, where fried clams and warm lobster rolls feel less like coastal imports than neighborhood staples.”

While North Park's beer-and-wood-fired-pizza culture runs deep, Pete's does something fundamentally different: it commits to the East Coast seafood shack playbook without hedging or fusion. No California roll crossover, no citrus aioli trying to bridge regions — just straightforward fried clams, chowder with potato chunks, and lobster rolls done the New England way: warm with butter or cold with mayo.

The warm lobster roll is the draw here. It's packed tight — no lettuce filler, no bun bloat — just lobster meat swimming in drawn butter. Locals who've never been to Maine still understand the appeal: this is comfort food that doesn't apologize for being rich. The fried clam strips come out fast and greaseless, which matters when you're eating at the bar between errands. Ask for tartar sauce with the calamari instead of the red sauce; the kitchen knows which one works.

The setup splits indoor/outdoor, and the bar fills quick at lunch — solo diners park there for the speed. Service moves like they've clocked your timeline before you say it. The clam chowder leans creamy and potato-forward, which is the New England standard but feels almost indulgent here.

Does it play to North Park's indie-everything aesthetic? Not exactly. But that's the point. Pete's fills the gap between the tap-list spots and the taco runs — the place you hit when you want something fried, fast, and unapologetically not California. Parking on 30th is the usual nightmare; side streets are your friend. Takeout works, but the warm lobster roll loses some magic in a container. Eat it at the bar if you can.