Filippi's Pizza Grotto Little Italy

This place fully gives little Italy ~vibes~ from the tablecloths to all the hanging Chianti bottles, it feels super homey and gets you excited for the pizza to come:) There's also a market at the front of the restaurant selling so many specialty items. We shared the Filippi's special pizza which was definitely enough for 2 people - it was loaded with toppings, sauce and cheese and very enjoyable! The service was fine too, it wasnt super busy late Friday afternoon when we went, yet service felt a bit as if the place were busy and rushed. However, I'd totally go back when I'm craving little Italy vibes and pizza!

Filippi's is a San Diego institution. Since 1950 the family has been serving San Diego some of the best Italian food you'll find. They have several locations, but the Little Italy location is my fave. You walk through an old school Italian market to reach the restaurant in the back. Dried meats, fish, pasta, and everything Italian. The restaurant itself is warm and cozy. Red and white checkered table cloths cover every table. Hundreds of chianti bottles, maybe thousands, many with messages, adorn the ceiling from front to back. We got there right as they opened and were seated immediately by a friendly waitress. I cannot go to Filippi's and not have lasagna. It is probably my favorite individual meal, period. Best lasagna ever and no one else can touch it. The sauce is amazing. It's probably what makes everything honestly. I ordered the combination plate with lasagna with meat sauce and meat ravioli. (Forgot to add my meatball lol.) So cheesy and amazing. The ricotta....mmmmmm. Everything just comes together in this dish. The ravioli was tender and flavorful. I can never finish a full order so always get to take home leftovers! Almost like a two for one! My friends each ordered a pizza, and they looked amazing. That's another thing, you never have to order extra cheese on a pie here, they do not skimp on the cheese or toppings. Filippi's has been in my rotation since i arrived in SD in the 1990s. They are consistent and have remained true to their craft all these years. No need to change menu items or do any fancy advertising. The food speaks for itself. See you next time!

Honestly after eating there I enjoy the antipasto Pasta lasagnas no question is greatHowever the pizza crust is spongy not solid like New York Italian pizza or even Sirrico's at the New York New York hotel las Vegas that's the best pizza I ever had in the west coast The torpedo subs need more dressing mine was dry

We came as a family of four (me, mypartner, my sister in law, and myniece); and when we arrived the place was pretty empty, and there was no one else waiting.We were put off a bit by the hostess, at first. she wanted to put us back in the back, back of the restaurant, without the hanging wine bottles!!!It took a bit of time, and persuasion; but eventually we were seated in the area with the hanging wine bottles.After getting our table, our server heidi took our drink order, which she had out to us in a flash!!!She then took our food order. we ordered a special pizza, lasagna, minestrone soup and large dinner salad.We had an extra special experience, thanks to server heidi. she went out of her way to make suggestions, and also went out of her way to listen to our order.We had made a few special requests, including a slow-placed meal. we got just that.Indeed, we had a great meal, slow-paced, just the way we like it!!!I would make a couple of suggestions, however. first, when someone orders a glass of wine, serve it in a wine glass..!second, when someone orders sparkling water, bring pellegrino, and not just a glass of something!!!After being seated in a good section, everything was as expected!!!

It was our first time here. We came for dinner to try it out. To be honest, I'm not too crazy about pasta to begin with, but my friends wanted to eat here. It was a nice cozy little place and there was a good crowd. The service and staff were good. For me, it was average. My friends seemed to enjoy it tho. That's all I gotta say. Thank you!

Was in town for my wife and I wedding anniversary this place was highly recommended. Stopped by for lunch on a Sunday wasn't busy. We shared a pizza and child portion lasagna. Great portions the staff were amazing the food was great. Extra star for having Coke Zero for me and Diet Pepsi for the wife. Would recommend and come back again.

We spent the afternoon enjoying the weather, the people, the food, and the cold beer here. What a special place to sit and enjoy original Italian pizzas and pastas. Just like from their start in 1950. Great service by Stephanie and Larissa. Great original style pizzas. Delicious!Sitting on the patio under a beautiful sky and umbrella watching the world go by!What a great time in So Cal.

There are multiple locations but the Filippi's in Little Italy in my opinion is the best one! The food is ALWAYS delicious! It has always been my families go to when you want Italian food.The food portions are family style so I recommend getting different items and sharing them. You honestly can't go wrong with anything because everything there is just too good! Everyone who works there is so nice and friendly. The restaurant is so cute, it has bottles that people have signed hanging from the roof. I love how when you walk in it's a mini store/deli and you walk more in and bam it's the restaurant. They also have their own parking which is great and you don't have to struggle looking for street parking.

Ambiance: my favorite part of the restaurant was the authentic ambiance and the connecting market with authentic Italian staples. You walk through the market to get to thw restaurant in the back and I love it! The restaurant itself is quaint and cute with plenty of seating, a bustling kitchen, and folks waiting for to-go pizzas. Food: we got a pizza to-go: half pepperoni and half margarita. My husband enjoyed the pizza but I wouldn't order it again. To me, it's too heavy on the cheese and not enough sauce and because of that cheese it's a bit thick. Out of the two flavors o preferred the margarita. Some people have a preferred style of pizza and this one was not for me :-/Pro tip: order a bottle of wine and meals to go and enjoy them by the fountain around the corner. Romantic and cost effective meal.

Honestly I was confused at first. When I walked in. It was some sort of store but the restaurant was in the back of the store. Will say kinda felt stuffy inside. Not sure but I kinda liked the vibes. It was dark and my eyes had to adjust but they adjusted well after a bit. Will say I've never seen a place to have limit of soft drinks but I don't think is much necessary when I i my drank my cup of soda lolz. I was a bit confused at the end about paying so I just went up to pay. The server was kinda everywhere since while she was taking our order the table next to us interrupted her while helping us but I know she was doing her best :)). Some cook also saw we weren't eating our food and he gave us or to go containers without even asking!! Props to him!! I give him for sure the good costumer award to him lolz. Food wise Combination plate 6/10 will say I liked the Alfredo more. It wasn't too over powering but adding Parmesan's cheese helped it taste better. The pasta was also cooked unevenly so ti kinda threw me off. Again just my opinion. And then I tried the lasagna with meat sauce. It tastes a bit sweet and tasted like imitation cheese. So this it kinda what went downhill for me. Pizza 8/10 my friend said it tastes better cold than hot but she also could taste the imitation cheese. Will say if you like big portions this is the place for you and if you like imitation cheese. Personally wasn't one of my fav places I've tried but maybe they have other food that is better. Again everyone's taste palette is different.