Chef Pete Blohme graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1986, spent 20 years cooking on cruise ships and in restaurants across the country — including a stint as Executive Chef of the University of Alabama — and opened a tiny sandwich shop in the French Quarter of downtown Fairhope, Alabama in February 2006. Panini Pete’s Café and Bakeshoppe became a local favorite almost immediately, was voted the best sandwich shop in Alabama by Pure Wow, and appeared in Season 3, Episode 8 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — “Real Deal Fast Food,” aired May 19, 2008. The friendship that developed between Pete Blohme and Guy Fieri during that first filming has led to Pete appearing as co-host on additional DDD episodes, performing in 25+ Guy Fieri Live Road Shows, and becoming one of the most recognizable culinary personalities on the Gulf Coast. He now operates four restaurant concepts across Alabama.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Panini Pete’s Café and Bakeshoppe
City: Fairhope, Alabama
Cuisine: Panini / Breakfast / Cafe
DDD Season: 3
DDD Episode: 8
Episode Title: Real Deal Fast Food
Original Air Date: May 19, 2008
Address: 42½ South Section St., Fairhope, AL 36526
Phone: 251-929-0122
Website: https://paninipetes.com/
Status: Open
About Panini Pete’s
The original location sits in the courtyard of Fairhope’s French Quarter — a shaded alleyway with boutique shops and the kind of outdoor seating that makes lunch on a mild Alabama day feel like the right way to spend an afternoon. Pete Blohme’s philosophy is to “put real food into our food”: house-made mozzarella, house-roasted meats, house-made dressings and spreads, fresh baked sweets. The beignets are considered the best in Alabama by most who have tried them. Pete himself frequently comes out to greet guests, which is not an accident — it’s the same hospitality approach he learned washing dishes at his parents’ restaurant as a teenager.
Pete is also a founding member of The Messlords, a group of celebrity chefs who travel the world cooking for US troops. His philanthropy work alongside his culinary career has made him one of the more interesting personalities in the DDD universe.
What to Eat at Panini Pete’s
The Beignets — dusted with powdered sugar, served with lemon — are the must-start item and the dish most regulars lead with. The House Roasted Turkey Panini with garlic aioli and fresh mozzarella was featured on the Food Network and appears on lists of things to eat in Alabama before you die. The Muffaletta Panini — mortadella, salami, Swiss, provolone, and house-made olive spread — was named one of the 100 Things to Eat in Alabama Before You Die. The Ahi Tuna and Black and Bleu Burgers cover the other end of the menu. The breakfast paninis (called “paninos”) are the morning anchor.
Pete’s approach to quality ingredients deserves a proper kitchen setup — Guy Fieri Cookware and Guy Fieri’s Kitchen Textiles outfit the home cook in full Flavortown style.
Plan Your Visit
Panini Pete’s is open daily for breakfast and lunch. Outdoor courtyard seating available. Arrive early on busy days — the outdoor spots fill fast.
Address: 42½ South Section St., Fairhope, AL 36526
Phone: 251-929-0122
Website: https://paninipetes.com/
Status: Open
Triple D Essentials
Stream the Real Deal Fast Food episode on Amazon — and pick up Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: An All-American Road Trip with Recipes for the cookbook that captures the scratch cooking philosophy Pete Blohme built his career on.
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Panini Pete’s appeared in Season 3, Episode 8 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Real Deal Fast Food,” originally aired May 19, 2008. Chef Pete Blohme has since appeared multiple times on DDD as both a featured restaurateur and co-host.