Martello

On Saturday evening, I visited this little place in the San Basilio neighborhood, and it absolutely won me over! The pulled pork sandwich was undoubtedly one of the best I've ever had. The pastrami sandwich also pleasantly surprised me, revealing a care and technical knowledge of the product I've rarely encountered elsewhere. Beyond that, which already says a lot about the place, the extremely welcoming and helpful staff deserves special mention. A word of advice: make a reservation! There aren't many tables, and the pastrami sells out quickly, so you might miss it if you show up without a reservation.

If you're in Rome and want an authentic American BBQ experience, forget about the usual "faux-American" joints popping up like mushrooms and head straight for Martello, a little gem hidden in the San Basilio neighborhood. I'm not exaggerating when I say you'll likely find nothing like it, not only in Rome, but in all of Central Italy. The place is tiny, so much so that most of the space is taken up by machinery: smokers, kitchen, and work area. Behind the counter, however, is a young man with enormous passion and rare expertise, who works with the utmost respect for the raw materials. He sources from small producers and emphasizes the highest quality ingredients. The result? Dishes that will leave you speechless. I tasted perhaps the best pastrami sandwich of my life, superior even to the iconic ones I've tried in New York (yes, even at the very famous Katz's or P. Queen). They've also recently improved the bread, making everything even more perfect. The brisket, beef ribs (essentially eaten with gloves), and the Mangalica pulled pork are unforgettable. The side dishes are also worth a mention: the potatoes, for example, are never fried in oil, but seasoned with the meat's own fat, resulting in a surprising, extremely flavorful result. Of course, if you're vegetarian, there's no point in visiting this place. A word of advice: go with friends and share dishes. The flavors are intense and generous, and sharing them will allow you to sample more without tiring yourself. It's one of those places you return to time and time again, because each visit is a new discovery. The only drawback: the location isn't easy to park, and there are only four or five tables outside. For this reason, I highly recommend making a reservation. In short: Martello is an experience, not just a meal. Passion, care, and authenticity make it an absolute must-try for anyone who loves properly smoked meat. Congratulations!

Excellent American barbecue restaurant in Rome's San Basilio neighborhood. It's a small place with a few seats inside and several tables outside. I tried the beef ribs and burnt ends, and everything was delicious. Prices were in line with the quality, and the staff were friendly.

The knowledge of knowing how to make an excellent product, there's no need for small talk. When I arrive and tell one of the two owners I'm from Ostia, he looks at me confused and says I shouldn't rely on videos but have to try. And so I do, three takeout choices, including a beef cooked with smoked beer. At home, words actually give way to one of the best long-cooking experiences on the smokehouse. The pastrami sandwich is packed with meat, perfectly balanced with the acidity of the cucumbers, but what's surprising is the brisket with smoked beer. A rare delight, a persistence of flavor without any imbalance of fat. Here, words stop and I continue to bite into the sandwich. The sausage is very good, the potatoes are the same, the pork belly was just fat. It may be a sweet taste, but at my age, I can't afford that cube of fat. I find the price in line with the palate experience. Sublime. The management duo seems to have stepped out of a comic book. The bearded guy preparing our food is irreverent and ironic, the other calm and imperturbable. It almost feels like a carefully planned piece of theater. I'll be back even if I'm far away, because for something like this, San Basilio is actually the closest neighborhood I know to Ostia :P

Incredible pastrami in this little place in northern Rome. The bread was perfect and the meat juicy and tasty, I would have added a little more cucumber for freshness, but it was already delicious. The real discovery was the off-menu sandwich with Argentine beef (vacio) and marrow mayonnaise... spectacular

Vegetarians and vegans, stay away! I found this place on social media a few months ago and promised myself I would go, now I regret not having done so before. I will start by saying that it is not a super cheap place but it is truly worth every euro, for the quality and size of the dishes. Everything was delicious, from the Pastrami to the Vacio that melted in your mouth. Behind it all is the passion of Davide Ceccarelli who stopped to chat with us, telling us about the world behind Martello. I can't wait to go back to try the rest of the menu, truly delicious. The parking is the only sore point

I arrived 10 minutes before closing and they still served me. The pastrami was truly delicious and flavorful!! Flavorful more than Katz's in New York and with bread ten times better (it's Bonci). The staff were friendly and helpful, and the product was top-quality!

I was there last night after seeing a video of #franchinoerciminale takeout (luckily I had booked two hours before). When I got home, I had a €25 brisket dinner, and what can I say? It's a real experience. I've never eaten such tender meat in my life, I almost didn't need to chew it. The potatoes cooked in the meat's suet were divine, and the sausage-like texture crunched in my mouth. I won't be able to come often, but I will DEFINITELY be back. You've gained a new customer, 100% SURE.

Martello in Rome was a delightful discovery! This small restaurant offers outdoor seating. The staff is friendly and professional, always ready to offer the best recommendations. The dishes are excellent quality, prepared with fresh ingredients and presented with great attention to detail. We really enjoyed the food, although the prices seemed a bit high for the setting. Overall, however, the experience was very positive and worth a try.

The best pastrami sandwich I've ever had. A suburban gem between Nomentana and San Basilio, run by a guy who's clearly passionate about it, and it's always a pleasure to chat with him while he prepares your order. He'll explain cooking techniques, the products he uses, and even give you some tips for barbecue at home. One of my favorite places. P.S. They don't offer delivery (yet), and seating is limited.

Every sandwich tells a story! Excellent products, carefully assembled. Reservations are recommended on weekends; there are limited outdoor seating and four seats at the counter inside. I dare say, the best pastrami in Rome.

My friend and I had the pleasure of trying the contribution of this place. We were welcomed with kindness and courtesy by the two guys, who explained to us what their dishes consisted of and what type of cut and cooking they used to prepare them. The quality of the meat and the preparation of the sandwiches is top notch, with an almost maniacal attention to the product. In addition, they also have an excellent selection of craft beers (including Ritual). What can I say, top in everything.