The Carrillo Brothers Welcome New Addition Happy Diner Family

By Gina Ruccione, Cuisine and Restaurant WriterCa

Three months ago, the Carrillo brothers added a new member to their Happy Diner Family on Gaffey Street. But it’s not another diner—this time, it’s a deli. By following a familiar recipe— everything made in-house, made to order and, like the rest of their establishments, made with bread and meat from local San Pedro purveyors — the Carrillo brothers have done it again.

The menu ranges from breakfast to fresh wraps and salads, but the mainstays are sandwiches and burgers, all of them accompanied by a side of french fries or even homemade potato or macaroni salad.

Popular dishes include the San Pedro Philly, which is not to be confused with a traditional Philly cheese steak. Instead, this sandwich boasts machaca beef, or spiced, slow-cooked and then shredded beef. The Borracho Burger, which sounds like it would probably cure a nasty hangover, features three different cheeses, bacon, spicy mayo and freshly grilled jalapeños. In all honesty,  it was the Beer Can Burger that took some some serious explaining. Imagine ground beef stuffed to the brim with grilled onions, bell peppers, bacon and Italian sausage that actually takes the shape of a beer can, and then is pressed down into a patty — that, my friends, is the Beer Can Burger.

If that all sounds too intimidating there are those fresh wraps and salads. The grilled chicken fruit salad and chicken cranberry almond salad have been well received by many. There is one menu item that everyone seems to be obsessed with: the Buffalo Chicken Fries with cheese and ranch dressing.

There’s more good news: Happy Deli caters and it delivers.

Hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Happy Deli | 530 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro | (424) 364-0319

Gina Ruccione is a Southern California Restaurant Writers Association member. Visit her website at www.foodfashionfoolishfornication.com. Got a food tip? Email her at gina.rooch@gmail.com. Follow her food adventures Instagram @foodfashionfoolishfornication.