LITTLE ITALY STARTS HERE.

About Us Events

We proudly serve up our SIGNATURE Tri-Tip Sandwich and other house BBQ specials, savory salad selections complemented by our delicious starters. To accompany our food offering, we have an ever-changing tap wall of San Diego’s finest craft beers, a varied wine list of price performing favorites and specialty cocktails designed to take you back the 1930’s… all at the best prices in Little Italy.

“COMMON CARRIER”

Starters and Appetizers

KETTLE CHIPS AND ONION DIP 4.50
Bag of warm kettle chips and homemade onion dip

MARGHERITA FLATBREAD 12
Italian red sauce, fresh mozzarella, sliced tomato and basil

HUMMUS 8
Garlic infused, smoked paprika, and extra virgin olive oil served with warm Naan or fresh cut vegetables

PEPPERONI AND BASIL FLATBREAD 14
Italian red sauce, pepperoni, shredded mozzarella, chiffonade basil

CHARCUTERIE BOARD 17
salami, prosciutto, blue cheese wedge, smoked gouda, brie, seasonal fruit, blackberry preserves, antipasto olives, with a warm baguette

CALI FLATBREAD 14.5
Sriracha ranch, avocado, grilled chicken, bacon, shredded mozzarella topped with fresh pea shoots

“LESS THAN TRUCKLOAD”

Salads

CARGO SALAD 9.5
Seasonal mixed greens, grape tomato, cucumber, red onion, croutons, tossed in Italian house dressing
Add Chicken or Steak +3

SPINACH SALAD 12
Fresh baby spinach leaves, strawberries, goat cheese, raisins, candied walnuts, lightly tossed in a raspberry vinaigrette
Add Chicken or Steak +3

COBB SALAD (VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD 1930) 15
Seasonal mixed Greens, grape tomato, red onion, hard smoked egg, avocado, blue cheese crumble, bacon, tossed in blue cheese dressing
Served with chicken or tri-tip

CAPRESE SALAD 8
Freshly sliced tomato layered with fresh mozzarella, basil painted with balsamic reduction and extra virgin olive oil

“FULL LOAD”

Main Dishes and BBQ

BBQ TRI-TIP SANDWICH (SIGNATURE) 14
Slow grilled, lightly smoked, BBQ tri-tip steak, stacked tall, on an 8” Italian roll
served with warm kettle chips and dill pickle

PULLED PORK 10.5
Three, slow cooked, Hawaiian style pulled pork sliders
Served with coleslaw and warm kettle chips

BBQ BRATWURST 8.5
Bavarian style BBQ beer bratwursts
Served with side of sauerkraut and warm kettle chips

BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICH 12
Sliced grilled chicken, sautéed onion with Monterey Jack
On an 8” Italian roll served with warm kettle chips and dill pickle

EVENTS CENTER

LITTLE ITALY GATHERS HERE

WE LOVE HOSTING EVENTS! IT’S WHY WE’RE HERE, TO GIVE PEOPLE A PLACE TO GATHER. FUN, SPECIAL, AND OF GREAT VALUE.

Little Italy’s Loading Dock isn’t just a favorite place for locals and visitors alike to hang out in a comfortable environment and enjoy great food and beverages at the best prices in town. It is a gathering place unlike any other in Little Italy. We are able to host private events for 300 people or intimate gatherings of 100 or less in our private special event space located in the loft part of our unique, historic space.

Little Italy’s Loading Dock enjoys hosting corporate seminars, concerts, weddings, and a long list of other special events… all festively presented in our unique setting, which we can dress up in all sorts of fun ways to give events their own special appeal.

In fact, we love hosting events. It’s why we are here, to give people a place to gather that’s fun, special and of great value… A place they’ll come back to gather at again and again.

Book your event today!

BOOKING REQUEST

About Us

THE HISTORY OF THE LOADING DOCK

80 years ago, the Loading Dock was the central meeting place of the neighborhood. It’s where the community gathered for loading and unloading. Today, San Diego’s Little Italy is a thriving ethnic community that is now home to a wealthy variety of businesses, restaurants and residences. Judging by the diversity of the neighborhood, it is hard to believe that at one time more than 6,000 families lived in Little Italy with a common focus, toiling together to make San Diego the center of the world’s tuna industry.

OUR PAST

At the heart of the community was the Loading Dock located at 2400 Kettner Avenue. For decades, the Loading Dock was the hub of culture and commerce in Little Italy, where the fishing spoils of the day were unloaded and loaded, and denizens gathered to share stories and sustenance. In the most romantic sense, the Loading Dock was the nexus for sharing in the neighborhood for decades… before the demise of the fishing industry found our special space being re-purposed many different ways… until now.

OUR PRESENT

In 2017, the Loading Dock has been recreated as the place where Little Italy gathers again. In fact, Little Italy starts (and sometimes ends) at Little Italy’s Loading Dock. Our name plays off the history of the building and the spirit of the space is emoted at every touch point; offering an inclusive celebration of the modern Little Italy scene. Our inspiration for Little Italy’s Loading Dock is to be that central and accessible place for gathering—admiring what was and conjuring what will be; honoring and shaping the neighborhood’s charm.

OUR FUTURE

Little Italy’s Loading Dock is relaxed and welcoming meeting and event spot, offering a fantastic selection of San Diego’s finest craft beers, a varied wine list of price performing favorites, Soju cocktails and a menu with both tried and true BBQ favorites and an ever-changing list of special dishes to surprise and delight each and every visit.

Regardless if you start with us, end with us, or unload and load with us all night, we’re a place for locals and visitors alike to feel at home.

Join us for Happy Hour!Monday -Friday 4-6PM

— $4 Draft Beers, $5 House Wine, $5 Bites —

LITTLE ITALY'S LOADING DOCK