Pete & Shorty's strives to achieve a down-home atmosphere, and has sought to model its restaurants after the small bars and pubs of the Midwest that served as the inspiration for their store. It has several locations in Florida and Texas, but the chain is named after a bar in Iowa. Its Clearwater location has a quaint outdoor seating area, and plays live music on its outdoor stage on Saturday and Sunday evenings, weather permitting. It has daily specials, and prides itself on serving high quality food at low prices.