(1978 – now) Nunu’s Tavern was established in 1978 when restaurateur Tony Ferrari, tuna fisherman Tony Rodriguez, and Ralph Julian bought Buono’s Fifth Ave. But what about that name? Ferrari had a grandchild who called him “nunu,” which colloquially means “grandfather” in Italian.
The cafe first opened as Cosimo’s in 1962 by Cosimo Louis Cutri (1928-2011), an insurance-man-turned-restaurateur (Chez Paree, Cosimo’s Hall of Fame at the Park Manor), his son Cosimo Jr, and brother. Cutri’s San Diego Italian and Portuguese roots ran deep with relatives in the Alessio (Mister A’s) and Ghio (Anthony’s) families, and his fleet of seven tuna vessels was Starkist’s largest supplier at the time.
In 1969, two of Cosimo’s employees, musician Pat Buono and Bill Cisco, purchased the classic midcentury bar from Cutri. Pat Buono’s was an Italian restaurant and cocktail lounge known for its fine dining (get the shrimp scampi) and dedicated regulars. After he sold, Buono went on to bartend at John Tarantino’s for years, and all of his regular customers followed him there!
Nunu’s was recently purchased and updated by Jon Stamatopoulos (Turf Supper Club) from Arthur and Martha Sisk, who had owned the landmark dive bar since 1993. Get a burger and a Gimlet…
Hillcrest
Nunu’s Tavern (2018, Jon Stamatopoulos)
Nunu’s (1993, Arthur and Martha Sisk)
Nunu’s (1978, Tony Ferrari, Tony Rodriguez, and Ralph Julian)
Buono’s (1969-1977, Pat Buono, Bill Cisco)
Cosimo’s (1962-1969, Cosimo Cutri Jr., Pat Buono mgr)
3537 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103