A checklist of San Diego’s Oldest Restaurants and Bars
Restaurants come and go. Bars come and go. But some are more popular and stick around for decades. Here’s a list of local San Diego eateries and drinkeries still in business that have been in business for at least fifty years, updated from our original article. If we’ve missed one, let us know in the comments below.
How many have you patronized? Cheers!
(1885-✔) Tivoli Bar and Grill was opened by Italian immigrants Angelo and Giovanni “John” Della Maggiora after they bought an old boarding house on the corner of Sixth and Island from W.T. Walker. A restaurant-bar was on the ground floor, with living quarters above. They originally called it The Tuscan House. It eventually became The Tivoli, after Carfield and Kramer’s Tivoli near Fourth was closed down.
The Tivoli had a colorful past being in the Stingaree District – an active brothel upstairs, retired Wyatt Earp hanging out. It is the oldest bar in San Diego, followed by The Waterfront, which has the oldest continuous liquor license in San Diego. Its original wooden bar, back bar, and cash register still grace the establishment. And remember, “Tivoli” is “I lov it” backward…
East Village
505 Sixth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
(1921 – ✔) Wisteria Candy Cottage If you consider chocolate an essential nutrient for survival, then this shop deserves a place on this list! Located 60 miles east of San Diego in the rural town of Boulevard, California, the Wisteria Candy Cottage has been hand-dipping chocolate since 1921. This revered, family-run candy store, which once served as Boulevard’s one-room schoolhouse, has been a landmark in the East County community for over a century. In the 1930s, artist Cora Ordelia “Dee” Simaton’s father, Benjamin, operated the Simaton Mineral Mud baths in Hots Springs, Arkansas. After his death, Dee and her husband William Hubert Windell (1895-1964) came out west. By 1946, they’d moved to familiar grounds — the Jacumba Hot Springs area — and bought the Candy Cottage.
Dee Windell operated it for over 20 years, until the shop was bought by employee Luz Celia Brown and husband Gordon Rankin. It’s now run by third-generation family member Dana Eacobellis. The Candy Cottage closed briefly in July 2008, but the family regrouped, reopened and started selling online. Almost everything is handmade the same way it’s been done at the Wisteria Candy Cottage since the beginning. Their famous turtles, brittle, fudge, chocolate truffles, and goodies, are all worth the drive. Road trip!
Manzanita
39961 Old Highway 80
Boulevard, CA 91905
(1924–✔) The Hole (now, Bar 1924) is San Diego’s oldest gay bar. A staple of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community for decades, The Hole reportedly opened as a speakeasy in 1924 across Lytton Street from the six-hole Sail Ho golf course at the Naval Training Station (now Liberty Station). Stories go that as a bar it was first known as “The 19th Hole” until a storm ripped off part of their sign, and all that remained was “The Hole.”
The bar sits in a depression dug in the early 1900s to access an aqueduct that ran between Mission Bay (then called False Bay) and San Diego Bay. The stairs at The Hole’s entrance — a nondescript wall north of the old Bottle Barn liquor store building — descend into a tropical garden patio. In early 1926, the establishment changed its name to Bar 1924.
Loma Portal
Bar 1924 (2026)
The Hole in the Wall
The Hole
2820 Lytton Street
San Diego, CA 92110
(1933-2025 CLOSED) Las Cuatro Milpas, homestyle Mexican cooking served continuously since 1933 by the Natividad and Petra Estudillo family.
For generations, the Estudillo family daily prepared fresh tortillas, rice, stewed pinto beans, tacos (pork, rolled and soft-shell), tamales (chicken or beef), chorizo with eggs, and menudo on Saturdays. La Prensa San Diego newspaper proclaimed Las Cuatro Milpas ‘hands down, the most authentic Mexican restaurant in San Diego.’
Hard to argue — the perpetual line of customers patiently waiting regularly went down the block. Its menu was limited — but all were good. Pork (no beef) tacos for breakfast!
The landmark restaurant closed at the end of 2025, with the building being purchased by neighboring Light of the World Church. Impending retirement, and unpaid taxes were also contributing factors to the closure.
Barrio Logan
1875 Logan Avenue
San Diego, CA 92113
(1933-✔) Dock’s Cocktail Lounge, Chula Vista’s oldest continuously run bar, was opened as Spice’s Lunch Room in 1932 by brothers William “Bill” and Vern H. “Doc” Spice. The Cullen-Harrison Act, signed in March 1933, legalized the sale and serving of beer with an alcohol content of up to 3.2% by volume, effective April 7, 1933 (now celebrated as National Beer Day). Not surprisingly, the Spice Lunch Room was one of the first three applicants that day.
By the end of April, 1933, they served A.B.C. draft beer with their “famous” hamburgers. Being one of three places in Chula Vista to get beer, it proved quite popular. When Bill, the “hamburger specialist,” fell ill with a severe case of influenza, Doc took over, expanding from their small lunch counter to larger space at 317 Third Avenue, previously the public library. When he reopened on July 20, 1933, Doc’s Dutch Lunch was born — a free lunch with the purchase of a large glass of A.B.C. Beer — for 10 cents.
Doc Spice was an avid sport fisherman. And when he was successful, he shared free marlin fish dinners to his customers. The place is still open and run by the Chapman family.
Chula Vista
Dock’s Dutch Lunch (1933)
317 Third Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Spice’s Lunch Room (1932)
337 Third Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(1933-✔) The Waterfront Bar & Grill, San Diego fishermen’s hangout and longest continually held liquor license in town, was opened immediately after the repeal of Prohibition on December 5, 1933 by Clair John Blakley and Chaffee Grant (President Ulysses S. Grant’s grandson). Because of Chaffee Grant’s family background, he was always a silent partner — anything to do with bars was frowned upon by the post-Prohibition tea-totaler set.
Clair’s wife Gladys ran their kitchen offering lunch, and soon Gladys’ sister Norma moved with her husband Clayton Fairbairn Schilling to help out. The Schillings bought the colorful waterfront establishment. San Diego journalist Max Miller wrote I Cover the Waterfront, based on his bayside reporting and regulars from the bar. Today, the Nancy Nichols family operates The Waterfront, The Aero Club, and Club Marina, among others. Breakfast dishes and wide beer selection.
Harborview
2044 Kettner Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92101
(1934-✔) Tobey’s 19th Hole Cafe, Balboa Park municipal golf course clubhouse coffee shop. The restaurant concession was granted to golf pro Sterne Davis, Chester and Lois Tobey, opened on July 4, 1934, and since operated by the Tobey family — for four generations! A hidden gem, with tasty diner food and bubbly brunches. Those hash browns though…
Even though historically designated, the clubhouse was scheduled to be gutted and converted to a pro shop and offices. The City of San Diego’s Clubhouse Improvement Project dictated a new modern clubhouse and restaurant to be built adjacent to the ‘renovated’ clubhouse, at a loss of several golf holes. Litigation stalled the city’s efforts, and its project webpage has since been removed. (It is archived here.)
Golden Hill
2600 Golf Course Drive
San Diego, CA 92102
(1937-✔) Turkey Inn, Homer D. Tucker’s longtime cafe and bar in Ramona was known for turkey dinners. As well it should — Ramona was once the epicenter of San Diego’s pre-war turkey farming industry. At one time Ramona was known as the “turkey capital of the world.” Turkey production flourished during the 1930s, and the industry was featured with popular annual Turkey Day celebrations, including exhibitions, turkey shoots, and a parade.
Today the Inn is a bar only, no turkey dinners here. If you’re feeling a bit peckish, order food from the cafe next door — they’ll deliver!
Ramona
716 Main Street
Ramona, CA 92065
(1938-✔) George Drake’s and George Whitehead’s San Diego Chicken Pie Shop, serving inexpensive prole food — chicken-and-turkey dinners — since the Great Depression. In 1971 they moved across Robinson to the old “all-you-can-eat” Jansen’s Smorgasbord, where they were located for years. After that, they moved to their current, larger location (the old 1520 A.D. Theatre Restaurant) on El Cajon Boulevard. Visit their Walnut Creek location (yes, there is one)! Chicken pot pie dinner with whipped potatoes, vegetables, and a slice of pie for dessert.
North Park (1990-✔)
2633 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92104
Walnut Creek (2018-✔)
1251 Arroyo Way
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Hillcrest (1971-1990)
Chicken Pie Shop, No 3
3801 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA
Hillcrest
Chicken Pie Shop, No 2 (1940-1970, now Thrifty)
3799 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA
North Park
4241 30th Street (1940, now Thrift Trader)
San Diego, CA
North Park
3831 30th Street (1940, now Part-Time Lover)
San Diego, CA 92104
Downtown
Chicken Pie Shop, No 1 (1938-1969, now Bank of America)
1236 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA
(1940-✔) Café La Maze, old gambling hangout and key-club for Hollywood types, now a nostalgic steakhouse. Café La Maze is San Diego’s oldest steakhouse! Supposedly connected with the Hollywood location established by maître d’hôtel Marcel LaMaze, but opened by restaurateur and gambler Jimmy Thompson (’Til Two Club). Was briefly known as the Plantation Restaurant before returning as Cafe LaMaze in 1969. Restaurateur Christos Kapetanios renovated and operated it until sold in 2025. Its new owners intend on keeping it a steakhouse, and adding Tomahawk cuts! Get a booth and order prime rib au jus.
National City
1441 Highland Avenue
National City, CA 91950
(1940-✔) El Indio, is a traditional Sonora-style Mexican food restaurant, opened in August 1940 on the corner of India and Grape Street as a tortilla factory by Ralph Pesqueira Sr. With the closing of Las Cuatro Milpas, El Indio is now considered to be the oldest Mexican Restaurant open in San Diego.
During World War II, so the story goes, aircraft workers from the nearby Consolidated Vultee war plant requested he sell food in addition to tortillas.
Thus, the taquito (‘little taco’ aka the rolled taco) was born. Cielito Lindo on Olvera Street in Los Angeles claims the invention in the 1930s. He moved El Indio to its present location in 1947, and built his own tortilla manufacturing machine from scratch. Go for the taquitos, stay for the chips.
Middletown
3695 India Street
San Diego, CA 92103
(1941-✔) The Chee-Chee Club is a landmark San Diego cafe and gay/dive bar established in December 1941 by brothers Joseph and James Petrone. They formally opened on January 3, 1942, offering ‘famous filet steaks and fried chicken dinners’ they’d come to be known for at Petrone’s and the Plaza Coffee Shop. But now they had entertainment and hard alcohol to boot!
The Petrones took an old fireworks store on the ground floor of an apartment building and built it out as their club. Talk about ‘distinctively different’ — how would you like to live above a shop full of fireworks?
East Village
929 Broadway Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
(1941-✔) Clayton’s Coffee Shop, popular Coronado horseshoe-counter service coffee shop where you’ll have to wait in line for a spot. Originally opened as Gerry’s Coffee Shop, the name was changed when Clayton Rice bought the joint. Serves 1950s style maltshop fare, takeout Mexican food. Malted milkshakes rule.
Coronado
979 Orange Avenue
Coronado Island, CA
(1941-✔) The Marine Room, founded by Scotsman Captain Peter McDowall Hannay (1872-1943) as The Spindrift Inn, a four-bedroom roadside inn and restaurant overlooking Spindrift Beach, now La Jolla Shores. Now part of the La Jolla Swim and Racquet Club. High-Tide Brunch gets exciting when ocean waves hit the windows.
La Jolla
2000 Spindrift Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037
(1942-✔) Arizona Cafe, Pamela Kay Komo and John Gray Small’s longstanding O.B. sports bar with mixed drinks, beer, pool tables, sandwiches, and home of the GTO Burger – gorgonzola, tomato, and onion.
Established by Jack K. Russell in 1937, the old brick building first housed Jack’s Cafe on the ground floor with residences above. He ran it for three years. Then it went to the dogs. In 1940, U.S. Navy veteran Fitzhugh Lee Cowan (1897-1971) and his wife Dorothy bought the business, humorously renaming it The Dog House. After the First World War ended, Fitzhugh Cowan disappeared in the Philippines, leading his mother and sister, Mildred, to believe him dead — especially when tales spread of an unidentified Long Beach sailor who died in a feverish delirium, calling out “Mildred.”
Ocean Beach
1925 Bacon Street
San Diego, CA 92107
(1943-✔) The Silver Dollar originated in 1934 as The Owl Buffet, shooting enthusiast Bill Fullerton’s Chula Vista bar that catered to hunters and specialized in Virginia-baked ham dinners. Willis William Fullerton (1897-1966) was a war veteran, law enforcement officer, hunter, fisherman, and an active member of the South Bay Pistol and Revolver Club. He also operated the Chula Vista Family Liquor Store next door. Fullerton ran for Chula Vista City Council in 1944. Needless to say, The Owl Buffet was a very safe place to drink…
Fullerton sold the Owl Buffet to hotelier Wilbur I. Clark (Knickerbocker Hotel, South Seas Cafe, Tahiti Cafe, Desert Inn), Thomas F. “Tommy” Neary (Tahiti Cafe), and Lou Vallin early in 1943, who reopened it as The Silver Dollar. Clark and Neary quickly sold out to partner Louis F. Vallin (1913-1996) — for $4,000. Red Spencer managed the place, and soon, the Silver Dollar became known for its annual March of Dimes fundraisers, Mary Fenton’s charcoal broiled steaks, famous Silver Dollar salad (with Lou Vallin’s secret recipe), and french-fried shrimp dinners “served with plenty of fries.”
The Silver Dollar is run today by the Tegardine family.
Chula Vista
Silver Dollar Cafe (1943-✔)
The Owl Buffet (1934-1943)
341 Third Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(1944-✔) Tony’s, neighborhood bar established by Anthony Matovich (1884-1953) on the main drag of Ocean Beach. After Tony died, Joanne “Cookie” Pierce — who’d worked there for 26 years — bought the place and kept the name. Now known as Tony’s Martini Bar.
Ocean Beach
Tony’s Martini Bar
Tony’s Cafe (1954c, Cookie Pierce)
Tony’s Cafe (1944-1953, Anthony Matovich)
5034 Newport Avenue
San Diego, CA 92107
(CLOSED) Hob Nob Hill, began in May 1944 as the 14-stool Juniper Café on the corner of 30th and Juniper Streets. Two years later Harold and Dorothy Hoersch moved the cafe to its present location on Juniper and First Avenue and renamed it Melody Grill. As times and tastes changed, the restaurant was renamed Dorothy’s Oven and finally Hob Nob Hill. Owner Tania Warchol remodeled Hob Nob Hill in 2020. The restaurant closed in March 2025 on her retirement, and has been sold to Douglas Hamm of Creative House (Nolita Hall). Bakery. Breakfast. Almost bottomless mimosa.
Bankers Hill
Hob Nob Hill (1970-2025)
Dorothy’s Oven (1960-1970)
Melody Grill (1947-1960)
Juniper Cafe (1946)
2271 First Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Bankers Hill
Juniper Cafe (1945-1946)
2259 First Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Bankers Hill
Harold’s Fifth Avenue (1962-1969, previously Valle’s)
2424 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Downtown
Hob Nob Coffee Shop(1956-1972)
245 West Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
South Park
Juniper Cafe (1944)
3019 Juniper Street
San Diego, CA 92104
(1946) Anthony’s Fish Grotto, a San Diego family-run institution since 1946, when Mama Ghio opened her first at the ferry landing. Business was booming, so they moved to a larger location on Pacific Highway across from the airport.
Their flagship location was for decades on the Embarcadero, over the water. La Mesa location still open! Crab Louie or Mama Ghio’s Cioppino.
North Embarcadero
Anthony’s Fish Grotto (1965-2017)
1360 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
La Mesa
Anthony’s Fish Grotto La Mesa (1961-✔)
9530 Murray Drive
La Mesa, CA 91942
La Jolla
Anthony’s Fish Grotto (1951)
886 Prospect Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
Middletown
Anthony’s Fish Grotto (1951-1965)
2535 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92101
Embarcadero Ferry Landing
Anthony’s Fish Grotto (1946-1951)
965 West Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
(1946-✔) Pernicano’s Family Ristorante, founded by Vennero and Maria Pernicano and made famous by handlebar-mustachioed son George, this Italian-American chain is still operated by the family. The last location in El Cajon is still open! Chicken Francesca or a la Baffi.
El Cajon
1588 East Main Street
El Cajon, CA 92021
Scripps Ranch (1977-2025)
9932 Mercy Road #109
San Diego, CA 92129
La Jolla (1947-2019)
711 Turquoise Street
San Diego, CA 92109
(1946-✔) Rainbow Oaks Restaurant was originally founded in 1946 as ‘The Oaks’ cafe. The historic eatery was bought by Jonell & Duke Maples in 2009 and remodeled using salvaged lumber from the 2007 Rice Canyon fire.
Barrett Junction Cafe may be gone, but Rainbow Oaks is here to stay as a favorite stop-off for weekend bikers. American home-style food with big portions is in order here! Sandwiches, meatloaf, barbecue, burgers, Rainbow Oak steak chili.
Old Highway 395
4815 5th Street
Rainbow, CA 92028
(1946-✔) Tony’s Jacal, the Tony and Catalina Gonzales family’s traditional Mexican food restaurant, a Solana Beach historical landmark. Get it with turkey…
Eden Gardens
621 Valley Avenue
Solana Beach, CA 92075
(1947-✔) Aero Club, Mariam Profits’ iconic Middletown tavern for Consolidated Vultee Aircraft (Convair) workers. Owned by her family until 2004, when it became a classic whiskey joint (with more than 1200 kinds) by Bill Lutzius — who could tell you stories about the place. Recently saved from obscurity by the Nancy Nichols family, who also operate The Waterfront and Club Marina, among others.
If you like whisky/whiskey, this is the place. Have a San Diego Whiskey Sour or Toki Highball.
Foodtrucks offer munchies…
Middletown
3365 India Street
San Diego, CA 91203
(1947-✔) The Barbecue Pit was established by Joe & Lila Browning and Ed & Mella Jenson (two sisters and their husbands) on December 16, 1947 in the Maryland Hotel. Today, they are San Diego’s oldest Texas-style barbecue joints — and are still run by the families. Several locations have split off over the years as Wrangler Family Barbecue. Barbecued beef, pork ribs, chicken, hot links, and all the fixings.
Fletcher Hills
2388 Fletcher Parkway
El Cajon, CA 92020
National City
920 East Plaza Boulevard
National City, CA 91950
North Park (closed)
2888 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92104
East Village
1413 Market Street (1948)
San Diego, CA 92101
Downtown
823 Sixth Avenue (1947)
San Diego, CA 92101
(1947-✔) El Carrito has existed on-and-off since 1947, not only as a local Barrio Logan diner — but also as an essential community meeting space for neighborhood politicians, business owners, and artists. Musician Alfonso Louis Johnston (1910-1995) and his wife Ardriana Faulmino (1918-2012) bought and restored a 600-square-foot streetcar he found at a construction lot. They located the diner on the frontage of his mother’s property. He was inspired by Hollywood and its different types of programmatic restaurants. Their famous saying on the outside was “Hay Menudo para Los Crudos.” It is still owned by the Johnston family, and is operated by Carolina Santana and Milo Lorenzana (Por Vida Coffee, Salúd Tacos). They refurbished and re-opened the old 1930s street car diner in 2018 and serve fresh new takes on Latino food, and traditional family recipes from Santana’s mother. Go for El Carrito chilaquiles, sopes, and cafe de olla.
Barrio Logan
2154 Logan Avenue
San Diego, CA 92113
(1948-✔) Niederfrank’s Ice Cream began in 1948 when Elmer Edward Niederfrank (1905-1984) opened his streetfront ice cream parlor on “A” Avenue in National City. He ran the shop for decades.
“Ice Cream is no secret,” said Elmer, “but I sure have done a lot of experimenting with all the flavors. Sometimes one of the big chain stores will advertise a new flavor and I’ll just chuckle because I’ve been making that flavor for years.” Niederfrank would take special requests for flavors, a tradition the shop continues to this day.
Patti Finnegan and Mary Ellen Faught purchased the business in 1995, and jealously preserve Niederfrank’s rich traditions — all ice cream is made on-site by hand with fresh ingredients. Known for the classic flavors of ice creams, sherbets and sorbets, Niederfrank’s offers some unique standouts like Avocado Pistachio, Coconut Almond Joy, Kahlua Krunch, Licorice, Pumpkin Chiffon, Thai Tea, among others. Get a cone, take a pint!
National City
726 A Avenue
National City, CA 91950
Red Tracton’s, 2014
(1948-✔) Red Tracton’s, old school steakhouse and piano bar inspired by those from founder Harold ‘Red’ Tracton’s hometown Philadelphia. Harold Tracton (1921-1999) came from the Trachtenberg restaurant family — during the 1940s, his parents Herman and Pauline owned Tracton’s Cafe in Pasadena, which Harold operated after returning from US Navy service in the Pacific.
The first place of his own was the Green Lake Cafe in Pasadena, which he bought from Ernie Gianone. He always wanted to run a fine dining place and by 1956 he’d established his original supper club near the Hollywood Park racetrack in La Cienega. At one time in the 1960s, he operated five restaurants in Los Angeles. In 1978, he moved Tracton’s (“Exceptional Cuisine”) south to Encino, and again relocated across from the Del Mar racetrack in 1988. It was a sportsman’s hangout, where many of the regulars were horse owners, trainers, and jockeys.
The family-owned and operated steakhouse is now run by Red’s daughter Tracy Tracton, and grandson Mason Meredith. Dress code: long pants for men. Colossal king crab legs, filet mignon, lobster bisque, Salad “Exceptionale,” baked potato skins.
Solana Beach
Red Tracton’s Steakhouse (1988-✔)
550 Via de la Valle
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Encino
Tracton’s House of Prime Rib (1978-1988)
16705 Ventura Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
La Cienega
Tracton’s (1956-1978)
3560 South La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Westchester
Tracton’s Buggy Whip (1960s)
7420 La Tijera Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Fox Hills
Fox Hills Country Club Restaurant by Tracton’s (1960s)
5800 West Slauson Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230
Los Angeles Farmers Market
Salem House Italian & Continental Cuisine (1960s)
6333 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Los Angeles Mart
Tracton’s L.A. Mart (1960s)
1933 South Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Pasadena
Norm’s Green Lake (1955, Norman Lehnert)
Red and Norm’s Green Lake (1950, Harold Tracton, Norman Lehnert)
Green Lake (1950, Harold Tracton)
Green-Lake Cafe (1949, Ernest Gianone)
Green-Lake Cafe (1947, James E. Bailey)
90 South Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
Pasadena
Tracton’s Cafe (1948)
590 East Colorado
Pasadena, CA 91101
(1949-✔) Rudford’s Diner. Walter Blaine and Edna May Bickerton’s Harvey’s Eat Shop opened their second cafe at 2900 El Cajon Boulevard in 1938. The name was changed in 1947 to Walt Harvey’s Eat Place, presumably after their sons Walt Jr and Harry Harvey Bickerton.
Their breadman from Cramer’s Bakery, John Thomas “Tommy” Rudford, purchased the restaurant in 1949. He called his place Rudford’s Eat Shop. Now known simply as Rudford’s, it’s the quintessential San Diego 24-hour diner on Old Highway 80 (The Boulevard). Get a spot at the counter and a cup o’ joe.
Like the sign says, “Always Open, Always Good.”
North Park
Rudford’s Eat Shop (1949-✔)
Walt Harvey’s Eat Shop (1947-1949)
Harvey’s Eat Shop (1938-1947)
2900 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92104
(1950-✔) Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, Vincent and Madeline DePhilippis family-owned pizzeria empire began in Little Italy in San Diego and now covers the entire county. Vincent DePhilippis and Madeleine Manfredi from Nimes France met in New York, married in 1925, then settled in Westchester, Pennsylvania. They moved to San Diego in 1947, where they opened an Italian market named Cash & Carry Italian Foods on India Street in San Diego. Pizzas are great, lasagna’s a fave.
Little Italy (1950-✔)
Cash and Carry Italian Foods (1947)
1747 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Chula Vista
82 Broadway
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Escondido
114 West Grand Avenue
Escondido, CA 92025
Imperial Beach
285 Palm Avenue
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Kearny Mesa
5353 Kearny Villa Road
San Diego, CA 92123
Jamul
13034 Campo Road
Jamul, CA 91935
Mission Valley
10330 Friars Road
San Diego, CA 92120
Pacific Beach
962 Garnet Avenue
San Diego, CA 92109
Poway
13000 Oak Knoll Drive
Poway, CA 92064
Santee
10767 Woodside Avenue
Santee, CA 92071
Scripps Ranch
9969 Mira Mesa Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92131
(1950-✔) The Tower Bar was originally built in 1932 as the “Silver Tower” by David H. Ryan. It was part of his development at University and Euclid Avenues – the Euclid Center — which included his Silverado Ballroom. In addition to being a developer and contractor, Ryan was a trustee for the upcoming 1935 California Pacific Exposition.
Jack M. Shannon (famous for popularizing “chili size” in San Diego) was the first tenant, opening the Silver Tower Sandwich Shop and drive-in soda fountain.
The Tower’s vernacular architecture has been described as Zigzag Moderne, and its shape evokes an Art Deco style obelisk in compliment with Ryan’s Egyptian Garage (1925, now Big City liquor store) next door.
By 1950, the business had become The Tower beer bar and cafe. Now run by Mick Rossler, The Tower Bar is known for its live punk/alternative rock events.
City Heights
4757 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92105
(1950-✔) Turf Supper Club, grill-your-own steakhouse and piano bar opened by Louis Nile Obelisk Kraus (1912-2001) in 1950 as The Turf Club bar.
Said to have been Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s favorite spot when visiting San Diego in the 1950s. In 1955 a grill was added and the bar was renamed the Turf Supper Club. Known as ‘Kurley’ Kraus, Lou was a baseball fan and decorated his joint with a profusion of Padres photos and memorabilia.
After Kraus’s retirement, the bar was reestablished with an old-school vibe by Sam Chammas and Tim Mays. They refurbished the old bar with new-retro lighting by TK Smith. Steaks are great (if you cook ’em right), pint-sized cocktails.
Golden Hill
1116 25th Street
San Diego, CA 92102
(1951-✔) Grant Grill, iconic restaurant in the U.S. Grant Hotel. Originally a men-only-for-lunch establishment, until stormed by a group of women attorneys in the 1970s. Look for the bronze plaque! Excellent food and beverage programs today, with live entertainment.
Downtown
326 Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
(1953-✔) Bali Hai Restaurant, Tom F Ham Jr’s classic Shelter Island Tiki Moderne destination, was established in 1953 by Aline Hudson and Arthur La Shelle and originally called Christian’s Hut. Tom Ham started operating it in 1954, and it’s still in the family. Mai tais are very strong, ‘Goof Punch’ is just right. Buy a mug.
Shelter Island
Bali Hai (1954-✔)
2230 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
Shelter Island
The Hut (1954)
Christian’s Hut (1953-1954)
1325 Yacht Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
(1954-✔) Venice Pizza House, was founded in 1954 by Sicily native Salvatore “Sam” LoMedico and wife Prudie, and run by second-generation family members for decades. Today, new owner Nawfal Hanna continues the family tradition using Sam’s original recipes. The pizza house is on more top-ten lists than we can count!
Corridor District
3333 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92104
(1954-✔) Jose’s Courtroom, La Jolla’s popular hangout, was originally established as The Court Room, the gimmick being all the bartenders dressed as judges. The building on Herschel Avenue is said to have previously served as a courtroom and was home to Cecil’s (the second oldest liquor license in La Jolla, following La Valencia Hotel), and Alan Wilkinson’s Swagger Grill. In 1953, Wilkinson sold to Ben T. Butler and Morrison F. McMillan (1915-1969), who reopened it as The Court Room. One story goes that the original proprietor was known as “The Judge,” and left town “mysteriously after only a year.” The next year, Willis Dan “Bill” Fallis (1919-1984) and his wife Allene (Fireside Inn, Duarte) bought the place and began serving Mexican food, which is still its draw to this day! In 1972, the restaurant moved to its present location in the Village of La Jolla. Get the Jose’s Burger — house-made blend of chorizo and aged beef, topped with cotija cheese, lettuce, tomato, and jalapeño corn relish.
La Jolla
Jose’s Courtroom (1984-✔)
The Schnitzelbank (1950s-1983, Rudi Kloeble)
1037 Prospect Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
La Jolla
The Court Room (1955-1971, Bill Fallis)
Swagger Grill (1953, Ben T. Butler, Morrison F. McMillan)
Swagger Grill (1948, Alan D. Wilkinson)
Cecil’s Grill (1933, Cecil Smith)
7919 Herschel Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
(1955-✔) La Bella Pizza Garden, was opened on October 19, 1955, by New Yorkers Antonio “Anthony Joseph” Raso (1919-2005) and Catalda “Kitty” Palmieri Raso (1917-2010). In the early years of their pizzeria, Kitty would serve while Tony prepared the meals. As business grew, they hired a dishwasher, and to keep him busy, they introduced pizza delivery to Chula Vista in 1957. Twenty years later, Tony added Stan Dale as manager, and they expanded the pizza garden.
Today, the red sauce joint is run by the second generation — Joseph and Tony Raso, and Stan Dale.
A favorite? Any of the pizzas, or family meals.”
But Mama Raso’s Lasagna tops the list — her original 1955 recipe with meatballs, boiled eggs, mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan.
Chula Vista
373 Third Ave
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Mama Kitty Raso, La Bella Pizza Garden, Chula Vista.
(1955-✔) Lido’s Italian Foods, family-owned for generations, Marco and Elisabetta Simi’s traditional Italian restaurant is well-loved, with a consistently good menu. It was opened on April 17, 1955 by the Nick Farella family, who named it for the famous, seven-mile Lido beach at Venice, Italy. Their friends, Angelo and Vilma Simi took over in 1978, and now their kids — Marco and Liz — run the joint.
Go for the Chicken Florentine or pizza, but partake of their famous appetizer served first – the salami, cheese and Cheez-It® cracker plate.
Lemon Grove
7252 Broadway
Lemon Grove, CA 91945
The famous Cheez-It plate at Lido’s Italian Foods.
(1956-✔) Mona Lisa Italian Foods, third-generation Brunetto family restaurant and deli in Little Italy since 1973, originally located downtown San Diego. Founded in 1956 by Stefano Brunetto. Explore their extensive deli, the sandwiches are great!
Little Italy
2061 India Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(1958-✔) Napoleone’s Pizza House, Crivello family restaurant on National City’s old Mile of Bars. In September of 1958, two brothers-in-law opened their pizza house, known to the locals for years as Mike & Joe’s. Mike was a classically trained opera singer from Capri, and Joe was a fisherman from Gloucester, Massachusetts. Singer Tom Waits worked there as a youth, “I thought high school was a joke, I went to school at Napoleone’s.”
National City
619 National City Boulevard
San Diego, CA 91950
Red Fox Room interior
(1959 – CLOSED 2025) Red Fox Steakhouse & Piano Bar, once-cherished, old-school steakhouse once attached to the Lafayette Hotel. One of the last to serve a garnish tray. Like the Grant Grill downtown, The Red Fox was a men-only establishment until 4pm daily. That lasted a year then piano player Danny Beaudet took over. John Dimos, partners and family helmed the steakhouse for decades after. Try a shrimp cocktail and steak. Not continuously operated, it closed in 2019 and moved to a new building across the street. Re-opened March 21, 2022, but abruptly closed in 2025.
North Park (2022-2025)
2200 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92104
Lafayette Hotel (1959-2019)
2223 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92104
(c1960-✔) Club Marina, Point Loma’s oldest dive bar, now under ownership of the Waterfront Bar & Grill.
Point Loma
1310 Scott Street
San Diego, CA 92106
(1960-✔) Harry’s Coffee Shop, Harry Rudolph’s classic coffee shop in the heart of La Jolla. Breakfast all day. (Surfers order the breakfast burrito.)
La Jolla
7545 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
(1961-✔) Fidel’s Little Mexico, originally his barbershop, Fidel Montanez started selling tacos there, and the rest is history. Crab Burrito, Fidel’s Famous Margarita.
Eden Gardens
749 Genevieve Street / 607 Valley Avenue
(corner of Genevieve & Valley Ave)
Solana Beach, CA 92075
(1961-✔) Imperial House Continental Restaurant & Lounge, old-school Continental cuisine, Caesar salad, Steak Diane presented tableside a la minúte. Classic piano bar attached.
Park West
505 Kalmia Street
San Diego, CA
(1962-✔) Nunu’s Tavern was established in 1978 when restaurateur Tony Ferrari, tuna fisherman Tony Rodriguez, and Ralph Julian bought Buono’s Fifth Ave. 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. Nunu’s was recently purchased and updated by Jon Stamatopoulos (Turf Supper Club) from the Sisks, who had owned the landmark dive bar since 1993. Get a burger and a Gimlet…
Hillcrest
3537 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
(1963-✔) Point Loma Seafoods, fresh seafood counter and takeout at the sportfishing docks. They’ll clean, filet and smoke your catch. Mrs Kelly’s Ceviche.
Point Loma
2805 Emerson Street
San Diego, CA 92106
(1964-✔) Family House of Pancakes was opened by Jim and Madeline Spezzano and is now run by second-generation family members. Upon Jim’s return from service in the US Army during WWII, the Spezzanos moved to Chula Vista, eventually opening in 1964. (Two doors down from Tacos El Gordo.) Pancakes, waffles, and omelets are their specialty, but they serve Mexican breakfasts and Italian dishes like lasagna as well. The menu is extensive! Go for the Triple B stack of banana hotcakes with bacon and peanut butter. Or maybe a banana split?
Chula Vista
562 Broadway (1964-✔)
Chula Vista, CA 91910
National City
1900 East Plaza Blvd (2006-2022)
National City, CA 91950
Lemon Grove
8053 Broadway (2023-✔)
Lemon Grove, CA 91945
(1964-✔) Marco’s Italian Resturante
1205 Palm Avenue
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
The home of Roberto’s Taco Shops, Tortilleria San Ysidro, 1964.
(1964-✔) Roberto’s Taco Shop, starting out with a tortilleria in San Ysidro, Roberto Robledo and sons have grown their family tree of ubiquitous taco shops to over 70 in the Southwest (not including all the *berto’s variations). Go for the carne asada burrito.
National City (1964-✔)
Roberto’s No. 1
1406 Highland Avenue
National City, CA 91950
(1965-✔) Aunt Emma’s Pancakes, Don Roland’s iconic pancake house in Chula Vista, originally located on El Cajon Boulevard, was opened in 1959. Second location (old Keith’s Drive-In) in National City opened in 2009. Now both owned by Nick Gelastopoulos. Home of “Pancakes Around the World.”
Chula Vista
700 E Street
Chula Vista, CA 91910
National City
214 National City Boulevard
National City, CA 91950
(1965-✔) Mister A’s, posh restaurant high atop Park West’s Fifth Avenue Financial Centre, was opened by San Diego businessman John Alessio. Remodeled by restaurateur Bertrand Hug in 2000. Dress code. A favorite outdoor rooftop happy hour for locals in-the-know.
Park West
2550 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
(CLOSED) The Wrangler Family Barbecue, opened up by Forrest Holly and the Jenson family as another location of their Barbecue Pit restaurants, this place was a treasured time capsule that served up the same great Texas-style barbecue from Lyndon Johnson’s day. Closed November 12, 2023 when the owners retired…
El Cajon (1965-2023)
901 El Cajon Boulevard
El Cajon, CA 92020
(1966-✔) Wong’s Golden Palace, classic family-run Chinese eatery, celebrated its 50th anniversary February 28, 2016.
American-Chinese standards like Egg Foo Yung, Chicken of the Gods, and Chop Suey are served in a setting featuring truly marvelous golden tables. Island of Flowers has been on the menu since day one. The Dragon Room bar serves tiki drinks, including their signature Wongs Cup.
Rolando
7126 University Avenue
La Mesa, CA 91942
(1967-✔) Bully’s was founded in La Jolla in 1967 by George Bullington, JD Dahlen and Lester Holt. Today, Mission Valley (est 1971) location is known for strong cocktails, hearty steaks and great prime rib. Bullington is said to have invented the Keoke Coffee.
La Jolla (1967-2008)
Bully’s
5755 La Jolla Boulevard
La Jolla, CA 92037
Del Mar (1969-2017)
Bully’s North
1404 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
Mission Valley (1971-✔)
Bully’s East
2401 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, CA 92108
(CLOSED) Chiquitas Mexican Restaurant. Opened by Ray and Chela Rodriguez and run by the family until it closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The family proudly supported their community, and provided “food for Cesar Chavez and his marchers during the United Farm Workers strike in the 1960s.” Black Angus carne asada, Chiquitas Bowls, wild shrimp cocktails, and margaritas. Yes, please!
Fairmont Park (1967-2021)
4110 Home Avenue
San Diego, CA 92105
(1968-2025) Longhorn Bar & Grill was a longtime “informal outpost” with a Western theme, established by Gilbert Albert Ambrose (1925-2016) and his wife Clara Edna Crosswhite Ambrose (1924-2011).
Ambrose loved Westerns, even writing and directing a play, Calamity at Langtry, for the Harborside Players at their local PTA. In 1967, the opportunity arose for them to open a business in the brand-new Mission Gorge Shopping Center, next to the Thrifty Drug (now The Mart). Who remembers grabbing a cone of that delicious Thrifty Ice Cream? It was the perfect spot for their cowboy bar (think John “The Duke” Wayne).
In 2023, the Longhorn was sold to new owners Matt Guilbert (Bottle Rocket, Regal Beagle, Sidecar), Garrett Haislip, and Logan Henry. As of April 2025, the John Wayne tribute bar is closed, undergoing a remodel and rebranding as “The Duke Cocktails and Grub” with a more modern interior. Currently closed [April 2025].
Grantville
The Duke Cocktails and Grub (~2025)
Longhorn Bar & Grill (1968-2025, Gilbert Ambrose family)
Mission Gorge Center
6519 Mission Gorge Road
San Diego CA 92120
(1968-✔) Roberto De Philippis Butcher Shop Restaurant, old-school steakhouse known for its loyal customers, generous cocktails, prime rib, Nebraska corn-fed beef and fishnet-legged waitresses. Founded in 1968 by Roberto De Philippis (Caruso’s, Roberto’s Pizza House, The Continental, Italian Village), son of Vincent and Madeline De Philippis (Filippi’s Pizza Grottos). The surviving location is now operated by International Aero Club LLC (94th Aero Squadron).
Kearny Mesa (1988-✔)
5255 Kearny Villa Road
San Diego, CA 92123
Mission Valley (1972-1986)
Plaza International Hotel
2151 Hotel Circle South
San Diego, CA
Chula Vista (1968-c2016)
556 Broadway
Chula Vista, CA
(1969-✔) Brigantine Seafood Restaurant, opened on Shelter Island by the Morton family in what is now Miguel’s Cocina. Their restaurant empire increased with the acquisition of La Mesa’s Top Shelf restaurant, and with the opening of their Embarcadero location in the place of the old Anthony’s Fish Grotto.
Point Loma
Brigantine Seafood Restaurant (1969-✔)
2725 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
Coronado
Brigantine Seafood Restaurant (1973-✔)
1333 Orange Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118
Del Mar
Brigantine Seafood Restaurant (1977-✔)
3263 Camino del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
La Mesa
Brigantine Seafood Restaurant (1987-✔)
Top Shelf (1970s)
9350 Fuerte Drive
La Mesa, CA 91941
Escondido
Brigantine Seafood Restaurant (1979-✔)
421 West Felicita Avenue
Escondido, CA 92025
Poway
Brigantine Seafood Restaurant (1993-✔)
13445 Poway Road
Poway, CA CA92064
Imperial Beach
Brigantine Seafood Restaurant (2017-✔)
919 Seacoast Drive
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Embarcadero
Brigantine Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar (2020-✔)
Anthony’s Fish Grotto (1965-2017)
1360 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
Jim Swor, Jim Morrison and Dan Huntley at Hodads first incarnation, 1973.
(1969-✔) Hodad’s, Byron and Virginia Hardin’s sticker-covered burger ’n beer joint that became a San Diego icon. Second location opened downtown near the Chee-Chee Club. And now outlets in PetCo Park.
Downtown (2011-✔)
945 Broadway
San Diego CA 92101
Ocean Beach
5010 Newport Avenue (1991-✔)
Ocean Beach CA 92107
Ocean Beach
Santa Monica Ave (1969)
Ocean Beach CA 92107
(1969-✔) Mr. Fish & Chips Established in 1969, Sam Chou is the third owner of Mr Fish & Chips. His parents purchased the restaurant from the original owners in 1985. Get the ever-popular two-piece fish and chips. It was briefly closed after a fire damaged the business.
Clairemont Mesa
Balboa Mesa Shopping Center
5647 Balboa Avenue
San Diego, CA 92111
(1969-✔) Ponce’s
(1970-✔) Fontainebleau, Westgate Hotel
(1970-✔) The Stadium Club is a great little dive bar at Fairmount and Twain streets in the heart of Mission Valley. Just a stone’s throw from San Diego Mission de Alcalá, the sports club is located in an industrial warehouse district near The Home Depot. Beer. Padres games live on TVs. Darts and a pool table. Great burgers, sandwiches, fresh posole, and breakfast served all day by “King” Victor Y. of Victory Kitchen. The Victory Burger is topped with avocado, bacon, cheese, and carnitas…
Established in 1965 by Jack Roberts (Black Horse Inn, The Box Office), as the Hi Jax, a beer bar with go-go girls. The location was just east of the bustling job site for the San Diego Stadium, which took two years to complete. Roberts’ other claim-to-fame with Paul Richter was taking over the Jackson Barn on Alvarado Road. They spent $30,000 making that old dance barn into The Box Office, their go-go strip club.
The Hi Jax was purchased in 1970 by restaurateur Louis Francis Vallin (1913-1996) and became Lou Vallin’s Stadium Club. Vallin owned The Hide-A-Way in Hillcrest (now, The Brass Rail & Crest Cafe), the Suga-Lou, Lou Vallin’s Savoy Cafe, The Huntress, and the very popular Silver Dollar Cafe in Chula Vista (great steak dinners), which he ran for 35 years.
Mission Valley
The Stadium Club
Lou Vallin’s Stadium Club (1970)
Hi-Jax (1965-1970)
6065 Fairmount Ave
San Diego, CA 92120
Lou Vallin’s Stadium Club ashtray.
(1971-✔) Tom Ham’s Lighthouse
(1972-✔) The Alibi originally opened in 1952 as the 10-seat Alibi Club at the Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach by Michael S Milazzo (bartender at Little Tommy’s Cafe), and brothers-in-law Louis Contile (married Michael’s sister, Josephine), and Vito Frontiera (married Michael’s other sister, Sara). The Alibi Club at Crystal Pier later became The Stage Door. Remodeled in the early 1990s, it’s now Paradise Cove gift shop.
In 1972, the Patrone family (Chee-Chee Club, Zardi’s, C.J.’s, Flinn Springs Inn) bought its current location on the corner of University Avenue and Richmond Street. The Hillcrest location was originally a barbershop until 1937, when Glen Henry Perry opened up his own dive bar on the spot, serving 15-cent highballs and whiskies, light food, and his “world-famous” corned beef sandwiches. Of short stature, rotund, and grey-haired, “Whitey” Perry, as he was affectionately known, long held the third-oldest liquor license in San Diego. He sold to bar king Bill Wilson in 1967. Cash only, the bar has a sister location on Mission Gorge Road.
“You don’t need a reason to drink, just an alibi.”
Hillcrest
The Alibi Club (1972 – now, Joseph Gerald Petrone)
Perry’s (1967 – 1972, Bill Wilson)
Perry’s Cafe (1948, “see Frank or Jerry”)
Perry’s (1937, G.H. “Whitey” Perry)
Barbershop (1936 – 1937)
1403 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
Mission Gorge
9179 Mission Gorge Road
Santee, California 92071
Pacific Beach
Stage Door Cabaret (1957)
The Alibi Club, Crystal Pier (1952-1957, Mike Milazzo, Louis Contile, Vito Frontiera)
Cafe (1950, George Prince)
4500 Ocean Blvd
San Diego, CA 92109
(1972-✔) Hernandez’ Hideaway is a cozy Mexican restaurant hidden away on the shores of Lake Hodges in Escondido. Originally opened by the Albert Rincon Hernandez (La Plaza, Mi Burro, Hernandez’ Hideaway) family, who operated La Plaza Restaurant in La Jolla. Hernandez popularized the blended margarita cocktail there in the 1940s and promoted it for decades to Southern Californians. The Hideaway’s controversial current owner, Rick Stevens claims its invention. Not true, but he did inherit the Hernandez family’s recipes. In 2020, the Hideaway was briefly closed for violation of San Diego County mask mandates and restaurant re-opening guidelines.
Go for the margaritas and Mrs Helen Gutierrez Hernandez’ enchilada pie…
Del Dios
19320 Lake Drive
Escondido, CA 92029
(1972-✔) The Huddle is an old-school American diner that’s stood the test of time, serving eggs, omelets, pancakes, french toast, and waffles since 1972, when managed by a Mrs. Beatrice Hauser. That year, it was established in the cafe that had housed Fran’s Diner until 1971 when the IRS auctioned off George Wangenstein’s business. Previous businesses in the old building have been cafes, soda fountains, and a candy store.
Current owner Ruth Henricks has run the business with family members since 1986, when she bought The Huddle from her sister-in-law, Terry Pierce. If you live in the area, chances are you’ve eaten here, “where good friends meet.” But The Huddle is more than just a restaurant. Special Delivery San Diego is Ruth’s nonprofit volunteer service next door that delivers food to those living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and chronic illnesses.
Go for the Mac Huddle plate, Chicken & Waffles, or the mega Del Mar Cinnamon Roll…
Mission Hills
The Huddle (1986-now, Ruth and Bob Henricks)
The Huddle (1979-1986, Lorraine and Gus Pierce)
The Huddle (1974-1978, Karl and Mary Trachte)
The Huddle (1972, Mrs Beatrice Hauser, mgr)
Fran’s Cafe (1969-1971, George Wangenstein )
Broich’s Cafe (1968, Arthur and Cecilia Broich)
Larry & Kay’s Fountain Lunch (1952)
Candy Store (1950, Lawrence Donovan)
4023 Goldfinch Street
San Diego, CA 92103
(1972-✔) Tacos el Gordo, the family-owned and operated chain specializing in authentic Mexican street tacos, opened their first business in 1972 in Tijuana. They now have locations througout San Diego and in Nevada. Delicious carne asada and marinated pork adobada is shaved off a vertical trompo roaster per order for your taco(s). Their long-awaited, newest location is now opened in downtown San Diego. Worth waiting in line!
Gaslamp Quarter (2022)
511 F Street
San Diego, CA 92102
Chula Vista
689 H Street
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Otay Mesa West
3265 Palm Avenue
San Diego, CA 92154
Chula Vista
556 Broadway
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(1973-✔) Gaetano’s Italian Restaurant is a trattoria run by the Di Giovanni family since 1973. The Di Giovannis hail from Isola di Ponza, an island 20 miles west of Naples, Italy, in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Pizza, pasta, chicken, veal, and other home-cooked casalinga specialties.
Spring Valley
10025 Campo Road
Spring Valley, CA 37080
(1973-✔) The Old Townhouse Restaurant, family-owned and operated since 1973, Chris and Soula Caplaneris’ neighborhood cafe is the place to get breakfast in Ocean Beach. The couple emigrated from Greece in 1969, and bought Spyro’s Cafe, working long hours to make the Old Townhouse the inviting place it is today, inviting customers to feel as comfortable as you would in the home of a close friend. Try the Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, the Ocean Beach, or Gyros and Feta omelet.
Ocean Beach
4941 Newport Avenue
San Diego, CA 92107
(1974-✔) The Godfather Restaurant, old school Italian spot established in 1974 by the Isidoro and Maria Balistreri family. Chef Balistreri immigrated from Palermo, Sicily, in 1967. Family recipes from Northern and Southern Italy are served with love in a romantic, candlelight atmosphere. Fancy!
Kearny Mesa
7878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111
(1974-✔) Old Spaghetti Factory, located in the McKenzie, Flint and Winsby building (1898) in the heart of the historic Gaslamp Quarter, downtown San Diego is part of a chain of theme restaurants founded in 1969 by Guss and Sally Dussin. Their first was in Portland, Oregon, and now the family of restaurants has grown to over 40 locations across 13 states and even a couple in Japan. The Old Spaghetti Factory closed in 2005, reopening as Dussini’s when the building was “reconfigured” for the Hard Rock Hotel. Four years later the Old Spaghetti Factory was brought back by popular demand. Famed for their three-course Italian meals, trolley car dining and spaghetti with Mizithra cheese and browned butter — an old Dussin family recipe.
Gaslamp Quarter
275 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
(1975-✔) San Diego Sandwich Shop, as an iconic part of the Serra Mesa community for more than 50 years, this place has provided top notch food to dedicated customers. The current owner Cindy Kunz started as a young woman working in the shop and eventually purchased the business 30 years ago. Their menu features a variety of fifty types of sandwiches, and also soups and salad!
Serra Mesa
3373 Sandrock Road
San Diego, CA 92123
(1975-✔) Yoshino’s Japanese Restaurant, Kat and “Yama” Yamamoto’s mom-n-pop teriyaki joint, serves homemade gyoza and miso soup. Their moderately priced sushi, teriyaki bowls, and bento boxes get us every time. But Yoshino’s is probably best-known for its Draconian parking attendants — don’t ever try to park there for any neighboring business.
Mission Hills
1790 West Washington Street
San Diego, CA 92103
(1975-✔) Badass woman-owned Silver Fox Lounge thoroughly enjoys its title of San Diego’s “Best Dive Bar” (San Diego Reader, 2024) as proudly as its leopard spotted carpet! In 1972, Sheila Hickin Meek (1941-2023) and her husband Tommy opened a beer bar in Pacific Beach called Stinger’s. It was Sheila’s baby — she designed the bar right down to its logo. In 1980, the Meeks sold “because it was attracting bikers,” said her daughter, Julie.
Harold Thomas “Hal” Hughes (1932-1980) and wife Vivian (The Cabaret, The Silver Fox) originally opened the Silver Fox Cocktail Lounge in the first week of June, 1975, as a wine bar. “We have two big attractions,” explained Vivian Hughes. “Bartenders copy any cocktail a customer can name, using only wines. And we are displaying behind the bar a 4-by-6-foot color photograph of downtown San Diego, looking across the bay from Point Loma. It is a transparency lighted from behind, a truly dramatic scene, as it should be. It cost $1,200. It was taken by a city fireman, but I won’t tell his name. I don’t want anyone else buying one from him.” Sadly, Hal Hughes was hit and killed (reporters said by a woman “police would not identify”) in 1980 while crossing Grand Avenue, and that year Vivian sold The Silver Fox Cocktail Lounge to Sheila Meeks.
It is today regarded by many as the first woman-owned bar in Pacific Beach. After their divorce, Sheila (known as “Killer”) assumed sole operation of the bar. And eventually as her health declined, with the help of Julie. It closed for a year due to COVID-19. After pandemic restrictions were lifted, Sheila’s daughter Julie, and her husband Harun Kazmi, reopened the Silver Fox. Local craft beers, New Orleans Saints Fan Club headquarters, and the “6AM Club” which rewards early risers. Silver Fox Lounge celebrates its 50th anniversary in June, 2025. Cash only.
Pacific Beach
Silver Fox Lounge (1980-now, Sheila and Tommy Meek, Julie and Harun Kazmi)
Silver Fox Cocktail Lounge (1975-1980, Hal and Vivian Hughes)
1833 Garnet Avenue
San Diego, CA 92109
Pacific Beach
Stinger’s (1972-1980, Sheila and Tommy Meek)
1038 Garnet Avenue
San Diego, CA 92109
(1976-✔) The 94th Aero Squadron steakhouse in Kearny Mesa opened on February 15, 1976, as part of a chain of WWI French farmhouse-themed restaurants developed by Specialty Restaurants Corporation (SRC) of Long Beach, California. Each farmhouse was built adjacent a municipal airport, a replica of that used by Colonel Eddie Rickenbacker in 1918 as commander of the 94th Aero Squadron. Food is contemporary steakhouse fare with a few Gallic touches like Short Rib Bourguignon and French Onion Soup. Go for the prime rib and stuffed potato skins.
The half-million-dollar restaurants were initially designed by Lynn Paxton, AlA, and decorated with working replicas of French Neiport 28 biplanes, Vickers machine guns, sandbags, anti-aircraft pits, French antiques and period photos. Their cocktail lounges were themed as basement air raid shelters, with continuous showings of World War I and II aerial and ground combat films, Mister Magoo cartoons, as well as old film comedies of the Marx Brothers and W.C. Fields. Waitresses wore “gray lady” Red Cross volunteer tunics, waiters wore red chef’s coats and toques.
The initial concept for the chain grew from the “bomb shelter” bar in SRC and Sea World’s joint-venture restaurant at Lindberg Field, Boom Trenchard’s Flare Path.
Kearny Mesa
94th Aero Squadron (1976-✔)
Montgomery Field Airport
8885 Balboa Avenue
San Diego, CA 92123
Notes
Citation: Martin S. Lindsay. ‘The Survivors: San Diego’s Oldest Restaurants and Bars.’ Classic San Diego: tasty bites from the history of America’s finest city. Web. < https://classicsandiego.com/san-diegos-oldest-restaurants-and-bars/>
Anyone remember Cosmos, owned by Bill Cisco? They served the best Scampi in the wORld. Id kill for the Reci. They served in small cast iron fry pans. Clised Perh, early seventies. Licated diwnt san diegO around 4Th oR 5th.
Where was the original brigantine In escoNdIdo?
You know what’s missing? Family House of Pancakes in Chula Vista (since 1964).
Thanks! Family House of Pancakes has been added.
You forgot to mention FILLIPES ESCONDIDO LOCATION ON Grand Ave. Also you neglected the ESCONDIDO location of the Brigantine.
We used to go to a small place called the ‘rib cage’ in the early seventies. I believe it was close to coronado, and it just served delicious thick prime rib , baked potato and a salad bar. maybe a steak soup, as well. it was out of this world. is it still in business, does anyone know about this restaurant? thanks!
The Rib cage was in Kearney Mesa and part of the “food for though, inc” chain that also included the Krishna Mulvaney restaurants in PB, CV, Coronado and Escondido, along with Magnolia Mulvaneys in Santee and The Swansong in PB. All closed now.
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Does anyone remember in the late 70’s a restaurant named the wind song? I think it was on coronado island?
There used to be the Wind Sock, near SD airport.
Filippi’s had a 50s era location in Oceanside. It closed in the late 80s or early 90s. Theres a long-time location in escondido too.
No mention of pernicano’s hillcrest? What a political mess that became.
Dale, Pernicano’s Casa di Baffi did not survive, thus not on this list…
I don’t know when it opened, but I first went toGulio’s in 1969 for it’s scampi alla Gulio and veal voldostano. It is now in Old Town.
The original Gulio’s was in Pacific Beach. Gulio would some time sing arias.
What about captain kinos in encinitas ? Opened in 1970 and Still in buisness today !
Pac shores ob?
The silver dollar bar at 341 third avenue chula vista is still open and been around since 1934
The HOle near Liberty station.
Did you forget anthony’s la jolla?
There is NO Anthony’s fish Grotto in La Jolla owned by the family.
Allison, not today, you are correct. But open from 1951 for years, yes there was, on Prospect…
Chiquita’s on home avenue is permanently closed.
What ever happened to Harvy’s Bar on broadway?
Does anyone remember or know about 1950-1956? Owned and operated by the Martin Family on El Cajon Bl, near Rudfords.
Giulio’s restaurant used to be on the corner of Thomas Ave and Mission Blvd in Pacific Beach. It was run by the Peveri family. The restaurant relocated to 2391 San Diego Ave in Old Town and was renamed Jack & Giulio’s Italian Restaurant. It operates there today and still serves their famous Scampi alla Giulio, my father’s favorite menu item.
Looking for information on the Carnival Room/White Hat Headquarters. Related to the U.S. Navy pre-1970. It was located at 133 W Broadway.
There were three restaurants in Coronado that I remember during my childhood in the 40’s living in Coronado: The Swiss Chalet, Mexican Village and La Avenida. La Avenida was famous for it’s Caesar salad prepared by Jack, who I think was the Maitre’d.
Le Bambou unb french VIETNAMese needs to be on here. Since 1987! DElicous!
Dobson’s downtown! Amazing!!
Are there any restaurants that were popular in city heights during the 1950’s? were there any restaurants popular among students?
the best restaurant in San Diego was the cotton patch that had the best prime rib and for happy hour they had cut up steaks when you were in the bar having a drink with live music. It looked like a duck hunting club from the inside. The people that work there for 40 years and the place will be open till 3 AM in the morning it was worth going to. You would never go home hungry and you’d always take half your food home.
You missed “El Carrito” in Barrio Logan, a former San Diego streetcar which brought to the site and turned into a restaurant in 1947. It was place on the frontage of the home at 2154 Logan Ave. The property was his mother’s, and her son, Alfonso “El Pelon” Johnston made this into a thriving authentic Mexican restaurant. Their famous saying on the outside was “Hay Menudo para Los Crudos”. It is still owned by the Johnston family but is operated by a new restaurateur.
Patrick’s bar in downtown San Diego should be added to this list.
The Chicken Pie shop in Walnut Creek, CA is absolutely NOT associated with the San Diego Chicken Pie Shop.
If you truly knew your SD history you’d know this fact. Please correct your article.
Allison, remember your manners, please…
Thanks so much for doing this list! Me and a friend started using it to slowly hit a bunch of the oldies. Waterfront tonight. He suggested El Patio in Chula Vista since 1954.
Another addition: Bully’s East from 1971. Have been meaning to go for awhile and surprised to not see it. All great things started in 1971 (me).
Yes! I spent my 21st birthday at Bully’s East. Added.
https://classicsandiego.com/san-diegos-oldest-restaurants-and-bars#bullys
Please add El Patio (410 Broadway, Chula Vista). They claim to have been open since 1954.
https://elpatiomex.com/
Forgot Niederfrank’s ice cream (1948).
Noted! And added…