A checklist of San Diego’s oldest restaurants

Restaurants come and go, but some are more popular and stick around for decades. Here’s a quick checklist of some local San Diego restaurants that have been in business for at least fifty years. How many have you patronized? Enjoy!

Updated 28 Dec 2019.

(1931-2019) Pekin Cafe Chop Suey [closed Mar 2019], was the oldest surviving Chinese-American restaurant in San Diego. Great for takeout. Old-school egg foo yung.

North Park

2877 University Avenue

San Diego, CA 92104

(1933) Las Cuatro Milpas, old homestyle Mexican cooking from the Estudillo family. Cash only. Pork (no beef) tacos for breakfast!

Barrio Logan

1875 Logan Avenue

San Diego, CA 92113

(1928-2018) La Piñata [closed Nov 2018], originally founded by Florence Peters and family as Ramona’s Spanish Kitchen in 1932 to take advantage of tourists’ fascination with the story of Ramona (Nearby, Old Town’s Casa de Estudillo was renamed Ramona’s Marriage Place and heavily marketed as the venue from Helen Hunt Jackson’s period romance novel). The restaurant was taken over as La Piñata in 1962.

Old Town

2836 Juan Street

San Diego, CA 92110

(1933) The Waterfront Bar & Grill, San Diego fishermen’s hangout and longest continually held liquor license in town. Breakfast dishes and wide beer selection.

Harborview

2044 Kettner Blvd

San Diego, CA 92101

(1934) Tobey’s 19th Hole Cafe, Balboa Park municipal golf course clubhouse coffee shop. The restaurant concession was initially granted to golf pro Sterne Davis in 1934, then Chester and Lois Tobey, and since operated by the Tobey family — for three generations! A hidden gem, with tasty diner food and bubbly brunches.

Golden Hill

2600 Golf Course Dr

San Diego, CA 92102

Update: Even though historically designated, the clubhouse is scheduled to be gutted and converted to a pro shop and offices. The City of San Diego’s Clubhouse Improvement Project dictates a new modern clubhouse and restaurant will be built adjacent to the ‘renovated’ clubhouse. Litigation has stalled the city’s efforts.

(1935-2016) Red Sails Inn [closed 31 Aug 2016], established by Joseph Y Viery at Fisherman’s Wharf and G Streets, this seafood eatery was originally adorned with a red sail. Okay. Not continually running since 1935 (it was closed for a few years), but reopened by Jack Allen Davis in the Shelter Island location in 1957. A favorite with local boaters.

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Fisherman’s Wharf

654 Harbor Drive

San Diego, CA 92101

Shelter Island

2614 Shelter Island Drive

San Diego, CA 92106

(1937) Turkey Inn, Homer 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.

Ramona

716 Main Street

Ramona, CA 92065

(1938) San Diego Chicken Pie Shop, serving inexpensive chicken dinners since the Great Depression. Chicken pot pie dinner (includes dessert).

North Park

2633 El Cajon Blvd

San Diego, CA 92104

(1940) Café La Maze, old gambling hangout and key-club for Hollywood types, now a nostalgic steakhouse. Get a booth and order prime rib au jus.

National City

1441 Highland Avenue

National City, CA 91950

(1940) El Indio, traditional Mexican food, allegedly the originator of rolled tacos. Go for the taquitos, stay for the chips.

Mission Hills

3695 India Street

San Diego, CA 92103

(1941) Clayton’s Coffee Shop, popular Coronado counter service coffee shop where you’ll have to wait in line for a spot. Malted milkshakes rule.

Coronado

979 Orange Avenue

Coronado Island, CA

(1941) The Marine Room, originally built in 1916 as the Spindrift Inn. High-tide brunch gets exciting when ocean waves hit the windows.

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La Jolla

2000 Spindrift Drive

La Jolla, CA 92037

(1944) Hob Nob Hill, Harold and Dorothy Hoersch moved their original Juniper Café to the present location in 1946. Bakery. Breakfast. Almost bottomless mimosa.

Bankers Hill

2271 1st Avenue

San Diego, CA 92101

(1946) Anthony’s Fish Grotto, a San Diego family-run institution on the waterfront since 1946. La Mesa location still open! Crab Louie or Mama Ghio’s Cioppino.

Embarcadero (1946-1951)

965 West Harbor Drive

San Diego, CA 92101

Middletown (1951-1965)

2535 Pacific Highway

San Diego, CA 92101

La Mesa (1961-Now)

9530 Murray Drive

La Mesa, CA 91942

Embarcadero (1965-2017)

1360 North Harbor Drive

San Diego, CA 92101

(1946) Barrett Junction Cafe & Mercantile, home of the world famous all-you-can-eat fish fry, and some mighty good barbecue too. Originally homesteaded in 1888, the mercantile was established in 1915. Now run by Chris and Leon Herzog. Hush puppies with honey.

Hwy 94 at Barrett Junction

1020 Barrett Lake Road

Dulzura, CA 91917

(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. Chicken Francesca or a la Baffi.

El Cajon

1588 East Main Street

El Cajon, CA 92021

Scripps Ranch

9932 Mercy Road #109

San Diego, CA 92129

La Jolla

711 Turquoise Street

San Diego, CA 92109

(1946) Rainbow Oaks Cafe, originally founded in 1946 as ‘The Oaks.’ The historic eatery was bought by Jonell & Duke Maples in 2009 and remodeled using salvaged lumber from the 2007 fire. American home-style food, big portions is in order here!

Old Highway 395

4815 5th Street

Rainbow, CA 92028

(1946) Tony’s Jacal, the 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 aircraft workers, now a classic whiskey joint (with more than 1200 kinds). Recently saved from obscurity by the owners of The Waterfront Bar & Grill.

Middletown

3365 India Street

San Diego, CA 91203

(1947) The Barbecue Pit, established by two sisters and their husbands, the chain of Texas-style barbecue joints is still run by the families. Joe & Lila Browning and Ed & Mella Jenson started out in the Maryland Hotel. Several locations have split off over the years as Wrangler Family Barbecue.

Fletcher Hills

2388 Fletcher Parkway

El Cajon, CA 92020

National City

920 East Plaza Boulevard

National City, CA 91950

North Park (catering)

2888 University Avenue

San Diego, CA 92104

(1948) Red Tracton’s, old school steakhouse and piano bar across from Del Mar racetrack. Originally from LA. Alaskan king crab legs, filet mignon.

Solana Beach

550 Via de la Valle

Solana Beach, CA

(1949) Harbor House, the bayside seafood house originally located on what was known in the 1940s as Fisherman’s Wharf. It was reopened in 1980 in Seaport Village which is slated for redevelopment.

Seaport Village

831 West Harbor Drive

San Diego, CA 92101

(1949) Rudford’s, was the quintessential San Diego 24-hour diner on Old Highway 80, now “The Boulevard.” Get a spot at the counter and a cup o’ joe.

North Park

2900 El Cajon Blvd

San Diego, CA 92104

(1950) Filippi’s Pizza Grotto, Vincent and Madeline De Philippis family-owned pizzaria in Little Italy and several other locations. Pizzas are great, Lasagna’s a fave.

Little Italy

1747 India Street

San Diego, CA 92101

(1950) Turf Supper Club, Golden Hill grill-your-own steakhouse and piano bar. 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

(1951) Saska’s Steak and Seafood, the steak, seafood and sushi joint is considered a Mission Beach institution. Originally opened by Joseph Saska as Saska’s Hi-Tide Cafe, now owned by the Patio Restaurant Group. Crab chowder.

Mission Beach

3768 Mission Blvd

San Diego, CA 92109

(1953) Bali Hai Restaurant, Tom F Ham Jr’s classic Shelter Island tiki destination, originally called Christian’s Hut. Mai tais are very strong, ‘Goof Punch’ is just right. Buy a mug.

Shelter Island

2230 Shelter Island Drive

San Diego, CA 92106

(1954) Venice Pizza House, the LoMedico family’s pizza house, on more top-ten lists than we can count!

3333 El Cajon Boulevard

San Diego, CA 92104

(1955) La Bella Pizza Garden, Tony and Kitty Raso opened their pizzeria in 1955, and it’s still run by the family.

373 Third Ave

Chula Vista, CA 91910

(1955) Lido’s Italian Foods, family-owned for generations, Marco and Liz Simi’s traditional Italian restaurant is well-loved, with a consistently good menu. Go for the pizza, but partake of their famous appetizer served first – the salami, cheese and Cheez-It® cracker plate.

7252 Broadway

Lemon Grove, CA 91945

(1956) Mona Lisa Italian Foods, Brunetto family restaurant and deli in Little Italy since 1973, originally located downtown San Diego. Explore their extensive deli, the sandwiches are great!

Little Italy

2061 India Street

San Diego, CA 92101

(1957) 12th and Broadway Restaurant, inexpensive, Mexican-American diner located on the southeast corner of 12th (now park Blvd) and Broadway streets. For years Juan and Teresa Gonzalez’s cafe entrance was graced with one simple, hand-painted word — ‘Restaurant.’ Originally opened as Chick’s Coffee Shop by Juan Gonzales and Raymond Turnage.

East Village

999 Park Boulevard

San Diego, CA 92101

(1958) Napoleone’s Pizza House, Crivello family restaurant on National City’s old Mile of Bars. Singer Tom Waits worked there as a youth.

National City

619 National City Blvd

San Diego, CA 91950

(1959) Red Fox Steakhouse, steakhouse and piano bar attached to the Lafayette Hotel. One of the last to serve a garnish tray. Try a shrimp cocktail and steak.

North Park

2223 El Cajon Blvd

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

(1960-2018) Nati’s Mexican Restaurant [closed June, 2018], founded in 1960 by Vernon E Lontz (who said he bought it from a woman named ‘Nati’, but the location was previously Dorothy Bales’ Consuelo’s, and he was its manager), now owned by Marilyn Thomas and Dennis Kerr, this longtime favorite has been serving up some of the same delicious Mexican recipes since the Eisenhower administration.

Ocean Beach

1852 Bacon Street

San Diego, CA 92107

(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

(1962-2015) Albie’s Beef Inn [Closed Dec 2015], home of 1960s boudoir paintings and traditional piano bar. Prime rib and sweet carrot.

Mission Valley

1201 Hotel Circle South

San Diego, CA 92108

(1963-2019) Old Trieste , a time-capsule of a restaurant, serving the same menu of Italian food for years. Jacket required. Lobster Fra Diavalo, Calamari Fritti, Scampi Trieste, all great!

Bay Park

2335 Morena Blvd

San Diego, CA 92110

(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) Roberto’s Taco Shop, starting out with a tortillaria 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.

Roberto’s No. 1

National City

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 Blvd, 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 Blvd

National City, CA

(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 5th Avenue

San Diego, CA 92103

(1965) The Wrangler Family Barbecue, opened up by Forrest Holly and the Jenson family as another location of their Barbecue Pit restaurants, this place is a treasured time capsule that still serves up the same great Texas-style barbecue from Lyndon Johnson’s day…

El Cajon

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. Island of Flowers has been on the menu since day one. The Dragon Room bar serves tiki drinks, including their signature Wong Cup.

La Mesa/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 both the Del Mar (est 1969) and Mission Valley (est 1971) locations are known for strong cocktails, hearty steaks and great prime rib. Bullington is said to have invented the Keoke Coffee.

Bully’s (1967-2008)

5755 La Jolla Blvd

La Jolla, CA 92037

Bully’s North (1969-2017)

Del Mar

1404 Camino Del Mar

Del Mar, CA 92014

Bully’s East (1971-now)

Mission Valley

2401 Camino del Rio South

San Diego, CA 92108

(1967) Chiquitas Mexican Restaurant. Opened by Ray and Chela Rodriguez and still run by the family. Black angus carne asada, wild shrimp cocktails, and margaritas. Yes, please!

Fairmont Park

4110 Home Avenue

San Diego, CA 92105

(1967-2019) Paesano Fine Italian Food [closed Apr 2019]. A classic, old-school red-sauce joint on the 30th Street ‘craft beer corridor.’ Known for their baked ravioli and lasagna.

North Park

3647 30th Street

San Diego, CA 92104

(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 now operated by International Aero Club LLC (94th Aero Squadron).

Chula Vista (1968-c2016)

556 Broadway

Chula Vista, CA

Mission Valley (1972-1986)

Plaza International Hotel

2151 Hotel Circle South

San Diego, CA

Kearny Mesa (1988-now)

5255 Kearny Villa Road

San Diego, CA 92123