Who's familiar with 'old' San Diego restaurants?

[Beach Chick]

Howdy!
SF post got me thinking about old restaurants in SD and wondering which ones are still around?
Albie's Beef Inn in Mission Valley comes to mind and Bully's East..and the beloved Bali Hai..

[cristina]

Nicolosi's, gone but not forgotten.

[Cathy]

http://nicolosis.com/history.html

Moved. Still being run by family.

[DiningDiva]

Nicolosi's is up the street and around the block from my house :-). Within walking distance...

[DiningDiva]

According to today's Mission Trails Courier, Nicolosi's will open a 2nd location on 2nd St. in El Cajon in February

[Beach Chick]

confession..don't think I've have ever eaten at the Nicolosi's.
too many toga parties at Aspen Mine Company..hee hee

[DiningDiva]

Those were the days, weren't they ;-D

[Beach Chick]

Yes, they were..
So glad we got to live them in all their glory.

[DiningDiva]

San Diego in the 70s was glorious :-) And no one cared if their burrito had rice and beans in them or not.

[Dce88]

Yes, Nicolosi's is an institution as well...Last I saw off of Waring Rd. Standout for me was the "relish tray" (or whatever they called it) they put out with everything. The cheese slices, pepperoncini, and what not...

Dan
http://foodobs.wordpress.com

[Dce88]

Two long-gone greats that I remember fondly are Olinda's (started near Morena, then moved over by Old Town) and Don Jose's on El Cajon Blvd. At Don Jose I remember the "community" salsa vat on the table. Never got sick. That wouldn't fly today...

Dan
http://foodobs.wordpress.com/

[OCAnn]

Yoshino's on Washington St.

[Island]

Yoshino's, forgot about that place. How's the food now? Went there first time I visited San Diego in the 80's and had some tasty sesame chicken.

[Fake Name]

Aztec Dining Room in Old Town?

[Beach Chick]

Wasn't Aztec the next street over...didn't it just have a fire..

[kshaleus]

I remember Azteca on El Cajon Boulevard, Casa Blanca in Old Town, Our Perry's Pizza (the first square pan pizza), and Leonardo's on El Cajon Blvd and 70th. I recall the wonderful aroma of authentic Italian food at Leonardo's. Other favorites include Pernicano's, Anthony's, Hamburger House, and Consuelo's in La Mesa with their delicious quesadilla appetizer. When I was in high school at Crawford we used to walk to Azteca for the special '10 rolled tacos for $1'. Those were the days. Today I live in Oregon and even though northwest cuisine is scrumptious I still miss the places I ate as a child and teenager. And don't forget DiMille' s Pizza and the flying saucer at El Juan's in National City.

[DiningDiva]

- DeMille's is still open and doing well.

- Azteca was across the street from the Aspen Mine Company, spent many an evening there after a night of drinking.

- Leonardos lasted a good long time.

- Our Perry's Pizza, that was some pretty good pizza

- We went to the Casa Blanca on La Mesa Blvd. We loved that complimentary app - the crispy flour tortilla with melted cheese - I've managed to recreate a pretty decent version of it. Nothin' fancy, but it is a taste of childhood, which makes it so good :-)

- There are 3 Anthony's left, the one in La Mesa is the most consistent and even it isn't so great any more.

- There is 1 Pernicano's left and old George Pernicano still refuses to give up his 3% ownership of the Chargers. His Casa di Baffi on 6th between University and Robinson is still there, still closed and still an eyesore.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane :-)

[Beach Chick]

Aspen Mine Company...lots of drinking..toga parties..they served food didn't they?
Casa Blanca..was that the one by Drew Ford at the end of LM blvd..that cheese crisp was awesome..
Pernicano's in Hillcrest...when is George going to clean up that hot mess in Hillcrest..that just so wrong!
Aetna Pizza is still there and still really good..had lunch with Stephen Bishop at that Mex restaurant on El Cajon blvd by Crawford HS..what was the name of that place?

[DiningDiva]

I think AMC served food, but I wouldn't know about that ;-). I usually only made it into the bar (and their bartenders were not real good about remembering to ask for ID ;-D)

Casa Blanca was on LM Blvd. between Uni and El Cajon on the east side of the street. I can still drive to but I couldn't, if my life depended on it, tell you what is there now. I don't think the building is a restaurant any more.

[mikec]

Aspen Mine Co. was mostly a steak place (at least that's mostly what I remember ordering there). Decent steaks. Though they didn't have to be that great after a couple of Zombies... Don't remember any Toga Parties, but those were probably right after "Animal House" came out (1978) and that was right around the time I stopped going regularly.

I was wondering if by "Hamburger House" the OP meant "Hamburger Hamlet" which was in front of Hoover High on ECB.

I think George Pernicano is still lucid enough that his family can't sell off that property and George doesn't want to let go of it for less than an absurd amount (about 3x what it's worth). That was what I'd heard from a friend who made a serious inquiry about two or three years ago.

[Fake Name]

Toga parties- got pics?

I think the place at the end of LMB near the Roundhouse of Values is Consuelos.

[Beach Chick]

Roundhouse of Values...great marketing still lodged in the cerebral cortex..

[Fake Name]

Well, in all fairness- not just ANY cerebral cortex ; )

[Beach Chick]

You're sporting one hell of a cerebral cortex..you got that going for you...which is nice.

[Beach Chick]

El Juan's...and the Pink Pig across the street...woooo hoooooo!

[comedor]

Yes! Consuelos! I STILL miss that quesadilla (but we favored the one near Hillcrest). Old and theme-y were: Chuy's in a (basically) a quonset near "Chicano Park," Mexican Village in Coronado, and Miyako's.

[ibstatguy]

Napoleone Pizza House in National City (I think it opened in the 50's and Tom Waits worked there)
Hernanez Hideaway if it is still out there on Del Dios Hwy

[Cathy]

It is still there.

[Caroline1]

I haven't waded through all of the posts to see whether someone has already posted this, so just in case, check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&...

If you've never been there, The Chicken Pie Shop is a very old San Diego tradition. But I don't think the full chicken pie dinner is still $1.10 any more. But I'm pretty sure it's still good!

[jmtreg]

Ah yes, the Chicken Pie Shop. I've been there once, and ordered the chicken pie (of course), and found it to be fairly good - good crust, good enough filling, and good gravy. It was everything I expected. On the other hand, my significant other ordered the pasta primavera (don't ask me why, as I have no idea what possessed my s.o.), and it was awful. That said, the place is cheap, and really old.

Also, have we mentioned Ruford's? I went there for the first time about a week or so ago, and their menus have a picture of JFK driving by the restaurant, which is cool. On the other hand, its basically diner fare.

[Caroline1]

It isn't "old." It's simply time travel. When you go there to eat, you're having dinner in the 1940s! And you didn't even have to beam up. '-)

[DiningDiva]

Yep, still around. I've heard varying reports about how good it is or isn't. Back in the day, it was good.

http://sdpieshop.menutoeat.com/

[Cathy]

Pie dinner is $7.50 now and I like it. Carb overload, but they make their own crusts (the chicken pie crusts are different from the dessert pie crusts) and rolls. I crave the coleslaw and appreciate the pies being only meat and gravy.

[phee]

The rolls at the Chicken Pie Shop are wonderful. We get them for Thanksgiving because, with all the other cooking to do, the last thing I want to make is bread. Apparently, I'm not alone because, when you go to pick them up, there are literally hundreds of orders of rolls sitting there waiting to be picked up. And they make great little turkey sandwiches the next day.

[Beach Chick]

Anyone know if El Porvenir has re-opened?

[bizzwriter]

Cool article about the old Rheinlander and its founder/owner (who recently died):

http://www.lajollalight.com/2012/02/2...

[jmtreg]

How is the food at the Red Fox Room? I just moved in around the corner, and am curious.

[mikec]

OK, not great. Pretty much like a steak place out of the 70's. The piano bar is a slice on Friday or Saturday night.

[MrKrispy]

mikec nailed it. It was good enough years ago if you wanted to put down cheap drinks at the Red Fox and grab some average steak or shrimp late night, but now there are so many other options in the area with far better food. last time I got some late night food there I was surprised at the prices being high for the quality of the food.

Piano bar can still be pretty fun, even though Shirley has departed us.

[mikec]

Pinnacle Peak in Santee. Went there once in 1975 and got the toughest steak I've ever had in my life.

[Fake Name]

Yes, but your tie was cut off, so...

[mikec]

I wish I'd worn a tie, it would have been more tender than the steak.

[Fake Name]

and the advantage of a smaller portion.

[DiningDiva]

Did you know, it's still there and, apparently, doing well

[Josh]

Must be all that outdoor activity in that part of the county.

[RB Hound]

So "outdoor activity" is our new catch phrase? Great! If somebody finds a way to meaningfully combine that with the hype machine, Ed Hardy clothing, and striped shirted mortgage brokers, I'll call it a day.

[Josh]

What's important to remember is that outdoor activity is not very popular in Berlin.

[Fake Name]

Let the record reflect I did not offer that tired tidbit as part of the discussion.

That typed, the outdoor activities available to San Diegans are not of the same quality as those in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and ******.

[Josh]

I felt it was necessary for the sake of completeness. It need never be mentioned again.

[mikec]

Sure. It was packed when I went there in 1975 and its parking lot is full every time I've passed by it since then. Every time I do, I shake my head in wonderment. But it's hardly the only restaurant that causes me to do that.

[Beach Chick]

Is Mulvaney's still around in EC/Lakeside area?
Loved when it was in PB..along with my fave, TD Hays..
Hydra is another blast was one of the best in Cardiff..

[Cathy]

The location is still there (Santee), the building (a old military building) interior is pretty much the same, but they've changed the name a few times... now it is Lacey J's Roadhouse Saloon and Grill. Live music, dancing, pretty good food, taco Tuesdays...

[Fake Name]

Anyone remember a place in east county called 'd Angeles? or Angelos? Went there as a very small kid...where was it?

[mcgrath]

DeAngelis was way out on E. Main St. in EC, past Pepper Dr. The elderly gentleman who owned the place would stroll through the dining room singing Italian opera.

[mikec]

Some places that haven't been mentioned yet:

Adam's Steak and Eggs - this was my groups standard Sunday morning hangover recovery place after going to Crystal T's, Flannahan's or Aspen Mine Company the night before, carne asada and eggs was $2.89 during the disco era.
La Pinata - this was around Old Town long before Dianne Powers took over.
Etna Restaurant has been around at least since the 70's. It looked ancient then.
Ponce's in Kensington has been around since at least the 70's.

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La Pinata
2836 Juan St, San Diego, CA 92110

[mikec]

Flannahan's is obviously a conflation of Hoolihan's and Flannigan's. I guess I lost more brain cells in that era than I knew...

[scottca075]

No ones mentioned the Chop Suey - Peking Restaurant in North Park. It has been there since 1931.

http://chopsueysd.blogspot.com/

As to ones I miss, I loved the German place in La Jolla Shores that is now Piatti's. I used to ride my bike there in summer to get their sandwiches.

And how about this menu from the Del circa 1900.

http://menus.nypl.org/menu_pages/434

[Beach Chick]

I used to go to Chop Suey when I was a little girl..blast from the past..

[DiningDiva]

I think the German place was called Bratskeller? Or maybe it was Rhineskeller. That was a long time ago

[sordftr]

Bratskeller it was; spent lots of nights there when I was but a UCSD college lad in the mid-70's. King Henry's Feast was our usual order...

[Fake Name]

Had a Feast at the Bratskellar for my 21st birthday. But I thought it was further up in the village, maybe where Chucks Steakhouse was?

[Beach Chick]

Bratskellar's is where George's at the Cove is located..
Gosh, I miss Chuck's Steakhouse..that was across the breezeway.

Loved going to the LJ Shores German restaurant..what was the name of that place.

[Fake Name]

That's it.

I knew someone who was significantly older than I at the time would remember.

[Beach Chick]

What the #@*&!
; )

[mcgrath]

BC, the LJ Shores place was called The Rhinelander. Spent a lot of time there in the mid-70's.

[Beach Chick]

ding ding ding ding ding...winner chicken dinner!

Had a fake ID and we'd go and get steins of beers..in the 80's..fakey!

[Island]

Ahhh yes the fake ID....the memories.... except I used mine at the Jersey Shore way before it became Snookiefied.

[Ms. Verde]

Still going strong since the 20's, but parking has become difficult. We've been enjoying their basic Cantonese plates for almost 20 years, shortly after moving to North Park. It is a family run operation. We love their tomato beef chow mein and walnut shrimp. It's that's comfortable old shoe of a place you can count on for take-out Chinese. Call them and they'll take it out to you curbside on a busy parking night.

[tplife]

EL INDIO! Since 1947, still good, and not fallen into mediocrity like the other old Mexican restaurants (like The Casa De Pico).

[Josh]

Still good?

I think I'd word it differently. I'd say it's never been good, at least since my first visit in '84, and has maintained its mediocrity quite well.

[DiningDiva]

Josh, I don't think your statement is true either. I'm pretty sure you weren't around in 1947 to know how good El Indio was, or wasn',t back then ;-).

There was a period of time, however, say 1947 - about 1970 when El Indio was really pretty good. The tourist trade hadn't yet found them and they were very quietly and successfully feeding San Diegans what San Diegans "thought" was good, authentic Mexican food, despite the proximity to the border. It was a smaller volume place than it is now and doing with the founders knew how to do best. It was for a long time the best place to get masa and some people still swear by El Indio masa.

Time and popularity have not been particularly kind to El Indio. I don't think it's anywhere near as good as it used to be but there was a time when everything truly was made from scratch and really pretty good. That time just isn't now

[stevewag23]

Was there a lot of outdoor activity in san diego in 1947?

[DiningDiva]

I don't know, I wasn't around in 1947 and I don't think that was the point of my comment 8 months ago.

My parents and grandparents were here then and, yes, they did spent a good deal of time outside. But then again, it's pretty hard to own and operate a chicken ranch (real chickens, not the NV kind) from inside the house.

We did spend a lot of time outside growing up whether it was playing, riding bikes, going to the park, the mountains, the beach. When we were in school or in the house because it was dark we were outside. Remember, this was the era before video games and TV was still black and white.

[Encinitan]

Josh, how do you know it has never been good? Did you eat there in the 40s.....or 50s.....or 60s....or even 70s?

[Josh]

Fair enough - I didn't eat there in the '40s. I did eat there in the early-mid '80s, and don't remember it being memorable at all. I ate there maybe once in the '90s, and felt the same way. Last time I was there was around '00 and same deal.

[tplife]

Looks like mediocre food is still very popular - the lines are still long and out the door, just like in the late '70s...somehow the Sanchez' have maintained enough quality and taste to keep 'em coming back!

[sdnativa]

Nati's Mexican Restaurant in OB. It's still there. Shouldn't be, but it is.

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Nati's Mexican Restaurant
1852 Bacon St, San Diego, CA 92107

[Caroline1]

Maybe I've missed their mentions, but hand in hand with Bali Hai is Tom Ham's Lighthouse, which he opened after rescuing Bali Hai. And don't forget Kona Kai as long as we're doing Shelter Island.

Oh, and Su Casa, in La Jolla, opened in the '60s.

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Bali Hai Restaurant
2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106

[Encinitan]

Fidel's (since early 60s)
Roxy's (since late 60s)
Su Casa (1967)
Jose's Courtroom (1972)

[foodiechick]

Yeah, but Jose's Courtroom was sold a couple of years ago, dropping the Courtroom from the name. A mere shadow of its former self both in terms of vibe and food, it has become more like a La Jolla El Torito. Sad, I miss grouchy old Doc.

[xTommyjordan]

There is quite a list going here. didnt know there was so many old restaurants in san diego

[Island]

Me either, but wonder how many are worth trying.

[sdnosh]

Point Loma Seafoods - 1963
Pete's Sausage in Little Italy looks like it's been around for a century.

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Point Loma Seafoods
2805 Emerson St, San Diego, CA 92106

[bizzwriter]

Speaking of sausage, I'm thinking that Sausage King in Mission Hills must have been around for many decades by now. Great old-school/old-world vibe.

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Sausage King
811 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103

[cubano]

Ah, we used to stop at Sausage King for Landjäger every Sunday when heading back home from the Unitarian Church back in the late 60s.

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Sausage King
811 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103

[phee]

I know Pete moved his family down here from L.A. in the 60's.

[nileg]

Saska's Steak House in Mission Beach is 60 years old...it opened in 1951.

The Barbecue Pit (the last remaining restaurant of the chain is on University Avenue) is 64 years old...it opened in 1947.

The Pernicano's restaurant on Turquoise in Pacific Beach is pretty old though I'm not sure precisely when it opened.

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Saska's
3768 Mission Blvd, San Diego, CA 92109

[bizzwriter]

Pernicano's opened its first restaurant (in Hillcrest?) in 1946. Not sure how long the PB one has been there.

I still remember when there was a Barbecue Pit on Garnet in PB.

[Fake Name]

and Casa de Oro (BBQ pit)

[Caroline1]

I used to live near Pernican's (Hillcrest) in the mid-50s and it was our Friday night date for cheese pizza and a pitcher of dark beer. A magical combination! They cleared the stuck pizza dough from the ceiling every night after closing, the result of zealous hand tossing.

[Josh]

Funny, I thought zealous hand tossing was the main reason the old man won't sell the building.

[DiningDiva]

The old dude is just stubborn. He won't sell his 3% ownership of the Chargers either :-)

[foodiechick]

Seems to be the polar opposite of his sweet brother that owns the PB Pernicanos.

[Island]

Isn't there a longstanding Chinese restaurant in that pink and neon "landmark" building on Pacific Coast Highway downtown? Drive by when I'm heading to the airport, but the name escapes me. Bugs me that I can't remember now!

[DiningDiva]

Fats?

[honkman]

China Camp ? I think it is closed

[Fake Name]

China Camp closed recently, and Fat City I believe is still open. But those are fairly recent- 70s maybe.

-----
China Camp
2137 Pacific Hwy Ste A, San Diego, CA 92101

[Island]

Yup, Fat City and China Camp. That's the place. Thanks.

-----
China Camp
2137 Pacific Hwy Ste A, San Diego, CA 92101

[DiningDiva]

Old Lubach's location I think

[foodiechick]

Lubach location was on N. Harbor Drive, now corporate hdqtr/offices. Fat City/China Camp was around in the 70's at the same time as Lubachs. FC/CC on Pacific Highway at Hawthorne across the street from Body Beautiful Car Wash.

[DiningDiva]

Thanks, I always get that location confused. That was a long time ago and memories just aren't what they used to be ;-)

[EddieB]

The old Lubach's location now serves as one of the training rooms for Solar Turbines on Harbor Drive. The Fat City corporate office, which sits atop Denny's/FC/CC, is the former site of Tops Supper Club. I miss Tom Fat.

[DiningDiva]

You could always fly up to Sacramento. The Fat empire is very much alive and well up there

[EddieB]

Since Tom passed away though, Fat City San Diego appears to be the red headed step child of the Fat empire. Tom's nephew now runs the corp. out of Sacramento. Rumor has it that a deal is in the works to sell the San Diego Fat compound.

[DiningDiva]

Could well be. My nephew went to school with one of Tom Fat's grandchildren (last saw him this past Xmas when everone was home) and they all seem to be going in directions other than the restaurant business.

[Wisey]

Turf Supper Club

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Turf Supper Club
1116 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102

[jmtreg]

I don't recall the Turf being that old - maybe 15 years.

[Fake Name]

It had been there for a long time, but was repositioned/rebranded about 15 years ago. Now under new management with something of a cloud.

[Wisey]

I just know that my parents remember going there in the early 60's...I go there now, and love the low key ambiance. They make a killer bloody mary!

[jmtreg]

Well, from what I hear, the new management is the former landlord who evicted Tim Mays (who refurbished the Turf and turned into the grill-your-own-steak place that it is) specifically to steal the restaurant.

[Fake Name]

Yeah, that's what I heard as well, (the aformentioned "cloud") but have no facts nor primary sources to support that.

[foodiechick]

"Landmark" restaurant Anthony's Fish Grotto in Chula Vista - 37 years on Bay Boulevard - now closing its doors.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/20...

[phee]

Wow. I hadn't read that. They (the city of CV) really wanted to do something spectacular with the bayside development down there, and I remember this place called Shangri-la that opened up at the end of what I think was E Street. It just didn't get the business. So they brought in Anthony's, an already established restaurant in the county. It flourished for many years, but a friend told me recently they weren't getting near the business of the other Anthony's in SD. All the "bay" business went into the marina at the end of J Street, and I think most people even forgot Anthony's was there.

[Tikitamra]

Marino's in Pacific Beach. My Mom just turned 70 and she used to go there on dates in her teens, so 50+ years for them! (still have the greatest pizza!) Also the Frosty Shop on Garnet has been there for at least 50 years.

[pine time]

A coffee shop/semi-dive in El Cajon called Kozak's (there was some other "upper-scale" place at the back, but we ate at the front Kozak's. Served real cooked oatmeal, not the instant stuff. Waitresses had been there for 20+ years. We'd sit at the counter and look at all those slices of pie in the old-fashioned glass upright display cases.

[Cathy]

Kozaks has been closed at least three years. Hammurabi has been in that location at least two years.

I miss Kozaks and the three bean salad in a crock on every table.

[Josh]

I believe El Patio in Chula Vista has been in business since the 1940s. Nati's in OB has been going since the early 1960s.

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El Patio Restaurant
410 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910

[phee]

Spot on, Josh. I'd forgotten El Patio. We didn't go out for Mexican food much, as my Nana had Mexican nationals who worked at her cafe. Why go out for it when they would bring the most wonderful food from home to share? No one would remember Miller's Cafe anymore, but that was hers. When we did go out, we'd head for El Juan's. I think it was the flying saucers. :)

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El Patio Restaurant
410 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910

El Juan Cafe
2316 Highland Ave, National City, CA 91950

[beantowntitletown]

Although I haven't lived in the area nearly that long, I'd add two places in National City --- McDini's, which has been open since 1890 (not always in National City), and Cafe La Maze, which has been in business since around 1940.

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Cafe La Maze
1441 Highland Ave, National City, CA 91950

[jmtreg]

Ah, McDini's, formerly the Italian restaurant Dini's - run by the same family, no less.

I'm kinda shocked no one has mentioned Nob Hill yet.

[Fake Name]

I did, and I'm offended that you've not been reading my every word and every post.

[jmtreg]

D'oh! Sorry.

[mcgrath]

Rudford's on El Cajon Blvd. I first went there around 1956 and I swear, it hasn't changed a bit since then. True Diner experience.

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Rudford's Restaurant
2900 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104

[DiningDiva]

Are you sure Rudford's has been around that long. I thought that was the old Carnation location.

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Rudford's Restaurant
2900 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104

[phee]

The website actually says "since 1949". DD, I'm pretty sure the Carnation place used to be about a block or so.........east, I think.

[DiningDiva]

You could certainly be right, that was a long time ago and Carnation's been gone a long time too. Too bad, they had great sundaes

[Cathy]

They were two more blocks East and on the East corner of the block, not the West corner, as Rudford's is...We used to go to Carnation's for late breakfast and get a scoop of ice cream when we were leaving.

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Rudford's Restaurant
2900 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104

[phee]

Yep, verified with a friend this morning - Carnation was on Ohio and ECB.

[mcgrath]

Yes, Carnation's and Rudfords always two separate locations.

But if you're one who even remembers Carnation, it would be very cool to get together a group of near native San Diegans who went to any of the places mentioned back in the 50's or 60's. Membership in this group could be expanded to include those who went to Rudford's or Carnation in the 50's (or early 60's), OR, to Nicolosi's at the 40th / EC Blvd location.

While I'm at it, does anyone reading this remember (in same general neighborhood), the Red Arrow Cafe, The Owl Cafe, Baker's Hamburgers or a Malt Shop at 37th / University??

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Rudford's Restaurant
2900 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104

[LG91932]

it's been years.. since I have been to the Carnation restaurant.. I know it was closes soooooo long ago.. but I was at lips and I can swear that is the old carnation location. 3036 el cajon blvd. am I correct?

[phee]

Having grown up in the South Bay, I have a whole other list for you.

LaBella's Pizza - 1955, still family-owned and operated (Chula Vista)
Jalisco's Cafe - since the early 1960's; spent my share of "wee hours in the morning" sobering up there in college (Imperial Beach)
El Juan's - see commentary on Charcoal House (National City)
Venice Pizza - family-owned and operated since 1954 (El Cajon Blvd., San Diego)
Aunt Emma's Pancake House - see commentary on Jalisco's (Chula Vista)
Charcoal House - I remember going there as a kid, so the place has to have been around a long time! (La Mesa)

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Charcoal House Restaurant
9566 Murray Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942

El Juan Cafe
2316 Highland Ave, National City, CA 91950

Aunt Emma's Pancake Restaurant
700 E St, Chula Vista, CA 91910

[Beach Chick]

OMG phee...you mentioned El Juan's across from the Pink Pig in National City and when I was young we would get our meal comped because I would eat jalapeno's and no one could believe it...my mom always dragged my butt in there for a comped meal!
Jalisco's cafe has some excellent tamales and the Charcoal House next to Anthony's still has some of the best blue cheese dressing and a damn good cheeseburger!

Did anyone mention Mt. Etna Pizza and my beloved Waterfront or NuNu's?

[phee]

Yep - El Juan's was one of those places offering a "flying saucer". Makes me laugh now.

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El Juan Cafe
2316 Highland Ave, National City, CA 91950

[Island]

The Venetian, The Godfather, Mona Lisa, Cafe 101, Roberto's taco joints.
Beach Chick how long is your beloved old school Longhorn in business?

[Fake Name]

Since at least 1976, probably much earlier.

What about Charcoal House, La Mesa?

Wrangler Pit BBQ, El Cajon?

Sun Cafe Downtown- just relocated.

Hob Nob Hill

Filippis

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Charcoal House Restaurant
9566 Murray Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942

Hob Nob Hill
2271 1st Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

[cstr]

Hunter Steakhouse.

[Beach Chick]

LOL...founded in 1983

[Island]

Hey with the recent turn over rate and closures around town consider that vintage! :>)

[cstr]

I thought they were 72. Still like Bully's better.

[Beach Chick]

It was actually founded in 1970.
The Oceanside location is known as very haunted.
; )

[cstr]

Was it a ghost of a cow? and not a commodity cow!

[Beach Chick]

www.sandiegohaunted.com/listings/show...

[plantman]

Not a restaurant per se, but the Cheese Shop La Jolla since 1972...

[cgfan]

How 'bout El Porvenir, since 1910!

[foodiechick]

Wow, never heard of that one!

[DiningDiva]

It's (or was) in Barrio Logan, specialized in carnitas. I thought it closed a couple of years ago.

[cgfan]

They were temporarily closed for a bit when the prior operator left in the hands of another relative, all from the same family as the original founder. So as far as I know it never left the original family's hands.

Anyway before they reopened, now quite a while ago, I had a chance to talk with the new operator, apparently an Uncle of the former operator. He said that when he takes it back he'll re-introduce the founder's original Carnitas recipe. Apparently he felt that they had deviated a bit and he was keen to bringing the old recipes back... ...not that I ever noticed... They've always been good...

They're still in the same 'ole spot in Barrio Logan, right across the street from the Fruitlandia...

[bizzwriter]

I think the closing was temporary. Sounds like a field trip is in order to verify.

I used to eat there a LOT when I worked on Newton Street. I'd grab a dozen of their freshly cooked harina tortillas, or a couple of their little mixto carnitas burritos -- just homemade carnitas, a dab of beans, and some salsa. Crazy good.

[bizzwriter]

Damn it -- you beat me to the punch! The OLDEST restaurant still alive in San Diego!

[Beach Chick]

I don't eat meat but the carnitas look outstanding!

www.yelp.com/biz/el-porvenir-tortilla...

[foodiechick]

Crown Room (Sunday Brunch)
Restaurants at La Valencia since 1926
Hob Knob Hill 1944
Tony Jacal 1946
Red Tracton's established 1948
La Especial Del Norte
Grant Grill established 1951
Red Sails Inn established 1957
Old Trieste
Harry's Coffee Shop 1960
Red Fox Steakhouse
Imperial House early 70's (feels older)
Lubach's . . . oh, wait.

[littlestevie]

Red Tracton's was up in LA, I remember going to it as a kid. I think it moved down here in the mid 70's.

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Red Tracton's
550 Via De La Valle, Solana Beach, CA 92075

[littlestevie]

And I was forgetting Lola's up in Carlsbad, they have been around sinse the 40's.

[notjustastomach]

I was at Albies last weekend, just for drinks and appetizers. Closed the place down with some friends. I had never eaten there before. The artichoke was just about the worst I've ever had -- boiled to a soggy, limp and overly acidulated mush. The calamari was better -- a pounded steak, fried with a light breading and covered with a too lemony sauce. But the martinis are fine as is the singer.

[DiningDiva]

I'll add Old Trieste, Anthony's, Niederfranks (okay, that's not a restaurant but their ice cream's been around a long time), Nicolosi's has been around for 50+ years. FWIW, Hob Nob Hill and Mr. A's, the Westgate, El Indio, Tony's Jacal, Posiden, and the Grove Bakery.

I'm pretty sure I can come up with more if I think about it.

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Tony's Jacal
621 Valley Ave, Solana Beach, CA 92075

Hob Nob Hill
2271 1st Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Old Trieste Restaurant
2335 Morena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110

[littlestevie]

If you ever watch Ken Kramer's About San Diego on KPBS, he will hit one of the old places every couple of weeks. I will add Chicken Pie Shop, Filippi's, and the Marine Room. And I think they may been around longer than your three. The Pie Shop moved, I think, in the 50's, The Marine Room has been renovated, but I don't think Filippi's has changed much sinse it opened.

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Marine Room Restaurant
2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037

[Cathy]

Oh yes. Chicken Pie Shop since 1938...

[Cathy]

Baci, Troy's, Perry's, Jimmy's (Santee), Aunt Emma's. All since the 70's.

If you consider the 70's to be long ago.

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Baci Restaurant
1955 West Morena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110