Mister A's
San Diego, CA Photo courtesy M.C. Morrissey
Looking up at this mid-century office building in San Diego, dinner might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But Mister A's sits on the top floor, with a view that gives the old “best restaurant in town” billing a little help. Not every dining room comes with airplanes passing outside.
Opened by John Alessio in 1965, the restaurant has long offered a perch above Bankers Hill. Down below, the building looks ready for another workday. Upstairs, there's a different sort of business going on around the dinner tables.
UPDATE: Mister A's remains open following an extensive renovation under Ryan Thorsen. An expanded bar and outdoor seating continue the rooftop dining tradition, with the skyline and approaching airplanes still part of the scenery. 10-26
Limehouse Restaurant (Demolished)
San Diego, CA Photo courtesy M.C. Morrissey
Looking for Chinese food near Mission Bay? The Limehouse Restaurant once had a marquee that made a pretty good argument for pulling over. Check out the angular framework and script lettering on this San Diego roadside stop. The sign could hold its own even before anyone checked the menu.
The restaurant carried a little tiki-era atmosphere along Mission Bay Drive. Take-out and a parking spot facing the neon might have offered dinner with a view of a different sort. Watch out, SeaWorld. There was another roadside attraction nearby.
UPDATE: The Limehouse Restaurant was demolished, and its large neon marquee was removed. Commercial redevelopment replaced the old restaurant site. 10-26
Rudford's Restaurant
San Diego, CA Photo courtesy M.C. Morrissey
Check out the entrance and windows at Rudford's Restaurant on El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego. This coffee shop looks like it could have been part of an old movie set. Fortunately, the booths and breakfast orders came with an actual restaurant.
Rudford's opened in 1949, giving motorists a place to stop along the boulevard. John F. Kennedy's motorcade passed its windows in 1963, a visit to the neighborhood preserved in photographs. Most folks passing through were probably more interested in finding a seat and getting some coffee.
UPDATE: Rudford's remains open around the clock. Its glass-and-brick entrance and familiar neon marquee survive, keeping this old roadside coffee shop ready for another late-night appetite. 10-26
Pernicano's di Baffi (Demolished)
San Diego, CA Photo courtesy M.C. Morrissey
Some distinctive lettering helped Pernicano's di Baffi make its presence known in San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood. Take a look at the restaurant, then move in for a closer peek at the marquee. There was a little personality here before the pasta ever reached the table.
Behind the restaurant was George Pernicano, also known for his ownership interest in the San Diego Chargers. Along with the adjoining Casa di Baffi steakhouse, the place offered a choice for anyone heading out for dinner. Pasta or steak? At least that decision could wait until after a look at the sign.
The restaurants closed in 1985, but the buildings stayed behind for decades. The old lettering became a reminder of a dining spot that wasn't taking any more orders. From the street, there was still something to photograph, even if heading inside for a meal was out of the question.
Pernicano's di Baffi (Closed)
San Diego, CA Photo courtesy M.C. Morrissey
As Hillcrest changed around it, the shuttered property remained a familiar sight. Plans and possible sales came and went while the doors stayed closed. Anyone waiting for another dinner at Pernicano's had a much longer wait than expected.
UPDATE: The Pernicano's di Baffi has been closed for many years. Many thanks to Bjorn Palenius for update. 02-08
UPDATE: The former restaurant buildings have been demolished, and the marquee has been removed. The property was sold and cleared for mixed-use redevelopment, bringing an end to the old restaurants' long stay along Sixth Avenue. 10-26
El
Galeon (Gone)
Escondido, CA Photo courtesy Ken Lux
Take a look up at the rooftop marquee at El Galeon in Escondido. The angled sign gave this family restaurant something extra to catch the eye along West Mission Avenue. No need to keep every part of the roadside welcome down at street level. 05-05
The Mexican restaurant served the neighborhood for more than three decades. Customers had a meal to look forward to inside, while sign hunters could find something worth a stop without getting much farther than the parking lot.
UPDATE: El Galeon has closed, and the restaurant building and rooftop marquee have been removed. The property was cleared for redevelopment. 10-26
Mister A's
Limehouse Restaurant (Demolished)
Pernicano's di Baffi (Demolished)
Pernicano's di Baffi (Closed)
El
Galeon (Gone)
