Catherine “Mama” Ghio had a dream. She would start a restaurant featuring the same seafood that her family and friends loved so much when she cooked it at home. Working with her two sons, Anthony and Tod, and her son-in-law, Roy Weber, she realized her dreams, and opened our first location on July 18, 1946. The little café was located at 965 West Harbor Drive, in San Diego, and seated just 18 people. It offered many of the same items that we still proudly feature on our menus today. Mama prepared her sauces and chowder, Tod cut the fresh fish portions, Roy cooked them, and Anthony took care of the front of the house.

In 1954, we began operation of our own wholesale fish market, known as Ghio Seafood Products, in order to insure the quality and availability of our products. The Ghio Seafood operation not only buys fish directly from the local fishermen, who deliver it to us fresh daily, but also buys other types of seafood from all over the world. All seafood items served in our restaurants are stored, processed, and portion-controlled at Ghio Seafood.

In January, 1961, Anthony, Tod, and Roy built and opened a third restaurant on a spring fed lake in a natural setting in La Mesa, located at 9530 Murray Drive. Then, in June, 1966, the Anthony’s San Diego Grotto moved to its current location that was built on pilings over San Diego Bay on Harbor Drive at the foot of Ash Street.

In the same building, we opened our award-winning Star of the Sea in July, 1966. The Star of the Sea was San Diego’s first seafood gourmet dining room, with elegant cart service. The Star of the Sea was closed in 2006, and reopened to better serve our community as a special event center. With spectacular views of San Diego Bay, The Star of the Sea Event Center is San Diego’s premier location for any special occasion.

In August, 1971, the gift shop at the San Diego location was closed and the area remodeled to make way for the Fishette, a quick service seafood shop.

In November, 1974, Anthony’s built and opened a fourth restaurant, Anthony’s Fish Grotto of Chula Vista, at the I-5 and E Street in Chula Vista.

During the mid-1980’s, the company began a transition, as our original founders retired, and the next generation took over leadership. Anthony’s son Rick, Tod’s son Craig, and Roy’s daughter Beverly (Mascari) now oversee all facets of the company.

Anthony’s is grateful to providing service to San Diego for over 60 years, and we look forward to continue to serve the next generations.