Vincent DePhilippis was born in New York, but spent his youth in Naples, Italy. After returning to New York at 18, Vincent met Madeleine Manfredi. They settled in Westchester, Pa. after marrying in 1925. In 1947, the two moved to San Diego, and three years later, the pair opened Cash & Carry Italian Foods on India Street.
Cash & Carry Italian Foods eventually became a part of the family’s first restaurant location of Filippi’s Pizza Grotto. It is still a bustling and successful pizza place in Little Italy, with both the original market and a restaurant attached.
With all 15 locations owned and operated by original family members of the founders, Filippi’s has proven itself to be the pizza spot of San Diego.
“Quality, affordability, and quantity, along with the family atmosphere,” is what makes Filippi’s stand out from other pizza joints, in Karen DePhilippis’ opinion. Karen serves as the owner of several Filippi’s, including the Pacific Beach location.
What made PB an attractive market to the family? One of the original sons, Richard DePhillippis, wanted to expand the restaurants in the 1960s. His schoolmate was in real estate, and had a vacant spot open up in Pacific Beach. The lot was originally just the right side, and when the insurance office on the left went out of business, that side also became a part of Filippi’s.
This year marks 50 years since the opening of Filippi’s on Garnet. Karen says her favorite things on the menu are “the pizza and the lasagna. The lasagna is her mother’s original recipe, and it’s what Filippi’s started with,” she says.
Karen says she enjoys being part of the pizza empire her family has built for the simple reason that it’s all about the family. “We watch after all of our employees like they’re our brothers and sisters, too. It’s all about family here,” Karen said.
Filippi’s has also been involved in the PB community, sponsoring a number of youth sports teams in various leagues throughout the years.
To celebrate its 50 years in Pacific Beach, Filippi’s just unveiled a new lunch special menu, as well as a value punch card.
Valid Mondays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Filippi’s offers 10-inch pizza specials, half sandwich and soup or salad combos, and signature red-sauce Italian staples.
Their standard menu consists of a variety of salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, wines, beers, and desserts. From linguini with clams and endless pizza options, to eggplant parmigiana and delicious antipasto, Filippi’s has something for every Italian craving.
Go grab a slice and celebrate the family-owned business’ 50 years in PB! Filippi’s Pizza Grotto Where: 962 Garnet Ave.
Info: realcheesepizza.com, 858-483-6222.
