Cigo's restaurant in San Pedro

There was a gem of a restaurant in San Pedro during the 60s and 70s called Cigo's. Yugoslavian themed but their speciality was fresh fish. No ones ever topped their cioppino for me. They had dishes no one else had and still doesn't. How many restaurants serve fried anchovies these days? Who ever served albalone chips?

One time I ordered the fresh mackrel. It came as two whole fish and it was wonderful. No one ever has that on a fish menu.

A nice guy named Emmett ran it duing the 70s then a nice woman took it over and kept it the same. Finally became of all things a sports bar that folded almost instantly.

What a shame it was to see that beautiful original decor get gutted for what ended up being 20 years of sitting empty. The rear banquet rooms (open to rest of restaurant) had hand painted murals of the old country. If you were first or second genneration European you felt especially at home.

I wonder if something like that could ever be brought back? Better yet I wonder if anyone has any of their old recipes? Even the blue cheese dressing for the iceberg salad was special -- a little on the thin side, pungent and garlicky. Every order came with an antipasto appetizer of sliced salami, sliced provalone, garbanzo beans in an italian dressing.

Anyway I know I can't be the only chowhound who has been to Cigo's. Would appreciate any rememberances and stories about their history. When did they open and finally close? Who were the owners?