Nicky Rottens, San Diego

John Gotti and other Italian mobsters stand immortalized on the walls of the long, narrow bar with large windows that open to reveal seating on Fifth Avenue. Burgers and booze are served at the handful of tall tables, and Nick--aka Nicky Rotten--is always either at the door or behind the bar chatting up the regulars. The service and bar staffs could easily all be his cousins, as the vibe is unmistakably "in the family."