OUR HISTORY

22nd St. Landing Seafood Grill and Bar was built in 1989 and opened for business on June 5, 1990. Dick Mannila, a USMC Vietnam veteran, developed the Landing property and owned and operated the restaurant until his death on October 23, 2019. The restaurant is currently owned and operated by Dick’s immediate family members.

Dick was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for Valor and a Purple Heart before medically retiring from the USMC as a Major in 1969. After returning from Vietnam, Dick began a career as a developer and restauranteur. He built restaurants around the nation as a partner in Borel Restaurant Corporation, which eventually grew to 31 restaurants doing business as The Rusty Scupper, Borel's and Nightwatch. The restaurants were sold to Nestle Food Company in 1978.

The land where 22nd St. Landing Seafood Grill & Bar is situated was formerly leased by World War II hero Frank Hall, who served as a bomber pilot flying B-17's over Germany. He was shot down three times and miraculously escaped from the Germans each time. After the war, Frank ran a fishing boat called Sharpshooter and in 1963 he bought the original Skipper's 22nd Street Landing, which was founded in 1938 (coincidentally the year Dick Mannila was born). Frank operated Skipper's out of two trailers next to a fast-food stand called Googie's. Both businesses shared a common dirt parking lot and were very successful in spite of the simple setting.

In 1986, the Port of Los Angeles informed Frank that in order for him to renew his lease, he would be required to construct a 16,000-square-foot commercial building on the site, which would include a large restaurant. Dick was hired to develop the project, and signed a lease to operate the restaurant on the top floor.

For over thirty years, 22nd St. Landing Seafood Grill & Bar has provided appetizing meals, great service, and exciting waterfront views to the residents and visitors of San Pedro. It has hosted weddings, rehearsal dinners, baby showers, birthday and anniversary celebrations, graduation parties, first communion and confirmation celebrations. Incredible friendships have been forged here. Many children who enjoyed watching the sea life while eating at the restaurant became hostesses and food servers because they felt at home in the restaurant. We hope to continue to provide wonderful memories to our guests for years to come.