The longtime sports bar and burger restaurant at 100 Orange Avenue near the Coronado Ferry Landing has been closed for the past several weeks as ownership quietly undertakes a major renovation and reinvention of the business. Because Yelp now lists the restaurant as closed, the doors remain shuttered, and the restaurant's social media accounts have fallen silent, many customers have assumed the business had permanently ceased operations.
Perhaps the strangest part is how the story unfolded. Rather than announcing any plans for closure, Nicky Rottens' final Facebook and Instagram posts, published on May 11, encouraged entrepreneurs to franchise the restaurant.
"Want to bring Nicky Rottens to your hometown?" the post asked, directing interested investors to contact the company for franchise opportunities.
Less than a month later, the restaurant closed its doors without explanation, fueling widespread speculation throughout Coronado. The silence has fueled speculation throughout Coronado. In local community forums, residents have questioned whether the restaurant is permanently closed, being remodeled, sold, or preparing for an entirely new concept. Others pointed to inconsistent service or soaring menu prices, while some believed renovations were underway despite little visible activity inside the building.
Following publication of this story, owner Simon Guindi told SanDiegoVille the closure is temporary and part of a larger effort to completely reinvent the restaurant. Just three months ago, owner Simon Guindi was telling the Coronado City Council he had ambitious plans, not to close the restaurant, but to reinvent it.
Guindi said he had recently returned to Coronado after living in New York City and, when he purchased the restaurant, was unaware of the reputation Nicky Rottens had developed over the years. While he initially viewed it as a fun neighborhood establishment, he said he quickly realized rebuilding public trust would take time.
Appearing before the Coronado City Council in March, Guindi said he was seeking equal treatment and clear guidance from the City as he prepared to invest in the business.
"I have plans to change the concept of Nicky Rottens into a new, family-friendly sports bar and restaurant," Guindi told councilmembers, explaining that several unanswered questions from the City were affecting future business decisions.
The issue centered around a parking agreement dating back to 2012. When Nicky Rottens expanded into an adjacent 500-square-foot space, the City approved the additional seating on the condition that the restaurant permanently maintain five off-site parking spaces behind Coronado Hardware.
Guindi argued that California Assembly Bill 2097, which eliminated many minimum parking requirements near major public transit, should exempt Nicky Rottens from the agreement because of its proximity to the Coronado Ferry Landing.
Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey appeared on behalf of the restaurant, arguing the City was incorrectly interpreting state law and urging officials to release the business from the parking obligation.
City staff disagreed, concluding that the legislation applied only to qualifying new development projects, not an existing restaurant operating under a long-standing agreement. The City Council unanimously sided with staff.
"We're looking at one thing: Is this a new development? And it's not," Councilmember Kelly Purvis said during the hearing. "It's been there for over a decade. We have a deal."
Councilmember Carrie Anne Downey likewise said she did not believe Guindi's proposed changes constituted a new use that would qualify for relief under state law. The appeal was denied. According to Guindi, however, the vision has remained consistent. He told SanDiegoVille that for the past three years ownership has been working toward creating "a completely new atmosphere and experience," adding that the current closure is intended to allow the team to transform the space into "a place our friends and neighbors can truly enjoy."
For longtime Coronado residents, Nicky Rottens has rarely been just another burger restaurant. Almost from the day it opened in 2011 inside the former Island Saloon building, the business found itself at the center of neighborhood controversy.
Residents objected to noise, late-night activity, alcohol service, patio operations, parking, security concerns, and expansion plans. The City imposed extensive operating conditions that required windows to remain closed after 10pm, limited outdoor seating, required security patrols during late-night hours, prohibited televisions outside, regulated live entertainment, and tied future expansion to off-site parking agreements.
The relationship between the restaurant and the City deteriorated rapidly. In 2012, then-owners filed a $5 million federal lawsuit against the City of Coronado and then-City Manager Blair King, alleging unequal treatment, constitutional violations, and civil-rights violations. The complaint argued Nicky Rottens had been subjected to restrictions and conditions not imposed on other nearby restaurants.
That same year, tensions between ownership and neighboring residents spilled into public view after a confrontation outside the restaurant generated headlines across San Diego. The dispute led to allegations involving anti-Semitic and homophobic slurs, dueling accusations between those involved, police reports, and restraining orders issued against former owner Nick Tomasello and his father following a separate confrontation with a neighboring property owner. Criminal charges were ultimately not filed, but the incidents became emblematic of the contentious atmosphere surrounding the restaurant during its early years.
Many newer San Diegans may not realize Nicky Rottens was once envisioned as a growing local restaurant brand. Originally founded by Nick Tomasello, the concept expanded beyond downtown San Diego into Coronado before opening a third location in Rancho San Diego in 2014.
Not long afterward, Tomasello and his business partner split. The downtown and Coronado restaurants continued under separate ownership while Tomasello retained Rancho San Diego. The downtown restaurant was eventually rebranded into 1919 Sports Bar before later becoming El Chingon and Havana 1920.
In 2018, Tomasello closed the Rancho San Diego restaurant after its lease expired, thanking customers for five years of support and noting that the independently owned Coronado location would continue operating. That left Coronado as the final remaining Nicky Rottens. If the current closure proves to be permanent, it would mark the end of the once-growing San Diego restaurant brand.
The timing of the temporary closure nonetheless remains unusual. As recently as March, ownership was publicly discussing investment and reinvention before the Coronado City Council. In May, the restaurant was advertising franchise opportunities and inviting entrepreneurs to expand the brand. Only weeks later, the flagship location closed for renovations without any public announcement, creating the impression among many residents that the business had quietly failed.
Guindi says the restaurant has not permanently closed and instead is undergoing a significant renovation and conceptual overhaul. He described the project as an effort to leave behind much of the restaurant's turbulent past and create a more welcoming neighborhood destination. While he declined to provide a reopening timeline, he said customers will be "pleasantly surprised" by what is coming and invited the community to return once the transformation is complete.
In a statement to SanDiegoVille following publication, Guindi said: "We're really excited to be making the space nicer and creating a place our friends and neighbors can truly enjoy." He added that the team has spent the past three years working to change both the atmosphere and reputation of the restaurant and hopes longtime residents will give the reinvented Nicky Rottens another chance when it reopens.
Originally published on June 26, 2026.
Appearing before the Coronado City Council in March, Guindi said he was seeking equal treatment and clear guidance from the City as he prepared to invest in the business.
"I have plans to change the concept of Nicky Rottens into a new, family-friendly sports bar and restaurant," Guindi told councilmembers, explaining that several unanswered questions from the City were affecting future business decisions.
The issue centered around a parking agreement dating back to 2012. When Nicky Rottens expanded into an adjacent 500-square-foot space, the City approved the additional seating on the condition that the restaurant permanently maintain five off-site parking spaces behind Coronado Hardware.
Guindi argued that California Assembly Bill 2097, which eliminated many minimum parking requirements near major public transit, should exempt Nicky Rottens from the agreement because of its proximity to the Coronado Ferry Landing.
Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey appeared on behalf of the restaurant, arguing the City was incorrectly interpreting state law and urging officials to release the business from the parking obligation.
City staff disagreed, concluding that the legislation applied only to qualifying new development projects, not an existing restaurant operating under a long-standing agreement. The City Council unanimously sided with staff.
"We're looking at one thing: Is this a new development? And it's not," Councilmember Kelly Purvis said during the hearing. "It's been there for over a decade. We have a deal."
Councilmember Carrie Anne Downey likewise said she did not believe Guindi's proposed changes constituted a new use that would qualify for relief under state law. The appeal was denied. According to Guindi, however, the vision has remained consistent. He told SanDiegoVille that for the past three years ownership has been working toward creating "a completely new atmosphere and experience," adding that the current closure is intended to allow the team to transform the space into "a place our friends and neighbors can truly enjoy."
For longtime Coronado residents, Nicky Rottens has rarely been just another burger restaurant. Almost from the day it opened in 2011 inside the former Island Saloon building, the business found itself at the center of neighborhood controversy.
Residents objected to noise, late-night activity, alcohol service, patio operations, parking, security concerns, and expansion plans. The City imposed extensive operating conditions that required windows to remain closed after 10pm, limited outdoor seating, required security patrols during late-night hours, prohibited televisions outside, regulated live entertainment, and tied future expansion to off-site parking agreements.
The relationship between the restaurant and the City deteriorated rapidly. In 2012, then-owners filed a $5 million federal lawsuit against the City of Coronado and then-City Manager Blair King, alleging unequal treatment, constitutional violations, and civil-rights violations. The complaint argued Nicky Rottens had been subjected to restrictions and conditions not imposed on other nearby restaurants.
That same year, tensions between ownership and neighboring residents spilled into public view after a confrontation outside the restaurant generated headlines across San Diego. The dispute led to allegations involving anti-Semitic and homophobic slurs, dueling accusations between those involved, police reports, and restraining orders issued against former owner Nick Tomasello and his father following a separate confrontation with a neighboring property owner. Criminal charges were ultimately not filed, but the incidents became emblematic of the contentious atmosphere surrounding the restaurant during its early years.
Many newer San Diegans may not realize Nicky Rottens was once envisioned as a growing local restaurant brand. Originally founded by Nick Tomasello, the concept expanded beyond downtown San Diego into Coronado before opening a third location in Rancho San Diego in 2014.
Not long afterward, Tomasello and his business partner split. The downtown and Coronado restaurants continued under separate ownership while Tomasello retained Rancho San Diego. The downtown restaurant was eventually rebranded into 1919 Sports Bar before later becoming El Chingon and Havana 1920.
In 2018, Tomasello closed the Rancho San Diego restaurant after its lease expired, thanking customers for five years of support and noting that the independently owned Coronado location would continue operating. That left Coronado as the final remaining Nicky Rottens. If the current closure proves to be permanent, it would mark the end of the once-growing San Diego restaurant brand.
The timing of the temporary closure nonetheless remains unusual. As recently as March, ownership was publicly discussing investment and reinvention before the Coronado City Council. In May, the restaurant was advertising franchise opportunities and inviting entrepreneurs to expand the brand. Only weeks later, the flagship location closed for renovations without any public announcement, creating the impression among many residents that the business had quietly failed.
Guindi says the restaurant has not permanently closed and instead is undergoing a significant renovation and conceptual overhaul. He described the project as an effort to leave behind much of the restaurant's turbulent past and create a more welcoming neighborhood destination. While he declined to provide a reopening timeline, he said customers will be "pleasantly surprised" by what is coming and invited the community to return once the transformation is complete.
In a statement to SanDiegoVille following publication, Guindi said: "We're really excited to be making the space nicer and creating a place our friends and neighbors can truly enjoy." He added that the team has spent the past three years working to change both the atmosphere and reputation of the restaurant and hopes longtime residents will give the reinvented Nicky Rottens another chance when it reopens.
"To clear up any rumors: ownership won't change, we are just doing some minor upgrades to the place that needed much love after 15 years of thousands of people stopping by," Guindi said in an email to SanDiegoVille. "I am working to do this as promptly as possible, hoping to catch the last summer wave of visitors, but my main focus is to cater to the locals. We want to make this the most neighborhood-friendly spot possible, attending to the needs of my fellow friends and neighbors while continuing to build the beautiful community we already have here."
Nicky Rottens is located at 100 Orange Avenue in Coronado. For more information, visit nickyrottensoncoronado.com.
Originally published on June 26, 2026.
