Inspired by the birth of his daughter, Sophia, Peter Spoto wanted to build something for his family. Working nights at a fine dining establishment in Clayton and renovating the Old Pearl and Ray’s Diner by day, Peter envisioned a ‘Place for Everyone,’ an affordable restaurant where all people could feel welcome. Peter opened South City Diner on August 26, 1992 with the help and faith of his parents. Hospitality is in Peter’s blood. Visitors to his boyhood home would not be allowed to leave without his Italian mother insisting they eat something. Growing up in the 1960s.
Peter got his training cooking for large groups during a three year stint in Alaska, preparing meals for a 200-man pipeline crew. His heritage, mixed in with his experience as a waiter and a cook, produced South City Diner. This fun and friendly place has been growing ever since. In 2003, the diner was expanded into the old Dickmann’s Boulevard Bakery, nearly tripling the seating and adding a patio on Hartford avenue. Also in 2009 Peter was asked by the Fox Theatre if he would be interested in opening a location in their space adjoining the Fox Theatre and in the summer of 2010 a second location was established, City Diner at the Fox. City Diner has remained true to Peter’s dream of an all-inclusive restaurant, which blended the commitment to excellence he found in fine dining with the simple, good food he made for the crew in Alaska.