Sonny's Pizza & Pasta   

You may notice a crowd gathering outside this San Clemente favorite. The eponymous Sonny makes all of his restaurant's sauces from original family recipes. Family members run the restaurant, which boasts 'Lady and the Tramp'-style red-and-white checkered tablecloths, a fine wine list and a breezy patio. Offering thin and crispy crusts, some of the pizza specialties include Sonny's Roman Orgy (onions, green peppers, mushrooms, black olives, salami, sausage and pepperoni) and Pizza Romana (fresh basil, garlic, sliced chicken breast and fresh tomato). These are pies worth taking a few elbows for as you jockey for the widest slice. Sonny's also boasts theme nights (Monday is spaghetti night), dishes up a mean meatball sub, and serves traditional specialties such as chicken parmigiana, stuffed eggplant and cannolli. -- Victoria Namkung