About Us

Antonucci's Restaurant was established in 1976 and has called Mission Viejo home since 1986.  For 42 years Antonucci's has taken pride in providing incredible food, great service, and a friendly atmosphere to our loyal customers.  We take great pride in the Traditional Italian food served and have been "rated as one of The Best Italian / Seafood Restaurants in Saddleback Valley"   

The Canori Story   

How I got here:  I was fortunate enough to have graduated from Franciscan University (Steubenville, Ohio) in three and a half years.  Not long after - in January 1975 - my wife, child and I moved to Southern California.  After six weeks I secured a job with Clairol Haircare Division.    I remained in the corporate world for 30 years, but the more successful I became the more I was asked to travel.  It became too much.  Finally, I decided that I wanted to fulfill my lifetime dream of owning an Italian restaurant.  So, on June 1, 2001, I bought an existing restaurant named Antonucci's Italian Seafood.  Both my parents were Italian immigrants.  My father worked for Pietro DiNovo & Sons as a mechanic; my mother was a cook at Ohio Valley Hospital. My mother always wanted to own an Italian restaurant, so I was fulfilling her dream as well as mine.   

What I love most about owning a restaurant 

Seeing people and watching them enjoy a special evening.  The children also make the place very special.  Over the years, I've gotten to see them go from newborns to grade school or watch them grow to be young adults all dressed up and going to the prom after a meal at Antonucci's.