2012—today

Food History

A dated, source-linked record of meals in San Diego and around the world—preserving old favorites without pretending every old opinion is still current.

The newer notebook

2024–2026

Existing visit records. Estimated months are labeled; exact days are not inferred. Older written reviews live in Roger’s Reviews.

2026-08 · approximate

Waverly

Food and service were both rated four out of five.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea · Recorded visit

Read notes →2026-07 · approximate

Le Petit Chef — San Diego

Roger's Google review gave the experience three stars and showed a steak-and-fries course. The photograph is dated July 2026; Google displayed the review as one month old on September 16, 2026.

Gaslamp Quarter · Recorded visit

Read notes →2026-02-06

PT Eatery

Roger said everything here is made fresh rather than pulled from frozen stock, including coffee brewed to order. He called out the com tam and bun thit nuong as strong versions of Viet-joint staples, named the wings among the only ones worth ordering at an Asian restaurant in town (alongside Phuong Trang), and suggested going as a group to share more of the menu.

Kearny Mesa · Historical visit

Read notes →2026-01 · approximate

M.O.M Kitchen

Baked pork chop rice and wontons were documented with the visit.

Clairemont · Recorded visit

Read notes →2025-08-30

Wah Tak Metropolitan

Roger described it as covering everything found in a Chinese household — herbal remedies, dried seafood like scallop and abalone, dried mushrooms, nostalgic sodas and other drinks from Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan, and whole-leaf teas to brew at home. He noted it's tucked in a low-key warehouse just west of Convoy with irregular weekday hours, but reliably open after 10am on weekends.

Kearny Mesa · Historical visit

Read notes →2025-08-23

TP Tea — San Diego

A separate, later Yelp review distinct from the earlier Google Maps note: Roger called out real tea leaves over premade powder mixes, said it's a good addition to the west Clairemont/Bay Ho area, and praised knowledgeable staff.

Clairemont · Recorded visit

Read notes →2025-03-11

Teriyaki Grill

Five stars for food, service and atmosphere. Roger praised the fresh-to-order cooking, attentive service and curry chicken wings, and said the wait for dishes made to order is always worth it. Originally recorded from Roger's Google Maps profile with only an inferred 2025 date -- corrected once the same review (with photos) was found on Yelp, dated and sourced exactly.

Third Avenue · Recorded visit

Read notes →2025-02-18

YOHED Coffee

Five stars for food, service and atmosphere. Roger called it legit small-batch coffee, roasted in-house from beans imported from Ethiopia, and singled out the welcome from Dave behind the counter. Originally recorded from Roger's Google Maps profile with only an inferred 2025 date -- corrected once the same review (with photos) was found on Yelp, dated and sourced exactly.

City Heights · Recorded visit

Read notes →2025-02-15

Yakitori Hino

Roger said he was baffled by the shop's good reviews, calling the skewers undercooked and the kushikatsu batter foul-smelling. He said his entire group got sick from the meal and were left without toilet paper in what he called an unhygienic restroom.

Kearny Mesa · Historical visit

Read notes →2025-01-24

The Grillery

Five stars for food, service and atmosphere. Roger praised the made-to-order cooking, generous portions and well-seasoned food, and said you won’t be disappointed dining in or taking out. Originally recorded from Roger's Google Maps profile with only an inferred 2025 date -- corrected once the same review (with photos) was found on Yelp, dated and sourced exactly.

Poway · Recorded visit

Read notes →2025-01-15

Cigar Cave

Roger called Raul the friendliest cigar bar owner in town and praised the spot's ability to pair newcomers with a cigar they'll like, plus a well-run humidor system. He highlighted the late hours — open until midnight on weekdays and 2am on weekends — and a strong beer selection, especially Belgian beers on tap or bottle. An earlier review of his also mentioned a pool table and ample outdoor seating.

Hillcrest · Historical visit

Read notes →2025-01-15

Liberty Tobacco

Roger recommended Liberty Tobacco as a chill, unpretentious spot to smoke a cigar, citing a well-stocked humidor of top-rated cigars, good prices, well-aged stock and ample seating.

Kearny Mesa · Historical visit

Read notes →2025-01-04

Diamond Palace

Roger praised the all-day dim sum, banquet-style Cantonese white-tablecloth service, and attentive staff who kept the tea pot filled.

Rolando · Historical visit

Read notes →2025

Robataya Oton

Food and service both received top marks in the original review.

Convoy · Recorded visit

Read notes →2025

TP Tea — San Diego

The original note praised its use of real tea leaves.

Clairemont · Recorded visit

Read notes →2024-12-18

MoMo Paradise

Roger praised the online booking system for being accurate and easy, with ample seating and multiple broth choices. He said he consistently orders the sukiyaki because it pairs well with the restaurant's fatty meats, especially kurobuta pork, and noted a self-serve veggie bar (fish balls, tofu, enoki mushroom) and a 20% senior discount.

Mira Mesa · Historical visit

Read notes →2024-12-18

Monarch Ocean Pub

Roger began a review of this Del Mar ocean-view pub with "This is a great spot right off..." before the draft cuts off. (From an unpublished Yelp draft review, never posted publicly, with no star rating set — kept as a note rather than a quoted written review, since the site's reviews listing pairs every quote with a star rating.)

Del Mar · Historical visit

Read notes →2024-11-15

Citizen Brewers

The draft cuts off mid-sentence after 'With so many breweries in SD i' — Roger's full comparison to San Diego's crowded brewery scene wasn't saved. (From an unpublished Yelp draft review, never posted publicly.)

Grantville · Historical visit

Read notes →2024-11-14

Juewei Food

Reviewing during opening week, Roger welcomed the newcomer to the Convoy strip and said he drove over specifically craving stinky tofu, which arrived made to order with a perfect crisp and paired well with the extra-spicy ma-la sauce. He also called out a range of offal options — duck head, pig ears — across multiple spice levels, and said the squid was well marinated.

Kearny Mesa · Historical visit

Read notes →2024-08-01

Hongyuan Kebab

Roger compared the Korean-Chinese style skewers favorably to Feng Mao in LA, calling this Convoy District spot pretty close to that experience. (From an unpublished Yelp draft review, never posted publicly.)

Convoy · Historical visit

Read notes →2024-01-09

Afghani Food International Market & Restaurant

Roger called it the spot for legit Afghani food, noting it's a low-key place away from the busy plazas. (From an unpublished Yelp draft review, never posted publicly.)

Clairemont · Historical visit

Read notes →2024-01-04

Churchill Cigar Lounge

Roger called it the best cigar lounge in town, praising Glen's cigar pairings, the humidor system, and the option to grab coffee or wine/beer while smoking.

Old Town · Historical visit

Read notes →2024