Travel Eats
San Diego comes first, but the appetite travels. These are Roger’s own dated photos from road trips and stretches abroad — dumpling lines in Shanghai, a Teochew family dinner in Guangzhou, Japadog in Vancouver, a $3.95 steak in Las Vegas — grouped by country and city.
These are historical records, not current guides. Dates come from Flickr and follow its recorded day, which for trips abroad can differ from the local date by a day. Restaurants named here may have changed or closed.
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From Roger’s 2012–2014 photo archiveTravel Eats · China · Food History
A family weekend across the border from Hong Kong — a Teochew dinner Roger called his people’s cuisine, full Cantonese tables in Guangzhou, Yunnan food in Shenzhen and a decades-old bargaining ritual in Luohu.
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From Roger’s 2012–2014 photo archiveTravel Eats · Hong Kong · Food History
Before the September diary there was a summer: a Tokyo stopover, Michelin dim sum that lived up to it, a ramen queue finally beaten, yum cha during a Signal No. 8 and the breakfast spot Roger called a favorite.
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From Roger’s 2012–2014 photo archiveTravel Eats · New York City · Food History
A winter trip that mixed famous names — Doughnut Plant, Carmine’s, Max Brenner — with fishball noodles in Chinatown, a French bistro in the Village and a Cuban dinner uptown.
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From Roger’s 2012–2014 photo archiveTravel Eats · Pacific Northwest · Food History
A week in the Pacific Northwest, eaten in order: a Brussels waffle, a bison burger with a local IPA, smoked salmon Benedict, Laotian curry, Pike Place classics and the Vancouver hot dog Roger never skipped.
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From Roger’s 2012–2014 photo archiveTravel Eats · San Francisco · Food History
A cha chaan teng breakfast, late-night boat noodles, carbonara on a Sausalito bike ride, oysters from four regions and a crème brûlée cart on Market Street.
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From Roger’s 2012–2014 photo archiveTravel Eats · Southern California · Food History
The $3.95 late-night steak at South Point, a 40-something-ounce ribeye at Pechanga, Northern Thai in Las Vegas, Roscoe’s in Long Beach and a Gordon Ramsay burger that did not deliver.
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From Roger’s 2012–2014 photo archiveTravel Eats · Cambodia · Food History
Roadside noodles in Phnom Penh, a bánh mì chased down on a bicycle and three meals picked by the locals who drove them — plus one very San Diego taco test.
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From Roger’s 2012–2014 photo archiveTravel Eats · Shanghai · Food History
Wood-fired Peking duck, a local craft brewery, a late dessert stop and back-to-back queues for soup dumplings — plus a first bowl of Lanzhou noodles in Guangzhou.
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From Roger’s 2012–2014 photo archiveTravel Eats · Hong Kong · Food History
After the September travel posts, Roger’s Hong Kong camera roll turns local: a Michelin-starred dim sum line, a spicy chicken pot, a dai pai dong under tarps and the roast-meat shop his grandmother used to buy from.
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From Roger’s 2012–2014 photo archiveTravel Eats · Hong Kong · Food History
Soup dumplings twice, dark beer and peanuts, a 118th-floor nightcap and a side trip to Phnom Penh — one month of Roger’s travel eating, in the order the photos were taken.
Read storyFrom Roger’s Google Maps reviews
Places outside San Diego County that Roger wrote up, from Portland and Vancouver to Mexico City and Hong Kong. Each card shows its current status.
A late-night ramen stop in Manhattan’s East Village, known to Roger from its LA locations, where the wagyu ramen burger was the order.
A San Gabriel Valley ice cream institution where Roger said he has never been disappointed by a flavor.
A cash-only Lincoln Heights spot Roger said to visit for menudo and birria in massive portions.
A hyped Koreatown donut shop: great presentation and fun concoctions, but donuts Roger found just so-so.
Decent late-night hotpot with a last call of 12:45 a.m.; Roger’s order was half spicy, half rejuvenation broth.
The first meal of a winter Portland trip: mussels good enough to drench fries in and a lamb burger with goat cheese, for about $30.
A tea-based spirits distillery where every tasting impressed Roger; the smoke tea spirit went into his Old Fashioned at home.
A Vancouver brewery Roger found by U-turn, drawn in by the slanted sign, and stayed for a flight of sours.
A single-set-menu steak frites house in SoHo: not the best steak around, in Roger’s words, but good value with bottomless fries.
Roger’s Asian-food break in Mexico City: yakitori as good as a proper izakaya, heavenly seared toro and a boozy Thai tea.
Roger called this a legit omakase experience at the sushi bar, with a knowledgeable, conversational chef, live sweet shrimp served raw right after shelling, and reasonable prices for the freshness and service.
Roger stopped at this cozy cafe across from the Revolution Monument for espresso drinks and regional cocoa (hot or frappe), and picked up cocoa mix to take home.
Now closed. A modern Cantonese restaurant in Central that Roger found more cocktail lounge than traditional yum cha, built around an AYCE brunch menu with standout baby octopus.
An Australian brewery's Kennedy Town taproom, unusually massive by Hong Kong standards, with an experimental range from amber ale to Belgian-style sours.
A Mong Kok craft beer bar Roger stumbled onto while looking for dessert, packed even on a weeknight with knowledgeable, fairly priced pours.
An Omotesando whisky bar Roger compared favorably to Whiskey Library in Portland, with a global whisky selection and cocktails worth ordering.
An Osaka themed cafe where a 1500-yen entry fee buys about 50 minutes with friendly owls, plus a drink, though petting is limited to their beaks.
A cash-only Koreatown Thai spot Roger visited with a large group on a Saturday reservation, built around sticky rice, seared BBQ pork, and raw shrimp.
A Mid-City taco truck serving TJ-style tacos on flour tortillas, with meats Roger called just okay and unlimited horchata refills.
An Arts District cocktail bar and beer garden with a chill outdoor setup, food truck options, and a cognac-based Evil Evil Monkey cocktail Roger called out by name.
A Sawtelle outpost of the crepe-cake chain, worth the 30-minute-to-hour wait for Roger, with the green tea matcha cake as his pick.
A Wayne, New Jersey sushi spot Roger recommends for a sushi boat with fresh uni, best enjoyed on the patio for the river view.
An Edinburg, Texas dessert and wine lounge Roger found welcoming, with a good variety of wine and other beverages.
An Irvine location of the same Taiwanese dessert chain that Roger found mediocre and unkept, with unfinished bowls left out and an upcharge for extra creamer.
A Venice sushi bar Roger found pretentious and underwhelming, with four terribly made cocktails and spicy tuna that tasted spoiled.
A late-night Zona Centro taco stand near the border crossing that Roger praised for patient service and cheap, steady street tacos.
A Yuen Long hole-in-the-wall Roger liked for customizable rice noodle rolls, properly brewed five-flower tea and fresh warm soy milk.
A long-running Causeway Bay cha chaan teng Roger found more reasonably priced and generously portioned than Tsui Wah, built around grilled set-meal platters.
A decades-old Hollywood Road sugarcane juice shop Roger was glad to see survive Soho's boutiques and bars, known for fresh-pressed juice and traditional herbal turtle jelly.
A spacious Central cafe Roger liked as a group hangout or low-key first date, though he rated the gelato just okay and the coffee merely serviceable.
A third-wave coffee shop tucked into Tai Kok Tsui where Roger got a knowledgeable pour-over and ice-drip tasting flight from the barista, calling it the hospitality Hong Kong coffee needs more of.
The Causeway Bay branch of the individual-booth tonkotsu chain, where Roger has been a regular since it opened in 2013 and still waits out the queue late into the night.
A Lan Kwai Fong two-floor concept Roger liked for its minimalist Prohibition-era cocktails upstairs (Lily) and food downstairs (Bloom), plus a cigar lounge for pairing a Cuban with whiskey.
A Prince Edward branch of the steamed milk pudding chain, less packed than Australian Dairy Company by Roger's account even if not quite as tasty.
A repeat Popotla stop Roger returns to for a local, less-touristy seafood meal, starting with complimentary rock crab legs and built around volcano and Diablo shrimp and fresh lobster.
A Rosemead Chiu Chow/Teo Chew noodle spot Roger recommends for the #3 kuey teow combo, Hainan chicken, and a beef stew noodle soup he called an orgasm for the taste buds.
A West End Malaysian spot Roger valued for filling a gap SoCal doesn't, with roti, char kuey teow, satay black cod and a mixed seafood curry.
A Garden Grove Vietnamese-French restaurant Roger praised for consistently great food at low prices, built around dishes like sticky rice chicken and garlic frog legs.
A Richmond, BC dumpling house Roger recommends for xiao long bao, pan-fried buns and drunken chicken, despite service that briefly lost track of their order.
A Fairhaven donut stop in Bellingham's old town district that Roger found well above average, especially its maple bacon donut and rotating monthly special.
The fancier of the Brodard locations in Garden Grove's Little Saigon, where Roger recommended the soft shell crab spring rolls, roasted duck salad and Banh Khot.
Roger's review is actually of Jeni's ice cream truck at the Arty Flea market in Glassell Park rather than this Los Feliz storefront (Yelp's brand listing for the area), praising the sweet cream and wildberry lavender flavors and the brand's grass-fed milk.
A Kerns neighborhood coffee bar in Portland Roger liked for its wide brewing selection and a coconut-milk Vietnamese coffee with a lemongrass finish.
The restaurant atop the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which Roger called an okay option if you're stuck up the mountain and hungry, though he found the seared ahi and salmon both just mediocre.
A nightlife strip in Tijuana's Zona Centro that Roger treats as a single night out rather than separate bars, singling out Tasca and Shot Factory for mezcal and a good mix of locals and visitors from the states.
A Miami Beach taco-and-cocktail spot Roger's group picked for its short wait during a packed weekend; drinks came fast but food took nearly an hour with some items forgotten, and the tacos themselves were just mediocre, though a manager comped a chunk of the bill.
A hole-in-the-wall, cafeteria-style Cuban spot near South Beach that Roger found legit and worth the packed Friday-afternoon crowd.
A spacious, less-rowdy Nassau brewery with free wifi and a rotating stout/porter selection, good for a chill pour before heading back to the cruise ship.
A famous Caesars Palace buffet Roger found overrated for the price and wait, with underwhelming seafood but a genuinely great dessert spread.
A fast, efficient ramen shop Roger tried after Ramen Dojo's line ran too long, with a standout garlic lobster pork broth but a couple of misses on the sides.
A downtown San Jose gastropub where a bartender named Bobby made an off-menu 'stop light' shot flight and a well-built Old Fashioned before Roger even got to the food.
A tiny Avondale hole-in-the-wall Roger called damn good Southern eats, worth the long line even with barely a dozen indoor seats.
A longtime Jordan siu mei hole-in-the-wall Roger's grandmother used to bring him to as a kid, cheaper and better than other Cantonese BBQ spots in town.
A small, no-reservations Wan Chai tapas bar from a Michelin chef, best worked through with a group over truffle toast, bone marrow and soft shell crab.
The world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant, which Roger says lives up to the hype despite no-frills decor and a long queue if you don't arrive early.
A Hollywood Road steakhouse Roger liked for American-sized cuts in a city of smaller steaks, with in-house-aged Wagyu and a well-built Fig & Cheese cocktail.
A reservation-worthy La Brea French restaurant and bakery Roger booked over a month out for, with standout duck pate, escargot, foie gras and a soufflé worth the wait.
A longtime Tsim Sha Tsui bar with a nightly house jazz band Roger's returned to for years, even though the greasy bar food itself is nothing special.
A Causeway Bay ramen counter with a shorter queue than Ichiran and a customizable-broth sheet, from the spicy Red King to the black-octopus-sauce Black King.
The mainland-China hotpot chain's US debut in Arcadia, with individual pots for each diner, top-notch service, and a tableside hand-pulled noodle show.
A Culver City pizza-and-pasta spot Roger liked for truffle pizza, guanciale-laced Spaghetti All'amatriciana and a hospitable staff that beat their own quoted wait.
A tiny, hard-to-find Koreatown counter Roger recommended for its OG ramen burger — greens, secret shoyu sauce and the patty — plus a solid veggie-patty swap and shaka shaka fries.
A speakeasy-themed Koreatown cocktail bar next door to Ramen Burger, where Roger found well-handcrafted whiskey cocktails but a packed, smoky patio and a crowd he called more K-Town than typical speakeasy hipster.
An indoor recreation of an old-school Hong Kong dai pai dong Roger said was decently done down to the faux-concrete floor, with a must-order plate of stir-fried salted black bean clams alongside clay pot rice.
A Downtown LA cocktail bar Roger and friends turned to as a reliable "plan B" whenever nearby Perch was too crowded, with quick drink service, live music and a big fish tank to Instagram next to.
An LKF-adjacent gastropub-style bar Roger liked for good-value crafted cocktails during happy hour, quick and attentive service, and a mac 'n cheese worth ordering even on a drinks-only visit.
The Ritz-Carlton's sky-high West Kowloon lounge, which Roger said is worth the steep prices for "drinking at the world's highest bar" and a better skyline view than Sky100, especially to impress out-of-town guests.
A SoHo craft-beer pub Roger called the best place in Hong Kong to find beers you can't get everywhere else, with quick seating and a menu detailed enough to note each beer's origin and ABV.
An East Hollywood brunch spot Roger loved for its brioche French toast and a well-built baked-egg skillet over grits, calling the roughly 20-minute no-reservations wait for a table of four not too bad at all.
The Peninsula's Shanghai-style jazz lounge, which Roger liked for live jazz, attentive service and a dim, date-friendly Art Deco room, though he found the cocktails overpriced and inconsistent outside the whiskey list.
A French bakery-cafe inside Harbour City Roger said gave Ladurée real competition, with macarons on par with bigger names, good bread and croissants, and a sit-down area he hadn't yet tried at review time.
A Causeway Bay sky lounge Roger called one of the best in the city to chill at, praising the whiskey selection and quick, attentive service in a room far less crowded than the typical LKF scene.
A no-English, all-local Tai Kok Tsui hotpot joint Roger says has massive portions, where honest servers will tell a table it's over-ordered.
One of Roger's essential Jordan cha chaan teng stops, hyped but worth it for the classic no-frills breakfast combo, brusquely efficient service, and milk and egg custards best eaten hot.
A SoHo craft-beer taproom Roger liked for a West Coast-heavy tap list (including San Diego brews) and Texas-style BBQ, visited on the night of its grand opening.
A tourist-trap brasserie by the Palais de Justice where a hungry, spontaneous stop turned into duck confit and pâté that Roger calls decent but overpriced for the area.
A friendly, multilingual-staffed Italian spot near Saint-Michel where Roger found the pasta and pizza mediocre, but the tiramisu and pudding sampler tray worth ordering.
A Soho chain outpost Roger tried after every independent spot nearby had an hour-plus wait, finding the duck shepherd's pie a highlight but the prices steep for what you get.
A cafe across from the Musée d'Orsay where Roger sheltered from rain and ran into slow, rude service and a confusing card-minimum dispute, which he calls a perfect example of bad service in Paris.
A people-watching cafe steps from the Louvre where Roger stuck to coffee, wine and a pricey small meat platter, calling the service just okay, not the worst or best he'd had in Paris.
A hyped Soho seafood spot Roger visited for the flat £20 lobster-or-burger menu, where the steamed lobster roll beat out a slightly overcooked grilled version.
The Culver City outpost of the cafeteria-style California chain, where Roger's go-to hot plate pairs mashed potatoes and a salad with steak or tuna, washed down with a pot of Bombay Chai.
A family-run creperie outside Paris near Disneyland that Roger calls some of the best crepes he's had, from savory galettes to dessert crepes paired with real apple cider.
A married couple's home-turned-restaurant outside Paris that Roger calls one of the best dining experiences of his life, growing much of the produce themselves and pouring homemade pear liquor after dinner.
A self-serve BBQ-or-hotpot buffet in Paris's 13th-arrondissement Chinatown that Roger says has some of the best meat quality of any self-BBQ spot he's tried worldwide.
An ice cream shop near the Château de Versailles where Roger cooled off with a cilantro-lime scoop on a hot day, calling the flavors a hit across his group.
A Bottlecraft-like Tijuana craft beer bar with an extensive Baja-to-Belgium bottle list, where Roger recommends asking for Kat for a personalized beer recommendation.
A cozy breakfast spot a short walk from the Louvre and away from the tourist traps, where Roger found attentive service and a shared breakfast set of bread, pastries and jam.
An Arts District bar Roger was disappointed didn't have a proper brunch menu, but liked the pastrami sandwich and Popeye & Olive Oil flatbread enough to want to come back for dinner.
A Costa Mesa sushi stop across from Habana where Roger found the sweet shrimp not as fresh as advertised and the service forgetful, though the salmon and smelt cuts held up.
One of Tijuana's best craft beer tasting rooms according to Roger, with an industrial-feeling space, an extensive Baja-to-Belgium bottle list and decent bar-grub pizza.
A Costa Mesa Cuban spot Roger returns to for ahi tartare, corn-husk-wrapped halibut, skirt steak and a lavender Pisco, best enjoyed on the patio despite the wait.
A Zona Centro seafood counter a block from Avenida Revolución that Roger keeps coming back to for one dish above all: the red snapper tostada, best paired with a shrimp cocktail and chili oil sauce.
A West Hollywood caviar specialist where Roger splurged on a tasting of caviar-topped dishes, from a complimentary caviar salad to caviar pasta, foie gras and his favorite, beef tartare topped with caviar.
A music-box-themed cafe tucked inside Eslite's flagship Xinyi bookstore that Roger liked for a quieter crowd than the area's other cafes, plus a cheesecake flight and a rice-dusted matcha latte.
A Zhongshan seafood market-meets-restaurant Roger says looks pricier than it is, where diners handpick their own seafood, including live crab, to be cooked to order or eaten sashimi-style at the standing bar.
A Cole Valley brunch spot with a long Sunday queue that Roger says feels like stepping into a cozy Parisian cafe, best known for a pancake-and-French-toast flight and a well-cooked trout dish.
A single-origin coffee roaster inside the Anaheim Packing District that Roger recommended as the java fix to cure a food coma after a day of eating your way through the district.
A West Berkeley taproom devoted entirely to sour beers, which Roger loved for a knowledgeable staff and a range from bold dark sours to bright golden ones, paired with the kitchen's one food item: grilled cheese.
A high-end mall seafood restaurant in Tijuana doing Asian-Mexican fusion, where Roger recommends the sashimi-style bluefin tuna over wonton tostada, mango-sauce shrimp ceviche and battered shrimp tacos.
A 24/7 Songshan cold-noodle counter Roger calls the spot for late-night hangover prevention, with peanut-sauce cold noodles and egg for the equivalent of about $3 USD.
A Zona Río Brazilian churrascaria Roger calls carnivore heaven, on par with San Diego's Rei Do Gado and Fogo de Chao but far cheaper, with standout sirloin, bacon-wrapped filet mignon and lamb shanks off the self-serve buffet.
A hyped Arts District Italian restaurant Roger calls totally worth its notorious months-long wait, anchored by a must-have bone marrow with spinach gnocchetti and a punchy clams-and-mussels dish.
A quaint, French-style Palm Springs brunch spot Roger liked for decent brioche French toast and a grilled shrimp omelette, undercut by 15-20 minutes just for a drink order and a 45-minute wait for food.
Now closed. A Tijuana chicken-neck specialist in the city's red-light district that Roger visited on its Anthony Bourdain reputation, praising the friendly, fluent-English staff and a $35-peso plate of fried buches (chicken necks).
An Alhambra dim sum hall Roger says is worth arriving right at opening for, praising massive portions, a crispy pork belly and cheong fun stuffed with Chinese donuts, though prices run a bit higher than nearby competitors.
A Michelin-rated Prince Edward cheong fun stall Roger says stands out for its meat fillings, especially a roasted duck version, best paired with the shop's soy milk.
A Central beef brisket institution Roger says would earn 4 stars for food quality alone, docked a star for famously cocky, rude owners and lunchtime waits that can top an hour.
Roger's review of Stumptown's original Downtown LA shop near 8th Street praised its nitro cold brew as good as a foamy stout minus the alcohol, though street parking nearby was tough to find.
The original Ladurée on rue Royale near Place de la Concorde, which Roger visited with a local friend to skip the touristier Champs-Élysées crowds, recommending the three-course prix fixe (cod with truffles) and an oversized raspberry macaron.
Now closed. A Millbrae dim sum institution Roger says served quality on par with Hong Kong's best despite chaotic service, an hour-and-a-half wait without reservations, and hard-to-find parking.
Roger's review of Stanza's original Mission District cafe praised its bold, well-roasted pour over (after they'd run out of cold brew) and hipster, vintage-filled decor with ample laptop outlets.
Now closed. Roger liked this permanent SoMa food truck park for its real bathrooms, ample seating and food range from Chinese fusion to pizza, plus craft beer, wine and sangria, recommending a stop at in-park vendor Rocket Cafe for cold brew.
Now closed. Roger's review text describes a cozy, European-vibe Mission District cafe good for people-watching over live music, but he rated the actual visit just 1 star overall — a tension the review itself never explains.
The Mission District ice cream shop Roger says lives up to its hype despite the long lines, recommending the take-out queue over dine-in, a scoop of salted caramel, and the sugar cookie balsamic strawberry ice cream sandwich.
A coffee counter tucked inside SoMa StrEat Food Park, serving Blue Bottle beans with a New Orleans-style cold brew Roger called perfectly made for a black-coffee drinker.
A Mission District pupuseria Roger liked for handmade $3 pupusas made fresh to order, with vegetarian and vegan options and pickled cabbage on the side.
An off-Strip casino diner where Roger's move was the off-menu $5.99 steak and eggs special, plus a couple dollars for one of the in-house brews -- no-frills but hard to beat for the price.
A Wilshire Center seafood spot built around lobster and uni, where happy hour brings $5 sangria, dollar-off beers and $1 oysters -- though service and the oyster wait both run slow.
A Koreatown-area soju lounge Roger used as a pre-dinner stop before hitting nearby KBBQ spots; fast service and reasonably priced flavored soju, though he hadn't yet tried the food.
A Fairfax dessert shop pairing oversized macarons with ice cream, where Roger's pick was the Thai tea ice cream macaron alongside a red velvet ice cream bar and pistachio scoops.
A Long Beach chicken-and-waffles institution Roger had visited for nearly a decade before finally reviewing it; the 1/2 chicken platter, smothered in gravy, is the food-coma-worthy order.
The Aria patisserie's oversized rose macaron with custard and raspberries held up against the likes of Laduree and Pierre Herme, per Roger, and the croissant sandwiches were solid too -- worth the near-guaranteed 20-minute line.
A Chinatown izakaya Roger couldn't square with its high Yelp rating: watery ramen and udon, overcooked skewers, and an odd uni-over-baked-mochi special that came out tasting like stale gelatin.
A Strip burger bar living up to the hype, per Roger, with juicy Kobe beef patties (the "Rising Sun" its signature), a lobster-and-truffle mac 'n cheese, and milkshakes spiked enough to sneak up on you.
A budget buffet away from the main Strip casinos, where $14.99 gets a decent prime rib (ask for a thick, rare slice with horseradish) and none of the hour-long lines of the bigger buffets.
A 23rd-floor hotel lounge on the Strip (listed on Yelp simply as "Hotel Bar") with well-mixed cocktails, live music and skyline views from nearly every seat -- Roger's pick for winding down without joining the club crowd below.
A Union Square coffee and lounge spot where Roger's visit was derailed entirely by a rude host over seating, not by the food.
A Bayfront brewery Roger says is worth visiting for the view and evening light show alone — the world's highest brewery, per its claim — but not for the beer itself, which he found mediocre for the price.
A Maxwell Food Centre hawker stall with by far the longest line of any Hainan chicken vendor there, moving orders out with striking efficiency.
A Vancouver hot dog stand Roger calls one of the best hot dogs he's had anywhere, with Japanese-style toppings and a standout Kurobuta pork dog.
A Fairview Slopes dim sum spot inside a shopping center that Roger found mediocre compared to Hong Kong standards, despite Vancouver's reputation as a dim sum destination.
A Belltown flatbread-style pizza spot near The Mayflower that Roger found via Yelp's Top Ten List, praising a special-of-the-night pizza and a duck liver pate appetizer alongside a solid beer list.
A Fountain Valley Vietnamese spot built around ultra-cheap plates — cornish game hen for $3.25, steak and egg for $2.75 — that Roger calls a solid bang-for-your-buck stop despite the modest surroundings.
A Boyle Heights institution Roger discovered via the Food Network, known for enormous family-made burritos and thick horchata, worth the trip up from San Diego.
A San Dimas taco spot that disappointed Roger with a menu missing carne asada, a slow 20-minute wait for a simple two-taco plate, and no apology for the delay.
A Palms cafe near Venice Blvd that surprised Roger with its size and menu on a late Monday night, with a well-regarded burger and a solid cheesecake.
A Rowland Heights Korean spot Roger and friends stopped at after a day snowboarding at Mountain High, finding decent service and a warming boiled chicken soup, despite a posted C health-department rating.
Roger stopped in after a day in downtown LA looking for Cantonese-style soup; his wonton noodle soup was decent, but his friend's BBQ combo of char siu and duck tasted bland and appeared to have been sitting under a heat lamp.
Roger returned to this Monterey Park dim sum spot after a work day in LA, ordering the usual siu mai, har gow and chicken feet; he found the food decent but not especially memorable, at about $22 for six items split two ways.
Roger hit up the Hollywood location of Roscoe's early on a weekend morning to beat the crowds, ordering the two piece chicken and waffles plate; he found it filling and satisfying, noting the calories were worth the splurge.
Waiting for a flight to Seoul, Roger and a friend grabbed dinner here; he found the rainbow and philly rolls decent but poorly wrapped, and the mixed sashimi plate fresh, though the staff rushed them out the door ahead of closing.
Roger praised this Chino Hills BJ's for its spacious seating and attentive service; the avocado egg rolls were the highlight, while the BJ's favorite pizza was decent but a bit short on sauce.
A go-to for Roger in Westminster's Little Saigon, this late-night Vietnamese spot consistently delivers good portions; he called out the BBQ pork plates and the #1 pho as reliably good, at a fair price.
Roger was unimpressed with this Palms Red Mango, finding only two flavors on offer, high prices for the portion, and a green tea yogurt he called the worst he'd had -- though the fresh fruit toppings were a bright spot.
Roger and a friend found this Koreatown AYCE Korean BBQ spot through Yelp mobile after a long day in LA; he praised the attentive service and generous meat portions at about $16.99 per person, calling out their server Sarah by name.
On a recommendation from locals, Roger tried this North Beach dim sum spot during a Chinatown visit; the har gow and siu mai were only middling, with a texture he found too hardened, though he noted attentive service and said there was more SF dim sum to explore.
Roger's go-to for a quick dim sum fix, this Monterey Park spot is cheap and fast, with siu mai, har gow, char siu bao and more typically filling up six to-go boxes; he noted the lines can run long.
Dining with his parents for the first time at this Rosemead hole-in-the-wall, Roger was impressed by both the pricing and the huge portions; his favorite dish was the sauteed lobster, and he also praised a hearty herbal soup with chicken, pork and turtle.
A late-night all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ spot behind Chapman Plaza in LA's Koreatown that Roger rated 3 stars for decent beef and pork but skimpy chicken portions, slow and confused service, and a missing-meat mix-up on a reorder.
A large, cafeteria-style pho restaurant on Bolsa Ave that Roger gave 3 stars, finding the pho came out quickly but his bbq pork rice plate took about 10 minutes despite the restaurant not being packed.
A Vietnamese noodle spot near Brookhurst in Westminster that Roger has returned to over the years, finding quick service and a decent pho dac biet after a long international flight.
A Valley Center casino buffet Roger rated 4 stars for its unlimited crab legs, lobster and fresh oysters, despite tough parking, a small casino floor, pre-cut crab legs, and slow plate-clearing service during busy periods.
A Santa Monica Promenade Italian restaurant Roger rated 3 stars, finding the grilled salmon salad, halibut and ravioli decent but unremarkable, with a free-dessert coupon gimmick and service that had to be reminded twice to bring it.
A casino buffet in Funner that Roger gave a flat 3 stars, finding the long drive not worth it compared to Pechanga, with average food, salty and not-fresh crab legs, and cramped seating.
A Fisherman's Wharf bakery Roger rated 5 stars for fresh, warm clam chowder served in sourdough bread bowls, with a long line but visible bread-making from scratch, including a ceiling-mounted delivery system for the bread.
A Camarillo In-N-Out Roger stopped at near 1am while driving back to LA from a trip up the PCH from San Francisco, finding friendly, attentive service even at that late hour despite the location being unusually empty.
A Thai restaurant near Lombard Street in San Francisco's Marina/Cow Hollow that Roger rated 4 stars, praising fresh-tasting green and red curries, attentive and friendly service with free rice refills, and clean, tasteful decor.
A nearly empty Monterey seafood restaurant Roger and a UK-based friend tried for fish and chips, rating it only 2 stars after receiving small, clearly frozen portions with hard, poorly textured fries and about a 10-minute wait.
A Burbank Del Taco Roger tried for the first time in years, giving this specific location 3 stars for better-than-expected fish tacos and a friendly employee, while maintaining Del Taco isn't real Mexican food.
A Temecula casino resort Roger rated 5 stars for its Vegas-like ambiance, praising the buffet's crab legs, shrimp cocktail and seafood sides, frequent table service, and live Latin jazz at the upstairs Eagle's Nest lounge on Sundays.
A Murrieta location of the Adalberto's chain Roger rated a full 5 stars, saying the chain never disappoints him no matter the location, and recommending the double-wrapped Cali or carne burrito along with a well-balanced horchata.
A Monterey Park dim sum and seafood spot Roger frequented for lunch and dinner whenever in the LA area, rating it 4 stars for a huge cart selection and standout seafood, including a plate of shrimp cooked and brought out live.
A Beverly Drive spot Roger and friends stopped at on a whim, rating it 3 stars after a tiger roll came out with stale-tasting tuna and rice that broke apart too easily, calling the food decent and edible but not really great.
A go-to Westminster pho stop Roger hits whenever he's in Orange County, rating it 4 stars for fast service, a well-balanced, not-too-salty broth, and fresh, quality meat, though the rice plates were only decent.
Reviewing specifically the buffet at this Pala casino resort, Roger ranked its selection just behind Barona's among San Diego-area casino buffets, praising a spread that ranged from seafood to rare roast beef and Italian, though dinner crowds mean lining up to get in and again for food.
This steakhouse inside Barona Resort & Casino impressed Roger with an ambiance that made him forget he was still at a casino, attentive service that kept bread and water refilled, and a steak he called great quality and worth the price; the fish was also fresh and rich in flavor.
Roger called this Barona buffet the biggest in San Diego, with stations spanning American, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, rotisserie and Mongolian plus a large salad bar with sushi rolls and shrimp cocktail; he especially liked the BBQ ribs and rare roast beef, and visits weekly or every other week.
On a Vegas trip, Roger gave this Strip hotel cafe a full 5 stars for great plates, joking that comped meals always taste better.
Roger gave the Bellagio a full 5 stars in a one-line review that says it all: buffet, buffet, buffet.
Roger rated this Norwalk Rally's a full 5 stars, praising the curly fries as unbeatable and noting San Diego had only one Rally's location left, if it was even still around.
On a Dallas trip, Roger rated this Whataburger 4 stars, praising the fresh-tasting burgers and calling it the Texas answer to In-N-Out.
Roger gave this North Dallas Waffle House a full 5 stars, saying it beats Denny's in every way, with reasonably priced, good-tasting steaks he credited to Texan beef, and wished Southern California had a location.
Roger's brief review of this Garden Grove Red Robin gave it 3 stars and two words: good food.
After a first visit with a friend, Roger rated this Bonita sushi spot 4 stars, praising the excellent food, good menu selection, uncrowded dining room and attentive service, and said he'd definitely be back.
Roger gave this Garden Grove Lee's Sandwiches location a full 5 stars, naming the thit nuong sandwich his top pick and saying he always grabs one before driving back to San Diego whenever he's in the LA/OC area.
Roger rated this 4 stars, calling it cheap and recommending getting it "con total" with lettuce, cheese and salsa for about $14 pesos.
Roger rated this 3 stars but wrote warmly about the food, calling the fish bomb and the pineapple buns (菠蘿包) among the most legit he's had, plus good chicken, tong yuen for dessert, and good crab.
Roger rated this 4 stars, noting that for about $90 USD you get roughly an hour of all-you-can-eat Wagyu, even though it's advertised as a 2-hour meal. (The name translates roughly to "Ginza's Steak.")
Roger rated this 4 stars, saying the portions are huge -- the two-person combo could fill up four people -- and praising the good service.
Roger rated this 4 stars, highlighting the live music and advising getting there early (before 9:30) to make sure your reservation is honored.
Roger rated this 3 stars, describing watery coffee and average quality drinks, but noted it works as a quick fix on the way to Teotihuacan.
Roger rated this 4 stars, praising the chicken mile, the breakfast tortillas with eggs and black beans, and the oatmeal drink, calling it overall 'super bomb food.'
Roger rated this 4 stars, recommending the al pastor and bistec, saying to get anything with queso, and noting the ribs come with guac.
Roger rated this 4 stars, saying the coffee and cold brew are good and mentioning a free size upgrade for checking in.
Roger rated this 3 stars, calling it a chill spot to grab a beer or soju with skewers, without the over-an-hour wait some spots have.
Roger rated this 4 stars, saying it was some of the best service he's had at any Cheesecake Factory, on a King Harbor patio where feeding a few birds bread turned into an ever-growing flock problem.
Roger rated this 3 stars, calling it overhyped and way too sweet overall, though he liked the bacon maple bar and thought the raspberry-filled Boogie shape was decent.
Roger rated this 3 stars, describing a secret-door entrance into a 70s-themed house-party scene, but found it loud and smoky throughout.
Roger rated this 3 stars, calling it mediocre at best: the hand-cut noodles weren't firm enough, and he found this "Chinese halal" spot's menu mostly Americanized for its target crowd rather than truly Xinjiang-style, though he liked the tofu omelette.
Roger rated this 4 stars, calling it his first stop on Distillery Row on the last afternoon of a Portland trip, after first discovering the brand's whiskey at San Diego's Bay Area Wine & Food Festival; he praised great service and awesome whiskeys worth buying a bottle or two of.
Roger rated this 4 stars, calling it a bomb of a meal: great iced tea, a great whole pompano, tasty satay skewers, great stuffed chicken wings, and great pineapple fried rice.
Roger rated this Portland Scandinavian breakfast spot 4 stars, calling out the hotdog with shrimp cake, pan-seared greens on the side, smoked trout hash topped with egg, and the donuts -- noting a bit of a wait if you show up at 9am.
Roger rated this Portland distillery 4 stars after stopping in to buy a bottle of their malt whiskey, praising the knowledgeable staff along with the coffee liqueur and a gin finished in whiskey barrels.
Roger rated this 4 stars, saying he finally checked it out after friends had been raving about it for a while and found tons of good food, adding that San Diego needs something like it.
Roger rated this 4 stars, describing the line as always long and saying they got lucky enough to be let in even though the shop had already closed 15 minutes before they arrived.
Roger rated this 4 stars, calling the izakaya-style food super tasty, praising sashimi that was on point and skewers he called bomb, and noting there were tons of decent small eats.
Roger rated this 4 stars, calling out the great cocktails, singling out the mezcal-based Susha as the bomb, and noting they can whip up absinthe-based cocktails too.
Roger rated this 4 stars, praising the service and the tons of whiskey- and absinthe-based drinks, singling out the Vieux Carré, a blend of whiskey and brandy, as super tasty.
Roger rated this 4 stars, calling the drinks strong and well-crafted, with the Sazerac being bomb and the Blood and Tears (tasting like a Bloody Mary cocktail) also good.
Roger rated this 4 stars, ordering the slow-roasted pork, uni pasta and fried chicken pasta, calling the buffet good value with bottomless prosecco and decent beers.
Roger rated this 4 stars, describing it as packed with iPad ordering, bomb ramen, free corn, called numbers, limited seating, and free valet.
Roger rated this 4 stars for the blueberry donuts, saying a 15-minute drive-thru wait was worth it, though he found the M&M donut itself too sweet.
Roger rated this rooftop lounge 3 stars, calling the drinks decent and the place not overly crowded on weeknights, with a fire pit worth lounging next to even though he figured weekends would get packed.
Roger rated this original Tim Ho Wan location 4 stars, noting it's less packed than other branches, though the menu is more limited than the one at Olympian City.
Roger rated this 4 stars, calling the kalbi bomb and the seafood-and-beef combo — ordered extra spicy — a hit, with a free grilled croaker thrown in with the meal.
Roger rated this 4 stars, calling the burger bomb, the steak just aight, and the Belgian beer selection great — though with no seats you might have to share a table.
Roger rated this 4 stars, calling it a great handcrafted coffee joint in a brand-new Wan Chai space, though he noted the pour was a tiny sip for HK$68.
Roger rated this 3 stars, loving the pineapple buns but noting that almost everything else on the menu is Hong Kong-style Chinese except for a couple of items.
Roger rated this 4 stars, calling it one of the better all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ spots, with a tip to call ahead so you don't wait forever.
Roger rated this 4 stars, praising the cocktail selection and calling out the old fashioned and white old fashioned (mezcal) by name.
Roger rated this coffee shop inside the Sears department store near the Monumento a la Revolución 4 stars, calling out good coffee and specialty hot chocolates, including one that came with chili and a few other cocoa varieties. The café has since been rebranded from Café Don Porfirio to Finca Don Porfirio at the same address.
Roger rated this Turkish coffee spot 4 stars, describing it as located in a food truck park and operating out of a two-story U.K.-style double-decker bus.
Roger rated this 3 stars, highlighting the horchata latte and a real mango slush, and noting he still needed to try their actual brewed coffee.
Roger rated this 4 stars, saying the chilaquiles are the bomb, finding the bistec so-so, and noting the loncheria's focus really seems to be vegan-friendly cooking.
Roger rated this 4 stars, saying the huge portions meant three entrees were enough to feed five people, and recommending guests wear the garlic hats.
Roger rated this 4 stars, saying they serve Italian food, desserts and coffee, with a decent selection of wine and beer.
Roger rated this 4 stars, trying the bull penis skewers and noting the spot is run by ethnic-Korean Chinese immigrants serving very northern Chinese style flavors.
A Mong Kok craft-beer bar Roger gave four stars, noting he doesn't love coming out to Mong Kok too often since it tends to be [comment cut off].
A gelato-pop counter in the Anaheim Packing District that Roger found a bit steep for the price, with a massive queue.
A Roma Norte specialty coffee shop Roger liked for the pour over and cold brew, calling it an awesome, cozy environment.
A large tourist-oriented restaurant near the Teotihuacán pyramids where Roger found the buffet mediocre at 190 pesos a person, and suggested ordering a la carte instead.
A passcode-entry speakeasy tucked inside Bourbon & Branch in the Tenderloin that Roger called awesome, though tables come with a firm two-hour limit.
A Koreatown cafe Roger visited for a late-night sugar fix, rating it just so-so — it did the job but wasn't memorable; the cafe has since closed.
An open-air dai pai dong stall in Fo Tan that Roger said was worth the trek outside the usual Hong Kong bubble.
A Tijuana Mexican restaurant Roger liked for good service and good food, close to wherever he'd ordered from.
Roger rated this pier-side Stearns Wharf tasting room 3 stars, calling the wine decent and noting that checking in on Yelp earns a free taster.
Roger rated this Kam Tin village cha chaan teng 3 stars as a typical, decent spot, calling the noodles solid and singling out the restaurant's fish dish (noted in his draft as 'jiu tou Yu') as the highlight.
Roger rated this downtown San Jose coffee shop 4 stars, calling the coffee excellent and praising the nitro cold brew and pour-over selection.
Roger rated this Arcadia Taiwanese spot 3 stars as cheap and solid, calling out a sausage-and-fish plate as a must-order and a crispy fried chicken dish as a standout, per his garbled notes.
Roger rated this Chungking Mansions Indian restaurant 4 stars, praising a staff member named Jay as super cool and the portions as decent, while noting set meals were no longer being offered.
Roger rated this Tai Hang Spanish-style bar 4 stars, calling the cocktails and sangrias decent and the craft beer selection okay.
A Tijuana steakhouse Roger rated highly for its ambiance, with a ribeye he called damn tasty and octopus he called bomb.
A Causeway Bay specialty coffee spot Roger recommended for bulletproof coffee, cold brew, pour overs, and ice cream.
A Causeway Bay all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu spot Roger called decent, with free-flowing beer as a highlight.
The Hong Kong branch of the Seattle-based oyster bar chain, where Roger stopped in mainly for drinks and made a note to come back for the oysters.
A Zona Centro Tijuana crepe shop on Avenida Revolución Roger tried, noting a Facebook check-in promo for free ice cream running at the time.
A Causeway Bay branch of the multi-location Sen-Ryo sushi chain Roger recommends for great lunch deals and fresh, good-quality sushi.
A Buellton winery restaurant in an industrial-park tasting room where Roger enjoyed the bacon-wrapped dates and flatbread alongside self-serve wine.
A tiki-themed kava bar in San Bruno that Roger called cheap and worth a stop, at $3 a bowl and $7 for a punch bowl (with a planned price bump to $9).
A longtime Grand Central Market pupusa stall where Roger liked the shrimp-and-cheese and potato-and-cheese pupusas, and called the beef soup 'bomb.'
A cute, cozy Condesa coffee shop where Roger praised the pour-over and the chai latte.
The Granville Street outpost of the Canadian poutine chain, where Roger liked the different portion sizes and called the Philly cheesesteak poutine 'dank' and tasty.
Roger liked the coffee selection at this Central cafe on Cochrane Street, calling out the cold brew on nitro.
Roger described this Tsim Sha Tsui Korean restaurant and bar as decent grub with a K-town feel and a soju bar.
Roger calls this Beijing/Sichuan/Shanghai restaurant near Olympic bomb grub, noting he'd been coming back for years.
Roger's nostalgic visit to this Jordan dim sum specialty shop: he used to live right upstairs from it.
Roger called the coffee great at this Wan Chai specialty cafe, allowing it's pricey but worth it.
A Westwood Persian sandwich shop Roger called some of the best Persian food you can find.
A longtime State Street Danish bakery and restaurant where Roger praised the French toast and smoked salmon.
A dimly lit La Cienega speakeasy where Roger ordered the Japanese Maple, a whiskey cocktail he noted by its nickname.
A San Gabriel Valley Taiwanese breakfast spot where Roger liked the soy milk and congee but found the fried rolls dry and bland.
A Belgian-inspired Downtown Vancouver restaurant Roger called bomb overall, though he flagged the pork specifically as a miss while everything else landed.
A Koreatown coffee lounge Roger rated 3 stars, liking the cool ambiance and chill vibe but finding the coffee itself forgettable.
A well-established Downtown San Jose Vietnamese restaurant Roger rated 4 stars, calling it "Bomb!" and noting its Zagat rating and Michelin recommendation.
Roger rated this Tatsu Ramen 4 stars, recommending the Bold ramen for full flavor.
A Taiwanese-style bakery-cafe in Temple City Roger rated 3 stars, picking out the red bean mochi from an otherwise typical Taiwanese bakery spread.
Roger rated this 4 stars during a 2015 visit to this Cane Garden Bay beach bar, calling the food decent grub and singling out the coffee as a must-have.
Roger rated this 3 stars, describing the food simply as decent grub, tasty food, and damn good.
Roger rated this 4 stars, calling out good eats and bottomless mimosas at this upscale small-plates buffet inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Roger rated this 4 stars and called it 'Bomb!', highlighting $10 mimosas and $1 refills at this Kimpton Canary Hotel restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara.
Roger rated this 4 stars, saying the butter chicken at this Central, Hong Kong Indian restaurant was to die for.
Roger rated this 4 stars, calling out the pour overs and plentiful seating at this Old Pasadena coffee shop — the original 2013 flagship of the Copa Vida chain that later expanded into San Diego.
The Elements mall branch of the well-regarded Ramen Jo chain, where Roger had tsukemen, gyoza and spicy ramen.
A well-known Tijuana craft brewery known for good beer and irreverent, border-culture branding — including its tap handles.
A Santa Monica izakaya Roger rated 4 stars, calling out the beef tongue and sake cocktails.
A San Francisco institution open around the clock on Polk Street, where Roger found a 20-minute line at nearly 1am — a testament to how popular the donuts are even in the middle of the night.
Downtown LA New American restaurant and bar near the Flower District, known for weekend brunch and a market-driven dinner menu; Roger's 4-star visit highlighted milk punch cocktails and a 'benefits' pizza.
Bonita cafe blending island-style Hawaiian plates with sushi and boba tea; Roger's 3-star visit was a late-night boba run.
Outer Sunset Vietnamese institution famous for its beef pho and off-menu specials; Roger's 4-star visit singled out a bold chicken curry pho.
Bay Area Japanese-fusion food truck and catering outfit best known for its sushi burritos; Roger's 4-star visit tried the salmon version.
Downtown LA specialty coffee shop known for meticulous pour-overs; Roger's 5-star visit praised both the coffee and the staff.
Tyler Florence's Financial District tavern known for old-school American comfort food, including a standout organic fried chicken that Roger called a can't-miss order.
A no-frills East County Chinese noodle shop that Roger found solidly average on flavor but notable for its massive portion sizes.
A German street-food stall inside Grand Central Market serving classic currywurst, which Roger noted for its paprika-dusted preparation.
A casual Fairfax-area cocktail lounge that Roger found solid for a night out, with a craft drink program he described as decent rather than exceptional.
A lower State Street coffee roastery where Roger praised the quality of the crafted coffee.
A lively West End izakaya known for creative small plates, which Roger called a standout both for quality and for good value.
A historic Coyoacán churrería that Roger noted for its artisanal, made-to-order churros.
A beloved Hong Kong egg-waffle chain, with Roger singling out the sesame-flavored waffle at this Hung Hom shop as a real highlight.
A Nob Hill pizza spot Roger rated four stars in 2010 for good pricing and good food.
A Tai Hang cafe Roger rated three stars in 2016, with mixed feelings on the coffee menu.
A Causeway Bay dessert cafe Roger rated three stars in 2016, noting sweets and all-day brunch.
A Lower Nob Hill cocktail bar Roger rated four stars in 2015 for great whiskey drinks.
A Granville Street speakeasy-style bar Roger rated three stars in 2016, calling it "meh" with an okay Caesar.
Roger rated this Buckman sour-beer specialist four stars in 2016, simply noting sours, sours, sours.
A stylish, modern Vietnamese spot in Culver City for pho and other Vietnamese standards; Roger found the food good but noticeably Americanized compared to more traditional pho shops.
The bar and restaurant inside the historic 1924 Culver Hotel in downtown Culver City; Roger called out the happy hour deals specifically.
The lounge and cocktail bar at the Island Shangri-La hotel in Admiralty, known for Asian-inflected classic cocktails; Roger liked the drinks here.
A French bistro and wine bar on the Greenwich Village/West Village border; Roger was genuinely enthusiastic about the food here.
A popular Koreatown Korean BBQ spot from restaurateur Kang Ho-dong's chain; Roger enjoyed it but noted the long waits typical of this always-busy restaurant.
A rustic Californian restaurant and cafe from chef Akasha Richmond that anchored downtown Culver City for nearly two decades; Roger specifically praised the coffee here.
A casual restaurant, wine bar and tasting-room cellar in the Danish-themed town of Solvang; Roger noted good service.
The Thomas Keller bakery inside The Venetian on the Las Vegas Strip, visited for a quick pastry stop where the macarons stood out.
A 118-year-old downtown LA sandwich institution that claimed to have invented the French dip, visited for exactly that sandwich before the restaurant served its final meal in 2026.
An intimate Tai Hang wine bar and cafe, visited for a round during happy hour and singled out for its deals.
A Polk Street dive bar and lounge, visited for solid, no-fuss cocktails before it closed.
A Central Hong Kong outpost of the Butao Ramen chain, visited for its signature black king tonkotsu ramen.
A Zona Río seafood restaurant where Roger called the seafood outright excellent.
A Hong Kong-style dessert shop in Yuen Long serving shaved ice and traditional sugar water (tong sui); Roger rated his visit 4 stars for the desserts.
A Costa Mesa breakfast-and-brunch spot Roger called a 'great spot' on a 4-star visit.
A Lower Haight sushi and sake spot where Roger called out the omakase on a 4-star visit.
A roaming LA food truck serving bison burgers that Roger caught in Boyle Heights in 2016, rating it 3 stars with a quick 'Bomb Bison' note on the patty itself.
A hidden speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked behind Cole's French Dip downtown, which Roger rated 3 stars in 2015 and described simply as a 'Speakeasy.'
A longtime Cuban restaurant Roger visited in 2011 at its original Culver City location, rating it 3 stars with a lukewarm 'ok fish'; the restaurant has since relocated to Playa Del Rey.
A longtime State Street sushi spot in Santa Barbara that Roger rated 4 stars in 2015 with an enthusiastic one-word 'Bomb!'
A San Gabriel Taiwanese hot pot restaurant Roger rated 4 stars in 2015 with a one-word 'Bomb!'
Roger gave this Ocean Drive hotel bar and pool deck 3 stars, summing it up simply as a place to 'party away' — lively but not a standout.
Roger gave this San Gabriel Xinjiang halal spot 4 stars, flagging the da pan ji (big plate chicken) as the dish worth going for.
Roger gave this Montévrain creperie 4 stars, calling the crêpes simply 'tasty!' — solid, straightforward Breton-style fare.
Roger gave this Anaheim dessert-crepe shop 3 stars, remarking mainly on the 'Huge!' portion sizes.
Roger gave this Central, Hong Kong izakaya a perfect 5 stars with an exclamation-point 'AYCE!' — genuine enthusiasm for its all-you-can-eat sushi, sashimi, and all-you-can-drink beer buffet.
Roger gave this legendary Calle Ocho-area Cuban restaurant, open since 1971 and billed as 'The Most Famous Cuban Restaurant in the World,' 4 stars with an enthusiastic one-word 'Bomb.'
Roger gave this Garden Grove Vietnamese seafood-and-hot-pot spot 4 stars and an enthusiastic one-word 'Bomb' in 2015.
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