Best Best Bars In San Diego Podcasts (2025)

1
This San Diego Chef Is Bringing Real Tortillas Back to the Table 49:06

2d ago49:06

49:06

#379 In this episode of Happy Half Hour, Troy Johnson and Jackie Bryant sit down with Janet Flores Pavlovich, the force behind Coyotas, a local brand making cassava flour tortillas with just four ingredients and a lot of soul. Janet tells the story of growing up in Sonora, Mexico, where tortillas were handmade daily and tied to memory, ritual, and …

1
RBL Weekly Ep. 136: Best Week In RBL History! 1:36:04

5d ago1:36:04

1:36:04

Our best battles to date! Moses is joined by RBL Royalty Josh Means, Paige Wesley and Logan Farr while the Commish handles business back home! We have an absolute knock out week for you and the bonus battles in the Patreon rival the Top 7, so be sure to check them out! What was your top 7 this week?Who had you favorite joke?Do you think the ranking…

1
The JuneShine Story: From a Sketchy San Diego Garage to Co-Starring with Willie Nelson 1:01:16

9d ago1:01:16

1:01:16

#378 In this episode of Happy Half Hour, hosts Jackie Bryant and Troy Johnson crack open the origin story of Juneshine with co-founder Forrest Dein, tracing its unlikely path from a backyard kombucha experiment to a nationwide phenomenon. Dein recounts Juneshine’s early days brewing in a cobwebbed garage, its cult-favorite Blood Orange Mint flavor,…

1
Ep. 135: The New International MVP?! 1:36:31

12d ago1:36:31

1:36:31

The boys are back in town and we have a full 7 battles to break down in Week 6 of the RBL! Pat and Moses break down the ever evolving league, WRBL and have a tough top 3 to review! How would you have ranked the top 3?Who is your favorite battler of 2025?Let us know in the comments!New RBL Merch!: https://roastbattleleague.com/merchandise/Pat Barker…

1
Mark Huddleston, Co-founder of H. Mercer 51:52

13d ago51:52

51:52

Got to sit down with Mark Huddleston, co-founder of H. Mercer in California, and Parker Wolf in Texas, and chat about starting an import company, his view on sales, the ethos behind working with producers, and much much more. Follow along on instagram at @hospitaliTVBy Rafael Peterson

1
The Buttered Handshake, $19 Cocktails, and Why Nobody Drinks Anymore 1:22:49

17d ago1:22:49

1:22:49

#377 This week on Happy Half Hour, two of San Diego’s sharpest hospitality minds—Christian Siglin of Happy Medium and Eric Johnson of Lou’s Deli—join Troy and Jackie to talk about the strange, scrappy, and often hilarious life behind the bar. They get into it: they unpack their careers spent working at the city's most iconic bars and restaurants; t…

1
Ep. 134: New RBL Record Broken! 1:26:49

19d ago1:26:49

1:26:49

We're in NYC this week with special guest and RBL legend Chris Crespo! Chris joins Pat and Moses to break down another amazing week of battles with some fan favorites, new faces and an RBL Record Broken! Who had your favorite battle?How would you rank the battles this week?Let us know in the comments!New RBL Merch!: https://roastbattleleague.com/me…

1
Buying vs. Renting in San Diego What Makes More Sense in 2025 11:01

23d ago11:01

11:01

Is buying still better than renting in San Diego in 2025? In this video, we break down the real costs of buying a $1M condo vs. renting a similar property for $5,200/month in Pacific Beach. From mortgage payments and tax breaks to investment growth and rent increases, we crunch the numbers, side by side, over a 5-year period to see which choice cou…

1
The Best House Cured House Smoked Pastrami in San Diego? 42:44

24d ago42:44

42:44

#376 On this episode of Happy Half Hour, Troy gives us an inside take on what to order at Leu Leu, the new spot from celebrity chef Claudette Zepeda. And the dish you gotta try in central city is the house-cured, house-smoked, hand-cut pastrami from last year's SDM winner for Best Barbecue in San Diego—Grand Ole BBQ y Asado in North Park. In honor …

1
Ep. 133: The USA/Russia Scandal 1:33:10

26d ago1:33:10

1:33:10

Pat and Moses are in a new temp studio this week to break down the top 7 battles of Week 4!Off the top we pay tribute to Atlanta's Week 3 battle, get into the joke theft scandal and have some amazing battles to show you from around the world!Who had your favorite joke?How would you rank the top 7 this week?Let us know in the comments!New RBL Merch!…

1
7 Projects That Will Massively Change San Diego in 2025 8:44

30d ago8:44

8:44

San Diego is changing fast, and not all of it is good—or is it? In this video, we break down seven massive projects that will reshape the city, from the long-awaited $3.4 billion airport upgrade to the controversial Seaport Village overhaul and the Midway Rising redevelopment, which could finally bring an NHL or NBA team to town (or just another ov…

1
How Rosemarie’s Went from Food Truck Favorite to San Diego Gastropub Darling 1:14:04

1M ago1:14:04

1:14:04

#375 Nick Balsamo of Rosemarie’s joins Troy and Jackie to talk about how a food truck full of killer sliders turned into one of San Diego’s best new brick-and-mortars. The crew gets into Nick’s rise from catering gigs and farmers markets to opening his own family-friendly gastropub, his Arizona street food hustle, and what it’s like feeding crowds …

1
Ep. 132: Her Secrets Out! 1:31:52

1M ago1:31:52

1:31:52

We're back in LA this week with special guest and RBL Legend, Keith Carey!!Keith joins Pat and Moses to break down all 7 of our top battles of the week from around the world! We have a rare double appearance from one of the top 25 battlers in the league and some new faces!How would you have ranked the top 5?What was your favorite roast of the week?…

1
La Jolla’s Dining Boom: Marisi’s Cameron Ingle on Elevating Italian in a Changing Scene 1:23:30

1M ago1:23:30

1:23:30

#374 On this episode of Happy Half Hour, Troy Johnson and Jackie Bryant sit down with Cameron Ingle, executive chef of Marisi in La Jolla, to talk about his fine-dining approach to Italian food, from handmade pasta to sourcing top-tier ingredients. Ingle, who cut his teeth at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, shares what it’s like running a serious food sp…

1
Katie Finn - Opening a Retail Wine Shop, State of the Industry, + Hospitality Tips! 1:01:44

1M ago1:01:44

1:01:44

Finally got to sit down with Katie Finn, owner-operator of Desert Wine Shop in La Quinta, CA! Katie is legit one of my favorite wine people; she's so knowledgable, so in tune with what her guests are looking for, has an amazing palate, and when it comes to hospitality... she just gets it. . We talk about cultivating hospitality at her shop (and in …

1
Ep. 131: The Bar's Been Raised 1:20:50

1M ago1:20:50

1:20:50

Live from Austin, Pat and Moses are joined this week by legendary Tokyo battler Troy Lewis! We have a solid 7 lined up for you this week! With some of our best and a couple new faces, we go into week 2 with contenders for favorite battle of all time!Do you agree with the order of our top 7?Who did you have at #1 and #2?Let us know in the comments!N…

1
Is Ozempic Changing the Way We Dine? 55:19

2M ago55:19

55:19

#373 On this week’s Happy Half Hour, journalist Claire Trageser joins hosts Troy Johnson and Jackie Bryant to talk about her latest piece: Is Ozempic Killing Restaurants? With more diners eating less and skipping drinks, could the blockbuster weight-loss drug be reshaping the industry? Claire breaks down what she found—spoiler alert: it’s complicat…

1
Ep. 130: RBL Season 3 Kick Off 1:33:07

2M ago1:33:07

1:33:07

We're BACK! Season 3 is here and we have special guest James Regal joining Pat and Moses to break down the top 7 battles from Week 1! Some fan favorites and new battlers on the list for this week, let us know who you got in your fantasy league!Who was your favorite battlers of the ep!Who do you want to see going head to head this year?New RBL Merch…

1
How a Cult Horror Filmmaker Became San Diego’s King of Bread 1:06:11

2M ago1:06:11

1:06:11

#372 In this episode of Happy Half Hour, hosts Troy Johnson and Jackie Bryant sit down with Charles Kaufman, the legendary mind behind Bread & Cie—San Diego’s iconic artisan bakery. Before he was crafting perfect baguettes, Kaufman was shocking audiences with cult horror films, including Mother’s Day, a slasher classic. From writing jokes for Bob H…

1
Ep. 129: Best of the Offseason From the Bay 52:33

2M ago52:33

52:33

Brian Moses is in the Bay and joined by Bay legends Josh Means, Logan Farr and new Bay area representative Alexis Fawx!! They break down 3 battles from the offseason with some new faces, a new city and two fan favorites out of Manchester!Let us know your favorite battlers of the ep!Who do you want to see going head to head this year?New RBL Merch!:…

1
San Diego’s Ultimate Taco Shop Showdown 33:25

2M ago33:25

33:25

#370 If you think debating sports gets heated, try pitting two seasoned food writers against each other in a fantasy taco draft. In this episode of Happy Half Hour, San Diego Magazine’s Troy Johnson and Jackie Bryant take their taco opinions to battle, drafting their top picks from San Diego’s legendary mom-and-pop taco shops. From the OG Roberto’s…

1
Ep. 128: RBL Dream Matchups 1:01:48

2M ago1:01:48

1:01:48

Fantasy Drafts are about to get started, the start of Season 3 is rapidly approaching and Pat is joined by Moses to go over some of the dream matchups they want to manifest into reality this year! Stay tuned for 6 of our favorite battles, showcasing some of the best!Let us know your favorite battlers of the ep!Who do you want to see going head to h…

1
The Wild, Thirst-Trappy Story of San Diego's Fast Food Icon, Jack in the Box 55:53

2M ago55:53

55:53

#370 This week on Happy Half Hour, Troy Johnson and Jackie Bryant get deep-fried in nostalgia with Ryan Ostrom, CMO of Jack in the Box, the fast-food giant that made San Diego its home. They talk about Jack’s weird, wonderful marketing legacy (yes, they did blow up their own mascot), the late-night taco cult, and why the brand has no business makin…

1
Ep. 127: Roast Battle League Fantasy Draft 1:41:53

2M ago1:41:53

1:41:53

Moses and Pat are back in our W.I.P. new studio with special guest Jay Light! To break down the FIRST EVER 2025 Roast Battle League Fantasy Draft! We have 4 new (well, one really old) battle's for you this week to break up the nerd numbers. Enjoy and let us know who you would draft!Want to get in on the action?Sign up for our Patreon, The winner wi…

1
Communion: A Rooftop Revelation in San Diego’s Dining Evolution 1:05:12

2M ago1:05:12

1:05:12

#369 On this episode of Happy Half Hour, Troy and Jackie pull up a chair with Jacquee Renna Downing, the industry veteran behind the just-opened Communion, a rooftop oasis in Mission Hills, and its charming downstairs café, Paradis. Downing’s got serious culinary cred—from running the legendary Pacifica Del Mar to making bold moves in the desert re…

1
Ep. 126: Preseason FIRE From New RBL Cities 49:55

2M ago49:55

49:55

Moses is back with Pat this week to bring you battles from our NEW league! (name pending, let us know your suggestions in the comments!)We're still piecing together a new studio and working out the details, as we get ready for Season 3 of the RBL!New RBL Merch!: https://roastbattleleague.com/merchandise/Pat Barker, the Roast Battle Commissioner bre…

1
The OG: How OB People’s Food Co-Op Set the Standard for San Diego Organic Produce 1:06:40

3M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

#368 OB People’s Food Co-Op has been San Diego’s go-to for organic, vegetarian, and locally sourced groceries for over 50 years, and in this episode of Happy Half Hour, Troy and Jackie sit down with General Manager Sarela Bonilla and Marketing Director Nina Gordon to talk about why this neighborhood institution still matters. From its humble beginn…

1
Ep. 125: Best of the Offseason, Vol. 2 49:00

3M ago49:00

49:00

The Commish is flying solo this week, from our under construction new studio, to bring you some of the best of the offseason battles (vol. 2)! As well as a tribute to a to a great comedian and roast battler, taken too soon. Rest in Peace Ken FloresKeep an eye out for new RBL Merch!: https://roastbattleleague.com/merchandise/Watch the FULL Champions…

1
Inside Oceanside’s Hottest New Restaurant: 24 Suns with Michelin-Trained Chefs Nic Webber & Jacob Jordan 1:05:36

3M ago1:05:36

1:05:36

#367 Oceanside, you greedy, lucky bastards. As if you needed another game-changer, here comes 24 Suns, a boundary-pushing Chinese restaurant from two former Addison chefs, Nic Webber and Jacob Jordan. These guys have the kind of résumés that make food nerds weak in the knees (Benu, Frasca, Michelin stars, etc.), and they’re bringing that precision …

1
Ep. 124: Live From London 39:49

3M ago39:49

39:49

Tensions are high as the four best roast battlers get ready for the World Championship in London England! Pat sits down with Nate Welch, Andrew Manning, Jay Yamaki and Jack Traynor to discuss their gameplans and predictions heading into this massive night of roasting!Congratulations to the battlers and your new RBL World Champ!Keep an eye out for n…

1
The 83 Year-Old Who Revolutionized San Diego's Seafood Scene 1:01:39

3M ago1:01:39

1:01:39

#366 San Diego’s seafood revolution didn’t happen overnight, and it sure as hell didn’t happen without Peter Halmay. The 83-year-old uni diver and OG of sustainable fishing joins Happy Half Hour to talk about the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market, the bureaucratic battle that made it happen, and why buying seafood straight off the boat is the best way to…

1
The 2024 Roast Battle Hall Of Flame | RBL Weekly Ep. 123 41:34

3M ago41:34

41:34

Pat is on fire this week, as he announces the new inductee's to the RBL Hall of Flame! Check out the newest additions and some honorable mentions, with some top tier classic battles (and a new one you might have missed!).Congrats to the newest members!Announcing Ryan Cullen: Caveat Emptor | FULL COMEDY SPECIAL OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/_EIdRCFlCqkW…

1
10 Restaurant Pet Peeves and Ideas for a Better Restaurant Future 40:12

3M ago40:12

40:12

#365 Not everything can be “tapas.” Maybe we should stop using review sites as rage therapy. Jackie’s a little overstimulated by experience restaurants. In this episode of Happy Half Hour, hosts Troy Johnson and Jackie Bryant air their pet peeves, small and large and farcical. There’s some real info here (the cost of eggs is insane), they suggest a…

1
RBL Weekly Presents: Roast Battle @ Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2024 1:16:18

3M ago1:16:18

1:16:18

Use this link for the LAFD Foundation’s Wildfire Emergency Fund: https://supportlafd.kindful.com/?campaign=1040812"Hello, RBL fans. Due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, we were unable to record a new episode of RBL Weekly this week. Everyone on the Roast Battle League team is safe, and we appreciate all the messages of concern. We will be b…

1
High-End Dining: Inside the menu at San Diego’s First Cannabis Café, Sessions by the Bay 1:06:46

4M ago1:06:46

1:06:46

#364 This week, Troy and Jackie talk to the crew behind the groundbreaking Sessions by the Bay, California’s first legal Amsterdam-style cannabis café opening in February in National City. Owners Alex Ayon, Pearl Ayon have created a 5,000-square-foot lounge featuring lush Moroccan-inspired interiors, immersive art installations, and indulgent food …

1
Ep. 121: The 2024 Hall Of Flame Ballot 31:30

4M ago31:30

31:30

The commish is flying solo this week to announce the 2024 Hall of Flame Ballot! Some of the top battles from the 6 new candidates, with a breakdown of the overall list of 25 ballots!!Congrats to the nominee's, stay tuned for the 2024 Hall of Flame!Announcing Jay Light: My Wife Hates These Jokes | FULL COMEDY SPECIAL OUT NOW! https://youtu.be/Gepszg…

1
The Story of Oceanside’s Hot New Space: Merenda 55:36

4M ago55:36

55:36

#363 To kick off 2025, Troy and Jackie sit down with Aaron and Lauren Crossland—Oceanside local and food anthropologist duo behind north county’s newest arrival, Merenda Wine Bar & Retail Shop. Lauren talks about what she’s learned getting her phD in studying the cultural pathways of food, and Aaron gives his take on how O’Side has evolved. Designe…

1
Ep. 121: The 2024 Roastie Awards 50:40

4M ago50:40

50:40

Pat Barker announces the 2024 Roasties winners, some top battles of the year and we get to hear from some of your favorite battlers!Congrats to our winners, all the amazing battlers and YOU, the viewers who made this the best year of RBL yet!Also announcing Jay Light: My Wife Hates These Jokes | FULL COMEDY SPECIAL coming to our youtube New Years D…

1
Everything You Need to Know About San Diego Restaurants and Food in 2024 1:00:49

4M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

#362 To round out the final HHH of the year, Troy and Jackie sit down with SDM’s award-winning food-news writer, Beth Demmon, to wrap up the year's biggest moments in San Diego's restaurant, food, and drink culture. They give praise to their favorite dishes and most notable openings, while talking through some challenges for San Diego’s culinary sc…

1
Ep. 120: The Top 10 Roast Battlers of 2024 1:03:39

4M ago1:03:39

1:03:39

The Commish is solo this week and as we head into the holidays, Pat counts down the top 10 MVP candidates from across the RBL!Congrats to our winner and all the amazing battlers who made the top 10! Keep an eye on them going into 2025 and let us know who YOU had in #1Who had the best battle?Who had your favorite joke?Grab tickets to the World Champ…

1
NEVER Buy a CONDO with These Issues 6:43

4M ago6:43

6:43

This PODCAST will take you through the hidden pitfalls that could turn your dream condo into a nightmare. From unexpected HOA rules and skyrocketing fees to poorly managed associations and even structural risks, this video uncovers the top things you must investigate before buying. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, these ins…

1
The Chicken Pie Shop Legacy: 87 Years of Comfort Food in San Diego 1:05:02

4M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

#361 This week on Happy Half Hour, we’re diving fork-first into the 87-year legacy of San Diego’s beloved Chicken Pie Shop. Owners Bob and Lisa Townsend join us to dish on how they’ve kept the comfort food institution alive—whole chickens and turkeys, scratch-made everything, and fried chicken so good it took six months to perfect. They share tales…

1
Ep. 119: Announcing The NEW RBL Cities! 56:26

4M ago56:26

56:26

The Commish is back in studio with Moses to announce who didn't make the cut this year, the 10 new cities added to the RBL and the brand new secondary league! Let us know if your city made the cut! What cities do you have winning their division next year? Who are you excited to see out of the new additions? Grab tickets to the World Championship Ba…

1
Making an Ocean Beach Legend: Hodad’s owner Shane Hardin talks Food Network, Fame, and his Father 1:04:15

5M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

This week on Happy Half Hour, Troy and Jackie sit down with Shane Hardin, the third-generation co-owner of Hodad’s, Ocean Beach’s iconic, nationally famous burger spot. From the early days when his grandparents ran a small beachside stand to national fame on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Hodad’s has been a constant in San Diego’s food scene for ove…

1
Ep. 118: The Best of the Offseason Vol.1 52:31

5M ago52:31

52:31

Moses is in studio this week with special guest Tom Goss! While we get ready for awards season, Moses breaks down the top 5 battles so far from the Offseason! From around the world we have some strong contenders with no stakes on the line! Let us know your favorite battle of the Ep!Grab tickets to the World Championship Battles here:https://thetops…

1
How Monarch Del Mar Became a North County Icon 59:53

5M ago59:53

59:53

This week’s Happy Half Hour is a tale of food, community, and grit. Drew Vick, co-owner of Monarch Del Mar, takes us through his incredible journey of opening one of North County’s most transformative restaurants in the middle of the pandemic—complete with personal tragedy, a 75-year-old arm-wrestling for a half-million-dollar investment, and bring…

1
Ep. 117: The Best Roast Battlers of 2024? 1:18:57

5M ago1:18:57

1:18:57

We're back in studio with Pat and Moses, as we start ramping up for award season (stay tuned for the Roasties December 31st)! From MVP to Battle of the year, we even have a new award decided by our Patreon members!Special thanks and big shout out to Tom Goss for putting together our compilations this week! Let us know who you have taking home the R…

1
Why Thompson Heritage Ranch is Changing San Diego’s Menus 49:30

5M ago49:30

49:30

Thompson Heritage Ranch isn’t just a farm; rancher Tyrell Thompson runs a cattle farm that’s an evolution in how we think about meat. Nestled in Ramona, this regenerative ranch is the brainchild of Thompson, a Midwestern transplant with a passion for sustainable, humane livestock practices. With organic, GMO-free feed and a focus on biodiversity, T…

1
Ep. 116: Championship Lineup Revealed 1:24:19

5M ago1:24:19

1:24:19

We're back in studio with Moses and Pat, but this time, we have some special guests to talk about the World Championship! Nate Welch, Andrew Manning and Jay Yamaki join us this week to break down some of the best battles and talk about what's to come!Grab tickets to the World Championship Battles here:https://thetopsecretcomedyclub.co.uk/events-lis…

1
Michelle Metter, SOMMCON 2024 11:58

5M ago11:58

11:58

Full sit down with Michelle Metter, founder and creator of SommCon, during the conference. She goes into the addition of Women in Craft Conference this year, as well as many aspects of the conference as a whole, including behind the scenes looks, networking, the role we all have to contribute to the growth of the industry, and more. Follow along on…

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Best Bars In San Diego Podcasts

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