Best Best Bars In San Diego Podcasts (2025)

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Plastic Performances 48:55

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1d ago48:55

48:55

In Plastic Performances, John Hayes and Danny Brams confront the team’s inconsistent identity, dissect key moments from the last two crushing losses vs. Kansas City and Chicago, and ask hard questions about mentality, leadership, and tactics. Is Deano on the hot seat? What is Patrick Agyemang's real transfer value? Should Westwood move forward into…

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Los Muertos Beach: Puerto Vallarta 1:16:51

3d ago1:16:51

1:16:51

Viva Puerto Vallarta! In this episode of Best Gaycation Ever my special guest Jason Butler and I head to Los Muertos Beach, aka Blue Chairs, the heart and soul of gay Vallarta to talk about this special strand located on the Bay of Banderas and in the beating heart of the gayborhood, aka the Zona Romantica. Plus, we'll talk about the best and raunc…

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This Couple Is Fixing Your Taco Problem 51:03

5d ago51:03

51:03

#388 On this episode of Happy Half Hour, Troy Johnson sits down with Ron and Isabel Oliver, the duo behind Somos Maíz. Isabel grew up in Michoacán learning how to make masa the traditional way. Ron spent 20 years as chef de cuisine at the Marine Room. Now they’re sourcing heirloom corn from farmers in Mexico and turning it into fresh masa that’s sh…

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Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls Wins 2025 Fairtastic Food Competition 36:43

12d ago36:43

36:43

#387 Happy Half Hour goes full fried as Troy and Jackie broadcast from the San Diego County Fair, tasting their way through 18 brain-and-taste bud-bending entries in the 2025 Fairtastic Food Competition. Spam wonton tacos. Cajun honey dogs. Furikake fries with runny eggs and edible flowers. But one stood above them all: a tres leches cinnamon roll …

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The SHOCKING Reality of Living in South San Diego - Toxic River Crisis Explained 11:00

14d ago11:00

11:00

South San Diego is facing a crisis that’s been overlooked for far too long. This video uncovers the ongoing environmental disaster caused by the Tijuana River, which has carried billions of gallons of toxic sewage from Mexico into the U.S., impacting communities like Imperial Beach and South San Diego. We explore how this pollution has led to chron…

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Taking the show (literally) on the road 1:17:13

16d ago1:17:13

1:17:13

Danny and John tape a special episode whilst on the road after sitting on Managers Row at Subaru Park for Charlotte FC’s 2-1 loss to Philadelphia. It's an unfiltered ride home full of lane changes—Zaha played the villain to perfection (and celebrated like it), Deano put on a sideline show of his own, and the Philly fan experience was… something els…

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Bouncing Back After Bye Week | Philadelphia Union Preview with Calen Carr 25:38

19d ago25:38

25:38

Apple MLS Season Pass Analyst Calen Carr joins DannyBrams for some talk about the shifting identities of Charlotte FC this year, how The Crown stacks up in the Eastern Confernnce Playoff Chase, and most immediately: How to get three points on the road vs one of MLS's elite clubs, the Philadelphia Union! It's For the Crown, Baby!…

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The Best Dollar Oyster Deal In Town 47:13

19d ago47:13

47:13

#386 This week’s Happy Half Hour comes to you straight from the bar at Fort Oak, where we posted up with Jess Stewart, Trust Restaurant Group’s beverage director and the mind behind some of San Diego’s most quietly brilliant cocktails. She breaks down her kitchen-driven approach to drink-making (yes, there’s salt in that watermelon margarita), why …

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Dive Bar Dreams & Charlotte FC Schemes 43:20

25d ago43:20

43:20

Recorded live from Dom's Dive Bar during the heat of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, John Hayes and Danny Brams dive deep into Charlotte FC's rollercoaster first half of the season. From Patrick Agyemang’s breakout performances to Dean Smith’s evolving tactics and Wilfried Zaha's impact. Plus, an uncomfortable conversation about The Captain Ashl…

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Meet the Cheese Shop that Accidentally Became a Sandwich Shop 58:07

26d ago58:07

58:07

#385 This week on Happy Half Hour, hosts Troy Johnson and Jackie Bryant welcome Mike and Jenny Eastwood of Smallgoods American Cheeses & Provisions—a La Jolla gem born out of NYC’s Murray’s Cheese and years in San Diego’s farmers market trenches. The couple shares how a career in commercial production, a cheese cave internship, and a well-timed mov…

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Charlotte FC Faces Must-Win in Toronto | Neil Sika Returns to Preview! 21:42

1M ago21:42

21:42

Apple TV's Neil Sika returns to the show after calling The Crown's midweek loss to the Red Bulls and ahead of a game in Toronto that appears to be a must-win as Charlotte FC looks to shake off its "May Miasma." DannyBrams & Neil break down why the Charlotte defense has failed to live up to the great standard set earlier this season, delve into the …

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This BBQ Sauce Made Troy Johnson Break His No-Sauce Rule 1:17:20

1M ago1:17:20

1:17:20

#384 This week’s Happy Half Hour is equal parts hot sauce origin story and full-blown love fest for San Diego’s indie food scene. Troy Johnson confesses he’s a BBQ purist—until one burger from Rosemary’s shatters his sauce snobbery with a tangy, tamarind-laced revelation. Enter Larz Watts, the founder of Oak Steak BBQ, who built his now-beloved sau…

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7 Reasons Moving to San Diego is a TERRIBLE Idea 6:56

1M ago6:56

6:56

Thinking of moving to San Diego? You might want to pump the brakes. In this PODCAST, I’m breaking down 7 surprising reasons why relocating to “America’s Finest City” might actually be a terrible idea—from jaw-dropping housing prices and rising traffic to some truths about nightlife and even the weather. But don’t write it off just yet—because for e…

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Inside Carlsbad’s Little Victory Wine Bar: Natty Wine, Local Bites, Zero Pretension 1:09:52

1M ago1:09:52

1:09:52

#383 In this week’s episode of Happy Half Hour, Troy Johnson and Jackie Bryant raise a glass to Carlsbad’s buzziest new opening: Little Victory Wine Bar. Co-owners Jeremy Simpson, a natty wine obsessive with a pedigree from LA’s Bestia, and Elliott Townsend, a hyper-local chef known for the pop-up Long Story Short, join the show to talk fermentatio…

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Blacks Beach: San Diego 45:11

1M ago45:11

45:11

Greetings from sunny San Diego! America's Finest City, as it likes to call itself, is home to the best gay nude beach in the world. That's right, I said it! In this solo episode I'll talk about famous Blacks Beach, a popular nudist strand located about 25 minutes north of downtown. Plus, I'll dole out my favorite hotels, restaurants, queer bars, at…

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Little Fox Cups and Cones Turns Ice Cream into Art in Oceanside 1:16:26

2M ago1:16:26

1:16:26

#382 Troy and Jackie dig into the story behind Little Fox Cups and Cones, the Oceanside shop that’s putting an inventive spin on ice cream. Owner Megan Koll started as a bartender at CH Projects, then honed her craft at Juju Lee before turning her obsession with flavor and local sourcing into a cult-favorite ice cream shop. With flavors like toaste…

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Charlotte FC vs Nashville SC Preview with Tony Husband 17:03

2M ago17:03

17:03

Apple TV's Tony Husband returns to the show ahead of the Charlotte-Nashville Showdown that he'll be in the booth for on Saturday Night. Danny Brams talks with Tony about Wilfried Zaha's adjustment to MLS, Charlotte's back line depth in the wake of several injuries, the addition of Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty to the squad, and the fine form that Nashvil…

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The Three Year Search for the Best Damn Tequila with Bebemos Founder Preston Caffrey 44:29

2M ago44:29

44:29

#381 In this episode of Happy Half Hour, Troy Johnson and Jackie Bryant meet up with Preston Caffrey, founder of the brand-new Bebemos Tequila, to launch their “Joven Golden Hour” tour—a series of pairings between local restaurants and Caffrey’s clean, additive-free tequila made in partnership with small-batch agave growers in Mexico. Recorded at R…

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Zaha Finding His Way in MLS + Columbus Crew Preview with Bradley Wright-Phillips 14:49

2M ago14:49

14:49

BWP is Back for his second appearance on CSS! The MLS Legend joins DannyBrams to get into the ups and downs of Wilfried Zaha so far in the 2025 Season and what it's like to adjust to the league when coming over from a career in England. They also talk about the stakes for Charlotte in the MLS Eastern conference ahead of a road trip to Columbus with…

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From TomTom to Old Town: Pietro Busalacchi on Restaurants, Reality TV, and a San Diego Legacy 1:06:23

2M ago1:06:23

1:06:23

#380 This week, we head from a La Jolla strip mall to the glitter of LA’s reality TV scene before landing in the heart of Old Town. Pietro Busalacchi—bartender, hustler, and heir to one of San Diego’s most iconic restaurant families—joins us to talk about growing up in Little Italy, working at Lisa Vanderpump’s TomTom, and how he brought that chaos…

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Gaffer Gets One Wrong?? | Charlotte FC Falls 1-0 to NE Revolution 40:36

2M ago40:36

40:36

Charlotte FC suffers their first loss at Bank of America Stadium in 2025 and the fingers are out and pointing! Superstar DP Wilfried Zaha is firing back at his critics on SnapChat, Dean Smith is calling referees "incompetent," Danny Brams just can't get over the 18 shots that failed to find the back of the net, and John Hayes just wants to know why…

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Dax McCarty Joins the Show ahead of New England Match 29:13

2M ago29:13

29:13

MLS Legend Dax McCarty has been a vocal advocate for Charlotte FC in his rookie year as a broadcaster on Apple MLS Season Pass. The outspoken analyst joins Danny Brams to discuss making the transition from player to broadcaster, explain why he chose 2 Charlotte FC players for his Early Season Best XI (but not 3!), and sing the praises of Pep Biel, …

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

2M 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 …

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Charlotte FC Crushes San Diego FC | Top of MLS Eastern Conference Table 40:31

2M ago40:31

40:31

Pep Biel does it again! John Hayes and Danny Brams react to Charlotte FC's 3-0 win over San Diego where Nick Scardina made his MLS debut. We hear from Patrick Agyemang, Dean Smith & more. Do people realize how good Wilfried Zaha is playing? We debate. #charlottefc #mlssoccer #mlsseasonpass #forthecrown #wilfriedzaha #pepbiel #patrickagyemang #andre…

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San Diego FC Storms the Fortress | Match Preview with Apple's Ross Smith 20:39

2M ago20:39

20:39

One of our faves, Ross Smith returns to the show ahead of his assignment in the booth calling San Diego FC at Charlotte FC this weekend. Ross freely admits that SDFC are his "2nd team" to keep an eye on each Saturday as their attractive soccer has made him an instant fan of the expansion squad. He breaks down the opponents Dean Smith will need to n…

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

2M 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,…

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Magic in Montreal 47:10

3M ago47:10

47:10

John and Danny discuss the importance of Pep Biel's first half goal in Montreal. Dean Smith set up the team in a 4-2-3-1 and it got The Crown a clean sheet and its first road win of the season. Adilson Malanda was named man of the match but the guys agree it should have went to Kristijan Kahlina. Charlotte FC now sits 3rd on the MLS table. Is the e…

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

3M 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

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Callum Williams joins the show! | Charlotte FC @ CF Montreal Preview 15:11

3M ago15:11

15:11

In a historic first for the show, we've got a guest talking Charlotte FC from the back of an Uber! Renowned commentator Callum Williams will call the Crown's match in Montreal Saturday, he joins Danny Brams for some thoughts on how to replace the injured Wilfried Zaha, why Patrick's Agyemang's impact goes well beyond goal scoring, and how Charlotte…

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

3M 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…

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Smash & Grab! Charlotte FC steals 3 points 37:31

3M ago37:31

37:31

80 minutes of torture followed by 10 minutes of bliss...we wouldn't have it any other way! Charlotte FC left it late vs Nashville but turned the scoreline around and won their 7th straight match at home with a 2-1 result. John & Danny are here to sing the praises of Idan Toklomati, Pep Biel & Wilfried Zaha (among others!). We'll also ponder if Dean…

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

3M 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…

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

3M 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 …

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Mile High Mess 36:45

3M ago36:45

36:45

The Crown was riding high into Colorado and looking to dominate on the road and establish themselves as a true MLS contender, but instead the sputtered, wasted some good chances, and then conceded a crackerjack counterattack and a questionable penalty, and that was that. John & Danny break down just how big of a setback this was for Charlotte FC's …

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Temptation Sundays: Las Vegas 1:28:48

3M ago1:28:48

1:28:48

Vegas, baby! I love Las Vegas and in this episode I am joined by two of my favorite Vegas dancers to talk about Temptation Sundays at the Luxor. Now in its 15th year, Temptation Sundays is a queer, summertime pool party and the longest-running LGBTQ event happening on the Vegas Strip. You shouldn't miss it! Plus, we'll discuss the best of Sin City …

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

3M 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…

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

3M 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 …

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Charlotte FC's strong start to the season 39:07

3M ago39:07

39:07

Charlotte FC is off to strongest start in club history after putting San Jose to the sword in a 4-1 home thrashing. John & Danny break down the goals and add perspective from the Gaffer, the Captain, and the local legend who says after this win "Hell Yeah we can challenge for a league title!" The Doumbia Debut, The Toklomati Takeover, Pep in the Po…

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

3M 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…

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Special Guest: MLS Season Pass Host Kevin Egan 35:47

3M ago35:47

35:47

Danny Brams & Kevin Egan discuss the fun of hosting shows that have become appointment television for MLS fans (and why everyone hates the New York Red Bulls). Kevin fills us in on some key changes to the Apple MLS Season Pass presentation of the league, why Charlotte FC has a great chance to build on early-season success, and where Dean Smith rank…

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The Crown cooks Cincy 52:43

3M ago52:43

52:43

Liel Abada and Patrick Agyemang open their 2025 accounts against rival Cincinnati. John Hayes and Danny Brams discuss the performance and celebrate another Kristijan Kahlina clean sheet. Plus, FC matches are now available locally on TV 64 & artificial turf at The Fortress is still a sight for sore eyes. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.…

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

3M 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 …

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Is Ozempic Changing the Way We Dine? 55:19

4M 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…

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Messi & the Missed Opportunity | Inter Miami 1-0 Charlotte FC 1:03:45

4M ago1:03:45

1:03:45

After a hugely disappointing loss at Miami with Lionel Messi on the bench, John & Danny ponder the question: Is it actually tougher to beat 10-men?? We break down the red card, the goal, the missed chances, and the postgame commentary. We'll also dig into some of the big money stories surrounding why Messi isn't playing, and why some MLS GMs are st…

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Having a go! Zaha puts MLS on notice 57:59

4M ago57:59

57:59

Charlotte FC defeats rival Atlanta United 2-0 in the home opener! John Hayes & Danny Brams discuss matchday, watch highlights and hear from Wilfried Zaha, Dean Smith & Pep Biel post match. Up Next: Inter Miami and Lionel Messi. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC6-1-qotqs…

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

4M 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…

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San Diego’s Ultimate Taco Shop Showdown 33:25

4M 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…

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Charlotte to Cascadia | Matchweek #1 36:38

4M ago36:38

36:38

It's officially matchweek #1 and Charlotte FC is headed to Cascadia to start the season at Seattle Sounders. We preview the matchup, hear from Ashley Westwood about Wilfired Zaha & time-travel back to Patrick Agyemang's first MLS goal vs. Seattle. Plus, predictions! It's For the Crown, baby!

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

4M 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…

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200th Episode TFOS Questions Special 1:01:39

5M ago1:01:39

1:01:39

It's a milestone episode on the eve of Matchweek 1! John & Danny answer TFOS (Tremendous Friends of the Show) questions. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to listen and contribute to the conversation. For the Crown, baby!