Kevin "The Food Dude" Roberts grew up kitchens and started cooking at the age of 8. He’s now a cookbook author (“Munchies” and “Kissing in the Kitchen”) and a regular contributor on Fox 5's morning news, “The Today Show” and The Food Network. Roberts is a partner in three popular San Diego bars: Gaslamp Tavern, East Village Tavern & Bowl and the new Pacific Beach Shore Club.
Ron Donoho: Did you expect the East Village Tavern & Bowl to become so popular?
Kevin Roberts: When you have good service, good food and a good Happy Hour, then the bar stars align and things seem to work out.
RD: How much earlier than Chargers game time do you have to arrive at EVT to get a seat?
KR: Oh man, early. I walked by to get my espresso on a Sunday at 8 a.m. and the Chargers were playing at 1 p.m., but we already had a line!
RD: What's so great about your new Pacific Beach restaurant?
KR: It’s right on the water at the end of Grand and the Strand--across from the lifeguard tower. The partners are really good guys, and the place is laid back, creating a super cool vibe for the customers.
RD: Who's your favorite San Diego athlete, and why?
KR: LaDanian Tomlinson. He's super cool and the driving force of the Chargers, plus he and his wife hang out at EVT…but LT does suck at bowling.
RD: Describe eating your first fish taco.
KR: It was actually a shark taco. I was in L.A. and we were cooking and they had Thresher shark on sale. So I bought it and grilled it up. The recipe is in my first cookbook, “Munchies.”
RD: If you could only eat at one San Diego restaurant for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
KR: I’m a big fan of seafood, so probably my buddy Brian Malarkey's place, Oceanaire.
RD: What three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party? KR: Buddha, Dalai Lama and Julia Child.
Ron Donoho, formerly executive editor of "San Diego Magazine," is a regular contributor to NBCSandiego.com who covers local news, sports, culture and happy hours.