Seven Questions for…Kevin Roberts

The “Food Dude” dishes on sports bar popularity, fish tacos and LaDanian Tomlinson’s bowling handicap.

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.

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