It's a mess. A glorious mess. Azerbaijan on Adams Ave., the Buzz Burger with bacon jam, Surf Check in Shasta travel trailer, old-school Japanese in Chula Vista. — Ed Bedford Save room for the Mexican …

“The Opening” In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate Praise be to God, the Lord of the Universe, the Merciful, the Compassionate, the Authority on Judgment Day. It is You whom we worship …

“Scott is presently on some sort of trek with hippos and crocodiles in southern Ethiopia,” says Amy Day, whose band the Local suddenly finds itself minus cofounding singer-guitarist Scott Walsh just as their debut album …

Hipster: This question is almost like that summer road trip with the folks as a kid, and the endless questions in the car: “Dad, what would happen if...? What was it like when...? Where do...come …

‘This is how you make a decent cocktail,” says Doug. He sneaks out a nubbly silver pocket flask, opens it, then slides his glass of whiskey sour under the counter and starts secretly pouring bourbon …

Bonnie Dumanis may be out as the county’s district attorney, having stepped down last month — thereby giving her establishment-backed successor Summer Stephan the advantage of the incumbency to run for election next year, but …

Zak Prescott, drummer with Lemon Grove punk band P-S-O, suggests culture clash caused Industry, an all-ages music venue in Chula Vista’s Eastlake area, to close in January. The 250-capacity Industry hosted eight to ten shows …

An old joke came to mind while watching Destin Daniel Cretton’s The Glass Castle. A father and his two young children stand outside a 7-Eleven, asking all who enter to spare a little change. Before …

The co-creator of those oddball movies in the Killer Tomatoes series didn’t do as well with the media he pumped out for the ill-fated ballot bid of the then–San Diego Chargers to build a new …

Flash back a decade: I’m working the counter at Citizen Video in South Park. Enter Destin Daniel Cretton, a lanky, well-scrubbed local lad in his late 20s with a DVD copy of Drakmar: A Vassal’s …

Aristotle Georgio (aka Mike Smith) spent the last year of his life hooked up to a feeding tube after being assaulted in the Gaslamp Quarter on July 1st of 2016, when a sucker-punch caused him …

If you are looking for a loop hike in the Cuyamacas with a mix of sun and shade, old road and narrow trail, a variety of wildflowers, and a shady creekside spot to rest, then …

You don’t “grab a slice,” you order it and then settle in. Check your phone. Read a novella. There is no getting around the time it takes until — as the Regents Pizzeria reheating instructions …

It’s difficult to characterize Ken Ludwig’s Robin Hood, now in its world premiere at the Old Globe. It isn’t the 1938 swashbuckling movie, The Adventures of Robin Hood, where elongated shadows of Errol Flynn and …

Prep Kitchen is quintessentially Californian in that it exalts comfort food by making it seasonal, and in that fusion is foremost. On this menu, you’ll find fish tacos (tomatillo salsa, cabbage, cilantro, avocado crema: $14.95) …

Dear Hipster: I just wrapped up a summer internship (which went well), but I kept encountering a weird point of contention between myself and the higher-ups. My job involved preparing a lot of memos and …

You won’t find a better sandwich for $3.75 than you will among the bánh mì of this low-key Vietnamese deli counter. Bánh mì literally translates as “bread,” and Paris Bakery does well to live up …

An unabashed fan of Rick Bayless, I was thrilled when Red O finally opened in May. You could make a statement by ordering the tablita for two, a grilled 32 oz. prime tomahawk chop, one-pound …

Last month, President Trump’s personal lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, got an anonymous email advising him, “Resign Now,” according to ProPublica. Kasowitz shot back by email, “You are f––king with me…Watch your back, bitch…You piece of s––t.” …

BBQ aficionados can be particular, but this hole-in-the-wall in La Mesa should satisfy lovers of brisket and tri-tip. The meat is smoked for hours until tender in a tangy rub. Customers then can add the …

1967: “My World Fell Down” Imperial Beach remains remote and intolerable, Both in memory and all its stammering desire. My radio flourished with L.A.’s visionary decibels. I feared its LSD as friendly fire. The hippies …

In Chicago, the downsizing of the once-mighty daily Spanish-language newspaper Hoy to a weekly by parent tronc, Inc. has caused only a muted outcry. Launched in 2003, the paper “that began as a daily and …

Azerbaijan meets California. The cutest patio this side of the Black Sea, with birds singing as you eat, long communal tables, medieval drapes, lovers’ nooks, and a happy hour bursting with totally interesting tapas, $5 …

Who Wrote “Gravy Waltz”? In Just Announced it was nice you mentioned Mike Wofford’s upcoming “Some of My Best Friends” concert. However Mr. Sanford’s statement that Mr. Wofford composed “Gravy Waltz” is contradictory to any …