Ready to know more about San Diego?

Subscribe

The New Owner of Mr. A’s on What Changes He Will (and Won’t) Be Making

Tune into episode 253 of the Happy Half Hour podcast
Lucianna McIntosh

The iconic Mister A’s is being sold (don’t worry, it’s not going anywhere, and this is a good story). Last week, we talked with Bertrand Hug—the restaurateur of restaurateurs, the don of dining and longtime steward of the rooftop restaurant—about why he chose to sell to his right-hand man. Today on the podcast, we have the man himself, Ryan Thorsen.

Ryan earned this (and paid for it). The SDSU grad got his first job at Buster’s Beach House in Seaport Village, then landed a low-level manager’s job at Mister A’s and just dedicated his life to it. Worked 100-hour weeks at times. He rose through the ranks over 11 years, becoming director of operations. He and Hug developed a father-son relationship, and, when Hug decided it was time to let go and focus on his original baby—the world-class French restaurant Mille Fleurs in Rancho Santa Fe—he turned down offers for more money and entrusted Mister A’s to his young partner and friend.

Ryan tells us the whole story—including how he originally got turned down for the job because Hug didn’t like his facial scruff—and what he plans to do with the San Diego classic when he takes over in March. He’s not going nuts with the design, but he’s enlisted top designer Mauricio Couturier, who designed this place.

In Hot Plates, things get a little wild. Takashi Endo is opening another Menya Ultra Ramen in UTC, and we all give our answer about which is the superior soup: ramen or pho. We talk about Shake Shack opening in Carlsbad, and I for sure am going to be driven out of Southern California in a hailstorm of fire because I admit I prefer it to our own better-burger legend (sacrilege). The Pink Lady (La Valencia Hotel) is renovating their famed Mediterranean Room and adding a new patio concept to celebrate its 95th birthday.Temaki Bar, a hand roll place from Clique Hospitality (LionfishSereaJoya Kitchen) and sustainable seafood chef JoJo Ruiz, is coming to Encinitas. And 3R Brewing, a Native American–owned craft brewery from the Rincon Reservation, just opened a tasting room in Ocean Beach.

In Two People, $50, Troy was reminded how much he loves the vegan food at Café Gratitude, especially that butternut squash dip with focaccia. Ryan wastes zero time declaring his love for everyone’s favorite tequila-and-mole hideaway, Cantina Mayahuel. And David checked out Kin Len, the brand-new Thai street food restaurant in North Park.

Hope you all enjoy. See ya next week.

Ryan Thorsen and Bertrand Hug

Lucianna McIntosh

By Troy Johnson

Troy Johnson is the magazine’s award-winning food writer and humorist, and a long-standing expert on Food Network. His work has been featured on NatGeo, Travel Channel, NPR, and in Food Matters, a textbook of the best American food writing.

Share this post

LATEST EPISODES

Podcast

Kitchens for Good Tackles Food Waste & Empowers Student ...

Kitchens for Good Tackles Food Waste & Empowers Student Chefs

Listen now

Podcast

How The Mental Bar Became Encanto’s Third Place

Listen now

Podcast

The Story Behind San Diego’s Most Legendary Cocktail

Listen now

Podcast

Hidden Foods Co. is Cracking the Code for Picky Eaters

Listen now

Podcast

The San Diego Nonprofit Saving the World with Stoves

Listen now

Podcast

How Sam The Cooking Guy Won the Internet

Listen now

Podcast

Stella Jean's Secret Sauce Is Its Milk

Listen now

Podcast

Jimbo’s Naturally Celebrates 40 Years of Supporting Local ...

Jimbo’s Naturally Celebrates 40 Years of Supporting Local Farms & Businesses

Listen now

Podcast

Lia's Lumpia Fuses Filipino Cooking with Black Soul Food

Listen now

Podcast

Little Lion’s Chef Learned Everything from Her Grandparent...

Little Lion’s Chef Learned Everything from Her Grandparents

Listen now

Podcast

Actor Martin Short Becomes Mayor of a Food-Obsessed Town

Listen now

Podcast

San Diego’s Best Beer Isn't an IPA

Listen now

Podcast

Javier Plascencia Talks Michelin Stars & Caesar Salad's ...

Javier Plascencia Talks Michelin Stars & Caesar Salad's 100th

Listen now

Podcast

All the Best Eats at the San Diego County Fair

Listen now

Podcast

Cardellino Owner Brad Wise on Truffles, Caviar & Butcher...

Cardellino Owner Brad Wise on Truffles, Caviar & Butchering

Listen now

Podcast

San Diego's King of Produce

Listen now

Podcast

Is this San Diego's Most Picturesque Rooftop Restaurant?

Listen now

Podcast

Trying Petco Park's Best Food with Don and Mud

Listen now

Podcast

SD’s Secret Sommelier Weapon is at North Park’s Black Ra...

SD’s Secret Sommelier Weapon is at North Park’s Black Radish

Listen now

Podcast

Radio Host Chris Cantore & Chef Tyler Mars Launch New Po...

Radio Host Chris Cantore & Chef Tyler Mars Launch New Pop-Up

Listen now

Podcast

Fast Food Secrets With Jordan Howlett

Listen now

Podcast

Feeding San Diego Rescues 1.2M Pounds of Food a Month 

Listen now

Podcast

Making Wishes Come True With Chef William Eick

Listen now

Podcast

The Beach Boys’ Mike Love Puts Us in a Kokomo State of Min...

The Beach Boys’ Mike Love Puts Us in a Kokomo State of Mind

Listen now

Contact Us

1230 Columbia Street, Suite 800,

San Diego, CA