One day I said to myself, “Self, you go to so many restaurants, and try so many things, that you can’t keep track of where the good places are and what you had there that you liked.” So I thought maybe I’d start up a database of food information for myself.

And I could keep that information on the web so I could access it when I’m traveling.

Then suddenly it hit me. Why not put the information on a site that OTHER PEOPLE could see as well!

I mean heck, my palate may not be as refined as the snobby restaurant reviewers in the newspaper, but you know what? The palates of the ordinary folks out there aren’t as refined as those reviewers anyway! Haven’t you ever been appalled after going to a restaurant that was given four stars and finding that not only were the portions miniscule, but they were made up of the most unusual ingredients that you’d ever seen? (and sometimes made of things you weren’t even sure were edible?)

So if you want to know what an average Joe thinks of the food, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll be keeping a blog about the food and restaurants I’m trying, and will index the information for anyone to check out. Currently, I’m working in San Mateo, California, so you will see most of the reviews from that area until I start traveling again.

I’m a meat-and-potatoes man, but like many of my engineering brethren, I also enjoy just about any type of ethnic food. I generally find that I don’t like what I term “yuppie” food (Iceberg and Romaine make a FINE salad… no need for that yuppie Aruglua and Radicchio! Same thing for goat cheese on a pizza! What is THAT?) And one spice, Cilantro, is right out. (I believe that hatred of Cilantro is hereditary. If you can provide any information for or against this position, please email me.)

And of course, The standard disclaimer has to go here, so I have to say… I’m doing this for fun. I make no money at this (which I’d love to change, but I don’t expect will ever happen). And all the opinions here are just that – my opinions, like ‘em or not.