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Books & Records - Reviews

2202 Fourth Ave, 92101 San Diego
All reviews at a glance
912

Reviews

76.1%

Satisfaction

180

negative

38

neutral

694

positive

What people say about Books & Records

Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Michael S.
Review date: 12/27/2025
9
Excellent Brunch with Great Service
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed a nice brunch menu with diverse options and plenty of variety. The food was clean, and the servers were friendly. Order times were reasonably fast, and there was no wait.
  • brunch menu9
  • diverse options9
  • clean food8
Visit Type
  • Tourist Experience
catpaws
Review date: 12/21/2025
2
Disappointing AI Art Over Actual Art
My experience was disappointing. While San Diego is known for its amazing artists, it seems like the restaurant chose to display AI art all over their walls instead. This was a letdown.
  • AI art2
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Large Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Long (31+ min.)
Daniel G.
Review date: 12/14/2025
1
Terrible Experience with Allergy Incident
My group of friends and I were really excited to try this place. We had a reservation for 8: 00 PM but weren't seated until 8: 30 PM. Once seated, one of us explicitly informed the staff about an allergy, yet was still served something containing it, leading to an EpiPen use in the restroom. To make matters worse, about 30 minutes after ordering, we were told that what I ordered was unavailable. It was a terrible experience.
  • waiting time2
  • allergy1
  • EpiPen use1
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Large Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Long (31+ min.)
mustsarda02
Review date: 12/14/2025
1
Awful Service and Food Allergy Nightmare
My friends and I had an awful experience at this restaurant. Despite having a reservation for 8 pm and checking in on time, we were made to wait outside until 8: 30 pm. I clearly communicated my food allergies and intended menu items to the staff, and was assured that modifications could be made. Shockingly, after some food was served and I had already started eating, a staff member informed me that an item I consumed contained an allergen, leading to an EpiPen incident. This was compounded by the waiter informing us later that a menu item ordered at the beginning of our meal was no longer available, this after half the table had already received their entrees. The service was terrible, and the food safety was a major concern.
  • service1
  • wait time2
  • food allergies1
Price per Person
  • $31–$40
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Short (6–15 min.)
D K.
Review date: 12/03/2025
7
Lovely Atmosphere, Hit-or-Miss Brunch
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The atmosphere is truly lovely, and the staff are consistently friendly, earning a perfect 5/5 for both. However, the brunch I had on my last visit was not the best. Despite this, I would try something else when I revisit, as the overall food score was a 4/5. The restaurant is described as more for adults than children, and parking is free street parking, though finding a spot can be somewhat difficult. The wait time is usually up to 10 minutes, and the price per person ranges from $30–50. I would somewhat recommend it for vegetarians, though the vegetarian offerings are not something the reviewer is sure about.
  • atmosphere10
  • staff10
  • food8
  • brunch4
  • parking space4
Visit Type
  • Regular Visit
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Karissa P. R.
Review date: 12/02/2025
10
Third Visit: Consistently Excellent Service and Food
This was our third time at this restaurant, and from the moment we arrived at the host stand to the time we left, the staff was incredibly friendly, warm, and efficient. A thoughtful detail is the communal table available while waiting for your table, allowing you to enjoy a drink without being in the way. The menu offers a great variety of options, whether you prefer sharing small plates or opting for a larger meal. We appreciated the thoughtful menu and the great specials. The service was excellent and warm, making it one of our favorites!
  • staff10
  • communal table8
  • menu9
Visit Type
  • Romantic Date
Group Type
  • Couple
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Michael R.
Review date: 12/02/2025
10
Perfect Date Night Spot!
This place has become our go-to for date nights. Anderson and his team are exceptional. The service, the food, and the ambiance are all perfectly executed. We particularly enjoyed the bao tacos and Brussel sprouts, which were delicious. They also offer an all-day happy hour on Wednesdays featuring 'tiny tinis, ' and our Vespar (James Bond) was delightful. A 5-star rating feels insufficient; the food, drinks, and atmosphere are all perfect.
  • service10
  • food10
  • ambiance10
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Brianna H.
Review date: 11/29/2025
10
Amazing Food, Service, and Atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was great, with the ahi crudo, Brussels sprouts, and flat iron steak being particularly noteworthy. The service was amazing, and the atmosphere was fun. This was my first visit, but I will definitely be back!
  • ahi crudo9
  • Brussels sprouts9
  • flat iron steak9
Price per Person
  • $31–$40
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Noise Level
  • Loud
Levi R.
Review date: 11/10/2025
7
Loud but Flavorful Shareable Plates
My experience at this restaurant was a mix of exciting flavors and some drawbacks. It's a very loud but buzzing place, offering small shareable plates with interesting combinations. I tried the pesto with chicken parm, but I felt it would have been better as separate dishes. The music and ambiance were a bit loud, and our server was a little slow, but this is expected of a busy place. The lamb meatballs and peanut chicken skewers were phenomenal. However, the Mac n cheese was not flavorful, almost tasting like they forgot the cheese.
  • shareable plates8
  • pesto with chicken parm5
  • server5
  • music and ambiance3
  • Mac n cheese2
  • Noise level2
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Noise Level
  • Quiet
T L.
Review date: 10/27/2025
9
Stylish Brunch Gem Tucked Away
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. It's a stylish yet cozy place perfect for brunch, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Banker's Hill. I visited on a Saturday around noon and found easy parking, with the restaurant not being packed. Everyone truly enjoyed their entrées; the salmon latkes were delicious and a must-order. The Sizzurp cold brew was bomb. I'm already planning my return, as I'm dying to try the Vietnamese coffee French toast!
  • salmon latkes9
  • Sizzurp cold brew10
  • entrées8

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