Papa Johns: Garlic Dip, CEO Scandals, & the First Bitcoin Pizza
Release Date: 05/14/2025
Buffalo Wild Wings: The Fourth Jonas Brother, Hank the Buffalo, and The Lost "W"
"Fine" Dining
🐃🔥🍗 Buffalo Wild Wings GO: The Fourth Jonas, Blazin’ Heat & a Fightin’ Manager 🍗🔥🐃 This week, Shannon Bengston (@SSBengston) joins me to trace the wild story behind Buffalo Wild Wings GO: from its roots as “BW3” in Columbus, Ohio to its modern takeout-only spin-off. We cover Hank the Buffalo, the forgotten Weck sandwich, and the Jonas Brothers ad campaign (yes, including the mysterious fourth Jonas). Plus, Shannon dreams up her own spooky restaurant concept, The Raven, while we cover some of the craziest Yelp reviews including one where the manager challenged...
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Outback Steakhouse: "No Rules, Just Right," Survivor, & Bloomin' Onion Perfection
"Fine" Dining
🥩🦘🍺 Outback Steakhouse: "No Rules, Just Right," Survivor, & Bloomin’ Onion Perfection 🍺🦘🥩 This week, I’m joined by VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) to explore the not-so-Australian history of Outback Steakhouse, the restaurant that proves authenticity is optional when the vibes are right. From a “No Rules, Just Right” slogan that’s maybe a little too spicy, to Survivor contestants earning an Outback feast as a reward, we dive deep into the steakhouse that brought the Outback to America (without ever visiting Australia). Plus, I announce the winner of...
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Hometown Buffet: Absolute Trash
"Fine" Dining
🥴🍽️🚫 Hometown Buffet: The Absolute Bottom of the Tchotchke of Mediocrity 🚫🍽️🥴 This week, we revisit a meal that has haunted me since 2014: Hometown Buffet, the worst restaurant experience of my life. Joined by Trey Burch, I relive the sleepy Sunday morning buffet that somehow managed to fail at everything. From nonexistent service to questionable sushi, this trip back to mediocrity’s basement proves exactly why this chain is extinct (and deserves to be). 📉 The Rise and Fall of Hometown Buffet: 4 Bankruptcies and a “Scatter Bar” Concept 🥴 A Nearly Empty Sunday...
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The BEST Restaurant I've Ever Experienced: chi SPACCA
"Fine" Dining
🥩🔥🍎 chi SPACCA: The Perfect 10 on the Tchotchke of Mediocrity 🍎🔥🥩 This week, I finally crown my very first perfect restaurant: chi SPACCA, the Italian butcher by Nancy Silverton and the best dining experience of my life. On Valentine’s Day 2023, I discovered what true excellence tastes like, from cozy, candlelit vibes and flawless service to indulgent bites of steak, marrow, and candied apple pie. It was decadent, joyful, and unforgettable… even if our server’s beef & bone marrow pot pie presentation went a little sideways. 🥔 Onion Rings & Mashed Potatoes...
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McDonald's Monopoly: History, Scandal, and Astronomically Bad Odds
"Fine" Dining
🎩🍟💰 McDonald’s Monopoly: History, Scandal, and Astronomically Bad Odds💰🍟🎩 This week, we peel back the golden arches on one of the biggest promotions in fast-food history: McDonald’s Monopoly. From the McMillions scandal that rocked the 2000s to the shocking odds that make the Powerball look generous, this episode dives deep into the strange world where fries meet finance. We explore the sweepstakes mechanics, the global variations, and the jaw-dropping aftermath of McDonald’s paying out on a possibly fraudulent million-dollar game piece sent to St. Jude’s. 🎲...
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Septemburger Semi-Finals & Finals
"Fine" Dining
It's here! The finale of the 2025 Septemburger tournament pits Wendy's against Dairy Queen and Carl's Jr. against A&W. Who will make it to the finals, and more importantly: who will take home the ability to proclaim themselves the best burger chain of the 2025 Septemburger field? I'm joined once again by filmmaker Tyler Eaton to cover Dairy Queen, comedian and author Ali Gordon to chat Wendy's, one of my best friends Herbert Amaya to review A&W, and composer James McEnelly to eat Carl's Jr. They also humor me and once again embody the chains they're helping me review to trash...
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Wendy's: Savage Roasts, French Fry Glow-Up, and Are the Nuggets Perfect?
"Fine" Dining
🍟🤖🍔 Wendy's: Savage Roasts, French Fry Glow-Up, and Are the Nuggets Perfect? 🍔🤖🍟 This week, Ali Gordon joins me to put Wendy’s through the Chili’s Test. Between Frostys, spicy nuggets, and a fireplace straight out of HGTV, things get interesting. We try three Wendy's burgers for Septemburger, but will they all get a chance in the tournament or will Jack in the Box knock them out? Also, a one-time brand new segment called Rate That Roast! where Ali judges Wendy’s savage social media burns. 📣 Rate That Roast! Ali Judges Wendy’s Online Burns 🍫 Frosty Bliss &...
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Jack in the Box: See-Through Tacos, Clown Mascot, and Legendary Curly Fries
"Fine" Dining
🌮🤡 Jack in the Box: See-Through Tacos, Clown Mascot, and Legendary Curly Fries 🤡🌮 This week, we went to Jack in the Box to try some burgers, and got so much more than we bargained for. I'm joined by Honey Butter Popcorn from the Ragmop & Goose Puppet Adoption Agency and we went deep on the Jack in the Box menu. From a wild history including a name change and blowing up their old mascot, to Yelp reviews that find one specific employee very funny, you're not going to want to miss this one! 🥤 We Describe the Taste of the Worst Drink I’ve Ever Had ⏱️ "Cheap and Quick"...
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SONIC Drive-In: Full History and Honest Review
"Fine" Dining
🍒 Sonic Drive-In: Full History and Honest Review 🛻 This week, SONIC Drive-In gets the full treatment: history and review, all in one. From the retrofuturistic drive-in vibes and “Two Guys” commercials to a dashboard covered in onion rings, we dive deep into everything SONIC does right, wrong, and in-between. Special guest Marc Pope (Geek Off the Street podcast) joins me for cherry limeades, corndogs, and a Septemburger showdown to see if SONIC can topple Dairy Queen. 🍟 Tater Tots & Onion Rings: Fried Side-by-Side Taste Test 🌭 Corn Dog has a Weird Wiener 🍒 Cherry...
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Septemburger 2025: The Battle for Hamburger Supremacy
"Fine" Dining
🍔 Septemburger 2025: The Burger Tournament Begins! 🏆 GET HYPED!! It’s that time of year again: Septemburger! The annual hamburger tournament is back, and eight chains are entering this greasy gauntlet. In this episode, I reveal all the contenders, break down how the tournament works, and review the first five burgers of round one. From a slew of mediocre burgers to Santa Claus cutting promos for Arctic Circle, this year is already unhinged in the best way. 🥊 Cook Out (featuring my Dad) vs. A&W (with Herbert Amaya) 🎅 Santa Claus Represents Arctic Circle vs. Carl’s Jr. (with...
info_outline🍕 Papa Johns: Garlic Dip, CEO Scandals, & the First Bitcoin Pizza 🍕
From a broom closet in Indiana to viral garlic sauce bath bombs, Papa Johns has had one of the weirdest journeys in chain restaurant history. In this episode, I explore the story of America's youngest major pizza chain — the sauce that changed the industry, the man who ate 40 pizzas in 30 days, and how a slice of Papa Johns became the first physical purchase made with Bitcoin.
We’re talking about Shaq, lawsuits, racial slurs on conference calls, and a clock made of eagles. Yes, really. Comedian Nick Stargu joins me to talk everything Papa Johns!
Does Papa Johns have the most cursed origin story in pizza? Or is it just misunderstood?
🧄 The Garlic Dipping Sauce That Changed the Game
📈 Explosive Growth & a Stock Ticker Called “PZZA”
🚗 Selling a Camaro to Fund the First Oven
👎 CEO John Schnatter’s Downfall: NFL Drama & Racist Rants
🤑 The $800 Million Bitcoin Pizza
🛁 Garlic-Scented Bath Bombs for Superfans
📉 How Papa John’s Nearly Lost Everything
🍕 Shaq Joins the Board (And Gets His Own Pizza?)
👨🍳 From “Better Ingredients” to Better PR Moves?
💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s your go-to pizza chain — and is Papa Johns even in the conversation?
Check out Nick's comedy special here!
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Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van
👉 NEXT WEEK: We’re actually going to eat Papa Johns. Is it as bad as I remember? Or has it crawled back into crusty relevancy?