"Fine" Dining
Comedian Michael Ornelas dives deep into the stories behind your favorite chain restaurants like Cracker Barrel, McDonald's, and Chili's before reviewing them with a new guest each week in search of the perfect 5-out-of-10 "fine" dining experience.
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Joe's Crab Shack: Drunk Toddlers, Racist Decor, & WHO THE HELL IS JOE
04/16/2025
Joe's Crab Shack: Drunk Toddlers, Racist Decor, & WHO THE HELL IS JOE
Joe’s Crab Shack has been serving seafood and sass since 1991 — but who is Joe? In this week’s episode, I dig deep into the murky origins of this kitschy crustacean-themed chain, uncovering mystery, missteps, and marketing that somehow works. From accidentally boozed-up babies to scandalous decorations and trans fat deception, Joe’s has made some serious waves. Plus, I’m joined by longtime friend and podcast voice Sandy Rose to question whether you can truly trust a restaurant that sells shirts saying “I’ve Got Crabs.” Is Joe’s just a goofy seafood joint? Or a case study in chaotic chain dining gone rogue? 🦐 Who is Joe? And why can’t we find him? 🕺 Dancing Servers & Shark Mocktails Gone Horribly Wrong 🚫 The No-Tipping Policy That Sunk Morale 💀 The Lynching Photo That Sparked Outrage 🧈 Trans Fat Lies (and Why They Were So Tasty) 👕 Merch Madness: Peace, Love & Crabs 📉 From 130+ Locations to Just 20 Today 🏝️ Sandy Rose’s Holiday-Themed Restaurant Pitch 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Have you eaten at Joe’s Crab Shack? Did your waiter dance or just bring you trauma? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus reviews & exclusive content!): https://www.patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Chat chains & share horror stories!): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you love deep dives into crabby chaos! 👉 NEXT WEEK: We ate at Joe’s. Was it all kitsch and crabs — or something much weirder? Stay tuned. 🪝
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Panera Bread Is a Pastry Paradise
04/09/2025
Panera Bread Is a Pastry Paradise
We finally ate at Panera Bread — and while the bakery items impressed, the rest of the experience was a chaotic medley of kiosk confusion, bathroom code injustice, and raw onion overload. I’m joined once again by Lyss Johnson (comedian, friend, and former Panera employee) as we break down every detail of our in-person visit to the iconic soup-slinging, salad-stacking chain. Can the cinnamon crunch bagel save this spot from mediocrity? Or is Panera coasting on vibes and vending machine tech? 🥯 The Cinnamon Crunch Bagel That Nearly Ruined Our Lives (In a Good Way) 🍲 Fireside Chili in a Bread Bowl That Got Weirdly Placental 📟 Ordering Kiosk Nightmares and the Case of the Disappearing French Dip 🚽 Bathroom Codes Are Inhumane – Let the People Pee 🍪 The Cookie That Made Us Chipper (and Maybe Changed Our Lives) 🎨 Lettuce Art, Cucky Murals, and Farmer-Flattering Decor 🎶 Off-Brand Pop Anthems That Broke Our Brains 🐔 Lyss Johnson's Score, a Chicken Bag Horror Story, and the Panera Perverts 💬 JOIN THE DISCUSSION: What’s your Panera go-to? Is the soup worth the struggle? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus reviews & exclusive content!): https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Chat chains & share horror stories!): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you believe every restaurant deserves a fair trial! Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We set sail for Joe’s Crab Shack — nautical nonsense or seafood salvation? 🦀
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Panera Bread: Infinite Refills, Caffeinated Chaos, and Chicken Controversies
04/02/2025
Panera Bread: Infinite Refills, Caffeinated Chaos, and Chicken Controversies
🚨 Panera Bread: Infinite Refills, Chicken Fights & Lemonade Lawsuits 🚨 From a humble Missouri bakery to one of the most recognizable fast-casual chains in the country, Panera Bread has been on a wild ride. This week, I dive deep into the breadbasket of chaos that is Panera’s history — including aggressive ad campaigns, billion-dollar innovations, and a beverage scandal that stirred national headlines. Plus, I’m joined by Lyss Johnson — comedian and former Panera employee — to break down what it’s really like behind the counter at America’s favorite soup & salad spot. Was Panera ever really the cozy bread haven we remember? Or has it always been a little bit soup, a little bit shady? 🥖 The $150,000 Loan That Became a $7 Billion Bread Empire 🐔 How Panera's "EZ Chicken" Campaign Offended Farmers Nationwide 📲 The Rise of Panera 2.0 and the iPad-ification of Soup 🍋 Charged Lemonade Controversy – What Actually Happened? 🥤 Unlimited Sip Club: The Most Underrated Beverage Subscription Ever? 🥗 Why Panera’s Vibe Has Changed (and Who It’s Really For Now) 💰 Rising Prices, Declining Quality – Can Panera Still Deliver? 🧓 Lyss Johnson’s Shocking (and Bird-Filled) Walks Home from Panera 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Do you still love Panera? Or is it just overpriced soup in a bread bowl? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus reviews & exclusive content!): https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Chat chains & share horror stories!): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FineDiningPodcast 🔗 All links: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you love deep dives into fast-casual chaos! Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We’re reviewing Panera Bread in real time — and it’s not the Panera you remember. Stay tuned. 🥣
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Is Dairy Queen Worth a 2 Hour Drive?
03/26/2025
Is Dairy Queen Worth a 2 Hour Drive?
🍦 We Drove 2 Hours for Dairy Queen – Was It Worth It? 🍦 We hit the road and drove nearly two hours to the nearest Dairy Queen Grill & Chill to finally see if there’s more to DQ than just frozen nostalgia. We tried three burgers (including a surprisingly delicious Flamethrower), fries, onion rings, chicken tenders, and two iconic desserts—the Blizzard and the Banana Split. The building looked half-abandoned, the service felt five-star, and the bathroom was designed by David Lynch, apparently. Is Dairy Queen just a dessert destination with a food menu on the side—or is it a true contender for America’s most mediocre chain? Indie filmmaker Tyler Eaton joins me to evaluate! 🎙 IN THIS EPISODE: 🔥 The Flamethrower Burger Actually Brought the Heat (and Flavor) 🍨 The Blizzard: A 10/10 Dessert Worth the Hype 🥶 The Banana Split That Summoned My Grandpa’s Spirit 😬 The Fries and Onion Rings Were… Not It 🚽 A Bathroom So Weird It Deserves Its Own Movie 🥄 Why the Chicken Strips Were the Definition of “Just There” 🏰 DQ Needs to Embrace Its Royal Branding Already! 💬 JOIN THE COMMUNITY & SUPPORT THE SHOW: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus Yelp Reviews & Exclusive Episodes!): 💬 Discord (Talk chain restaurants & share horror stories!): 🔗 All links: 🎬 Check out guest Tyler Eaton’s indie horror-comedy Mysterious Ways – coming soon to YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, Apple TV+, and Tubi! 👉 NEXT WEEK: Panera Bread gets the "Fine" Dining treatment. Let's learn all about that lemonade with a body count...
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Dairy Queen’s Rise to Power – The Blizzard Effect
03/19/2025
Dairy Queen’s Rise to Power – The Blizzard Effect
Dairy Queen is more than just ice cream—it was one of the first fast-food chains to take over America. In this episode, we dive into how a self-proclaimed chemist helped perfect soft serve, why DQ dominated the 1950s, and the moment that changed everything: the invention of the Blizzard. Joining me is writer & director Tyler Eaton of the new horror-comedy film Mysterious Ways, as we explore Dairy Queen’s rise, its questionable hot food menu, and whether it still lives up to its legendary status today. 🎙 IN THIS EPISODE: 🍦 How Dairy Queen exploded to 1,400+ locations in just 10 years ❄️ The Blizzard: Can Dairy Queen even take credit for it? 🏁 Did Dairy Queen help spark the fast-food boom in America? 🤔 How did a 14-year-old inspire the most famous upside-down dessert? 🍔 Hear all of DQ's slogans throughout the years! 🎤 Gwen Stefani worked at Dairy Queen?! 📢 JOIN THE COMMUNITY & SUPPORT THE SHOW: 🔥 Patreon (Exclusive bonus content!): 💬 Discord (Fast food talk & horror stories!): 🎥 Watch on YouTube: 🔗 All links: Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We visit Dairy Queen Grill & Chill – Can they actually pull off burgers, or should they just stick to ice cream? 🍔🍦
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Taco Bell Proved Me Wrong (But Not About Everything)
03/12/2025
Taco Bell Proved Me Wrong (But Not About Everything)
After avoiding it for over a decade, I finally stepped back inside a Taco Bell—and I was not ready for what I found. The Baja Blast? Genuinely delicious. The Crunchwrap Supreme? A smart design, poorly executed. The guacamole? It's giving Home Depot. In this episode, comedian & actress Priya Pappu joins me to break down the good, the not good, and everything in between about eating inside a Taco Bell. From its strangely sterile atmosphere to its impressively bad beef portions, we’re analyzing it all to find out if it truly represents fast-food mediocrity. 🎙 IN THIS EPISODE: Does Taco Bell’s food go bad faster than any other fast food? Why the Chalupa was my biggest disappointment Should you trust Taco Bell’s guacamole? (Spoiler: No.) How Taco Bell’s weirdest marketing collabs have kept it relevant Why their kiosks make the dining experience feel less personal 📢 JOIN THE COMMUNITY & SUPPORT THE SHOW: 🔥 Patreon (Exclusive bonus content!): 💬 Discord (Fast food talk & horror stories!): 🎥 Watch on YouTube: 🔗 All links: Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: Everything you've ever wanted to know about Dairy Queen Grill & Chill – Will the story of the DQ Blizzard turn your life upside down?
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How Taco Bell Became Fast Food’s Most Creative Brand
03/05/2025
How Taco Bell Became Fast Food’s Most Creative Brand
Taco Bell Is the Most Creative Fast Food Restaurant—But At What Cost? Taco Bell is the fast-food chain that isn’t afraid to get weird. Over the years, they’ve served up bold (and sometimes questionable) menu items like the Naked Chicken Chalupa, the Firecracker Burrito, and even a Kit Kat Quesadilla. But alongside its reputation for creativity, Taco Bell has a messy history—food recalls, bizarre marketing stunts, and legal battles that only Taco Bell could pull off. In this episode, comedian Priya Pappu joins me to unpack the history of America’s most inventive fast-food chain. We dive into how Taco Bell was founded, its strangest discontinued items, its failed upscale spin-off, and the time it got sued for serving horse meat in Europe (yikes). We also check Yelp reviews for the Taco Bell we visited—because people have some thoughts. Also, VyVy Nguyen is back and here to read a fan-submitted What's Going On Over There from the show's Discord server! "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to WATCH this episode! IN THIS EPISODE: ✔️ Taco Bell’s Origins – Started by a guy named Bell, but not a taco in sight ✔️ The Strangest Menu Items – From Cheetos burritos to Pop Rocks-style tacos ✔️ Marketing Stunts & PR Disasters – They tried to “buy” the Liberty Bell?? ✔️ Healthier Than You Think? – The surprising facts about Taco Bell’s menu ✔️ Lawsuits & Recalls – E. coli outbreaks, metal shavings, & food safety scares ✔️ Yelp Chaos – Unhinged customer reviews of the Taco Bell we ate at 💬 Have a Taco Bell horror story or a weird order you swear by? Let me know! 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus episodes & extra Yelp reviews!): 💬 Discord (Talk chain restaurants & share horror stories!): 🔗 All links in one place: 🎙️ SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts & more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas
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Subway Is Even Worse Than You Remember
02/26/2025
Subway Is Even Worse Than You Remember
Subway’s reputation has been circling the drain for years—but is it really as bad as people say? We tried a bunch of footlongs and we've got thoughts. This week, Terral Wells joins me to put the country’s most common fast-food chain to the test. From a pretzel drier than the Mojave Desert to an interior design aesthetic that actively made Terral upset, we break down every moment of our subpar experience. "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to WATCH this episode! WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: 🥖 Is there anything redeemable about Subway? 🫠 The footlong pretzel was a mistake. 🚨 “Is that smell coming from Subway? Damn, that’s crazy.” – A real quote from a real woman outside Subway. 🖼️ Bizarre wall art that we still don’t understand. 🥪 The assembly line: efficient or soul-crushing? 💀 Subway’s decor is so lifeless it might be worse than the food. 🍪 The cookie: the best thing we ate but still just fine. 📉 Where does Subway rank in our search for the most mediocre restaurant in America? 💬 LET ME KNOW: What's the worst thing you've ever eaten at a Subway? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus episodes & extended Yelp reviews!): 💬 Discord (Talk chain restaurants & share horror stories!): 🔗 All links in one place: ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you love deep dives into chain restaurants! 👉 NEXT WEEK: Taco Bell. Can it score better than Subway? Stay tuned. Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van
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Subway’s Disturbing History: Jared, The Infinite Destroyer, & Azodicarbonamide
02/19/2025
Subway’s Disturbing History: Jared, The Infinite Destroyer, & Azodicarbonamide
Subway’s history is WAY messier than you think. Sure, it’s the biggest fast-food chain in America, but behind the Eat Fresh™ branding lies a disastrous past filled with lawsuits, bizarre marketing stunts, and yes… Jared Fogle. In this episode, Terral Wells joins me to uncover Subway’s wildest moments, from its humble beginnings as a way to fund med school to the time they got sued because their footlongs weren’t actually a foot long. Oh, and did you know there’s a Subway fashion show? Or that you can order something called the Infinite Destroyer sandwich in Tokyo? We’re going deep. "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to WATCH this episode! WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: 🥖 Subway’s origins – A sandwich shop meant to pay for med school? 👖 The pants should’ve been the spokesperson – Jared Fogle & the brand’s biggest scandal 🛑 The Subway that almost made me throw my soiled shorts at an employee 🥪 Project Subway Fashion Show – Who asked for this?? 💀 The Infinite Destroyer sandwich (only in Japan!) ⚖️ A lawsuit over 11-inch ‘footlongs’ – The most ridiculous scandal ever 🤡 Marketing gimmicks & chaotic Subway history 🏆 Terral’s dream restaurant – A chain designed for gamblers (yes, really) ⭐ Unhinged Yelp reviews – Subway employees doing too much for minimum wage 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s the worst experience you’ve ever had at a Subway? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 (Bonus episodes & extended Yelp reviews!): 💬 (Talk chain restaurants & share horror stories!): 🔗 All links in one place: ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you enjoy deep dives into fast-food disasters! 👉 NEXT WEEK: We eat at Subway. Pray for us. 🚊🥪 Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas
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The Only Hooters with Breakfast feat. Alexander Poncio
02/12/2025
The Only Hooters with Breakfast feat. Alexander Poncio
Hooters Casino Hotel—now rebranded as OYO Hotel & Casino—has been called the worst hotel on the Vegas Strip. But is it really that bad? We put it to the ultimate test by spending 19 hours trapped inside, eating Hooters for dinner AND breakfast (because yes, this is the only Hooters in the country that serves breakfast). And if that wasn’t enough? We also hit up Aussie Heat (a male strip show), sang Dear Theodosia at karaoke (to everyone’s disappointment), and dealt with clogged toilets, broken elevators, and staff who couldn’t care less. "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to WATCH this episode! 💀 Spoiler: It was a nightmare. 💀 WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: 🍗 The final Hooter Bowl – Our third (and last) review of Hooters 🏨 The hotel experience – Broken elevators, clueless staff, and the weakest toilets on Earth 🍔 What we ate – Some of the worst food we’ve had… except for the beef sliders, which slapped 🎤 Karaoke chaos – From The Little Mermaid to Rap God to Little Shop of Horrors 🕺 Aussie Heat adventures – Featuring the return of JUB, our ex-sponsor! 💩 Alex’s worst restaurant experience EVER – A little girl took a dump on the floor next to his table 👀 WATCH UNTIL THE END: We give OYO/Hooters its official score in our search for the most mediocre restaurant in America. 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Would YOU stay here? Or better yet, what’s the WORST hotel you’ve ever stayed at? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Get exclusive episodes & extended Yelp reviews!): https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Talk chain restaurants & share horror stories!): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🔗 All links in one place: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you enjoy deep dives into chain restaurant chaos! 👉 NEXT WEEK: We’re heading to SUBWAY. 🚊🥪 Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Follow Alex on Instagram @ponciosa
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Hooter Bowl 3: The History of the Worst Hotel in Las Vegas feat. Alexander Poncio
02/05/2025
Hooter Bowl 3: The History of the Worst Hotel in Las Vegas feat. Alexander Poncio
Hooters Casino Hotel was meant to be a game-changer—bringing its busty brand of mediocrity to the Las Vegas Strip. Instead, it became one of the biggest disasters in Vegas history. A casino so bad, it made Circus Circus look classy. So... what went wrong? For my third annual Hooter Bowl Spectacular, I had to go big. So I spent 19 hours trapped inside the Hooters Casino Hotel (now OYO), enduring its busted elevators, depressing ambiance, and suspiciously sticky carpets—all for the sake of history. Along the way, my guest Alexander Poncio and I uncover the shocking history of this cursed Las Vegas casino—including its mob ties, multiple bankruptcy scandals, and an abandoned attempt in the 1980s to become Vegas' first LGBTQ-friendly resort. "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to WATCH this episode! 💬 What’s the WORST hotel you’ve ever stayed at? Drop it in the Discord! 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🚨 Support the show & unlock exclusive content! 🚨 🍔 Bonus episodes – including deep dives into underrated chains like the most recent monthly exclusive: Dan's Hamburgers (Austin, TX) 📢 Extended Yelp from Strangers segments – with even wilder reviews 🎶 Download exclusive music – including all 7 tracks from our Olive Garden musical! 👉 Join us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast 👉 Hop into the Discord! https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 👉 All links in one place: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎵 Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) 🎶 Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) 🎙 Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Follow Alex on Instagram @ponciosa ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you enjoy deep dives into the weirdest chain restaurant history!
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McDonald's PlayPlace & the McGriddle feat. Chad Damiani [Part Two]
01/29/2025
McDonald's PlayPlace & the McGriddle feat. Chad Damiani [Part Two]
They thought I was sent from corporate! McDonald's Breakfast is arguably the most desirable form of McDonald's, and my Ronald McDonald-looking-ass got to chow down on it with the king of the clowns, Clown Boss Chad Damiani! The Good: I got treated like a king for coming in dressed as Ronald (and I don't think they knew I wasn't sent from the higher-ups), the McGriddle hits (for me), the hash browns hit (for Chad), and they made no stink about me playing in the PlayPlace The Not Good: The Chicken Biscuit is the drier than heck, and the ordering kiosk gave Chad a difficult time The Just There: The Egg McMuffin What We Ate: Sausage McGriddle, Egg McMuffin, Hash Browns, Deluxe Pancake Breakfast with Bacon, & the Chicken Biscuit Chad made the mistake of romanticizing a diner that did NOT live up to any expectations of decency in this week's Calibration Station "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (In just a couple days, my January Patreon exclusive episode drops, and I get to cover my all-time favorite burger chain, Dan's Hamburgers out of Austin, TX with my friend Gabe Alvarez), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Join the show's Discord server: Send in your McDonald's stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Chad on Instagram @thechaddamiani Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: The Third & Final Hooter-Bowl [Part One]! I drive all the way to Las Vegas to stay at the Hooters Hotel & Casino (now branded as the OYO) to eat at the only Hooters in the country to serve breakfast with my good friend Alexander Poncio. Ever work at Hooters? Send your stories to
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McDonald's Breakfast Isn't Clowning Around feat. Chad Damiani
01/22/2025
McDonald's Breakfast Isn't Clowning Around feat. Chad Damiani
A magic belt that produced burgers? It's before 10:30am, which means it's time for McDonald's Breakfast! Learn the history of this iconic (and, in my opinion: better) half of McDonald's menu before diving into the clown lore of Ronald McDonald himself with the Clown Boss Chad Damiani Chad tells the story of a McDonald's fiasco his brother experienced all to try and save a few bucks McDonald's breakfast started as something offered by one location just "trying it out" -- something that would never be tolerated in today's corporate landscape The creator of the McGriddle is a fast food maverick also response for the SmashBurger chain, the stuffed crust pizza at Pizza Hut, JIF peanut butter, and more! Ronald McDonald isn't very visible these days, and that's no accident New segment! Hear the restaurant of Chad's dreams: The Tiny Diner A Yelper reviews the drink he got at McDonald's on his way to dinner somewhere else "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (I closed the year with my Patreon exclusive episode covering rude-service-on-purpose restaurant chain Dick's Last Resort after driving to Las Vegas with friend and season 1 cheese correspondent Steven Zurita), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your McDonald's stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Chad on Instagram @thechaddamiani Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: McDonald's Breakfast Review [Part Two]! Chad Damiani returns to eat fast food for the first time in a long time, and discuss how the employees thought I (as Ronald McDonald) was sent from corporate as we break down the Good, the Not Good, and the Just There of McDonald's. Ever work at McDonald's? Send your stories to
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America's Largest IKEA feat. Chris Grace [Part Two]
01/15/2025
America's Largest IKEA feat. Chris Grace [Part Two]
"I don't have a lot of respect for a meatball!" IKEA Swedish Bistro has a tough battle if it wants to be taken seriously on its culinary merits. Does it stake its claim as a contender in the pantheon of viable restaurants? Dropout's Chris Grace joins me to evaluate! The Good: The cafeteria set up (for Chris), the garlic bread, many of the desserts, the scenic vista of Griffith Park, and the place is clean The Not Good: The grimy hallway of tray return, the fries, the "fake" feeling made me dissociate, lack of variety, and the cinnamon roll The Just There: Chicken Fingers, the service, the vibes, and sadly: the meatballs What We Ate: Swedish Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Peas, Lingonberry Jam, Garlic Bread, Lemon Cod, Chicken Fingers, French Fries, Cinnamon Roll, Santa Fe Chicken Eggroll, Caramel Almond Cake, Chocolate Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Swedish Apple Cake, Chocolate Coconut Bites, New York Cheesecake Chris talks about a tense interaction with a server in Edinburgh while detailing the worst meal he's ever had "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (I closed the year with my Patreon exclusive episode covering rude-service-on-purpose restaurant chain Dick's Last Resort after driving to Las Vegas with friend and season 1 cheese correspondent Steven Zurita), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your IKEA stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Chris Grace on Instagram @chrisgracecomedy Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! We're off next week, but in 2 weeks on "Fine" Dining: McDonald's Breakfast + Ronald McDonald History [Part One]! I've got the alpha clown from the Los Angeles comedy scene, the clown boww Chad Damiani to join me at McDonald's for breakfast, and I gave him the full Ronald McDonald treatment. Ever work at McDonald's? Send your stories to
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IKEA's Meatballs Aren't Actually Even Swedish feat. Chris Grace
01/08/2025
IKEA's Meatballs Aren't Actually Even Swedish feat. Chris Grace
Food from a furniture store? I'm joined by Chris Grace from NBC's Superstore to tackle the largest furniture retailer in the world IKEA and their fabled Swedish Bistro which happens to be the 6th-largest food chain internationally! "Coffee and a biscuit" was where it all began in Sweden Despite being what they're known for, the Swedish Meatball (which isn't even actually Swedish) didn't hit the menu until the 80s, almost 30 years after open There were plans for a viking themed restaurant originally! A nightmare green hot dog and food made of mealworms?? A Yelper writes with whimsy and then drops it before the end and Chris thinks it's hacky "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (I closed the year with my Patreon exclusive episode covering rude-service-on-purpose restaurant chain Dick's Last Resort after driving to Las Vegas with friend and season 1 cheese correspondent Steven Zurita), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your IKEA stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Chris on Instagram @chrisgracecomedy Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: IKEA Swedish Bistro Review [Part Two]! Chris Grace returns to chat about the meatballs, the plethora of desserts, and his love of cafeterias as we break down the Good, the Not Good, and the Just There of IKEA. Ever work at IKEA? Send your stories to
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Snitching on Santa at Arctic Circle feat. Santa Claus [Part Two]
12/25/2024
Snitching on Santa at Arctic Circle feat. Santa Claus [Part Two]
We come bearing gifts! Arctic Circle seemed like the best place to review with Santa Claus in tow, so we took a road trip out to southern Utah to try it! The Good: the mini corn dogs were genuinely great, and Santa brightened a few patrons' days by having gifts for the children! The Not Good: Someone complained to management about aforementioned gift-giving, and we had to cease, also not all the food was great The Just There: To be honest, this whole chain was pretty mediocre What We Ate: Three burgers (standard, bacon, and pastrami), pumpkin pie milkshake, fries, Spanish onion rings, mini corn dogs, cheese curds, root beer ice cream (with a butterscotch topper), fry sauce Santa talks about eating "rabbit on a swing" during the fanciest meal he's ever had "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (My November Patreon exclusive episode about Pacific Northwest Seafood institution Ivar's Acres of Clams came out just a few weeks ago! From bomb threats to no working water, my guest, author Temple West and I went through a LOT just to eat here), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your Arctic Circle stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Mark Gray on Instagram @markwgray Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! We're off next week, but in 2 weeks on "Fine" Dining: IKEA Swedish Bistro History [Part One]! From Dropout TV, Chris Grace joins me to eat Swedish meatballs amidst cheap DIY furniture, and we learn how it all started! Ever work at IKEA? Send your stories to
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Who Invented Fry Sauce? feat. Santa Claus
12/18/2024
Who Invented Fry Sauce? feat. Santa Claus
Road trip to Utah! What a get! This week, I had the honor of taking Santa Claus himself to the restaurant that makes the absolute most sense to review with Kris Kringle: Arctic Circle. If you don't know it, think Dairy Queen Grill & Chill. They do the dipped cone thing but more importantly, they claim to have invented fry sauce Not only do we get the history of this chain and fry sauce itself, but there's a lot of genuinely fascinating Santa Claus lore that I didn't know! Is Santa Claus technically a cryptid? A Yelper does not appreciate the attitude of the employees after her bun falls apart "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (My November Patreon exclusive episode just dropped on Ivar's Acres of Clams in Seattle, WA and the founder was a MAV-ER-ICK. Author Temple West joins me to chat all about it and how literal bombs on the freeway derailed our plans), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your Arctic Circle stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Santa by being Good this year For no particular reason, you can also follow Mark Gray on Instagram @markwgray Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: Arctic Circle Review [Part Two]! Santa Claus joins me one more time to dissect what was Nice and what was Naughty about this burger chain. We even got in trouble just for spreading holiday cheer, so you don't want to miss this one! Ever work at an Arctic Circle? Send your stories to
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Best Chain Salad? California Pizza Kitchen Review feat. Holly Brown [Part Two]
12/11/2024
Best Chain Salad? California Pizza Kitchen Review feat. Holly Brown [Part Two]
I love CPK, but not for the pizza! California Pizza Kitchen is such a favorite of mine, I'm surprised it took 70 episodes to get to it! My guest, comedian Holly Brown is just as passionate about this chain as I am, so this was a great time The Good includes my favorite salad ever, Holly & my pasta dishes, & the vibes The Not Good: The BBQ Chicken Pizza, the pasta plate real estate, the complimentary bread portions The Just There: This location didn't smell like a septic tank for once! What we ate: White Corn Guac & Chips, Bread & Oil, Thai Crunch Salad, Fettucine Alfredo, Spaghetti Bolognese, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Butter Cake, Mango Strawberry Lemonade Holly's least favorite restaurant experience ever is every Californian's trauma "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (My November Patreon exclusive episode about Pacific Northwest Seafood institution Ivar's Acres of Clams came out just a few weeks ago! From bomb threats to no working water, my guest, author Temple West and I went through a LOT just to eat here), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your California Pizza Kitchen stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Holly on Instagram @hollybrowncomedy Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: Arctic Circle History [Part One]! Yeah, I got him. Santa Claus joins as my guest as we talk about the history of the burger chain named after his homeland. Ever work at Arctic Circle? Send your stories to
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California Pizza Kitchen Was Pasta First? feat. Holly Brown
12/04/2024
California Pizza Kitchen Was Pasta First? feat. Holly Brown
Viola Davis' favorite chain? California Pizza Kitchen has some truly fascinating claims - from pizzas innovated in their kitchen to being the first chain to outlaw smoking in their restaurants - I dive into all of it with comedian Holly Brown Holly used to work at CPK, which makes her the first former employee of the restaurant-of-the-week I've had as a guest on the show The Eat Deets will teach you about how CPK was originally a pasta concept A baffling viral mishap regarding mac & cheese The Secret Menu: Legal Eats Not only is CPK Viola Davis' favorite chain restaurant, but Holly served her! A Yelper writes an absolute epic about crossing the highest reward tier threshold at California Pizza Kitchen "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (My November Patreon exclusive episode just dropped on Ivar's Acres of Clams in Seattle, WA and the founder was a MAV-ER-ICK. Author Temple West joins me to chat all about it and how literal bombs on the freeway derailed our plans), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your California Pizza Kitchen stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Holly on Instagram @hollybrowncomedy Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: California Pizza Kitchen Review [Part Two]! Holly Brown is back to rave about a chain restaurant we both love as we eat pizza, pasta, apps, dessert...everything to discuss the Good, the Not Good, and the Just There of CPK. Ever work at California Pizza Kitchen? Send your stories to
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No Nips for Us! Strip Club Review feat. Ryan Keely & Dana Scarborough [Episode 69 Special Part Two]
11/27/2024
No Nips for Us! Strip Club Review feat. Ryan Keely & Dana Scarborough [Episode 69 Special Part Two]
No Nut November + the 69th Restaurant! Nice! Note: One of the mics wasn't working properly. It should sound fine, but Dana is a little quieter than I would've liked. Apologies in advance. Note #2: This was also recorded before the decision was made to shake up the show's format this season, so it's the final episode to contain "This Is Way Too Much," "What's Going On Over There?" and no super awesome cold opens. Sam's Hofbrau is technically a strip club, but not based on what we experienced! I brought adult film star Ryan Keely and Dana Scarborough of the I Seduce the Dragon podcast to the strip club for the food which is like reading Playboy for the articles! A metal detector that everyone's setting off, and no one's doing anything about it Ryan details why we legally weren't able to see any nips "It's my first day" What's Going On Over There with Herbert asking an actively-dancing stripper to do a pull-up?? What we ate: Street tacos, hamburger, breakfast sandwich, wings, fries, & coffee Ryan trashes J.W. Marriott while Dana lauds Korean BBQ in the Calibration Station Ryan tries to cause chaos by unrigging and rerigging the You-Must Bowl drawing to force me to go somewhere of her choosing next week "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (My November Patreon exclusive episode about Pacific Northwest Seafood institution Ivar's Acres of Clams comes out in just a few days on the 30th! From bomb threats to no working water, my guest, author Temple West and I went through a LOT just to eat here), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your strip club food stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow I Seduce the Dragon on Instagram @istdpod Follow Ryan Keely @ryankeelytm Follow Dana Scarborough @xoxodanajean Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: California Pizza Kitchen History [Part One]! Comedian Holly Brown Ioves CPK with a passion, so naturally she had to be my guest. Ever work at California Pizza Kitchen? Send your stories to
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Strip Club Eats feat. Ryan Keely & Dana Scarborough [Episode 69 Special Part One]
11/20/2024
Strip Club Eats feat. Ryan Keely & Dana Scarborough [Episode 69 Special Part One]
My 69th Restaurant! Nice! Note: One of the mics wasn't working properly. It should sound fine, but Dana is a little quieter than I would've liked. Apologies in advance. Sam's Hofbrau is a strip club in Los Angeles that serves food, and I went with adult film star Ryan Keely and Dana Scarborough of the I Seduce the Dragon podcast to celebrate the 69th restaurant review on the main feed of the podcast! The history of serving food at strip clubs How to run your strip club kitchen Tales from the road as Ryan has been a featured dancer all over the country The pole dancer's high heeled pump is considered an athletic shoe? Dana & I passionately disagree with Ryan on the merits of fruit as "dessert" A Yelper gets chased out of the club! "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (My October Patreon exclusive episode about Mr. Chow came out on Halloween! Go check out the episode about a place that is expensive for expensive's sake), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your strip club food stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow I Seduce the Dragon on Instagram @istdpod Follow Ryan Keely @ryankeelytm Follow Dana Scarborough @xoxodanajean Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: Strip Club Food Review [Part Two]! Ryan Keely & Dana Scarborough are back to break down what it's like to eat at a place where the food is secondary. Ever work at a strip club? Send your stories to
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Casa Bonita Is My New Favorite Restaurant feat. Ify Nwadiwe [Part Two]
11/13/2024
Casa Bonita Is My New Favorite Restaurant feat. Ify Nwadiwe [Part Two]
10 months on the waitlist, and well worth it! Casa Bonita is the definition of a dining "experience" with its hodgepodge collection of oddball acts and entertainment, but is it worth flying out of state to grab dinner? I break down this kitschy paradise with my guest, the hilarious Ify Nwadiwe (Dropout TV, Um Actually, Maximum Film) in this week's review episode! The Good: Cliff divers are tremendous fun, the puppet show is expertly entertaining, the magician is a pro, the merch is unrivaled, the food is way better than its reputation would have you believe, a Love Tester machine tells me I'm "burning" with passion, and much more! The Not Good: Manbearpigrilla's handler snubbed us out of a photo op, there's too much to do in one visit, the service pace is overwhelmingly fast, a food assembly line, and there's a lack of clarity on the best way to experience the show The Just There: Rice & beans were whatever What We Ate: Horchata, the Wooly Bully, Chips & Salsa, Mole, Carnitas, Rice, Beans, Enchiladas, & Sopaipillas Ify details his worst & best restaurant experiences in The Calibration Station The second highest score in the history of the podcast! "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (My October Patreon exclusive episode about Mr. Chow came out on Halloween! Go check out the episode about a place that is expensive for expensive's sake), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your Casa Bonita stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Ify on Instagram @ifynwadiwe Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: The History of Dining at Strip Clubs! Adult film star Ryan Keely and her I Seduce The Dragon podcast costar Dana Scarborough join me to learn about the development of strip clubs as restaurants, and dive into a few Yelp reviews that are all over the place. Ever work at a strip club buffet? Send your stories to
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The Story of Casa Bonita feat. Ify Nwadiwe
11/06/2024
The Story of Casa Bonita feat. Ify Nwadiwe
As seen on South Park! Casa Bonita, an institution near Denver, Colorado blends the kitsch of a sprawling indoor theme park with Mexican food, and Ify Nwadiwe (Dropout TV, Um Actually, Maximum Film) is here to learn all about it with me The location that everyone knows and loves isn't the original Casa Bonita, which used to have locations in four different states The Secret Menu: Edible TV Shows I name the winner of the Septemburger $500 giveaway The South Park creators buy Casa Bonita and find themselves hemorrhaging money to the tune of $42 million to restore it A Yelper desperately tries to convince us that post-renovation Casa Bonita is clean now, and we don't know how good we have it "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (My October Patreon exclusive episode about Mr. Chow came out on Halloween! Go check out the episode about a place that is expensive for expensive's sake), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your Casa Bonita stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Ify on Instagram @ifynwadiwe Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: Casa Bonita Review [Part Two]! Ify Nwadiwe is back to break down the Good, the Not Good, and everything that was Just There at this experience that is way more about the atmosphere than the food. Ever work at Casa Bonita? Send your stories to
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Season 3 Trailer!
10/30/2024
Season 3 Trailer!
Season 3 is coming next week! Follow along for season 3 as I'm headed to a lot of fun restaurants! 11/6-11/13 Casa Bonita with Ify Nwadiwe 11/20-11/27 Strip Club Food with Ryan Keely & Dana Scarborough 12/4-12/11 California Pizza Kitchen with Holly Brown 12/18-12/25 Arctic Circle with Santa Claus On top of that, I've got some new music to freshen things up, including a brand new opening theme song! "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (Tomorrow, I'm dropping the October Patreon episode covering the iconic Mr. Chow restaurant in Beverly Hills), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next time on "Fine" Dining: Casa Bonita [Part One]! I'm off to Denver for the season 3 premiere, dropping November 6th, and I brought Dropout's Ify Nwadiwe with me! Ever work at Casa Bonita? Send your stories to
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Season Finale: A Nightmare on WingStreet Review feat. Rachel Bryant (Actor) [Part Two]
10/23/2024
Season Finale: A Nightmare on WingStreet Review feat. Rachel Bryant (Actor) [Part Two]
The End of Season 2! WingStreet is Pizza Hut's wing brand, and I hit one with my guest this week, actor Rachel Bryant while we both dressed head-to-toe as horror icon Freddy Krueger What's Going On Over There with the pizza boxes replacing the glass on the broken door? Some kids at the Popeyes next door come out to threaten us (some might say it's Way Too Much) The employee had fun putting our order in for "Freddies" The Secret Menu Category: Delicious Hassles What we ate: Wings (4 flavors), Chocolate Donut Bites Rachel talks about dining on top of the Eiffel Tower Two segments get murdered ahead of the new season "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Kyle Schieffer (@JazzyJellyfish) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (Next week, I'm dropping the October Patreon episode covering the iconic Mr. Chow restaurant in Beverly Hills), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your WingStreet stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelamandabryant Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next time on "Fine" Dining: Casa Bonita [Part One]! I'm off to Denver for the season 3 premiere, dropping November 6th, and I brought Dropout's Ify Nwadiwe with me! Ever work at Casa Bonita? Send your stories to
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A Nightmare on WingStreet: History feat. Rachel Bryant (Actor, "A Hard Place") [Part One]
10/16/2024
A Nightmare on WingStreet: History feat. Rachel Bryant (Actor, "A Hard Place") [Part One]
Part 1 of the season 2 finale! It's A Nightmare on WingStreet as I cover the history of when Pizza Hut & YUM brands incorporated wings into their menu, and I'm joined by prolific horror actor Rachel Bryant We spend the entire finale fully cosplayed as horror icon Freddy Krueger Rachel's primary experience with wings is watching other people eat them at Super Bowl parties Hear the history of Buffalo Wings as a dish in general A Yelper needs relationship counseling, but regardless, likes his wife's suggestion of WingStreet despite his opposition to Pizza Hut as a whole "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Kyle Schieffer (@JazzyJellyfish) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (I just put out the Septemburger 2024 Semi-Finals & Finals episode and it's available for FREE! Go hear who won this year's tournament), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your Cook Out stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelamandabryant Freddy Krueger Make-Up Artists: Brady Allio & Alexa Althen Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: WingStreet Review [Part Two]! A Nightmare on WingStreet continues as the Season 2 finale concludes! Rachel Bryant and I eat 4 different types of wings and try to make sense of dining in a restaurant with no tables and were never meant to host diners. Ever work at Pizza Hut? Send your stories to
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Cook Out Review feat. Scott Philbrook (Astonishing Legends Podcast) [Part Two]
10/09/2024
Cook Out Review feat. Scott Philbrook (Astonishing Legends Podcast) [Part Two]
Maybe the best milkshakes in the game! Cook Out is a staple of North Carolina, and I got to sit with host of the Astonishing Legends podcast, Scott Philbrook and try the burgers, hush puppies, and milkshakes that make them famous The Secret Menu Category: Spooky Restaurants A liminal space with Cheerwine decor What's Going On Over There with the handwashing station on the customer side of the ordering station? There's back of house and front of house, and never the two shall meet What we ate: Onion Rings, Hush Puppies, Cajun Fries, Cook Out Style Burger, Out West Style Burger, Steak Style Burger Scott details a restaurant experience so bad, his whole party left with dire stomach issues in this week's Calibration Station "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Kyle Schieffer (@JazzyJellyfish) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (I just put out the Septemburger 2024 Semi-Finals & Finals episode and it's available for FREE! Go hear who won this year's tournament), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your Cook Out stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Astonishing Legends on Instagram @astonishinglegends Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: WingStreet History [Part One]! Independent Horror superstar Rachel Bryant goes full Freddy Krueger with me for A Nightmare on WingStreet, part 1 of the "Fine" Dining Halloween and Season 2 Finale Special! Ever work at WingStreet/Pizza Hut? Send your stories to
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Cook Out History feat. Scott Philbrook (Astonishing Legends Podcast) [Part One]
10/02/2024
Cook Out History feat. Scott Philbrook (Astonishing Legends Podcast) [Part One]
Coming to you from Greensboro, North Carolina this week! I'm cross-country again as this week I'm covering the beloved Southern burger chain Cook Out with host of the Astonishing Legends podcast, Scott Philbrook Scott talks his history with Cook Out from back when he was in college, as most locations are open until 3 in the morning Learn the history of Cook Out and their expansive menu that sells at a fraction of the cost of most fast food brands' offerings A couple incidents at Cook Out got managers and employees fired for either refusing or giving poor service to the police A Yelper complains of a "chemically" hot dog that's unfit for dogs "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Kyle Schieffer (@JazzyJellyfish) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (I just put out the Septemburger 2024 Semi-Finals & Finals episode and it's available for FREE! Go hear who won this year's tournament), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your Cook Out stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Astonishing Legends on Instagram @astonishinglegends Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: Cook Out Review [Part Two]! Scott Philbrook joins me to drink cheerwine, devour a top tier milkshake, and chow down on some burgers! Ever work at Cook Out? Send your stories to
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Shake Shack feat. Jen Kober (Stand-Up Comedian)
09/25/2024
Shake Shack feat. Jen Kober (Stand-Up Comedian)
Septemburger 2024's final stop! I cap off a jetsetting Septemburger with the spot I barely had to go a mile to get to, Shake Shack. One of my go-tos in this this bracket, and I was graced with the presence of hilarious comedian Jen Kober The origins of the place were unclear at the time of filming, but I ultimately learned that the original Shake Shack was called I <3 Taxi, and it was a hot dog stand in Madison Square Park The Secret Menu Mini-Game: Disastrous Restaurants A very sterile atmosphere corrals customers towards a row of iPads What's Going On Over There with a peculiar conversion overheard between an employee and a customer? Septemburger: It's time to give the White Castle slider the mercy flush it deserves as it goes head to head with the Shackburger What we ate: Crinkle Fries The Shackburger Cookies 'n Cream Shake Chocolate Shake Chicken Bites Hot Dog Smoke Shack Burger (not reviewed until the Septemburger Finals episode on 9/30 on Patreon) Carolina BBQ Burger w/Fried Pickles (will be reviewed if Shake Shack advances to the finals of the tournament) Jen talks about eating a pig's face as she details the worst and best restaurant experiences she's ever had at the Calibration Station "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (August's release covers the other New York restaurant I reviewed: Ess-a-Bagel with my girlfriend Joyce as she reeeeally wanted to try NYC bagels, and the Septemburger Semi-Finals & Finals episode drops 9/30 FOR FREE), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your Shake Shack stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Jen on Instagram @jenkober Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: Cook Out History. Next year's Septemburger is already in swing, as I travel to North Carolina to cover a fabled burger chain alongside Astonishing Legends podcast host Scott Philbrook. And we're back to 2-part episodes, so you'll hear the review in a couple weeks. Ever work at Cook Out? Send in your stories to [email protected]
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White Castle feat. Coyal Harrison (Visit Vegas Places Podcast)
09/18/2024
White Castle feat. Coyal Harrison (Visit Vegas Places Podcast)
Septemburger 2024's most upsetting stop! I'm in Las Vegas this week to hit the nearest White Castle to me with Vegas native (and host of the Visit Vegas Places podcast) Coyal Harrison and is not a good meal Apparently the White Castle slider was literally created in a moment of frustration when the founder couldn't quite figure out how to do meatballs, so he squashed it, put it on a bun, and called it edible The Secret Menu Mini-Game: Comedy Restaurants This White Castle is attached to a casino, so the vibes are nightmarish and should never be experienced sober or in the daylight What's Going On Over There with the signage that insists people refuse to live without White Castle? Septemburger: The White Castle slider gets scored ahead of its match next week with the no. 1 seed Shake Shack What we ate: French Fries Onion Chips Chicken Rings Mozzarella Sticks Chicken Slider Beef Slider Chocolate Shake Coyal details his worst and best restaurant experiences ever at the Calibration Station "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to to watch this episode! Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose "Fine" Dining is on ! Get an extra episode every month (I recently released the episode for the other New York restaurant I reviewed: Ess-a-Bagel with my girlfriend Joyce as she reeeeally wanted to try NYC bagels), extended Yelp from Strangers segments every other week, merch discounts, download access to our music including the 7 singles from our Olive Garden musical, and more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at ! Send in your White Castle stories at [email protected]. Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast Follow Coyal on Instagram & TikTok @visitvegasplaces Let me know where I should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I read every one! Next week on "Fine" Dining: Shake Shack. The final stop for Septemburger is the top dog, the number 1 seed, and I brought award-winning storyteller and comedian Jen Kober with me. Will they overcome White Castle, a burger so bad that the bar is on the floor? Yes. The answer is yes. Ever work at Shake Shack? Send in your stories to [email protected]
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