"Fine" Dining

🍕📊🍴 Domino's Pizza Review: Three Pizzas, Vibes, & Getting  Deputized 🍴📊🍕 Season 4 continues as James Werner (@jamesyjoehenry) returns for Part 2 of our Domino's Pizza episode, this time putting the pizza where the mouth is. We actually ate inside a Domino's, sat at a real table, and watched the pies come together from what can only be described as the Young Pizza Inspector overlook. With all-star service, we break Domino's down category by category to see if it can clear the Chili's bar. 🍕 Reviewing the Full Spread (and Absolutely No Salad) 🔥 BBQ Chicken Pizza, Ultimate Pepperoni, and Pan Pizza with Pepperoni, Bacon, & Garlic 🍝 Penne Pasta, Garlic Bread Bites, Cinnamon Bread Bites, and Chocolate Lava Cake 🏆 James Is the Champion of Shouting People Out 🎨 Decor That Made Us Wish We Could Vandalize the Walls 👀 Deputized to Inspect Pizzas 🍕 Yes, I Do Crave Pizza Despite Not Liking Cheese ✈️ James' Worst Restaurant Experience Ever Involved an Airport Sandwich 🍌 His Best Experience Was Weighted by Flashiness of Bananas Foster 📊 The Final Score: Is Domino's Better or Worse Than Chili's? 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's your go-to Domino's order? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@thefinediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: James Werner | IG: @jamesyjoehenry   Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Robert McLaughlin, & Jewell Hermann   👉 NEXT WEEK: I head to BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse with comedian PJ McCormick and dive into their history (including pretty dumb etymology).

🍕📦🚗 Domino's Pizza: Hostages, Food Tampering, and Turning It All Around 🚗📦🍕 Season 4 (omg, what??) kicks off with a deep dive into the wild, complicated, and occasionally Noidy history of Domino's Pizza. Joined by improviser and musician James Werner (@jamesyjoehenry), I trace how a tiny Michigan pizzeria turned into the world's largest pizza chain by making bold promises, bad mistakes, smarter apologies, and some genuinely fascinating tech gambles. This is a story about shame, sincerity, and why sometimes admitting "our pizza sucks" is the smartest move a company can make. 🍕 Two Brothers, $500, and a Volkswagen Beetle That Changed Pizza History ⏱️ The 30-Minute Delivery Promise That Built the Brand (and Nearly Broke It) 😈 The Noid, a Nintendo Game, and One of the Strangest Ad Campaign Aftermaths Ever 📉 "Our Pizza Sucks": The 2010 Recipe Overhaul That Saved Domino's 📱 Domino's Becomes an E-Commerce Company That Happens to Sell Pizza 🕳️ Paving Over Potholes Because "Bad Roads Shouldn't Happen to Good Pizza" 🧠 The Pizza Tracker Is Mostly Fake and That's Kind of the Point 🎅 James Pitches His Dream Restaurant: Santa's Kitchen, Serving What Santa Eats ⭐ Yelp From Strangers Includes a Reviewer Furious About a Tip Request on Mother's Day 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Did the Domino's recipe change actually win you back? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@thefinediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: James Werner | IG: @jamesyjoehenry Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Robert McLaughlin, & Jewell Hermann 👉 NEXT WEEK: We put Domino's to the Chili's Test with a full review (and we actually found a Domino's that had tables for dine-in)!!

🗣️⭐🍽️ Yelp From Strangers: Rainforest Cafe, Bob's Big Boy, Waffle House, Pappadeaux & Chuy's 🍽️⭐🗣️ VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) is back as we wrap up our two-part Yelp From Strangers special during the final stretch of Bridge Season. This week's batch is truly unhinged. Once again, the food is secondary and the feelings are loud. Also, wtf does "we are bar people" even mean?? 🥩 A Rainforest Cafe Review That Treats the Jungle Steak Like Fine Art 🧠 My Personal Connection to David Lynch Lore at Bob's Big Boy 🪑 A Waffle House Review That References the Flying Chair Incident! 📱 A Chuy's Text Message That Woke a Man from His "Sleep Cycle" 👨‍👩‍👧 A Reviewer Who Seems Actively Mad That Her Own Children Exist 🍤 Pappadeaux Through the Eyes of Someone with Very Specific Expectations 🔥 Turtle from Entourage Writes a Review (from a Terrarium??) 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Which chain do you think has the most chaotic Yelp reviews of all time? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp chaos & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: VyVy Nguyen | IG: @cest_la_vyvy Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, & Robert McLaughlin 👉 NEXT WEEK: Enjoy your holidays! The Bridge Season is officially over, but Season 4 will hit your table January 7th with an episode detailing the history of Dominos Pizza!

🗣️⭐🍽️ Yelp From Strangers: Denny's, Pizza Hut, Olive Garden, Gyu-Kaku & Bubba Gump 🍽️⭐🗣️ This week, VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) joins me for a pure Yelp chaos episode as the Bridge Season barrels toward its finale. No history, no food review, just unfiltered opinions from the internet's most confident critics. From late-night diners to shrimp shrines, this first of a two-part Yelp special proves once again that the most unhinged storytelling lives in the review section. 🥞 A Denny's Customer Furious About Being Mistaken for Homeless Flaunts His iPhone 🍕 Pizza Hut Favoritism Allegations That Will Not Be Forgotten 🍝 Olive Garden and the Unavoidable Consequences to One's Digestive Tract 🔥 A Deeply Uncomfortable and Kind-of Racist Gyu-Kaku Review 🦐 Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Through the Eyes of a True Shrimp Evangelist 😡 Entitlement, Pettiness, and Selective Outrage Across Multiple Chains 📉 The Internet Continues to Be the Worst (and Best) Place on Earth 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Which chain has the wildest Yelp reviews in your experience? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp chaos & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: VyVy Nguyen | IG: @cest_la_vyvy Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, & Robert McLaughlin 👉 NEXT WEEK: Yelp From Strangers Part 2 as the Bridge Season comes to a close with even more reviews, more grievances, and absolutely no self-awareness as VyVy Nguyen is back to chat about Rainforest Cafe, Bob's Big Boy, Waffle House, Pappadeaux, & Chuy's.

🍔🏄‍♂️🍟 Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks: The Best Casual Burger Chain? 🍟🏄‍♂️🍔 This week, VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) returns for another round of Eat Deets as we surf the waves of flavor offered by Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks. From their golden fries and proprietary fry salt to surf videos looping endlessly on the walls, Islands is a California chain that perfectly captures chill beach energy. We explore its expansion beyond the West Coast, the founder's wild journey from selling to buying the company back, and why seasoning > sauce every single time. 🍔 Burgers So Good 🧅 Island Reds (Crispy Onion Strings) Make Burger So Better 🍟 The Legendary Fry Salt That Outshines Any Sauce 🌊 Surf Videos and Tropical Vibes at Every Location 🗺️ From California to Hawaii and Back Again ⚓ The Founder Sold, Bought It Back, and Righted the Ship (Literally, He's a Navy Vet) 🪨 Yelp Reviewer Claims She Found Rocks in Her Food 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's the best beachside burger you've ever had? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: VyVy Nguyen | IG: @cest_la_vyvy Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, & Steff 👉 NEXT WEEK: VyVy returns for a Yelp from Strangers special covering some hilarious Yelp reviews I discovered when looking at the restaurants I reviewed during season 1!

🍝🚋🕯️ The Old Spaghetti Factory: Trolleys, Mizithra, and Guss Dussin's Dream 🕯️🚋🍝 This week, VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) joins me for a deep dive into the charming, old-world history of The Old Spaghetti Factory. We uncover how a humble warehouse filled with antiques became one of America's most distinctive restaurant chains, complete with a refurbished trolley car centerpiece and chandeliers that make every meal feel like a special occasion. From its signature mizithra cheese and brown butter pasta to a story of explosive disaster, this chain has us asking the question: is "meat sauce" a good euphemism for jizz? 🏭 Founded in a Real Warehouse Filled with Antique Décor 🚋 The Iconic Refurbished Trolley Car in Nearly Every Location 🧀 The Legendary Mizithra Cheese & Brown Butter Dish 🔥 How the Nashville Bombing Led to a Lost Lease 👑 Founder Guss Dussin Has the Best Name in Restaurant History 🍽️ A Reviewer So Petty He Roasted a Waiter from Another Restaurant Too 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Have you ever eaten inside one of The Old Spaghetti Factory's trolleys? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: VyVy Nguyen | IG: @cest_la_vyvy Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, & Steff 👉 NEXT WEEK: VyVy returns as the Bridge Season continues with the history of Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, a tropical twist on California casual dining!

🐃🔥🍗 Buffalo Wild Wings GO: Garfield, Barbed Wire, and the Blazin' Knockout 🍗🔥🐃 This week, Shannon Bengston (@SSBengston) returns as we finally taste the chaos that is Buffalo Wild Wings GO. From an earnest-but-overwhelmed employee taking our order to a blaring Garfield cartoon that won't stop looping, this meal tests not just our patience, but the limits of the Chili's Test itself. 🥤 Mountain Dew Legend: Terrible 🍟 Desert Heat Fries Are Incredible 🍫 Chocolate Chunk Brownie = The One True Winner 🍗 Mango Habanero: The GOATed Sauce? 🔥 Golden Fire Wings: The Exclusive B-Dubs GO Flavor 🥵 Blazin' Knockout Wings Make Shannon Cry 👾 Pokémon Shouldn't Look Like People (Apparently) 🌵 Shannon's Worst Meal Ever Involved Barbed Wire 💀 Will Buffalo Wild Wings GO Surpass Chili's, or Fail the Test? 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's the worst dining distraction you've ever experienced? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Shannon Bengston | IG: @SSBengston Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, & Aaron Hubbard 👉 NEXT WEEK: We dive into the whimsical nostalgia of The Old Spaghetti Factory with returning guest VyVy Nguyen to dive deep into trolley lore.

🐃🔥🍗 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 a customer to a fight. 🏈 What the Weck? Sports on Kummelweck 🐃 Hank the Buffalo: Mascot or Menace? 🎸 The Jonas Brothers (All Four of Them) Join the Ad Campaign 🌶️ The Blazin' Challenge: Heat, Headbands, and Disappointment 👻 Shannon's Haunted Dream Restaurant Pitch: The Raven 🗣️ Yelp Review Drama: A Manager Threatens to "Take This Outside" 🍗 Why Buffalo Wild Wings GO Exists (and What It Means for the Brand) 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Have you ever done the Blazin' Challenge, and did you actually survive it? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Shannon Bengston | IG: @SSBengston Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, & Aaron Hubbard 👉 NEXT WEEK: We actually review Buffalo Wild Wings GO. The food, the lack of service, and why we now hate Garfield the cat!

🥩🦘🍺 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 the Septemburger 2025 drawing and debut a brand-new theme song to kick off the Bridge Season between Seasons 3 and 4! 🥩 Is Outback the Best Chain Restaurant of Them All? 🍽️ The Four Founders Who'd Never Been to Australia 🧅 The Birth of the Bloomin' Onion: A Golden Fried Masterpiece 🦘 Is it Okay to Get Naked in an Outback Steakhouse? 🔥 The U.K. Rejects Outback 📺 The Iconic Survivor Episode Featuring an Outback Feast 🪩 A Yelper Brings up "Trauma Bonding" 🏆 Announcing the Winner of the Septemburger 2025 Drawing 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's your go-to order at Outback Steakhouse? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: VyVy Nguyen | IG: @cest_la_vyvy Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, & Aaron Hubbard 👉 NEXT WEEK: We cover the history of Buffalo Wild Wings GO with Shannon Bengston — diving into the delivery-focused spin-off of a sports bar classic!

🥴🍽️🚫 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 Brunch is the Reddest of Flags 🚫 No Service, No Bussing, Just a Neighboring Table for Dirty Plates 🍣 Trey Eats Sushi at a Low-Grade Buffet (and Lives to Tell About It) 🥓 Every Food Item Somehow Worse Than the Last 😷 Sneeze Guards Positioned Way Too High to Help Anyone 😡 The Manager Who Told a Guest Her Refund Was "Unfair" 💀 Declared: The Definitive 0.00/10 on the Tchotchke of Mediocrity 🪦 A Buffet So Bad, I'm Glad It's Gone 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's the worst restaurant you've ever eaten at? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, & Aaron Hubbard 👉 NEXT WEEK: The Bridge Season begins with the history of Outback Steakhouse with my guest, returning favorite VyVy Nguyen.

🥩🔥🍎 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 That Redefine "Sides" 🥩 Beef & Bone Marrow Pot Pie: Messy, Beautiful, Delicious 🥬 Salanova Lettuce Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette = Good for a Salad... 🍖 Bistecca alla Fiorentina: Dry-Aged Steak of the Gods 👩‍🍳 Cozy Vibes and a View of the Chefs at Work 🍎 A Whole Candied Apple Baked Inside a Pie (Yes, Really) 🌹 Valentine's Day 2023: A Meal I'll Never Forget ⭐ Reading Only 5-Star Reviews in Yelp from Strangers 🏆 The First-Ever Perfect 10.00 on the Tchotchke of Mediocrity 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's the best meal you've ever had in your life? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, & Aaron Hubbard 👉 NEXT WEEK: We've got to balance the scales, so I'll be going to the worst restaurant I've ever dined at and crowning a 0.00 on the bottom end of the Tchotchke of Mediocrity.

🎩🍟💰 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. 🎲 The Wild Origins of McDonald's Monopoly 🕵️‍♂️ The McMillions Scandal That Changed Everything 📉 Why the $10,000 Lowe's Prize Is 9x Harder to Win Than Powerball 🏦 How McDonald's and Hasbro Both Profit from the Partnership 🇨🇦 The Game's Unique Twists in Canada and the UK 📜 Sweepstakes vs. Lottery: What the Law Actually Says 💸 McDonald's Randomly Paying Diners After the Scandal 🍟 The Most Unrealistic Odds You've Ever Heard 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Have you ever won anything more than food from McDonald's Monopoly? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, & Aaron Hubbard 👉 NEXT WEEK: I cover chi SPACCA, the Italian butcher by Nancy Silverton — and quite possibly the best meal of my life.

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 talk one another. 2nd Round: Wendy's (#1 seed) Baconator vs. Dairy Queen (#5 seed) Loaded A1 Stackburger Carl's Jr. (#3 seed) Western Bacon Burger vs. A&W (#7 seed) BBQ Bacon Crunch Burger Finals: ??? vs. ???

🍟🤖🍔 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 & Spicy Nuggets That Actually Deliver 🥓 Burgers Galore: Dave's Single, Baconator, Double Stack 🧑‍🎤 Ali Becomes Wendy Herself (and Swears a Lot) 🌶️ Ghost Pepper Ranch That Isn't Ghost, Pepper, or Ranch 🍟 French Fries Glow-Up = Legit Improvement 🔥 Fancy Fireplace (Hogged by a Couple the Whole Time) 🌱 Serengeti Grass in the Banister?? 🧂 Condiments Locked Away Behind the Counter 📖 Ali's Debut Novel We Have Reached the End of Our Show Drops Sept 30 🏨 Ali Shares the Worst Bed & Breakfast Story Ever ⚔️ Septemburger: Dave's Single vs. Sourdough Jack We're in the final 24 hours to fill out your Septemburger bracket! You can update it to include the winners below, and continue to do so until 11:59 PM PST on September 24th! 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Do you think Wendy's roasts are actually funny or just trying too hard? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Ali Gordon | IG: @msalicenutting 📖 Pre-Order We Have Reached the End of Our Show | Skylight Books Amazon Barnes & Noble Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: Exclusively on Patreon (but for free!), the Septemburger Semi-Finals & Finals episode drops September 30th. That same episode will be released on the main podcast feed October 8th. I'm off October 1st!

🌮🤡 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" Is the Appeal - Notice "Tasty" Isn't Necessary 🍉 The Sour Patch Kids Watermelon Lemonade Is Surprisingly Incredible 🥠 The Egg Roll Isn't Fit for Humans 🐶 Jack in the Box (Fittingly) Used to Be Owned by a Dog Food Company 🧀 Changing Their Name to Monterey Jack?? 🍔 Priming the Sourdough Jack, Buttery Bacon Smashed Jack, and the Jumbo Jack for Septemburger 🥖 Churros More Delicious Than Ones from Schmisneyland 🪆 How Do Puppets Eat? 🚂 Discovering the Worst Restaurant of All-Time in the Calibration Station You can still fill out your Septemburger bracket! You can update it to include the winners below, and continue to do so until 11:59 PM PST on September 24th! 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Do you actually like Jack in the Box, or is it more the "open late" and "good value" of it all? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Follow Ragmop & Goose: @ragmopandgoose Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We're going to Wendy's, the top seed in the tournament, with my guest Ali Gordon!

🍒 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 Limeade & Ocean Water = Still the MVPs 🍦 Oreo & Reese's Sonic Blasts Bring the Sugar Rush 🍔 Burgers on Trial: Double Sonic Smasher, Garlic Butter Bacon Burger, Bacon Sonic Stack 🗣️ Intercom Girl Steps on My Words 📋 Passenger Seat Menu Visibility = Zero Stars 🚗 No Food Trough??  DO BETTER, SONIC!! ⛸️ No Roller Skates = The Ultimate SONIC Fail ⚔️ Septemburger Matchup: Double SONIC Smasher vs. DQ Bacon Deluxe You can still fill out your Septemburger bracket! Update it after hearing who won between SONIC and Dairy Queen! 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's your Sonic go-to order? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Follow Marc Pope's podcast: @TheGOTSPod Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We cover Jack in the Box, the #8 seed in the Septemburger tournament, with special guest Honey the puppet from Ragmop & Goose!

🍔 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 podcast composer James McEnelly) 👑 Dairy Queen Wants to Melt the Competition (with Tyler Eaton) 🍔 The Tournament Sees its First Upset 📣 Wrestling-Style Promos from Each Guest 📋 TOURNAMENT RULES: 8 chains enter, each providing 3 burgers. Round 1: each chain's "#1-on-the-menu burger." Later rounds = specialty burgers. Seeding is based on the best burger I've ever had at each chain. Fill out your bracket here. YOU MAY ADJUST your picks until end of day 9/24 as you follow along. Anyone who correctly predicts the champion is entered into a drawing for the grand prize! 🎁 GRAND PRIZE: The winner can name any American chain restaurant I haven't covered yet, and I'll review it in Season 4. PLUS, I'll write and record a rap song about the winner or any food/restaurant topic of their choice. 🔥 SEMIS & FINALS: Coming 9/30 on Patreon for FREE (no subscription needed), or on the regular podcast feed in October. 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Who's your pick to win Septemburger 2025? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): https://www.patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: https://www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We cover Sonic Drive-In with special guest Marc Pope from the Geek Off the Street podcast!

🚒 Firehouse Subs: Premature Halloween & Sticky Bottles 🎃 This week, Jon Glover (from On Brand with Jon & Marisa) joins me again as we finally taste Firehouse Subs for ourselves. From cops hooking up in the bathroom* to pickle buckets better left unopened, this visit had more than its share of noteworthy moments. The subs didn't impress us, but the theming did...and somehow Jon confesses to living like a hoarder. 🥪 Jon Gets Defensive Over His Many Sandwich Mods 🎃 A 12-Foot Skeleton Box Blocks the Bathroom 🥒 Taking a Sniff of the Pickle Bucket (Instant Regret) 🍪 The Cookie Becomes the Star of the Meal 🥤 Jon Declares His Love for the Freestyle Soda Machine 🔥 Firehouse Theming Feels Like a Hollywood Backlot 🧂 A Hot Sauce Bar Full of Sticky Bottles 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's the strangest thing you've ever seen in a restaurant bathroom? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): https://www.patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: https://www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Jon's podcast: On Brand with Jon & Marisa (@onbrandthepod) Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: Septemburger 2025 kicks off! The annual burger tournament returns, and the first matchup is in full swing. *This is speculation.

🚒 Firehouse Subs 🥒 This week, we head into Firehouse Subs to see what the fuss is about. Emmy Award-winning guest and cohost of On Brand with Jon & Marisa Jon Glover joins me to talk steaming meats, charity pickle buckets, Titanic lore, and why being put on hold too long might just drive you insane. Along the way, Jon invents his dream restaurant "Capades" (an ice-themed wonderland), brushes shoulders with James Cameron (not to brag), and gets hot and bothered for firemen. 🚫 Steamed Meats That Don't Quite Work 🥒 Pickle Buckets & Firehouse's Community Spirit 🎬 Jon Worked with "Jim" Cameron on Avatar 2 & 3 🚢 Way Too Much Titanic Talk 🏰 "Capades": Jon's Dream Restaurant of Ice (and It's Free) 🍔 Firehouse Subs Joins RBI (Burger King's Parent Company) 📞 Put on Hold So Long, They Drove to the Store Instead 🎤 Jon Freezes When Asked to Sing 🙄 Jon Constantly Tells Michael to "Go On" 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's the strangest on-hold experience you've ever had with a business? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): https://www.patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: https://www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Jon's podcast: On Brand with Jon & Marisa (@onbrandthepod) Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We finally taste the food at Firehouse Subs to see how it stacks up.

🍕 Deep Dish in LA? Reviewing Gino's East of Chicago 🏀 This week, Jacquis Neal (Host of Dropout's upcoming show Crowd Control) returns as we give our full review of Gino's East of Chicago in...not Chicago, but Sherman Oaks, California. From the deep dish pizza to the dessert (and the GIARDINIERA RANCH), we talk hits, misses, and whether this spot truly feels like home for two Chicagoans far from the Windy City. We also visit the Calibration Station to hear about Jacquis's worst and best dining experiences, which include a Bob Evans dine-and-dash debacle and an unforgettable Disney breakfast. 🍕 Jacquis Rips Up My Chicago Card 🌭 Great Pizza, Mid Italian Beef 🥔 Kettle Chips & Giardiniera Ranch: Revelation of the Meal 🍫 Deep Dish Brownie Dessert Changed My Life 🏙️ Chicago Brick, Cubs Bobbleheads, But No Graffiti 🎢 Chef Mickey's vs. Bob Evans (Calibration Station) 🪑 A Restaurant That Feels Like Home (Even 2,000 Miles Away) 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's the best pizza you've had outside your hometown? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): https://www.patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: https://www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Jacquis on IG: @jacquisneal | Website: jacquisneal.com Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We dive into the fiery history of Firehouse Subs: heroic branding, steamed sandwiches, and maybe a little stolen valor?