Afleveringen

  • 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 my YouTube 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 Patreon! 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    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 @danajeanxoxo

    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 [email protected].

  • 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 my YouTube 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 Patreon! 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    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 [email protected].

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    Klik hier om de feed te vernieuwen.

  • 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 my YouTube 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 Patreon! 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    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 [email protected].

  • 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 my YouTube to watch this episode!

    Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music)

    Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose

    "Fine" Dining is on Patreon! 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    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 [email protected].

  • 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 my YouTube 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 Patreon! 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    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 [email protected].

  • 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 my YouTube 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 Patreon! 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    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 [email protected].

  • 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 my YouTube 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 Patreon! 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    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 [email protected].

  • 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 my YouTube 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 Patreon! 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    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 [email protected].

  • 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
  • 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 my YouTube to watch this episode!

    Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music)

    Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose

    "Fine" Dining is on Patreon! 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    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]

  • Septemburger rolls on!

    Formerly of Tastemade, producer Raj Rawal joins me to talk about a restaurant he's very passionate about: In-N-Out Burger
    The Eat Deets tackle everything from the founder's untimely passing in a plane crash and the struggles with substance abuse of the sons, to In-N-Out's brand loyalty with 7-Up surviving a rift with Pepsi The Secret Menu Mini-Game: Vehicular Goodies An injured employee is helped out of the restaurant by a manager mid-lunch rush in a noteworthy show of human decency What's Going On Over There with the overly competitive drivers in the parking lot? They gave us paper hats! Septemburger: In-N-Out faces off with Whataburger in the first round of the tournament What we ate: French Fries (Well Done)
    In-N-Out Hamburger
    Mustard Fried Hamburger with Toasted Bun
    Animal Style Hamburger with Grilled Onions
    Black & White Shake Raj details his worst and best restaurant experiences ever at the Calibration Station "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube 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 Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (I just 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    Send in your In-N-Out Burger stories at [email protected].

    Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast

    Follow Raj on Instagram & TikTok @asaprajy

    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: White Castle. I drove all the way to Las Vegas to eat at this notorious stoner destination with host of the Visit Vegas Places podcast, Coyal Harrison. I give a full review to the no. 8 seed in the Septemburger bracket one week before their showdown with the top-rated Shake Shack. Ever work at White Castle? Send in your stories to [email protected]

  • Your chance at $500 is here!

    Septemburger is once again upon us, and this time I've scoured the nation for 8 fast food burger chains to compete in the annual contest
    I'm joined by a slew of guests: my own Dad, I Think You Should Leave's Steve Moulton, and my friends Kellie Baldwin, Herbert Amaya, and Ashley Robinson Click here for a direct link to the Septemburger 2024 Bracket Google Form (due by end of day September 10th, 2024)! Septemburger Rules explained:
    24 burgers across 8 fast food/fast casual restaurants are sampled First round matches pit basic burgers against basic burgers (the #1 on their menus) to see who has the fundamentals Burgers are given a score by Michael & guest, which are averaged and compared to their opponent each round Winning chain advances to the next round, while the loser is eliminated from the tournament (therefore, their other two burgers don't factor in) Semi-Finals & Finals conducted on a FREE episode on September 30th on the "Fine" Dining Patreon First Round Match-Up: Steak 'n Shake (#2 seed) - The Original Steakburger vs. Rally's Drive-In (#7 seed) - The Big Buford First Round Match-Up: Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (#3 seed) - The Freddy's Original Double vs. Culver's (#6 seed) - The Butterburger Scoring the Whataburger at the #4 seed, Whataburger "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube 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 Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (my Ess-a-Bagel episode just dropped, where I went 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    Send in your hamburger stories at [email protected].

    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 week on "Fine" Dining: In-N-Out Burger! I'm joined by Raj Rawal Ever work at In-N-Out Burger? Send me your stories at [email protected].

  • Even the name sounds mediocre!

    I'm joined once again by Two in the Cooler podcast host Andrew Canada to hit up a chain that was a staple of his childhood: Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
    Perkins has a dingy atmosphere that acknowledges you'd rather be elsewhere What's Going on Over There with advertising the arrival of Dr. Pepper to your menu, and then only serving Mr. Pibb? (This one really upset Michael) Our server was emotionally affected by me not loving my burger Andrew eats his pancakes in a real crazy way What we ate: Orange Juice Mr. Pibb Chicken Fingers Short Stack of Pancakes Turkey Sausage Tater Tots Blueberry Pancakes Sausage Patty Avocado Crunch Burger French Fries Apple Pie Banana Cream Pie "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube 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 Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (on the last day of August, I'll be releasing 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    Send in your Perkins stories at [email protected].

    Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast

    Follow Two in the Cooler on Instagram @twointhecooler

    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: Septemburger 2024 Kicks Off! I revisit 5 burger chains I've been to already this season as we see Steak 'n Shake take on Rally's, and Culver's matches up with Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. And then I score Whataburger's hamburger before they go head-to-head with In-N-Out the following week. Fill out your Septemburger brackets here!

  • I traveled to New York, New York for this one!

    From the Two in the Cooler podcast, host Andrew Canada joins me this week to check out Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, a chain that I flew across the country to New York City to try, and he flew down from Buffalo to meet me there
    Originally "Smithy's Pancake House" before changing their name and expanding across the region, Perkins' backstory is one of ups and downs The Secret Menu: Sci-Fi Foods Andrew's friends sound 100% made up A Yelper gives Perkins 5 stars while continually dunking on Staten Island in pretty glorious fashion
    "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube 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 Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (I recently released my July exclusive episode on Sarku Japan, a delicious mall food court teriyaki chicken joint, and introduced my friend Michael Slater to their "yummy yummy sauce!"), 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    Send in your Perkins stories at [email protected].

    Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast

    Follow Two in the Cooler on Instagram @twointhecooler

    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: Perkins Review [Part Two]! Andrew Canada returns to eat a pretty underwhelming meal with me! Ever work at Perkins? Send your stories to [email protected].

  • The sushi at Houston's is an unexpected masterpiece!

    Houston's Restaurant aka Hillstone is one of the higher-end experiences I've had for the podcast, and That Was Wild podcast's Adam Macias joined me on his own birthday to dine there with me The art choices in here were bold (arguably Way Too Much) and their light fixtures straight up looked like a certain Pokémon I straight up misinterpreted the meaning of the phrase "I'm Going to Hit the Head" What's Going On Over There with falsely advertising their artichokes on the menu? Manager gaslighting
    What we ate: Deviled Eggs, Bread Plate, Spinach Dip, Thai Tuna Roll, Cole Slaw, French Fries, French Dip au Jus, Hawaiian Prime Rib, Brownie with Kahlua Sauce A passionate discussion about our rating scales "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube 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 Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (July's exclusive episode is on Sarku Japan, a delicious mall food court teriyaki chicken joint, and I introduced my friend Michael Slater to their "yummy yummy sauce!"), 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    Send in your Houston's stories at [email protected].

    Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast

    Follow Adam on Instagram @adamrmac

    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: Perkins History [Part One]! From the Two in the Cooler podcast, I'm joined by Andrew Canada as we talk all about this history of Perkins, a chain he grew up on. Ever work at Perkins? Send your stories to [email protected].

  • A chain with 15 different names!

    Houston's Restaurant aka Hillstone aka 13 other things is one of the more upscale chains, and Adam Macias from the That Was Wild podcast joins me to learn interesting facts about this restaurant Houston's will let you BYOB without charging a corkage fee, and they are very proud of this The Secret Menu: Bougier Restaurants Houston's is currently embroiled in a lawsuit over price-gouging during the pandemic My new favorite review of all-time: an unfashionable Yelper dressed terribly, and then complained that staff let him know he was breaking the dress code in this week's Yelp from Strangers
    "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube 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 Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (I recently released my July exclusive episode on Sarku Japan, a delicious mall food court teriyaki chicken joint, and introduced my friend Michael Slater to their "yummy yummy sauce!"), 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    Send in your Houston's stories at [email protected].

    Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast

    Follow Adam on Instagram @adamrmac

    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: Houston's Restaurant Review [Part Two]! Adam Macias returns to talk about this fancy birthday lunch we had for him, including some of the best sushi we've ever tasted! Ever work at Houston's? Send your stories to [email protected].

  • We eat the chicken sandwich that caused chaos upon launch!

    Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen makes it clear that you're not supposed eat it there. But I powered through with my guest, stand-up comedian Sierra Katow
    Popeyes goes overboard on the signage in the store, outside the restaurant, and on the door What's Going On Over There with the complete silence inside the establishment? The chicken sandwich: is it really that good?
    Sierra opens up about a stressful Denny's experience What we ate:
    Strawberry Lemonade Sweet Tea Biscuits Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Cole Slaw Signature Fried Chicken Honey Lemon Pepper Wings Spicy Chicken Sandwich Apple Pie "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube 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 Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (Out later today, my July exclusive episode covers one of my absolute favorite food court spots: Sarku Japan. Joined by my friend Michael Slater, hear me dive into a pool of "Yummy Yummy Sauce!"), 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    Send in your Popeyes stories at [email protected].

    Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast

    Follow Sierra on Instagram and TikTok @sierrakatow

    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: Houston's Restaurant History [Part One]! From the That Was Wild! podcast, host Adam Macias joins me for a fancy birthday lunch at one of the nicer chains out there. Hear the history of Houston's and Hillstone. Ever work at Houston's? Send your stories to [email protected].

  • The stories from the sandwich launch are wild!

    I went to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen with stand-up comedian Sierra Katow, but before reviewing the place we have to go over the franchise history The Eat Deets unveil founder Al Copeland's master plan to charge the company a "spice royalty" after he was ousted from leadership The Secret Menu: Villainous Treats Beyoncé has a "free Popeyes for life" situation going, but she's too embarrassed to use it A chronicling of the abject chaos that erupted upon the release of Popeyes chicken sandwich A Yelper expresses grave concern over a manager in front of the restaurant working on their black Mercedes in their work-issued gloves and apron in this week's Yelp from Strangers
    "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube 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 Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (Now's a great chance to catch the Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers episode with my friend Herbert before using that information to fill out your Septemburger 2024 bracket in a little over a month), 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    Send in your Popeyes stories at [email protected].

    Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast

    Follow Sierra on Instagram and TikTok @sierrakatow

    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: Popeyes Review [Part Two]! Sierra Katow returns to help me try a bunch of the different ways Popeyes does chicken: sandwich, wings, traditional fried, etc.! Ever work at Popeyes? Send your stories to [email protected].

  • A new Worst Restaurant in America is crowned!

    A restaurant so bad, I don't think my Dad (my guest this week) will ever let me live it down: Shoney's Buffet soups shouldn't have such a thick skin over them that the ladle rests on top...right?? What's Going On Over There with Shoney's thinking they deserve their own food truck? The service team surprises me with a little extra cook time on my steak, despite my wishes to the contrary Fan of the show Travis recounts the story of when Scott Steiner threw him out of a Shoney's! Seriously, a steak cooked this long can only be described as Way Too Much! The previous worst restaurant, GattiTown scored a 2.70 on the Tchotchke of Mediocrity. How much worse can Shoney's be? What we ate: Fries Breakfast Potatoes Eggs Pancakes Slim Jim Sandwich Steak Shoney's World Famous Hot FudgeCake Heinz 57 "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube 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 Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (The Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers episode with my friend Herbert is going strong, and I just released my tentative show line-up through the end of 2024!), 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    Send in your Shoney's stories at [email protected].

    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 week on "Fine" Dining: Popeyes History [Part One]! I'm joined by comedian Sierra Katow to learn about the history of my favorite Louisiana-based fast food chicken chain, and its founder's villainous ploy to hold the recipes hostage! Ever work at Popeyes? Send your stories to [email protected].

  • Traveled across the country for this!

    Coming to you from the mountains of North Carolina, I bring you the Eat Deets for Shoney's with my very own Dad Shoney's has undergone a few name changes, including being a part of the Big Boy franchise A brand that once grew to over 1,800 restaurants is dwindling in the post-pandemic restaurant landscape, now down to 81 (as of 2024) Racist hiring practices landed Shoney's on the receiving end of the largest discrimination settlement ever (at the time) A Yelper literally dumps all over the whole town in this week's Yelp from Strangers "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube 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 Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (The Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers episode is available now, and covers the no. 3 seed in this year's Septemburger tournament! I'm joined by my friend Herbert, who's gone to a lot of these places with me), 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 www.finediningpodcast.com!

    Send in your Shoney's stories at [email protected].

    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 week on "Fine" Dining: Shoney's Review [Part Two]! Shoney's makes the worst steak I've ever had in my life and my Dad, who's back, hates everything about it. Ever work at Shoney's? Send your stories to [email protected].