"Fine" Dining

🌭 Nathan’s Famous: The Hot Dog Empire with a Big Secret 🌭 This week, we dive mouth-first into the greasy, glorious history of Nathan’s Famous, the iconic hot dog brand that gave us Al Capone’s favorite beach snack, a gluttonous holiday tradition, and the most American sporting event of all time: the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. From shady police bribes to feeding royalty to Joey Chestnut’s triumphant return after an Impossible controversy, this episode covers over a century of beef, buns, and barfing-for-glory. Joining me is comedian Marty Cunnie (who saw Chestnut live in action!! I'm fangirling). 🍺 A President Served Nathan’s to the Queen of England 💵 Bribing Cops Was Just Good Business 📉 The Hot Dog Eating Contest Origins Are a Complete Lie 🏆 Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Wrestling Vibes & Wet Buns 🇺🇸 Chestnut Returns for His 17th Mustard Belt 📺 Netflix’s “Unfinished Beef” Wasn't Canon 😬 Coney Island: Hot Dogs, Broken Glass, & Weird Tits 🏠 Marty’s Dream Restaurant Is Just His 3AM Apartment 💬 COMMENT BELOW: How many hot dogs is too many? 📢 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 🎤 Marty Cunnie on IG: @martycunniecomedy Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We review the original Nathan’s Famous location in Coney Island to see if the dogs are still worth the pilgrimage — or if the legend should stay in the history books.

🍗 Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken: Nothing Was Bad?! 🍗 We went to Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken—and literally nothing made it into the “Not Good” category. Nothing! Comedian and improviser Dave Theune (St. Denis Medical, NBC/Peacock) joins me to talk about his first foray into eating dark meat, crispy fried okra, spicy batter, and the kind of service that borders on too attentive (but we loved it). The waiter even coaxed out my Star Wars hot take. Is Gus’s better than Chili’s? That’s the question. But when a fried pickle almost takes me out in the opening minutes, it’s going to be a wild ride to the answer. 🍗 Juicy, Spicy, Championship Chicken 😇 Service So Good It’s Practically Flirting 🥒 A Scalding Pickle 🥧 Dessert: Chocolate Chess vs. Pecan Pie 🎵 Steely Dan Energy Without Steely Dan 🚽 The Most Secure Bathroom in LA ☕️ Unsweetened Tea… a 10/10?! 📈 Did Gus’s pass the Chili’s test? 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is Gus’s your go-to for fried chicken? Or does your loyalty lie elsewhere in the Southern fried pantheon? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus reviews & exclusive content!): https://www.patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, cursed Yelp reviews, Star Wars hot takes): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: https://www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎭 Dave Theune’s series St. Denis Medical – now streaming on Peacock Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: I head to Nathan’s Famous to learn the history of their fabled hot dog eating contest.

🐔 Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken (Part 1): Gus's Parents, the Superfan, and Chicken Championships 🐔 Before Gus’s was world famous, it was just spicy chicken sold out the back of a bar in the segregated South. But that secret recipe grew into a Southern staple, complete with 40+ locations, a chicken-loving superfan turned CEO, and even a rogue rooster who hangs out outside one of their Memphis spots. In this episode, I’m joined by improvisor, actor, and all-around delight Dave Theune (NBC’s St. Denis Medical) to go deep on the wild rise of Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, the hearse they use for advertising, and why you’ll never know what’s in their spice blend. Plus, Dave pitches a double-restaurant concept where Italian comfort meets a dessert diner, and it's all Rocky-themed. Is Gus’s really chicken to die for? Or just another chain in a hearse-shaped hat? 🔥 Backdoor Fried Chicken in 1950s Tennessee 🐓 The Secret Recipe That Not Even Marrying into the Family Can Teach You  👑 How a Superfan Became the CEO of the Whole Company 👻 Hearses, Roosters & Other Bizarre Gus’s Lore 🏆 Two-Time Winner of the National Fried Chicken Festival 🧻 Yelp Reviewers vs. Chicken Gremlins 🪑 Dave Theune’s Dream Restaurant: Rocky & Apollo’s 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Have you tried Gus’s? Did it make you say “goddamn”? Or just “meh”? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus reviews & exclusive content!): https://www.patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Share horror stories & chat chains): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 📸 Instagram/TikTok: @finediningpodcast and @davetheune 🎧 Full episodes & video: https://www.youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you believe fried chicken is a spiritual experience! Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We actually eat the chicken at Gus's. Is it “chicken to die for”? Or just fried food with a strong brand? Find out in Part 2.

🎲 Dunkin’ & Donuts: The D&D Crossover You Never Knew You Needed 🎲 This week on the "Fine Dining Podcast," we trade the drive-thru for dungeons. After covering a long, bizarre history — from handled donuts and Fred the Baker to the rise of Munchkins and Dunkaccinos — it’s time for part two: an original Dungeons & Dragons one-shot adventure, played in a world where every NPC runs on Dunkin’. Featuring writer, improviser, and TTRPG icon Amy Vorpahl, this special actual-play episode turns our fast-food trip into a fantasy quest. Expect laughs, intrigue, and a surprising amount of edible world-building. Will our hero survive The Glaze? Or will her journey end in deep-fried defeat? ☕ Amy Rolls a 0 and Becomes a Puddle of Coffee Trying to Impress Leonardo DeCaffio ⚔️ A Delicious Battle Against Donuts Come to Life 📚 Leonardo DeCaffio Schools Naz on The Glaze 🎭 Amy Vorpahl as Naz Baudelaire: Peanut Farmer and Chosen One 🥑 The BBEG Toolio (Voiced by Ify Nwadiwe) is Guarded by an Avocado Toast Homunculus 🎲 Real Dice Rolls, Real D&D Rules, Fantastical Dunkin’ Lore 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Would you play a whole campaign in the world of Dunkin’? 💥Real actual custom character artwork by BitterBats: 🎨 @Bitter.Bats – https://bitterbats.carrd.co/ 🗺️ And the Map of Ammereeka by Cameron McCarthy: 🎨 @mythweaverart – https://mythweaverart.artstation.com/ VFX: Steven Zurita Original Music: James McEnelly Playtesters: Terral Wells, Jess Parks, Steven Zurita, Luke Doyle, & Nick Adams Opening Theme Song: Gabe Alvarez 📢 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 chaotic chain-restaurant content — now with dice! Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We return to our regularly scheduled programming with a look into the history of Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken with special guest Dave Theune!

☕ Dunkin’ Donuts: Handled Donuts, Munchkin Origins & Al Pacino’s Dunkaccino ☕ Dunkin’ may be a coffee giant now, but its journey started with donuts — one in particular with a literal handle. In this week’s episode, I break down the entire rise of the chain formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts, from its humble beginnings in Quincy, Massachusetts, to becoming the fast-casual coffee behemoth we know today. Plus, I'm joined by writer and performer Amy Vorpahl to unravel some of the weirdest moments in Dunkin’ history — including public domain mascots, airport nostalgia, and the most cursed commercial Al Pacino ever agreed to do. Is Dunkin’ still the heart of New England? Or has it become just another burnt bean in the breakfast wars? 🍩 Why Dunkin’ Used to Serve Donuts with Handles 🥣 The Real Story Behind Munchkins (and Why They're Not Holes Anymore) 🕯️ Chocolate Donut Deodorant – Yes, Really 🎭 Fred the Baker – The Exhausted Mascot We Didn’t Deserve 📉 When Dunkin’ Stopped Making Donuts Fresh In-House ✂️ Dropping “Donuts” – Was the Name Change Worth It? 🎬 Jack & Jill’s Dunkaccino – A Meme, A Curse, A Cultural Landmark 🌍 Pork & Seaweed Donuts? Global Dunkin’ Menus You Won’t Believe 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Do you still call it Dunkin’ Donuts? Or are you ride-or-die for the coffee now? 📢 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 chaotic deep dives into fast-casual dining! Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Follow Amy on Instagram @vorpahlsword 👉 NEXT WEEK: We’re reviewing Dunkin’ in real time… through a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. See you in “Dunkin & Donuts.” 🎲

🍕 Papa Johns: The Pizza Review That Gave Us Indigestion 🍕 We reviewed Papa Johns… in the lobby. One item at a time. On plastic chairs they dug out from the back. Make no mistake, this branch of Papa Johns rules, but at the end of the day: it's still Papa Johns. After learning the ingredients now arrive in prepackaged plastic bags from an employee literally covered in something the company calls “dust,” we had to ask the big question: is Papa Johns objectively as good as Chili’s? Joining me is comedian Nick Stargu, whose multimedia stand-up special "Why Won’t You Dance with Me?" is on YouTube. We talk pizza, dipping sauces, employee transparency, and we mess around with his electronic saxophone to blur my voice, whatever that means.   🪑 Eating Papa John’s in a Chairless Lobby (But Management Accommodated Us!) 📦 Ingredients Shipping in Plastic Bags Instead of Fresh 👻 The Employee Covered in “Dust” 🍕 Pepperoni Pizza That Made Me Sad 😬 Wings That Were Just… Sweaty? 😳 Workers Said They Prefer Pizza Hut & Dominos 🥐 At Least the Cinnamon Pull Aparts Were Tasty 📉 Did Papa John’s fail the Chili’s test?   💬 COMMENT BELOW: Does Papa Johns still hit for you? Or have you also lost your faith in the brand?   📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus reviews & exclusive content!): https://www.patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp reviews): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: https://www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Nick Stargu’s Special: Why Won’t You Dance with Me? – https://youtu.be/kZJnpDMhbR0   Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van   👉 NEXT WEEK: I head to Dunkin’ Donuts (or is it just Dunkin' now?) to learn their history.

🍕 Papa Johns: Garlic Dip, CEO Scandals, & the First Bitcoin Pizza 🍕 From a broom closet in Indiana to viral garlic sauce bath bombs, Papa Johns has had one of the weirdest journeys in chain restaurant history. In this episode, I explore the story of America's youngest major pizza chain — the sauce that changed the industry, the man who ate 40 pizzas in 30 days, and how a slice of Papa Johns became the first physical purchase made with Bitcoin. We’re talking about Shaq, lawsuits, racial slurs on conference calls, and a clock made of eagles. Yes, really. Comedian Nick Stargu joins me to talk everything Papa Johns! Does Papa Johns have the most cursed origin story in pizza? Or is it just misunderstood? 🧄 The Garlic Dipping Sauce That Changed the Game 📈 Explosive Growth & a Stock Ticker Called “PZZA” 🚗 Selling a Camaro to Fund the First Oven 👎 CEO John Schnatter’s Downfall: NFL Drama & Racist Rants 🤑 The $800 Million Bitcoin Pizza 🛁 Garlic-Scented Bath Bombs for Superfans 📉 How Papa John’s Nearly Lost Everything 🍕 Shaq Joins the Board (And Gets His Own Pizza?) 👨‍🍳 From “Better Ingredients” to Better PR Moves? 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s your go-to pizza chain — and is Papa Johns even in the conversation? Check out Nick's comedy special here! 📢 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: https://www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you love chaotic deep dives into fast-casual history! Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We’re actually going to eat Papa Johns. Is it as bad as I remember? Or has it crawled back into crusty relevancy?

🌶️ Chili’s IS the Most Mediocre Restaurant in America (Part 2) 🌶️ After 100 restaurant reviews, this was it. Chili’s officially earned the perfect 5.00 out of 10, making it the most mediocre restaurant in America — the ultimate point of comparison for every meal to come. In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest VyVy Nguyen as we review the Encino location in full detail. From booth battles and dry wings to nostalgic chips and a molten dessert that hides its magic in the middle, we break down the exact moment Chili’s became the standard of mid. 🍔 The Sliders That Carried the Triple Dipper 🌽 Corn Is Good: A Re-Discovering 🔥 Nashville Hot Wings That Were Neither Hot nor Wet 🚽 Surprisingly Clean Saturday Night Bathroom 🌶️ Booths Designed for a Quiet Turf War 😑 The Most Just-There Fries You've Ever Had 🎂 A Birthday Song False Start for the Ages RAP MUSIC VIDEO DEBUT toward the end of the episode: "I Want My Baby Back" 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is Chili’s your go-to for a safe, middle-of-the-road meal? Or has it slipped into soggy nostalgia? 📢 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 to spread the gospel of perfect mediocrity. Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: A new chapter begins. The Chili’s Test is born. First up: Papa Johns. 🍕   "I Want My Baby Back" Written & Performed by Michael Ornelas featuring VyVy Nguyen Produced by Fresh Kils & Myer Clarity Mixed & Mastered by Fresh Kils Video Shot & Edited by Steven Zurita

🌶️ Chili’s: They Started in a Post Office?? 🌶️ Chili’s. For nearly 50 years, it’s been slinging margaritas, sizzling skillets, and vibes that are somehow both flirty and corporate. In this episode, actress and podcast 3-timers guest club VyVy Nguyen is back to explore the surprisingly spicy history of this chain restaurant icon with me — from its post office origins to its entanglement with The Office, N*SYNC, and the internet’s horniest Vine. Was Chili’s always this unhinged, just waiting for us to notice? 🌮 The “Fajita Effect”: Why One Order Sets the Whole Restaurant Off 🎶 Baby Back Ribs & the Jingle That Haunts Your Soul 📬 From Post Office to Powerhouse — How Chili’s Mailed It In and Still Won America Over 🍹 Margarita Madness: 13 Swimming Pools Worth a Year 🤖 The Vine That Chili's Declared One of its Most Important Moments Ever 📺 Jim & Pam’s First Kiss Was Where?! 😳 N*SYNC Gets Crushed by a Crate (But Harmonizes First) 🍽️ Chili’s Triple Dipper: A Flight of Fried Foods for the Indecisive Diner 🍽️ 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s your favorite Chili’s menu item? Or is it all about the vibe (and the molten lava cake)? 📢 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 crave deep dives into food, freakiness & fried mediocrity! Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We review a Saturday night at Chili’s. Chaos at Encino's hottest table to try and find the perfect 5.00 out of 10.

🦞 Joe’s Crab Shack (Part 2): Heavenly Shrimp, Sloppy Lob, & Dessert Scores 11 out of 10 🦞 After diving into the shady past of Joe’s Crab Shack, it was finally time to eat. In this episode, I head to the Disney-adjacent location with friend and podcast voiceover contributor Sandy Rose to see if the crab still holds up. From shockingly great coconut shrimp to a fish filet that straight-up betrayed us, we cover every bite, every bathroom handle, and every s’more-stained moment in our quest to determine if Joe’s is truly the perfectly mediocre restaurant. Is Joe’s Crab Shack a crustacean celebration? Or just chaos in a cowboy hat? 🍤 Jumbo Coconut Shrimp That Changed Sandy’s Life 🐟 Fried Fish So Bad It Made Us Question Reality 🍰 Campfire S'mores Dessert – Sugar, Fire, and Too Much Cake 🧼 Bathroom Handles & Sauce-Covered Soap Dispensers 🧂 Captain’s Sauce: A Flavor Bomb or Suicide Mission? 🥔 The Cajun Platter That Made One of Us Cry (Almost) 🧃 Coleslaw, Cucumber Salad & My First-Ever Hard-Boiled Egg 👯‍♀️ Where Were the Dancing Servers?! 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is Joe's the best seafood in chain restaurant dining? 📢 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 chaotic deep dives into fast-casual dining! Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: I’m hitting up the restaurant that started it all. Chili’s. Could it finally be the perfect 5.00? 🌶️