Advertise on podcast: "Fine" Dining

🌭🏰 Wienerschnitzel: Incorrect German, Taco Bell, and Iconic Chili 🏰🌭 This week, David Luong (@daviddluong) joins me to dig into the history of Wienerschnitzel, America's massive hot dog chain with a name that raises eyebrows. We trace the unlikely connections behind its creation, unpack the improper German that's been there since day one, and investigate how a restaurant named after schnitzel somehow went decades without actually serving any. 🔔 Wienerschnitzel's Founder Was Close with Taco Bell Founder Glen Bell 🇩🇪 "Der Wienerschnitzel" Wasn't Even Grammatically Correct German 🌭 Why Name a Hot Dog Restaurant After Schnitzel in the First Place? 🍖 The Chain FINALLY Serves Its Namesake as a Limited-Time Promotion 🔥 The Heat Lamp: David Argues Some Food Is Worth the Diarrhea 🥊 Yelp from Strangers: One Customer Claims an Employee Tried to FIGHT Him 🏰 How a Weirdly Named Hot Dog Stand Became an American Fast Food Institution 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's a food that's SO good you'd willingly accept the gastrointestinal consequences? 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: David Luong | IG: @daviddluong Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, Jahid Ahmed, Jewell Hermann, Macky Markar, Morawski4, Kellie Bowes, Debra Ramsey, Jorge Gabriel Méndez Arrambide, James BacKHouse, Kimberly Burk, & Travis Langley 👉 NEXT WEEK: David and I head to Wienerschnitzel to eat our way through the menu and put it to the Chili's Test! 🌭🌶️

🍔🏆 Septemburger 2026: The Semi-Finals & FINALE! 🏆🍔 It all comes down to this! Joyce, Miranda Coker (@miranda_writes114), Sandy Rose, and Seif Rahoumi (@seifrahoumi) return as Septemburger 2026 reaches its conclusion! Four chains remain, two matchups stand between them and the championship, and naturally, everyone is still cutting wrestling promos like these burgers have personally wronged them. 👑 BurgerFi's CEO Burger Enters the Semi-Finals with Joyce in Its Corner 🤠 Miranda & I Grade Fatburger's Western Bacon BBQ Burger ⚔️ BurgerFi vs. Fatburger: Which Burger Earns a Spot in the Finals? 🧅 Sandy & I Dig into MOOYAH's Well D'Onion 🥓 Seif & I Discover Some Truly AWFUL Bacon on Five Guys' Little Hamburger 🥊 MOOYAH vs. Five Guys: Only One Can Advance! 🎤 The Wrestling Promos Continue as Everyone Talks an Incredible Amount of Trash 🚫 Seif Should Be Cancelled 🏆 Two Burgers Survive the Semi-Finals, But Only ONE Can Become the SEPTEMBURGER 2026 CHAMPION! 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Did the right burger win Septemburger 2026? 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guests: Joyce, Miranda Coker (@miranda_writes114), Sandy Rose, & Seif Rahoumi (@seifrahoumi) Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, Jahid Ahmed, Jewell Hermann, Macky Markar, Morawski4, Kellie Bowes, Debra Ramsey, Jorge Gabriel Méndez Arrambide, James BacKHouse, & Kimberly Burk 👉 NEXT WEEK: Septemburger is over and regular programming returns! 🌭 I dive into the history of Wienerschnitzel with David Luong!

🍔🏆 Fatburger: The No. 1 Seed Takes on McDonald's in Septemburger! 🏆🍔 This week, Miranda Coker (@miranda_writes114) joins me at Fatburger, the No. 1 seed in Septemburger 2026! We dig into the history of this Black-owned burger institution while putting its burger up against McDonald's Big Mac, all before the putting it to the Chili's Test. There's a reason Fatburger earned the top seed, but listen to us gush about just how tasty it is. 💔 How "Mr. Fatburger" Became Just Fatburger After a Breakup 🎤 Fatburger's Massive Footprint in Hip Hop Lyrics 🏝️ We Try the Fatburger, 1000 Island Burger & Western Bacon BBQ Burger 🧅 Skinny Fries Got Neglected Because the Onion Rings Were So Good... 🥤 Chocolate & Maui Banana Milkshakes 🍔 Fatburger vs. Big Mac: The Final First-Round Septemburger Matchup 🏆 The Wall of Fame Celebrates Survivors of the Massive XXXL Burger 🎶 The Music Is HITTING Inside Fatburger 🔥 The Heat Lamp: Stop Asking Miranda If They Liked Their Food Just Because They Didn't Finish It! ⚡ Yelp from Strangers: One Man Apparently Wants Fatburger to ADMINISTER His Death Penalty?! 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Who advances in Septemburger 2026: Fatburger or McDonald's? 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Miranda Coker | IG: @miranda_writes114 Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, Jahid Ahmed, Jewell Hermann, Macky Markar, Morawski4, Kellie Bowes, Debra Ramsey, Jorge Gabriel Méndez Arrambide, James BacKHouse, & Kimberly Burk 👉 NEXT WEEK: Septemburger 2026 reaches its grand finale! 🏆🍔 Fatburger vs. BurgerFi! Five Guys vs. MOOYAH! Then the winners collide in one final, winner-takes-all showdown to crown the Septemburger 2026 Champion!

🍔🏛️ The Oldest McDonald's: Fried Apple Pies, Speedee, and Ray Kroc History 🏛️🍔 We're going back in time! Everyone's favorite recurring guest VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) joins me at the oldest operating McDonald's, the historic Downey, California location that's still rocking the original Speedee mascot, has its own museum, and most importantly, STILL FRIES ITS APPLE PIES. We're also here on official Septemburger 2026 business, finding three burgers worthy (?) of representing the Golden Arches when they face Fatburger. 🏛️ We Explore the Museum at the Oldest Operating McDonald's 👨‍🍳 Speedee Lives! The Pre-Ronald McDonald Mascot Is Still on the Sign 🥧 FRIED Apple Pies Still Exist in Downey! 🍔 Big Mac, Deluxe Quarter Pounder, & the Kid's Hamburger for Septemburger 🍟 McDonald's Fries Are Great...Until Time Passes 🎁 Our Happy Meals Come with BTS-Inspired Toys 🐔 Chicken McNuggets & McCrispy Strips Both Leave Us Wanting More 🤔 VyVy and I Have VERY Different Reads on the Service We Received 💰 We Revisit Just How Cutthroat Ray Kroc Was 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Which McDonald's burger should represent the Golden Arches in Septemburger 2026? 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: VyVy Nguyen | IG: @cest_la_vyvy Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, Jahid Ahmed, Jewell Hermann, Macky Markar, Morawski4, Kellie Bowes, Debra Ramsey, Jorge Gabriel Méndez Arrambide, & James BacKHouse 👉 NEXT WEEK: It's McDonald's vs. Fatburger in the last first-round match of Septemburger 2026! 🍔⚔️ One burger advances, one goes home, and the bracket gets one step closer to crowning this year's champion.

👑🍔 Burger King Returns: New History, Three Whoppers, and a Septemburger Showdown 🍔👑 Fill out the Septemburger 2026 Bracket here by 11:59PM PST on September 15th, 2026!! It's been three years since I last covered Burger King, so Andrew Carter (@andrewcahtah) joins me to find out what's changed since 2023 AND revisit the food as BK enters Septemburger 2026 against BurgerFi. There's just one problem: Andrew is very much NOT a Burger King fan. Can the King win him over, or is this tournament matchup already over before it's even started? 📚 Updating the Burger King Story with Everything That's Happened Since 2023, Including Patty the A.I. 👑 Burger King vs. BurgerFi in SEPTEMBURGER 2026! 🍔 Whopper, Texas Double Whopper, & Loaded Jalapeño Whopper 🍟 Fries & Onion Rings Combo Together 👑 We Try the Crown Nuggets 🐔 The Original Chicken Sandwich SUCKS 🥧 Hershey Sundae Pie Ain't It for Andrew 🎂 A Little Girl Behind Andrew DEMANDS His Attention 🥩 Calibration Station: Andrew's Best Restaurant Ever Is a Very Recent Peter Luger Experience 🍎 His Worst? An Applebee's That Proved BBQ Can Be Awful Fill out the Septemburger 2026 Bracket here by 11:59PM PST on September 15th, 2026!! 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Who deserves to advance in Septemburger 2026: Burger King or BurgerFi? 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Andrew Carter | IG: @andrewcahtah Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, Jahid Ahmed, Jewell Hermann, Macky Markar, Morawski4, & Kellie Bowes 👉 NEXT WEEK: I visit the oldest currently-operating McDonald's with VyVy Nguyen! 🍟🏛️ We're digging into this historic location before McDonald's enters Septemburger 2026 against Fatburger the following week. Fill out the Septemburger 2026 Bracket here by 11:59PM PST on September 15th, 2026!!

Fill out the Septemburger 2026 Bracket here by 11:59PM PST on September 15th, 2026!! 🍔🏆 Septemburger 2026 Begins: Five Burgers Enter the Tournament! 🏆🍔 SEPTEMBURGER 2026 IS HERE! Five returning guests join me for the official kickoff as we revisit the burgers entering our first batch of tournament matchups. Luke Pace, Sandy Rose, Bennett Cohen, Seif Rahoumi, and Joyce are back to defend their respective restaurants, talk an unreasonable amount of trash, and find out which burgers survive the opening round. Before the patties start flying, I break down the full Septemburger rules, how the bracket works, and exactly what these chains are competing for. Then everybody channels their inner pro wrestler and cuts promos on the competition. This is apparently a wrestling podcast now (for real though, I'd be okay with that). Fill out the Septemburger 2026 Bracket here by 11:59PM PST on September 15th, 2026!! 📜 The Official Rules of Septemburger 2026, Explained! 👑 Five Returning Guests Represent Five Different Burger Chains 🍔 The Habit Burger Grill vs. MOOYAH: Who Survives Round One? 💥 Smashburger vs. Five Guys: A Better Burger Showdown 🎤 Everyone Cuts Wrestling-Style Promos on Their Competition 📊 BurgerFi Gets Its Official Septemburger Score 🏆 Two Winners Move On, But You'll Have to Watch to Find Out Who 👀 BurgerFi Has a Date with Burger King Waiting Next Week 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Who are you picking to win Septemburger 2026? Fill out the Septemburger 2026 Bracket here by 11:59PM PST on September 15th, 2026!! 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guests: Luke Pace, Sandy Rose, Bennett Cohen, Seif Rahoumi, & Joyce Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, Jahid Ahmed, Jewell Hermann, & Macky Markar 👉 NEXT WEEK: Burger King with Andrew Carter, which will face off against BurgerFi for a spot in the next round! Fill out the Septemburger 2026 Bracket here by 11:59PM PST on September 15th, 2026!!

🍜🔥 JINYA Ramen Bar Review: Tableside Birria, Garlic Heaven, and a One-in-a-Million Mishap 🔥🍜 Grayson Alamango Shapiro (@grayson.a.shapiro), first AD of Obsession, is back as we finally eat our way through JINYA Ramen Bar and put it to the Chili's Test! The ramen is pretty solid, the appetizers keep delivering, and then Garlic Rice with Beef Birria steals the entire meal. But even with all that deliciousness, JINYA manages to give us a service mishap so bizarre that I've genuinely never seen anything like it happen before. 🍜 Mountain Buta Garlic Ramen Brings the GARLIC 🥩 Garlic Rice with Beef Birria Gets Mixed Tableside and It's AMAZING 🐷 Grayson Digs into the Tonkotsu Black Ramen 🫛 Edamame, Nikuman, Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna & the JINYA Bun Keep the Hits Coming 🤯 A Crazy Service Mishap Leaves Us Baffled 🍰 Somehow, of ALL Things, the Desserts Let Us Down 🎬 Grayson Shares His Favorite Memories from the Set of Obsession 🎢 Theme Parks Make Great Memories...and Apparently Terrible Food 🌶️ JINYA Faces the Chili's Test: Is This Ramen Chain Better Than Chili's? 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's your go-to ramen 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Grayson Alamango Shapiro | IG: @grayson.a.shapiro Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, Jahid Ahmed, Jewell Hermann, & Macky Markar

🍜✈️ JINYA Ramen Bar: The Allure of Hollywood, First-Class Collaboration, and Keanu Reeves ✈️🍜 This week, Obsession first AD Grayson Alamango Shapiro (@grayson.a.shapiro) joins me to dig into the history of JINYA Ramen Bar, a chain that helped take ramen from a regional specialty to a major national restaurant concept. We talk about the appeal of bringing JINYA to "Hollywood," some unexpected celebrity clientele, and how the brand grew into one of the biggest names in American ramen. And somehow, as all good restaurant history podcasts do, we eventually find ourselves having a serious conversation about an app that maps human poop. 🍜 How JINYA Became the First Major National Ramen Chain 🌴 The Irresistible Allure of Opening a Restaurant in "Hollywood" 🎬 Keanu Reeves Has Eaten at this JINYA, So We're Basically Best Friends Now ✈️ JINYA Ramen Takes to the Skies with a First-Class Collaboration 💩 The Poop Map App Sends Us Down a MUCH Deeper Rabbit Hole Than Expected 🍴 Grayson Has VERY Specific Rules for Silverware Placement at Catering ⏱️ Yelp from Strangers Sparks a Debate About Hostile Customer Turnover Tactics ☎️ ANSWER YOUR PHONES, BUSINESSES! 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's the longest you're willing to wait for a table before giving up? 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Grayson Alamango Shapiro | IG: @grayson.a.shapiro Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, Jahid Ahmed, Jewell Hermann, & Macky Markar 👉 NEXT WEEK: Grayson and I actually eat at JINYA Ramen Bar and put one of America's biggest ramen chains to the Chili's Test! 🍜🌶️

🍕🧱 Slice House Review: We Tried All the Pizza Styles, and Is Court Crying?! 🧱🍕 Court McGowan (@the_courtjester_) is back as we put Slice House by Tony Gemignani to the Chili's Test! And if you're going to review a place built around Tony's mastery of different pizza styles, of course we're going to try them all. Four different crusts, wings can tear friendships apart, and mooooore! 🍕 We Try So Many Pizzas 🍗 Court and I Are Quite Far Apart on the Wings 🍪 A Chocolate Chip Cookie That Is More Bread than Chocolate 🩹 Our Kind-Eyed Cashier Has Some Concerningly Cut-Up Hands 🧻 As a Bearded Wing-Eater, I NEED Paper Towels in That Bathroom 🧱 Brick Walls Remain a Great Restaurant Vibe 👶 A Small Child Makes Sure the Entire Restaurant Knows They're Upset 😭 Wait...Is Court Crying? 📏 Calibration Station: From Sending Food Back to Old Reliables 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Which pizza style is your fav: New York, Grandma, Detroit, or Sicilian? 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Court McGowan | IG: @the_courtjester_ Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, Jahid Ahmed, Jewell Hermann, & Macky Markar 👉 NEXT WEEK: I dive into JINYA Ramen Bar with Grayson Alamango Shapiro from Obsession! 🍜

🍕🏆 Slice House by Tony Gemignani: World Champion Pizza, "Hot Mario (Lopez??)," and Pizza Acrobatics 🏆🍕 This week, Court McGowan (@the_courtjester_) joins me to dive into the history of Slice House by Tony Gemignani, the pizza empire built by one of the most decorated pizza makers on Earth. From world championship dough tossing to an American winning a pizza competition in Naples (which almost caused a riot), this episode is full of a prestigious history! 🏆 Tony Gemignani Becomes a Pizza World Champion in Naples 🚔 An American Winning Best Pizza in Italy Earned Tony a Police Escort 🤹 Pizza Acrobatics Are Somehow a Competitive Sport (Here's the link we talk about) 🍕 The Mario Lopez Collaboration: Meet the "Hot Mario" 🎰 Court and I Debate the Proper Way to Pronounce Nevada 🔥 The Heat Lamp: Court Thinks All Food Should Be Shared 🫒 Yelp from Strangers: One Customer Is Absolutely SUF-FER-ING from the Pizza Oils 🌎 How Slice House Grew from Championship Pedigree to Expanding Pizza Chain 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Would you ever compete in pizza acrobatics, or are you keeping both feet firmly on the ground? 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Court McGowan | IG: @the_courtjester_ Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, Jahid Ahmed, & Jewell Hermann 👉 NEXT WEEK: Court and I head to Slice House to review the food and put it to the Chili's Test. 🍕🏆

🍔🥜 Five Guys Review: Worst Bacon Ever, Amazing Fries, and Competitive Burgers 🥜🍔 This week, Seif Rahoumi (@seifrahoumi) returns as we put Five Guys to the Chili's Test. With Five Guys entering Septemburger 2026 as the No. 2 seed, it's time to find out whether one of America's most beloved burger chains can live up to the hype. Between three tournament burgers, fresh-cut fries, and a shockingly bad hot dog, there's a lot to unpack. 🍔 Three Burgers Enter the Septemburger Conversation 🥜 Seif Opens a Peanut for the First Time Ever 🍟 Fresh-Cut Fries and Cajun Fries Continue to Carry the Reputation 🌭 The Hot Dog Was a Bigger Disappointment Than I Am to My Parents 🥓 The Bacon Ruined Everything It Touched 🎨 The Bulletin Board Is Out of Cards, So Seif Can't Cook (Artistically Speaking) 👨‍🍳 Open Kitchen vs. FOH/BOH Segregation 🏆 Seif Thinks the Walls Have Way Too Many Self-Congratulatory Awards 📏 Calibration Station Reveals Seif's Biggest Restaurant Green Flag: Acknowledge Him 🤨 Is a Cashier Rude for Saying *He* Wouldn't Eat What We Ordered? 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's your go-to Five Guys burger 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Seif Rahoumi | IG: @seifrahoumi Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, Jewell Hermann, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, & Jahid Ahmed 👉 NEXT WEEK: It's the history of Slice House by Tony Gemignani with Court McGowan!

🍔🥜 Five Guys: Shaq's Five Guys Empire, The Secret Sixth Guy, and An Old Yelper Yells at Clouds 🥜🍔 This week, Seif Rahoumi (@seifrahoumi) joins me to look into the history of Five Guys, a family burger business that has scaled massively. Faced with a choice between college and burgers, the Murrell brothers helped build one of America's biggest fast-casual success stories...despite the fact that there are actually six guys, plus one very important woman who didn't make it into the name. 🎓 "College or Burgers?" 👨‍👦 Who's the Sixth Guy? 🏀 Shaquille O'Neal's Massive Five Guys Empire 🥜 Peanuts While You Wait 🔥 The Heat Lamp: Seif Drags Picky Eaters (While I Defend Us) 🚗 Yelp from Strangers: One Reviewer Absolutely HATES Food Influencers Who Eat in Their Cars 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Would you have chosen college... or opening a burger restaurant with your family? 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Seif Rahoumi | IG: @seifrahoumi Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, Jewell Hermann, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, & Jahid Ahmed 👉 NEXT WEEK: We put Five Guys to the Chili's Test before its Septemburger 2026 showdown as the tournament's No. 2 seed against Smash Burger. 🍔🏆

🐔🍟 Raising Cane's Review: Amazing Sauce, Terrible Sandwich, and Where Are the Knives?! 🍟🐔 This week, D'Angelo Reyes and I finally put Raising Cane's to the Chili's Test. We order literally everything on the menu, from the famous chicken fingers to the sandwich, fries, slaw, Texas toast, and naturally it comes with the yummy yummy Cane's Sauce. Some items deliver...while one leaves behind the most unpleasant aftertaste I think I've ever encountered from simple produce. 🍗 We Try the Entire Raising Cane's Menu 🥣 Bury Me in a Vat of Cane's Sauce 🍟 Crinkle-Cut Fries Are Pretty Solid 🥬 Lettuce So Prominent, You Don't Even Need to Eat it to Taste It 🧂 The Chicken Fingers Are Good, But Imagine Them with Seasoning 🚗 One of the Worst Drive-Thru Designs We've Ever Seen 🖼️ The Quirky Decor Keeps Things Interesting 🔪 How Does a Restaurant Sell Sandwiches Without a Single Plastic Knife?! 🎢 D'Angelo's Best Meal Ever Comes from a Theme Park While His Worst Features Transparent Sushi 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is Cane's Sauce enough to make up for the lack of seasoning on the chicken? 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: D'Angelo Reyes | IG: @dangelo1260 Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, Jewell Hermann, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, & Jahid Ahmed 👉 NEXT WEEK: I dive into the history of Five Guys with Seif Rahoumi. 🍔🏆

🐔🎣 Raising Cane's: The Dog Behind the Name, Post Malone, and Velvet Elvis 🎣🐔 This week, D'Angelo Reyes (@dangelo1260) joins me to explore the history of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, a restaurant built around one simple idea that almost everyone thought would fail. From disco balls in every dining room to naming the entire company after his beloved dog, Raising Cane's proves that sometimes sticking to your vision is the best business strategy of all. 🐶 Why There Have Been THREE Raising Cane Namesake Dogs (It's Sad) 🎣 Working on a Salmon Boat and an Oil Rig to Fund the Dream 🐔 The Chicken Finger Got Laughed at by the Founder's College Professor 🖼️ Why Every Raising Cane's Has Velvet Elvis Artwork 🎤 Post Malone Somehow Has TWO Raising Cane's Locations 🏰 ...Including One with a Medieval-Themed Bathroom 🔥 Hot Take: Themed Restaurants Are Better Than Michelin Star Restaurants 🔪 A Yelper Wants to Destroy Whoever Designed the Parking Lot 💬 COMMENT BELOW: If you could build a restaurant around just ONE menu item, what would it be? 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: D'Angelo Reyes | IG: @dangelo1260 Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, Jewell Hermann, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, Science Broe, & Jahid Ahmed 👉 NEXT WEEK: We head to Raising Cane's to review the food and put it to the Chili's Test. 🐔🏆

🍔🥔 Smashburger Review: Incredible Hot Tots, Garlic Fries, and the Elderly Invade! 🥔🍔 This week, Bennett Cohen (@bennettrcohen) and I put Smashburger to the Chili's Test. As the No. 7 seed in Septemburger 2026, Smashburger has a showdown with Five Guys looming in just a couple of months, so the stakes are high. Are they doomed solely by writing a check they couldn't cash (or, SMASH!?). Because these "smash" burgers are not smashed enough to our liking! 🍔 We Review Smashburger's Three Entrants into the Septemburger Tournament 🥔 Smash Fries with Garlic & Rosemary Are a Win 🔥 Scorchin' Hot Tots Steal the Entire Meal (They're Not TOO Hot, Either) 🌭 The Americana Dog Has a Fantastic Bun 🍗 Chicken Tenders That Disappoint 🥤 Bennett and I Diverge on the Milkshakes 👴 The Dining Room Has Too Many Elderly People 🍬 Werther's, Gibberish, and Disregarding Social Norms 🤔 The Cashier Asks Me About Myself, Then Walks Away Mid-Answer..??? 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Which chain deserves the edge in Septemburger 2026: Smashburger or Five Guys? 📢 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/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Bennett Cohen | IG: @bennettrcohen Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas, Joyce Van, & Robert McLaughlin Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, Travis Langley, Jewell Hermann, & Michelle Elmer Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Renae Michael, Crystal C., NiZ, & Science Broe 👉 NEXT WEEK: I dive into the history of Raising Cane's with D'Angelo Reyes. 🐔