Chili's: The Fajita Effect, NSYNC, and the Jingle That Changed Everything

🐃🔥🍗 Buffalo Wild Wings GO: The Fourth Jonas, Blazin' Heat & a Fightin' Manager 🍗🔥🐃 This week, Shannon Bengston (@SSBengston) joins me to trace the wild story behind Buffalo Wild Wings GO: from its roots as "BW3" in Columbus, Ohio to its modern takeout-only spin-off. We cover Hank the Buffalo, the forgotten Weck sandwich, and the Jonas Brothers ad campaign (yes, including the mysterious fourth Jonas). Plus, Shannon dreams up her own spooky restaurant concept, The Raven, while we cover some of the craziest Yelp reviews including one where the manager challenged a customer to a fight. 🏈 What the Weck? Sports on Kummelweck 🐃 Hank the Buffalo: Mascot or Menace? 🎸 The Jonas Brothers (All Four of Them) Join the Ad Campaign 🌶️ The Blazin' Challenge: Heat, Headbands, and Disappointment 👻 Shannon's Haunted Dream Restaurant Pitch: The Raven 🗣️ Yelp Review Drama: A Manager Threatens to "Take This Outside" 🍗 Why Buffalo Wild Wings GO Exists (and What It Means for the Brand) 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Have you ever done the Blazin' Challenge, and did you actually survive it? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Shannon Bengston | IG: @SSBengston Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, & Aaron Hubbard 👉 NEXT WEEK: We actually review Buffalo Wild Wings GO. The food, the lack of service, and why we now hate Garfield the cat!

12 Marras 44min

🥩🦘🍺 Outback Steakhouse: "No Rules, Just Right," Survivor, & Bloomin' Onion Perfection 🍺🦘🥩 This week, I'm joined by VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) to explore the not-so-Australian history of Outback Steakhouse, the restaurant that proves authenticity is optional when the vibes are right. From a "No Rules, Just Right" slogan that's maybe a little too spicy, to Survivor contestants earning an Outback feast as a reward, we dive deep into the steakhouse that brought the Outback to America (without ever visiting Australia). Plus, I announce the winner of the Septemburger 2025 drawing and debut a brand-new theme song to kick off the Bridge Season between Seasons 3 and 4! 🥩 Is Outback the Best Chain Restaurant of Them All? 🍽️ The Four Founders Who'd Never Been to Australia 🧅 The Birth of the Bloomin' Onion: A Golden Fried Masterpiece 🦘 Is it Okay to Get Naked in an Outback Steakhouse? 🔥 The U.K. Rejects Outback 📺 The Iconic Survivor Episode Featuring an Outback Feast 🪩 A Yelper Brings up "Trauma Bonding" 🏆 Announcing the Winner of the Septemburger 2025 Drawing 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's your go-to order at Outback Steakhouse? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: VyVy Nguyen | IG: @cest_la_vyvy Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, & Aaron Hubbard 👉 NEXT WEEK: We cover the history of Buffalo Wild Wings GO with Shannon Bengston — diving into the delivery-focused spin-off of a sports bar classic!

5 Marras 45min

🥴🍽️🚫 Hometown Buffet: The Absolute Bottom of the Tchotchke of Mediocrity 🚫🍽️🥴 This week, we revisit a meal that has haunted me since 2014: Hometown Buffet, the worst restaurant experience of my life. Joined by Trey Burch, I relive the sleepy Sunday morning buffet that somehow managed to fail at everything. From nonexistent service to questionable sushi, this trip back to mediocrity's basement proves exactly why this chain is extinct (and deserves to be). 📉 The Rise and Fall of Hometown Buffet: 4 Bankruptcies and a "Scatter Bar" Concept 🥴 A Nearly Empty Sunday Brunch is the Reddest of Flags 🚫 No Service, No Bussing, Just a Neighboring Table for Dirty Plates 🍣 Trey Eats Sushi at a Low-Grade Buffet (and Lives to Tell About It) 🥓 Every Food Item Somehow Worse Than the Last 😷 Sneeze Guards Positioned Way Too High to Help Anyone 😡 The Manager Who Told a Guest Her Refund Was "Unfair" 💀 Declared: The Definitive 0.00/10 on the Tchotchke of Mediocrity 🪦 A Buffet So Bad, I'm Glad It's Gone 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's the worst restaurant you've ever eaten at? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, & Aaron Hubbard 👉 NEXT WEEK: The Bridge Season begins with the history of Outback Steakhouse with my guest, returning favorite VyVy Nguyen.

29 Loka 1h 19min

🥩🔥🍎 chi SPACCA: The Perfect 10 on the Tchotchke of Mediocrity 🍎🔥🥩 This week, I finally crown my very first perfect restaurant: chi SPACCA, the Italian butcher by Nancy Silverton and the best dining experience of my life. On Valentine's Day 2023, I discovered what true excellence tastes like, from cozy, candlelit vibes and flawless service to indulgent bites of steak, marrow, and candied apple pie. It was decadent, joyful, and unforgettable… even if our server's beef & bone marrow pot pie presentation went a little sideways. 🥔 Onion Rings & Mashed Potatoes That Redefine "Sides" 🥩 Beef & Bone Marrow Pot Pie: Messy, Beautiful, Delicious 🥬 Salanova Lettuce Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette = Good for a Salad... 🍖 Bistecca alla Fiorentina: Dry-Aged Steak of the Gods 👩‍🍳 Cozy Vibes and a View of the Chefs at Work 🍎 A Whole Candied Apple Baked Inside a Pie (Yes, Really) 🌹 Valentine's Day 2023: A Meal I'll Never Forget ⭐ Reading Only 5-Star Reviews in Yelp from Strangers 🏆 The First-Ever Perfect 10.00 on the Tchotchke of Mediocrity 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's the best meal you've ever had in your life? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, & Aaron Hubbard 👉 NEXT WEEK: We've got to balance the scales, so I'll be going to the worst restaurant I've ever dined at and crowning a 0.00 on the bottom end of the Tchotchke of Mediocrity.

22 Loka 51min

🎩🍟💰 McDonald's Monopoly: History, Scandal, and Astronomically Bad Odds💰🍟🎩 This week, we peel back the golden arches on one of the biggest promotions in fast-food history: McDonald's Monopoly. From the McMillions scandal that rocked the 2000s to the shocking odds that make the Powerball look generous, this episode dives deep into the strange world where fries meet finance. We explore the sweepstakes mechanics, the global variations, and the jaw-dropping aftermath of McDonald's paying out on a possibly fraudulent million-dollar game piece sent to St. Jude's. 🎲 The Wild Origins of McDonald's Monopoly 🕵️‍♂️ The McMillions Scandal That Changed Everything 📉 Why the $10,000 Lowe's Prize Is 9x Harder to Win Than Powerball 🏦 How McDonald's and Hasbro Both Profit from the Partnership 🇨🇦 The Game's Unique Twists in Canada and the UK 📜 Sweepstakes vs. Lottery: What the Law Actually Says 💸 McDonald's Randomly Paying Diners After the Scandal 🍟 The Most Unrealistic Odds You've Ever Heard 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Have you ever won anything more than food from McDonald's Monopoly? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, & Aaron Hubbard 👉 NEXT WEEK: I cover chi SPACCA, the Italian butcher by Nancy Silverton — and quite possibly the best meal of my life.

15 Loka 25min

It's here! The finale of the 2025 Septemburger tournament pits Wendy's against Dairy Queen and Carl's Jr. against A&W. Who will make it to the finals, and more importantly: who will take home the ability to proclaim themselves the best burger chain of the 2025 Septemburger field? I'm joined once again by filmmaker Tyler Eaton to cover Dairy Queen, comedian and author Ali Gordon to chat Wendy's, one of my best friends Herbert Amaya to review A&W, and composer James McEnelly to eat Carl's Jr. They also humor me and once again embody the chains they're helping me review to trash talk one another. 2nd Round: Wendy's (#1 seed) Baconator vs. Dairy Queen (#5 seed) Loaded A1 Stackburger Carl's Jr. (#3 seed) Western Bacon Burger vs. A&W (#7 seed) BBQ Bacon Crunch Burger Finals: ??? vs. ???

8 Loka 36min

🍟🤖🍔 Wendy's: Savage Roasts, French Fry Glow-Up, and Are the Nuggets Perfect? 🍔🤖🍟 This week, Ali Gordon joins me to put Wendy's through the Chili's Test. Between Frostys, spicy nuggets, and a fireplace straight out of HGTV, things get interesting. We try three Wendy's burgers for Septemburger, but will they all get a chance in the tournament or will Jack in the Box knock them out? Also, a one-time brand new segment called Rate That Roast! where Ali judges Wendy's savage social media burns. 📣 Rate That Roast! Ali Judges Wendy's Online Burns 🍫 Frosty Bliss & Spicy Nuggets That Actually Deliver 🥓 Burgers Galore: Dave's Single, Baconator, Double Stack 🧑‍🎤 Ali Becomes Wendy Herself (and Swears a Lot) 🌶️ Ghost Pepper Ranch That Isn't Ghost, Pepper, or Ranch 🍟 French Fries Glow-Up = Legit Improvement 🔥 Fancy Fireplace (Hogged by a Couple the Whole Time) 🌱 Serengeti Grass in the Banister?? 🧂 Condiments Locked Away Behind the Counter 📖 Ali's Debut Novel We Have Reached the End of Our Show Drops Sept 30 🏨 Ali Shares the Worst Bed & Breakfast Story Ever ⚔️ Septemburger: Dave's Single vs. Sourdough Jack We're in the final 24 hours to fill out your Septemburger bracket! You can update it to include the winners below, and continue to do so until 11:59 PM PST on September 24th! 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Do you think Wendy's roasts are actually funny or just trying too hard? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Ali Gordon | IG: @msalicenutting 📖 Pre-Order We Have Reached the End of Our Show | Skylight Books Amazon Barnes & Noble Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: Exclusively on Patreon (but for free!), the Septemburger Semi-Finals & Finals episode drops September 30th. That same episode will be released on the main podcast feed October 8th. I'm off October 1st!

24 Syys 1h 39min

🌮🤡 Jack in the Box: See-Through Tacos, Clown Mascot, and Legendary Curly Fries 🤡🌮 This week, we went to Jack in the Box to try some burgers, and got so much more than we bargained for. I'm joined by Honey Butter Popcorn from the Ragmop & Goose Puppet Adoption Agency and we went deep on the Jack in the Box menu. From a wild history including a name change and blowing up their old mascot, to Yelp reviews that find one specific employee very funny, you're not going to want to miss this one! 🥤 We Describe the Taste of the Worst Drink I've Ever Had ⏱️ "Cheap and Quick" Is the Appeal - Notice "Tasty" Isn't Necessary 🍉 The Sour Patch Kids Watermelon Lemonade Is Surprisingly Incredible 🥠 The Egg Roll Isn't Fit for Humans 🐶 Jack in the Box (Fittingly) Used to Be Owned by a Dog Food Company 🧀 Changing Their Name to Monterey Jack?? 🍔 Priming the Sourdough Jack, Buttery Bacon Smashed Jack, and the Jumbo Jack for Septemburger 🥖 Churros More Delicious Than Ones from Schmisneyland 🪆 How Do Puppets Eat? 🚂 Discovering the Worst Restaurant of All-Time in the Calibration Station You can still fill out your Septemburger bracket! You can update it to include the winners below, and continue to do so until 11:59 PM PST on September 24th! 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Do you actually like Jack in the Box, or is it more the "open late" and "good value" of it all? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Follow Ragmop & Goose: @ragmopandgoose Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We're going to Wendy's, the top seed in the tournament, with my guest Ali Gordon!

17 Syys 1h 29min