Papa Johns: Garlic Dip, CEO Scandals, & the First Bitcoin Pizza

"Fine" Dining is back to weekly releases! The Melting Pot is in the midst of a renaissance, with ambitious expansion goals Michael details the changes moving into the new season Learn about the history of the franchise in Eat Deets (fka Resty Fact Round-Up) Guest host Rhyan Schwartz gives Michael someone to eat all the cheese that our host refuses to touch Michael rebrands cheese to ch**se Harrison Augustine 💸 Arrylius the XIV shares his wealth of knowledge to give The Melting Pot advice on their wall art The Melting Pot is sending mixed signals to platonic friends A battle between servers has Michael & Rhyan asking What's Going On Over There? Panic sets in as the stress involved with timing your meat-cooking is Way Too Much The most patriotic 5-star Yelp review ever in this week's Yelp from Strangers Stay tuned to the very end...there may or may not be a post-credits scene   Additional Voice Actors: Jessa Day 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 (October's episode explored Dave's Hot Chicken), 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: Sean Spademan, Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas   Get the 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at www.finediningpodcast.com!   Send in your Melting Pot stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.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 week on "Fine" Dining: Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant (Eat Deets)! I'm joined by All Elite Wrestling's "Pretty" Peter Avalon, and for the first part of the episode, I'll be teaching him the history of Gordon Biersch and their claim to have invented garlic fries. Ever work at a Gordon Biersch? Send your stories to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Totally Not Sponsored By: Harrison Augustine 💸 Arrylius the XIV

8 Nov 20231h 22min

Season 2 starts November 8th! TGI Fridays is dark, red, and honestly feels like a murder room. Appropriate for the season Michael is joined by friend Sandy Rose to deliver the Resty Fact Round-Up while Garrett goes to town on Michael's bidet. Learn how TGI Fridays original incarnation was drastically different from what we know it as today Michael's pineapple son Juicy Jr. dons the mask as Juice-Son Vorhees in a terrifying murder spree homage to the Friday the 13th horror film franchise JUB issues an ominous warning Frequent dining companion Herbert Amaya goes to check on the suspicious boat on the ceiling while Michael & Garrett speculate What's Going On Over There? Garrett breaks the injunction and orders another Cinnabon-branded dessert Cheese correspondent Steven Zurita is a big fan of cheese The death of a cohost... Hear what others are saying about this TGI Fridays location in this week's Yelp from Strangers Additional Voice Actors: Sandy Rose, Herbert Amaya, Steven Zurita Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Kyle Schieffer (@JazzyJellyfish) We're on Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (coming next week: Dave's Hot Chicken), 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: Sean Spademan, Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas   Get our 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at www.finediningpodcast.com!   Send us your TGI Fridays stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast   Let us know where we should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. We read every one!   Next time on the "Fine" Dining SEASON PREMIERE: The Melting Pot! The surviving host takes guest host Rhyan Schwartz to a cheese fondue restaurant, despite despising cheese! Hear what they have to say in two weeks for the season 2 premiere in two weeks! Ever work at a Melting Pot? Send your stories to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Totally Not Sponsored By: JUB

25 Okt 20231h 14min

Do grocery store pies taste better in their restaurant of origin? Not by much! Marie Callender's Restaurant & Bakery feels like a slice of Michael & Garrett's childhoods, a wood-paneled wonderland that feels like a dentist's office waiting room Garrett details the history of the franchise in this week's Resty Fact Round-Up, including a history of "Pie Spies" Marie Callender's proves to be a haven of "old" The winner of the Septemburger Bracket $500 Giveaway is announced! Michael falls asleep in the booth...and Garrett is wondering What's Going On Over There? Table talk centers around Garrett's obsession with trashy reality dating shows, inspiring DILF Depot Michael's root beer gets bused, then...unbused? JUB's is getting in the biz of consulting; he'll teach you that all you need to be the greatest server is constant refills Hear what others (including a septagenarian cowboy) have to say about this Marie Callender's location in this week's Yelp from Strangers Additional Voice Actors: Sandy Rose, Steve Moulton Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Kyle Schieffer (@JazzyJellyfish) We're on Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (September's episode: Septemburger's Semi-Finals & Finals), 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: Sean Spademan, Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas   Get our 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at www.finediningpodcast.com!   Send us your Marie Callender's stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast   Let us know where we should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. We read every one!   Next time on the "Fine" Dining SEASON FINALE: TGI Friday's! Spooky season is upon us as the boys head to TGI Friday's on Friday the 13th! Hear what they have to say in two weeks for the finale episode of season 1! Ever work at a TGI Friday's? Send your stories to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Totally Not Sponsored By: JUB

11 Okt 202358min

The last quarterfinal match of Septemburger has arrived! Johnny Rockets is a genuine-hearted homage to the diners of the 1950s, which Michael would have been all about if this wasn't a "Sports Lounge" location Garrett details the history of the franchise in this week's Resty Fact Round-Up Septemburger match 4: Umami Burger vs. Johnny Rockets The You-Must Bowl has both Michael & Garrett crying, but insisting they're fine A CHAIR HEIST!! What's Going On with the restaurant's photographer snubbing our Fussy Little Boys? JUB's making meat frisbees. You read that right. Where did he go wrong? I blame his parents Hear what others have to say about this Johnny Rockets location in this week's Yelp from Strangers Additional Voice Actors: Sandy Rose, Nick Adams, & Mindy Brown Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Kyle Schieffer (@JazzyJellyfish) We're on Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (August's episode: Burger King), 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: Sean Spademan, Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas   Get our 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at www.finediningpodcast.com!   Send us your Johnny Rockets stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast   Let us know where we should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. We read every one!   Next time on Fine Dining: Marie Callender's! A drastic turn away from burgers, the boys head down to an old-fashioned pie shop. Hear what they have to say in two weeks for the penultimate episode of season 1! Ever work at a Marie Callenders? Send your stories to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Totally Not Sponsored By: JUB

27 Sep 20231h 14min

Septemburger's #1 seed, Umami Burger is up to bat! Michael has an axe to grind after the best burger in Los Angeles changed up their recipe a few years back Garrett outlines the rise and fall of Umami Burger in Resty Fact Round-Up, and why they have a shot at regaining respect once again Septemburger will pit Umami against Johnny Rockets next week What's Going On with Umami feeling like it's still going through the pandemic? The service staff definitely noticed they were being reviewed and changed their effort level drastically JUB's opening a day care! A bunch of people share Michael's disappointment in the recipe change in this week's Yelp from Strangers Michael opts to join Garrett for next week's You-Must Bowl punishment in solidarity Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Kyle Schieffer (@JazzyJellyfish) We're on Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (August's episode: Burger King), 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: Sean Spademan, Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas   Get our 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at www.finediningpodcast.com!   Send us your Umami Burger stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast   Let us know where we should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. We read every one!   Next time on Fine Dining: Johnny Rockets! Septemburger's winding down with the #8 seed. Can they pull off an upset against Umami Burger? Find out next week! Ever work at a Johnny Rockets? Send your stories to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Totally Not Sponsored By: JUB

20 Sep 20231h 11min

Septemburger rolls along with the #5 seed, Red Robin! Michael & Garrett are not just joined by indie horror film producer John Angeli, but they're outright sponsored by his new movie Terror Firma Garrett outlines the surnameless "Sam" who founded Red Robin by annoying the heck out of anyone who would listen with his one Red Robin song More of a deep dive on the history of the franchise in Resty Fact Round-Up Septemburger match #3: Red Robin vs. Outback Steakhouse Forget the burgers, Red Robin's got amazing desserts! What's Going On with the black specks in the hot water? John breaks the bank by overusing the boys' eagle sound effect budget Child assassin? JUB's got a way to settle who gets which onion rings, and it's totally not plagiarized The longest run-on sentence ever in a restaurant review in this week's Yelp from Strangers John gives a brief rundown of his movie Terror Firma after Michael got to attend the premiere John tries to stump Michael & Garrett by being the fabled presenter of the Headline Game Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Kyle Schieffer (@JazzyJellyfish) We're on Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (August's episode: Burger King), 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: Sean Spademan, Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas   Get our 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at www.finediningpodcast.com!   Send us your Red Robin stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast   Let us know where we should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. We read every one!   Next time on Fine Dining: Umami Burger! It's the #1 seed in Septemburger, but can they live up to their own hype? Find out next week! Ever work at an Umami Burger? Send your stories to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Totally Not Sponsored By: JUB

13 Sep 20231h 32min

It's the burger battle of the year as Septemburger is now upon us! The tournament kicks off as the 8 entrants are announced and seeded Maybe the most badass theme song ever Garrett details the history of the hamburger in Burger Fact Round-Up #3 seed Fuddruckers faces off against the #6 seed Applebees #2 seed Islands faces off against the #7 seed Bob's Big Boy First round scoring for #4 seed Outback Steakhouse ahead of its match-up next week against the #5 seed Red Robin JUB will help you generalize your too-niche business plan Why's Outback so horned up? What's Going On Over There? SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED THE $500 BRACKET GIVEAWAY! Thanks to all who entered, and best of luck! Music (including the Septemburger Theme Song): James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) "Fine" Dining Theme Song by: Kyle Schieffer (@JazzyJellyfish) We're on Patreon! Get an extra episode every 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: Sean Spademan, Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas   Get your 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at www.finediningpodcast.com!   Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast   Let us know where we should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. We read every one!   Next time on Fine Dining: Red Robin! If you have ever worked for Red Robin or have a story to share, send it to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.

6 Sep 202346min

Michael & Garrett get back at Michael's niece-aged cousin Emma Danger for sending them to Hooters last time she was on the podcast! Twin Peaks is a breastaurant founded on the premise that Hooters had become "too tame," and lived up to that idea in its early years amidst scandals and indecent exposure charges Garrett fulfills his You-Must Bowl duties by donning Insane Clown Posse facepaint and consuming this meal while embodying the Juggalo lifestyle Even a little Judge Judy is more Judge Judy than expected Is there an underground fighting ring in this Twin Peaks? Find out in What's Going On Over There! JUB will help you gauge when a conversation has ended Emma's celery addiction has her spiraling out of control Some pretty wild takes about this restaurant in this week's Yelp from Strangers Totally not-at-all-biased scientific evidence "proves" that ogling women's bodies is good for your health Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) Theme Song by: Kyle Schieffer (@JazzyJellyfish) Voice Actor: Emma Danger We're on Patreon! Get an extra episode every month (July's episode: McDonald's for Grimace's birthday!), 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: Sean Spademan & Sue Ornelas   Get our 5 Survival Tips for Casual Dining at www.finediningpodcast.com!   Send us your Twin Peaks stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast   Let us know where we should go next by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PodcastAddict, Overcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. We read every one!   Next time on Fine Dining: Septemburger! Brace yourself as the Best Burger Tournament of the Year kicks off! If you have deeply held beliefs about certain burgers in the pantheon of casual dining, send your thoughts to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.   Totally Not Sponsored By: JUB

23 Aug 20231h 17min