"Fine" Dining
"Fine" Dining

"Fine" Dining

Michael Ornelas

Overview
Episodes

Details

Comedian Michael Ornelas dives deep into the stories behind your favorite chain restaurants like Cracker Barrel, McDonald's, and Dunkin' before determining if they are better or worse than Chili's: the most mediocre restaurant in America.

Recent Episodes

Rainforest Cafe, Bob's Big Boy, Waffle House, Pappadeaux, & Chuy's Get Yelped
DEC 24, 2025
Rainforest Cafe, Bob's Big Boy, Waffle House, Pappadeaux, & Chuy's Get Yelped
πŸ—£οΈβ­πŸ½οΈ Yelp From Strangers: Rainforest Cafe, Bob's Big Boy, Waffle House, Pappadeaux & Chuy's πŸ½οΈβ­πŸ—£οΈ VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) is back as we wrap up our two-part Yelp From Strangers special during the final stretch of Bridge Season. This week's batch is truly unhinged. Once again, the food is secondary and the feelings are loud. Also, wtf does "we are bar people" even mean?? πŸ₯© A Rainforest Cafe Review That Treats the Jungle Steak Like Fine Art 🧠 My Personal Connection to David Lynch Lore at Bob's Big Boy πŸͺ‘ A Waffle House Review That References the Flying Chair Incident! πŸ“± A Chuy's Text Message That Woke a Man from His "Sleep Cycle" πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§ A Reviewer Who Seems Actively Mad That Her Own Children Exist 🍀 Pappadeaux Through the Eyes of Someone with Very Specific Expectations πŸ”₯ Turtle from Entourage Writes a Review (from a Terrarium??) πŸ’¬ COMMENT BELOW: Which chain do you think has the most chaotic Yelp reviews of all time? πŸ“’ SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: πŸŽ‰ Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp chaos & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast πŸ’¬ Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 πŸŽ₯ Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast πŸ”— 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, Steff, & Robert McLaughlin πŸ‘‰ NEXT WEEK: Enjoy your holidays! The Bridge Season is officially over, but Season 4 will hit your table January 7th with an episode detailing the history of Dominos Pizza!
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42 MIN
Denny's, Pizza Hut, Olive Garden, Gyu-Kaku, & Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Get Yelped
DEC 17, 2025
Denny's, Pizza Hut, Olive Garden, Gyu-Kaku, & Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Get Yelped
πŸ—£οΈβ­πŸ½οΈ Yelp From Strangers: Denny's, Pizza Hut, Olive Garden, Gyu-Kaku & Bubba Gump πŸ½οΈβ­πŸ—£οΈ This week, VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) joins me for a pure Yelp chaos episode as the Bridge Season barrels toward its finale. No history, no food review, just unfiltered opinions from the internet's most confident critics. From late-night diners to shrimp shrines, this first of a two-part Yelp special proves once again that the most unhinged storytelling lives in the review section. πŸ₯ž A Denny's Customer Furious About Being Mistaken for Homeless Flaunts His iPhone πŸ• Pizza Hut Favoritism Allegations That Will Not Be Forgotten 🍝 Olive Garden and the Unavoidable Consequences to One's Digestive Tract πŸ”₯ A Deeply Uncomfortable and Kind-of Racist Gyu-Kaku Review 🦐 Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Through the Eyes of a True Shrimp Evangelist 😑 Entitlement, Pettiness, and Selective Outrage Across Multiple Chains πŸ“‰ The Internet Continues to Be the Worst (and Best) Place on Earth πŸ’¬ COMMENT BELOW: Which chain has the wildest Yelp reviews in your experience? πŸ“’ SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: πŸŽ‰ Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp chaos & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast πŸ’¬ Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 πŸŽ₯ Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast πŸ”— 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, Steff, & Robert McLaughlin πŸ‘‰ NEXT WEEK: Yelp From Strangers Part 2 as the Bridge Season comes to a close with even more reviews, more grievances, and absolutely no self-awareness as VyVy Nguyen is back to chat about Rainforest Cafe, Bob's Big Boy, Waffle House, Pappadeaux, & Chuy's.
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44 MIN
Is Islands the Best Casual Burger Chain?
DEC 10, 2025
Is Islands the Best Casual Burger Chain?
πŸ”πŸ„β€β™‚οΈπŸŸ Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks: The Best Casual Burger Chain? πŸŸπŸ„β€β™‚οΈπŸ” This week, VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) returns for another round of Eat Deets as we surf the waves of flavor offered by Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks. From their golden fries and proprietary fry salt to surf videos looping endlessly on the walls, Islands is a California chain that perfectly captures chill beach energy. We explore its expansion beyond the West Coast, the founder's wild journey from selling to buying the company back, and why seasoning > sauce every single time. πŸ” Burgers So Good πŸ§… Island Reds (Crispy Onion Strings) Make Burger So Better 🍟 The Legendary Fry Salt That Outshines Any Sauce 🌊 Surf Videos and Tropical Vibes at Every Location πŸ—ΊοΈ From California to Hawaii and Back Again βš“ The Founder Sold, Bought It Back, and Righted the Ship (Literally, He's a Navy Vet) πŸͺ¨ Yelp Reviewer Claims She Found Rocks in Her Food πŸ’¬ COMMENT BELOW: What's the best beachside burger you've ever had? πŸ“’ SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: πŸŽ‰ Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast πŸ’¬ Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 πŸŽ₯ Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast πŸ”— 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, & Steff πŸ‘‰ NEXT WEEK: VyVy returns for a Yelp from Strangers special covering some hilarious Yelp reviews I discovered when looking at the restaurants I reviewed during season 1!
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41 MIN
The Old Spaghetti Factory: "Why the Trolley?", Mizithra Cheese, & the Nashville Bombing
DEC 3, 2025
The Old Spaghetti Factory: "Why the Trolley?", Mizithra Cheese, & the Nashville Bombing
πŸπŸš‹πŸ•―οΈ The Old Spaghetti Factory: Trolleys, Mizithra, and Guss Dussin's Dream πŸ•―οΈπŸš‹πŸ This week, VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) joins me for a deep dive into the charming, old-world history of The Old Spaghetti Factory. We uncover how a humble warehouse filled with antiques became one of America's most distinctive restaurant chains, complete with a refurbished trolley car centerpiece and chandeliers that make every meal feel like a special occasion. From its signature mizithra cheese and brown butter pasta to a story of explosive disaster, this chain has us asking the question: is "meat sauce" a good euphemism for jizz? 🏭 Founded in a Real Warehouse Filled with Antique DΓ©cor πŸš‹ The Iconic Refurbished Trolley Car in Nearly Every Location πŸ§€ The Legendary Mizithra Cheese & Brown Butter Dish πŸ”₯ How the Nashville Bombing Led to a Lost Lease πŸ‘‘ Founder Guss Dussin Has the Best Name in Restaurant History 🍽️ A Reviewer So Petty He Roasted a Waiter from Another Restaurant Too πŸ’¬ COMMENT BELOW: Have you ever eaten inside one of The Old Spaghetti Factory's trolleys? πŸ“’ SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: πŸŽ‰ Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast πŸ’¬ Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 πŸŽ₯ Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast πŸ”— 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, & Steff πŸ‘‰ NEXT WEEK: VyVy returns as the Bridge Season continues with the history of Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, a tropical twist on California casual dining!
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42 MIN
I Hate Garfield Because of Buffalo Wild Wings GO
NOV 19, 2025
I Hate Garfield Because of Buffalo Wild Wings GO
πŸƒπŸ”₯πŸ— Buffalo Wild Wings GO: Garfield, Barbed Wire, and the Blazin' Knockout πŸ—πŸ”₯πŸƒ This week, Shannon Bengston (@SSBengston) returns as we finally taste the chaos that is Buffalo Wild Wings GO. From an earnest-but-overwhelmed employee taking our order to a blaring Garfield cartoon that won't stop looping, this meal tests not just our patience, but the limits of the Chili's Test itself. πŸ₯€ Mountain Dew Legend: Terrible 🍟 Desert Heat Fries Are Incredible 🍫 Chocolate Chunk Brownie = The One True Winner πŸ— Mango Habanero: The GOATed Sauce? πŸ”₯ Golden Fire Wings: The Exclusive B-Dubs GO Flavor πŸ₯΅ Blazin' Knockout Wings Make Shannon Cry πŸ‘Ύ PokΓ©mon Shouldn't Look Like People (Apparently) 🌡 Shannon's Worst Meal Ever Involved Barbed Wire πŸ’€ Will Buffalo Wild Wings GO Surpass Chili's, or Fail the Test? πŸ’¬ COMMENT BELOW: What's the worst dining distraction you've ever experienced? πŸ“’ SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: πŸŽ‰ Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast πŸ’¬ Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 πŸŽ₯ Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast πŸ”— 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 πŸ‘‰ NEXT WEEK: We dive into the whimsical nostalgia of The Old Spaghetti Factory with returning guest VyVy Nguyen to dive deep into trolley lore.
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63 MIN