"Fine" Dining

Michael Ornelas
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Comedian Michael Ornelas dives deep into the stories behind your favorite chain restaurants like Domino's, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, and Long John Silver's before determining if they are better or worse than Chili's: the most mediocre restaurant in America.

  1. The Burger Den (Denny's) Ghost Kitchen Review (or: Saved by the Claw Machine)

    14 HR AGO

    The Burger Den (Denny's) Ghost Kitchen Review (or: Saved by the Claw Machine)

    🍔👻 The Burger Den (Denny's?!): We Ate INSIDE a Ghost Kitchen… and It Felt Illegal 👻🍔 Ansley Layne (@spookyfoodie) and I return to paranormally investigate The Burger Den, except…we're now criminals. Eating inside the Denny's, being served like it was completely normal, despite the Burger Den being take-out only?? My stars!! Our waitress actually served us despite not expecting a tip (which she DID receive), the food ranged from "dad cooked this" to "please stop cooking," and there was a claw machine full of absolute nonsense. 🍔 Wake & Bacon Burger and the Double the Fun Burger (But Not Actually That Burger) 🍟 Wavy Fries That Get Worse…and Worse…and Worse 🧅 Onion Rings That Save the Food Somewhat 🥤 Oreo & Strawberry Shakes ❓ The Mystery of the All-American Sauce Remains UNSOLVED 🚽 A Bathroom So Bad Ansley Refuses to Participate 👩‍🍳 Unexpected Table Service at a "Takeout-Only" Dining Concept 🪟 Transparent Ad Screens That Feel Like Sci-Fi 🧸 Claw Machine with Italian AI Brain Rot Plushies (including the Legendary Tire Frog) 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Would YOU eat inside a ghost kitchen if you technically weren't supposed to? 📢 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: Ansley Layne | IG: @spookyfoodie 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, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael, Crystal C. 👉 NEXT WEEK: I dive into the history of Torchy's Tacos with my mom.

    57 min
  2. You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    14 HR AGO ·  BONUS

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing Nischa Shah: #1 Financial Mistake People Make in Their 20s & 30s (Fix It With This Simple System) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Today, Jay sits down with his dear friend Nischa Shah, a former investment banker and accountant who walked away from a high-status corporate career to help people rethink their relationship with money, success, and freedom. Nischa reflects on the “dark phase” she experienced while climbing the corporate ladder, realizing that the prestige and polish of banking had created a deep disconnect from her true self. Nischa invites listeners to confront a powerful question many of us avoid: “Would I still be happy if I were living the same life five or ten years from now?” Jay and Nischa shift into practical strategies for navigating money anxiety. Nischa introduces the “ostrich effect,” which is the psychological tendency to avoid looking at our finances out of fear. She shares her simple but powerful “three-bucket” approach to personal finance, where income is intentionally divided between fundamentals, fun, and the “future you.” By reframing the goal from financial success to financial happiness, Nischa offers a clearer, more intentional way to manage money, one that prioritizes peace of mind over status or external validation. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Assess Your Career Alignment  How to Calculate a Financial Cushion  How to Manage Income Using the Three-Bucket Method  How to Audit Spending with Three Key Questions  How to Turn Financial Knowledge into Action  How to Strategize Paying Off Debt vs. Investing  How to Increase Your Value and Earning Potential  It is never too late to begin reclaiming your narrative, whether that starts with building a small financial safety net for peace of mind or finally turning knowledge into decisive action. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here: https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe   Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 00:54 Questioning the Traditional Path  03:22 The Courage to Walk Away  06:14 Calculating Your Financial Runway  07:04 Separating Your Self-Worth from Your Title  10:49 What is the Ostrich Effect?  13:45 Fighting Instant Gratification  14:28 Ask Yourself These Three Questions Before Buying Anything  18:30 Micro-Habits That Build Real Wealth  21:29 Spending With Intention   23:33 Why More Money Doesn’t Always Fix Money Problems  28:49 Financial Success vs. Financial Happiness  31:03 Is there Such a Thing as Passive Income?  34:06 Mastering Long-Term Investing  36:42 Should You Buy a Home?  37:42 Breaking the Scarcity Mindset 42:01 Stop Spending to Impress People 44:31 The Problem With Constantly Upgrading  45:55 How Can You Be of Value To Others?  49:07 Focus on Earning More, Not Just Cutting Costs  53:40 Defining Your Personal Freedom  54:52 The Entrepreneurship vs. Employment Trap  56:37 Investing in Your Own Skills  58:47 Short-Term Joy vs. Long-Term Security  01:00:50 We All Make Financial Mistakes!  01:01:31 It’s Never Too Late 01:02:48 This or That: Money Edition 01:06:34 Nischa on Final Five Episode Resources: YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@nischa  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567018784328  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/nischa.me/  TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/discover/nischa-shah See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. Ghost Kitchens: Deceptive or Delicious?

    18 MAR

    Ghost Kitchens: Deceptive or Delicious?

    👻🍔📦 Ghost Kitchens: The Pandemic, Chain Alter Egos, and Uber's Co-Founder 📦🍔👻 This week, I'm joined by Ansley Layne (@spookyfoodie) for a haunted deep dive into the world of ghost kitchens. We tell the entire history like a ghost story, tracing how these delivery-only concepts rose from the shadows to dominate the pandemic era. From secret alternate restaurant identities on delivery apps to celebrity-backed virtual brands, this episode pulls back the curtain on one of the most fascinating and unsettling trends in modern dining. And yes, multiple Yelp reviewers feel personally obligated to warn us that The Burger Den… is just Denny's. 🌫️ The Rise of Ghost Kitchens During the COVID-19 Pandemic 📱 Restaurant Alter Egos Hiding in Plain Sight on Delivery Apps 🚗 The Uber Connection and the Tech Behind the Movement 🍔 Celebrity Ghost Kitchens including the infamous MrBeast Burger 👻 Eat Deets Told Entirely as a Ghost Story 🌴 Ansley's Dream Restaurant Becomes a Haunted Rainforest Cafe 🗣️ Yelp Reviewers Desperate to Expose The Burger Den 🕵️‍♂️ Which Chains Are Secretly Operating Under Different Names? 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Have you ever accidentally ordered from a ghost kitchen without realizing it? 📢 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: Ansley Layne | IG: @spookyfoodie 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, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael 👉 NEXT WEEK: We step into The Burger Den and put this ghost kitchen to The Chili's Test to see if the disguise holds up.

    41 min
  4. Long John Silver's Walks the Plank

    11 MAR

    Long John Silver's Walks the Plank

    🏴‍☠️🐟🍟 Long John Silver's Review: Pirate Music, Fried Sea Water, and Puke Breaks 🍟🐟🏴‍☠️ We're back with Part 2 of Long John Silver's, and my cousin Emma Danger returns as we finally taste what the seafood chain has to offer. There are a few bright spots. The pirate-style orchestral covers of popular songs are delightful, and the Captain's Bell looming overhead feels like a reward we desperately wanted them to earn (though they didn't). Unfortunately, most of the visit sails straight into rough waters, from questionable plumbing ergonomics to fried bits that taste suspiciously like the ocean itself. 🐟 Fried Everything (Including the Grilled Shrimp I tried to Order) 🍟 Waffle Fries and Hush Puppies Join the Feast 🍫 Chocolate Cheesecake Tries to Save the Day (and yes, I actually try it) 🧂 Krumbs That Taste Like "Fried Sea Water" 🚽 Toilet Flushers So High You're Forced to Use Your Hands (Who does that??) 🎶 Surprisingly Great Pirate Orchestrations of Popular Songs 🥤 Emma's Favorite Item of the Meal Is...a Pepsi 🎙️ Emma Shares the Best and Worst Meals of Her Life (including her best giving her imposter syndrome) 📊 Long John Silver's Faces The Chili's Test 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Are Long John Silver's Krumbs a delicacy or a disaster? 📢 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: Emma Danger 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, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael 👉 NEXT WEEK: For the 100th restaurant on the main podcast feed, we dive into the world of ghost kitchens with Spooky Foodie (Ansley Layne), focusing on The Burger Den, the Denny's-created delivery-only concept.

    54 min
  5. Long John Silver's: Toy Lawsuits, Abandoned by Yum!, and the Worst Restaurant Meal in America

    4 MAR

    Long John Silver's: Toy Lawsuits, Abandoned by Yum!, and the Worst Restaurant Meal in America

    🐟🏴‍☠️🍟 Long John Silver's: Toy Lawsuits, Abandoned by Yum!, and the Worst Restaurant Meal in America 🍟🏴‍☠️🐟 This week I'm joined by my cousin Emma Danger for her fourth appearance on the show as we dive into the history of Long John Silver's. From its time sailing under the Yum! Brands flag alongside KFC and Taco Bell to its rocky financial voyages through bankruptcy, the chain has had quite the adventure. We also grapple with the heartbreaking reality that the Captain's Bell is off-limits unless the crew actually earned it, and explore how a seafood chain wound up entangled in movie tie-ins, pirate holidays, and one of the menu items crowned "Worst Restaurant Meal in America." 🏴‍☠️ From Kentucky Fried Chicken's Corporate Family to Going Solo 💸 Bankruptcy, Buyouts, and Rough Seas for the Brand 🔔 The Captain's Bell We Desperately Wanted to Ring 🎬 Promotional Film Tie-Ins and the Lost in Space Toy Lawsuit 🦜 Talk Like a Pirate Day and the Chain's Nautical Identity 🍽️ The Big Catch Platter Named the Worst Restaurant Meal in America 🍜 Emma Pitches a Dream Restaurant With… Questionable Logistics 📚 A Yelper Expands the Lore of the Long John Silver's Literary Universe 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Have you ever rung the Captain's Bell at a Long John Silver'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: Emma Danger 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, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael 👉 NEXT WEEK: We actually eat Long John Silver's and see if the seafood shack can survive The Chili's Test.

    49 min
  6. On the Border's "Guacamole Live" Is a National Treasure

    25 FEB

    On the Border's "Guacamole Live" Is a National Treasure

    🌮🔥🥑 On the Border Review: Guacamole Glory, Taco Chips, and The Chili's Test 🥑🔥🌮 We're back with Part 2 of On the Border, and this time Trent Tucker (@TheGOTSPod) and I actually sit down to eat at the former Brinker sibling to Chili's. There are highs. There are lows. There is guacamole made tableside that absolutely slaps. We also encounter a manager radiating peak "Karen energy," raid a Little Free Library mid-meal, and hear "Cable Car" by The Fray so many times it becomes psychological warfare. 🥑 Guacamole Live Is a Legitimate Triumph 🌮 Flautas That Do NOT Live Up to the Ornelas Family Name 🧂 Chips and Salsa Are Decent, But Why Are the Chips Half a Taco Shell? 🎶 "Cable Car" by The Fray Plays an Unreasonable Number of Times 📚 Little Free Library Raid Yields a Parody Songbook and an Education on Spiders 😬 A Manager Check-In That Screams "I'd Like to Speak to…" 🎙️ Trent Shares His Best Meal Ever: Ramen in Japan 🌴 His Worst Meal Ever: A Burger from Rainforest Cafe 📊 On the Border Faces The Chili's Test 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is tableside guac enough to overcome weird taco chips? 📢 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: Trent Tucker | IG: @TheGOTSPod 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, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael 👉 NEXT WEEK: I take Emma, my second cousin once removed to Long John Silver's, and you KNOW we're gonna talk LJS history!

    58 min
  7. On the Border: Mark Wahlberg, Bankruptcy, and the "Worst Mexican Chain in America"

    18 FEB

    On the Border: Mark Wahlberg, Bankruptcy, and the "Worst Mexican Chain in America"

    🌮🔥🍹 On the Border: Bankruptcy, Bottomless Calories, and Marky Marg Madness 🍹🔥🌮 This week, Trent Tucker (@thegotspod) from the Geek Off the Street podcast joins me to break down the chaotic history of On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, a chain that once lived under the Chili's corporate umbrella at Brinker International before getting unceremoniously left behind. On the Border has had a rollercoaster run. We unpack the Mark Wahlberg-backed Marky Marg (where he didn't even show up for the toast), and celebrate the undeniable appeal of Guacamole Live prepared tableside. Plus, Trent pitches a zero-gravity ramen restaurant, and we read Yelp reviews in the style of a late-night local TV lawyer commercial. 🌯 Formerly a Brinker International Sibling to Chili's 📉 "Worst Mexican Chain" According to Men's Health 💸 Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and 40 Sudden Closures 🍹 The Marky Marg Featuring Flecha Azul Tequila 📺 "Why? Because You Can" is the Most American Slogan Ever 🥑 Guacamole Live Steals the Spotlight 🚀 Trent's Zero-Gravity Ramen Restaurant Pitch ⚖️ A Yelper Who Sounds Like a Personal Injury Attorney 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is tableside guac enough to save a struggling chain? 📢 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: Trent Tucker | IG: @thegotspod 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, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael 👉 NEXT WEEK: We actually eat at On the Border and put it through the Chili's Test to see if it can hang with its former corporate sibling.

    36 min
  8. Is Papa Murphy's Worth a 4 Hour Drive?

    11 FEB

    Is Papa Murphy's Worth a 4 Hour Drive?

    🍕🔥🏠 Papa Murphy's Pizza Review: When Take 'N' Bake Fights Back 🏠🔥🍕 We're back with Part 2 of Papa Murphy's, and this time Peter Murphy (@peter_murphy) and I actually put the take 'n' bake concept to the test after a four-hour round-trip to experience it properly. What followed was a very kind cashier, a slightly alarming health department confession, and instructions that nearly burned my apartment down. From my first time trying olives to a variety of Crush products, it's all on the table as we see whether Papa Murphy's can survive the Chili's Test. 🍕 Reviewing the Murphy's Combo 🍕 Ultimate Pepperoni? More Like Dull-timate Pepper-NO-ni! (idk...) 🧄 Garlic Knots Try to Steal the Spotlight 🍪 Cookie Dough vs. Fully Baked Cookies 🔥 Faulty Instructions Lead to a Flaming Paper Tray 🚨 Smoke Alarms, Panic, and the Consequences of Trust 🧑‍🍳 A Cashier So Nice She Accidentally Shares Health Department Lore 🎙️ Peter's Worst Restaurant Experience Involves a Chicken Bone Where It Should Never Be 🥩 His Best Experience Includes His Grandfather's Favorite Steak Joint Actually Delivering 📊 Papa Murphy's Faces the Chili's Test 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is take 'n' bake pizza a smart idea or a less good take on pizza? 📢 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: Peter Murphy | IG: @peter_murphy 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, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael 👉 NEXT WEEK: We dive into the history of On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina with Trent Tucker from the Geek Off the Street podcast, as another restaurant steps up to the Chili's Test.

    1hr 2min
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About

Comedian Michael Ornelas dives deep into the stories behind your favorite chain restaurants like Domino's, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, and Long John Silver's before determining if they are better or worse than Chili's: the most mediocre restaurant in America.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Ornelas
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    165
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    "Fine" Dining

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