"Fine" Dining

Michael Ornelas
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Food
  • Updated weekly

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. 19 hr ago

    Five Guys Was Actually Six Guys and a Lady

    🍔🥜 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. 🍔🏆

    Five Guys Was Actually Six Guys and a Lady

  2. 19 hr ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS: How I Survived the Hardest Year of My Life from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Karl-Anthony Towns has spent his life chasing championships, but his greatest lessons came far from the basketball court. In this heartfelt conversation with Jay Shetty, he reflects on grief, faith, family, and the moments that shaped the man behind the jersey. From honoring his late mother's legacy to embracing God's timing, discovering purpose beyond success, and building a love rooted in friendship, this episode is a moving reminder that who you become matters far more than what you achieve. Sometimes the greatest victories aren't the ones the world celebrates, they're the quiet moments when you choose to keep moving forward with hope. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty A State Farm agent can help you choose the coverage you need. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Visit: https://www.statefarm.com/  On Purpose is now Netflix and Spotify exclusive  http://www.netflix.com/onpurposewithjayshetty  https://open.spotify.com/show/5EqqB52m2bsr4k1Ii7sStc?si=33f7898fb334437c  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 https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe   Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast  What We Discuss: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:51 Winning an NBA Championship 00:03:13 What Comes After Your Biggest Goal? 00:06:12 Slowing Down to Celebrate 00:07:38 The Walk That Changed Everything 00:11:17 Choosing Calm and Forgiveness 00:14:48 Finding Peace in Quiet Moments 00:17:03 Everyone Sees the World Differently 00:18:42 Confidence Starts at Home 00:20:09 Losing Family During COVID 00:22:42 A Final Conversation with Mom 00:26:12 Letting Go with Love 00:27:23 Making Every Moment Special 00:28:50 "You Should've Drank More" 00:31:24 Feeling Her Presence Again 00:31:48 Living with Survivor's Guilt 00:34:05 Everyone Wants to Be Heard 00:35:51 When Therapy Looks Different 00:38:04 The Coach Who Changed Everything 00:39:53 A Love Story Over Uno 00:40:27 From Friends to Forever 00:41:32 What We Learned from Each Other 00:44:22 The Luckiest Bag in Basketball 00:46:09 Traded Without Warning 00:48:43 Feeling Welcome in New York 00:50:06 The Ultimate Courtside Stress Test 00:52:48 Bouncing Back from Failure 00:54:26 The Pre-Game Routine 00:59:12 Playing for the Dominican Republic 00:59:42 Carrying Your Country with Pride 01:01:28 The Moments People Remember 01:03:24 Karl Anthony on Final Five Episode Resources: YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/c/KarlAnthonyTowns  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/karlanthonytowns/  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/karltowns  X | https://x.com/KarlTowns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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.

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  3. 15 Jul

    Raising Cane's: Reviewing the Whole Menu, the Insane Drive-Thru, & No Knives!

    🐔🍟 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: Reviewing the Whole Menu, the Insane Drive-Thru, & No Knives!

  4. 8 Jul

    Raising Cane's: Named After a Dog, Assumed to Fail, and Post Malone

    🐔🎣 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. 🐔🏆

    Raising Cane's: Named After a Dog, Assumed to Fail, and Post Malone

  5. 1 Jul

    Smashburger: Good, But Not Smashed Enough!!

    🍔🥔 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. 🐔

    Smashburger: Good, But Not Smashed Enough!!

  6. 24 Jun

    Smashburger Comes From Fast Food Royalty

    🍔🥩 Smashburger: McGriddle Meets Quizno's, The "Smash Pass," and False Advertising 🥩🍔 This week, my wonderful guest Bennett Cohen (@bennettrcohen) joins me to dive into the history of Smashburger, a burger brand created by one of the most influential minds in fast food history Tom Ryan (the guy who invented the McGriddle). From custom-forged burger presses to being named America's most promising company by Forbes, Smashburger's history is, at the very least, surpising. 🍔 Smashburger Was Founded by a Literal Fast Food Legend in Tom Ryan 📈 Forbes Named Smashburger the "Most Promising Company" in 2012 🎟️ The $54 "Smash Pass" That Offered 54 Burgers in 54 Days ⚖️ You Can't Say "Double the Beef" When It's The Same Amount of Beef 🎵 We Offer Smashburger a Jingle in the Style of Yacht Rock 🌎 Smashburger Was Acquired by Jollibee Very Slowly 🔥 The Heat Lamp: Bennett Claims Lactose Intolerance Is a State of Mind 💥 Yelp from Strangers: A Customer and Employee Are Actually Beefing (And We Get to Hear Both Sides!!) 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Would you actually use the Smash Pass? 📢 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

    Smashburger Comes From Fast Food Royalty

  7. 17 Jun

    Fazoli's: Mom's Spaghetti, GOATed Breadsticks, and Sh*tting with my Shirt Off

    🍝🥖 Fazoli's Review: Breadsticks, Nostalgic Pasta, and the Trader Joe's Restroom 🥖🍝 This week, Sabrina Carmichael (@brina711) and I finally put Fazoli's to the Chili's Test. Between "unlimited" breadsticks, pasta that reminds me of my mom's pasta, overly sweet desserts, and a pizza that looked like it had been "touched," Fazoli's delivered one of the more unique fast-fast dining experiences I've ever had. 🍝 Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Unlocks Childhood Memories (Plus: My Homemade Garlic Pasta Sandwiches!) 🥖 Breadsticks Better Than Olive Garden's 🍕 The Double Slice is Presented Interestingly... 🧀 Fettuccine Alfredo Rocks Sabrina's World 🍪 Great American Cookie Desserts Are Sweet Enough to Cause Structural Damage 🥤 Sabrina's DIY Arnold Palmer Goes Wrong 📦 Breadsticks-To-Go? Not On Their Watch! 🧹 To Bus or Not to Bus? An Existential Crisis 🚻 What Men Use Hooks for in Public Restroom Stalls - A Cautionary Tale 🎭 Sabrina Gets Poetic About the Magic of Musso & Frank Grill 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's the best chain restaurant breadstick in America? 📢 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: Sabrina Carmichael | IG: @brina711 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 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, Renae Michael, Crystal C., & NiZ 👉 NEXT WEEK: A few months out from Septemburger 2026, I cover the history of the No. 7 seed Smashburger with Bennett Cohen.

    Fazoli's: Mom's Spaghetti, GOATed Breadsticks, and Sh*tting with my Shirt Off

  8. 10 Jun

    Fazoli's: Fast Food Italian, Wayne Gretzky, and a Roving Breadstick Bus

    🍝🥖 Fazoli's: Admitting they Can't Compete with Pizza, the "Breadstick Express," and Dr. Lee Zagna 🥖🍝 This week, Sabrina Carmichael (@brina711) joins me to explore the history of Fazoli's, a restaurant that looked at the pizza wars and wisely decided, "No thanks." Instead of trying to battle the delivery giants head-on, Fazoli's carved out a niche with pasta, breadsticks, and a surprisingly unique place in the fast food landscape. Along the way, we uncover one of the strangest restaurant name changes ever and even though my guest "grew up loving Fazoli's," she'd never actually been..??? 🍝 Originally "Gratzi's" (But the Public Confused it with Wayne Gretzky) 🍕 The Self-Realization that they Can't Compete with the Pizza Giants 🥖 The Legendary Breadstick Express (My New Actual Dream Car) 🩺 Dr. Lee Zagna in Fazoli's Marketing 📈 How Fazoli's Found Success as Fast Food Italian 🍽️ Customers Compare It More to Olive Garden Than McDonald's 🔥 The Heat Lamp: Sabrina's Got Buffet Strategy 💄 Yelp from Strangers: A Customer Gets Called "Old" and Takes Shots at the Cashier's Makeup 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's your stance on salad at a buffet? 📢 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: Sabrina Carmichael | IG: @brina711 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 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, Renae Michael, Crystal C., & NiZ 👉 NEXT WEEK: We eat our Fazoli's to put it to the Chili's Test. 🍝🏆

    Fazoli's: Fast Food Italian, Wayne Gretzky, and a Roving Breadstick Bus
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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
    182
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    "Fine" Dining

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