"Fine" Dining Michael Ornelas

I went to Cracker Barrel with a CB Superfan!
Stand-up comedian Jen Liv LOVES Cracker Barrel so much (she's been to over 40 different ones!) that she hopped my car and road tripped with me to go there In this Eat Deets episode, the history of Cracker Barrel includes the franchise's humble beginnings as a gas station restaurant before growing into what it is today Learn what a "cracker barrel" actually is Jen laments her allergy to eggs (or as Cracker Barrel calls them, "aigs") Cracker Barrel has its own Indiana Jonesesque warehouse filled with decor A woman gushes about her Cracker Barrel experience so hard she rambles in poetic stanzas in this week's Yelp from Strangers "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube to watch this episode! 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 (May's exclusive episode: the No. 7 seed for this year's upcoming Septemburger tournament: Rally's Drive-In with special guest Steve Moulton), 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 Cracker Barrel stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.com.
 
Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast
Follow Jen on Instagram @itsjenliv
 
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: Cracker Barrel Review [Part Two]! NEW RAP SINGLE INCOMING! But why? Well, you're gonna have to listen as Jen Liv returns to review this iconic chain that was a staple of her 20s. Ever work at Cracker Barrel? Send your stories to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.

"I've got the celebrity!"
Comedian and world-class cuddler Chad Opitz is here once again to talk about dining with Shrek (me, having lost a bet) at The Original Pancake House Michael gets a looooot of attention as Shrek and makes some kids' day What's Going On Over There with OPH cooking a baby? The service staff embraced me with open arms Chad orders an entree that isn't in the name of the restaurant Their bacon was incredible The Apple Pancake may be WAY TOO MUCH, but the food offerings here are delicious What we ate:
Biscuits & Gravy Joe's Special Hot Chocolate Eggs & Bacon Corn Pancake Apple Pancake Hash Browns "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to our YouTube to watch this episode!  
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 (May's exclusive Patreon episode just dropped and cover's Septemburger 2024's No. 7 seed, Rally's Drive-In), 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 Original Pancake House stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.com.
 
Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast
Follow Chad on Instagram & X @chadopitz
 
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: Cracker Barrel History [Part One]! Comedian Jen Liv is in the house to revisit a spot that was near and dear to her in her 20s. Now that she's worked at top-tier restaurants, how will Cracker Barrel look by comparison?  Find out as we cover the history of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store! Ever work at Cracker Barrel? Send your stories to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.

Get in mah swamp!
Stand-up comedian Chad Opitz (recurring guest on Doug Benson's podcast "Doug Loves Movies") not only tolerates, but embraces me this week (literally) as I go to The Original Pancake House in full Shrek make-up with him to make good on the bet I lost last week We cover the history of not just this week's restaurant, but the concept of pancakes in general, going wayyyy back The Secret Menu minigame category of the week: Breakfast Cinema Chad sells Michael on injera bread from Ethiopia Michael opens up about his first kiss in 6th grade while seeing Shrek in theaters A woman poverty-shames anyone who doesn't give the Original Pancake House 5 stars in this week's Yelp from Strangers "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to our YouTube to watch this episode! Make-up by: Mattea Ghaffary
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 (In just two days, I'll be dropping May's exclusive episode, the #7 seed for this year's upcoming Septemburger tournament: Rally's Drive-In with special guest Steve Moulton), 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 Original Pancake House stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.com.
 
Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast
Follow Chad on Instagram @chadopitz
 
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: The Original Pancake House Review [Part Two]! Chad Opitz is back, and it's time to talk about Shrekfast! The food and service were both wonderful, and breakfast is both these boys' favorite cuisine. Ever work at The Original Pancake House? Send your stories to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.

Scale the Great Wall of Chocolate!
Andres Simonian (not from Home Economics or Mythic Quest) is back to plunge into our review of P.F. Chang's Michael thinks the atmosphere in a P.F. Chang's is "sexy" Michael tells the tale of the Cumbre Tunnel Massacre shootout that almost claimed his great-grandfather's life Andres makes a high-stakes Shrek-themed wager with Michael What's Going On Over There with the unnamed noodle crisps in the dishes? This week's Secret Menu theme: Tasty Tourist Traps What we ate:
Dynamite Shrimp Chili-Garlic Green Beans Hand-made Dumplings Kung-Pao Dragon Roll Fire-Braised Short Ribs Crispy Honey Chicken Signature Pork & Shrimp Lo Mein The Great Wall of Chocolate Chang's Apple Crunch "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to our YouTube to watch this episode!  
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 (catch April's episode on Shari's Restaurant & Pies with my cousin Emma Danger), 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 P.F. Chang's stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.com.
 
Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast
Follow Andres on Instagram @andressimonian
 
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: The Original Pancake House History [Part One]! I'm joined by comedian Chad Opitz, and Shrekfast is upon us. Learn the history of this oft-overlooked franchise in the world of breakfast chains! Ever work at The Original Pancake House? Send your stories to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.

It took 55 episodes to do Chinese food!
Actor Andres Simonian (one of the Wendy's guys in the Spanish-speaking markets) joins me this week, covering the history and the Yelp reviews for P.F. Chang's The whitewashing of "P.F. Chang's" is uncovered in this week's Eat Deets Andres is called on his lie about getting stuck in "unexpected" traffic Michael & Andres try the Lettuce Wraps since they didn't order them during their meal What are Michael & Andres' fortunes? Discussion about P.F. Chang's restaurants in Asia A guy on Yelp thought a self-acknowledged Chauvinistic review would play well "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to our YouTube to watch this episode!  
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 (April's episode dropped at the end of the month, and I visited Shari's Restaurant & Pies with first-time podcast 3-peat guest, my cousin Emma Danger), 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 P.F. Chang's stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.com.
 
Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast
Follow Andres on Instagram @andressimonian
 
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: P.F. Chang's Review [Part Two]! Andres is back, and if you picked up on his not-so-subtle hints in this first part, he didn't love P.F. Chang's. Hear our review and see what's salvageable! Ever work at P.F. Chang's? Send your stories to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, let's review a restaurant as Mexican as our host is: Chipotle!!
It's time to chat the Chipotle Mexican Grill dining experience, joined once again by stand-up comedian and Chipotle-lover, Zara Mizrahi What's the actual best restaurant Zara's ever experienced? The "art" on the wall is not art, no matter how badly it wants to be What's Going On Over There with the restaurant turning down the music as soon as we start talking? The number of government employees in uniform is Way Too Much We wanted to adopt our burrito-smith despite him warning me of a guac explosion The drawing for an all-expenses paid trip to Applebee's! What we ate:
Agua Fresca (Michael) Sofritas Burrito (Zara) Carnitas Burrito (Michael) Chips & Guac (Both) "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to our YouTube to watch this episode!  
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 (last week, I released April's episode where I hit Shari's Restaurant & Pies with first-time podcast 3-peat guest, my cousin Emma Danger), 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 Chipotle stories at finediningpodcast@gmail.com.
 
Follow the show on TikTok and Instagram @finediningpodcast
Follow Zara on TikTok and Instagram @zaramizrahi
 
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: P.F. Chang's History [Part One]! I go deep into the lore of the most iconic American-made Asian cuisine restaurant chain in the country, and I bring Andres Simonian with me, in what might be a traitorous act, given he's one of the "Wendy's guys" in the current ad campaign they're running in Spanish-speaking markets. Ever work at P.F. Chang's? Send your stories to finediningpodcast@gmail.com.