"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. Korean BBQ's Fascinating History and the Rise of Gen KBBQ House

    3 HR AGO

    Korean BBQ's Fascinating History and the Rise of Gen KBBQ House

    🥩🔥 Gen Korean BBQ House: Meat Deets, Costco Gift Cards, and KBBQ History 🔥🥩 This week, Jon Durnell (@jon024durnell) joins me to break down the history of Gen Korean BBQ House, one of the fastest-growing Korean BBQ chains in America. From SoCal beginnings to a nationwide expansion strategy powered in part by Costco gift cards, Gen's rise is surprisingly fascinating. Plus, we debut a brand-new segment called Meat Deets, where we dig into the broader history of Korean BBQ itself. 🥩 Gen's California Origins and Expansion to Nearly 60 Locations 🛒 The Surprisingly Effective Costco Gift Card Strategy 🤝 The Founders Were in a Proverbial Commonlaw Marriage 🔥 MEAT DEETS: The Centuries-Long History of Korean BBQ 🌎 Why Los Angeles Koreatown Became America's KBBQ Capital 🍖 The "LA Style" of Galbi That Korea Adopted Back 🥬 How Korea Perfected Pickling Before Mastering Meat 🔥 The Heat Lamp: Jon Declares IHOP A Superior Fighting Arena Than Waffle House 📞 Yelp from Strangers: A Furious Late-Night Wake-Up Call from Gen Management 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is LA the true capital of Korean BBQ outside Korea itself? 📢 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: Jon Durnell | IG: @jon024durnell 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 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, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael, Crystal C. 👉 NEXT WEEK: We head to Gen Korean BBQ House to review the food and put it to the Chili's Test.

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

    3 HR AGO ·  BONUS

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing HAYDEN PANETTIERE: The Truth Behind the Headlines (Finally Telling Her Story In Her Own Words) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Sometimes the hardest part of healing isn’t what the world did to you, it’s unlearning the version of yourself you became just to survive it. Today, Jay sits down with Hayden Panettiere for a raw and powerful conversation where she shares the truth behind a life the world thought it knew, but never truly understood. What unfolds isn’t just a story about fame, it’s a powerful reckoning with identity, pain, and resilience. From losing the innocence of a normal childhood to carrying the emotional weight of growing up in the spotlight, Hayden shares how early success came with hidden costs, bullying, isolation, and a lifelong struggle to feel like she truly belonged. This conversation goes beyond the headlines and into the heart of a woman who has spent decades learning how to separate who she is from who the world decided she should be. As the conversation deepens, Hayden opens up about the hidden battles that shaped her adulthood, including addiction, postpartum depression, and the weight of living her trauma both privately and in public. She reflects on the surreal experience of playing a character whose struggles mirrored her own, where the line between performance and real life pain began to blur. Together, they unpack the patterns, the pressure to please, and the emotions she never had the space to process that kept her stuck in cycles she couldn’t break. Within it all, a powerful truth emerges: healing isn’t linear, and even in the darkest moments, there’s a quiet strength still fighting to rise. Through grief, loss, and unimaginable challenges, Hayden is learning to reclaim her voice, trust herself again, and step into a new chapter defined not by survival, but by intention. In this episode you'll learn: How to Heal When Your Identity Was Shaped by Others How to Rebuild Self-Trust After Years of Self-Doubt How to Break Free from Toxic and Abusive Cycles How to Cope with Anxiety That Feels Never-Ending How to Navigate Postpartum Depression Without Shame How to Stop Living for Approval and Start Living for Yourself How to Let Go of the Need to Fix Everyone How to Set Boundaries with People You Love How to Keep Going When Life Keeps Breaking You If you see parts of yourself in this story, the doubt, the pain, the patterns you wish you could break, know that you’re not alone, and more importantly, you’re not stuck. Healing doesn’t happen all at once, and it doesn’t require perfection. This Is Me: A Reckoning is Hayden’s memoir where she shares a rare and intimate glimpse into her life behind closed doors, opening up about postpartum depression, addiction and recovery, trauma, domestic abuse, and loss. To get a copy, visit: https://www.amazon.com/This-Is-Me-A-Reckoning/dp/B0G7L8QSTK  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 https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe   Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast  Head to miraclegro.com to check out all of their easy-to-use products and start your growth journey today What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:53 A Childhood Memory That Shaped Your Strength 03:11 Realizing Your Childhood Wasn’t “Normal” 05:03 Feeling Too Much While Trying to Find Where You Belong 08:08 Turning Early Bullying into Inner Strength 12:12 Growing Up Before You Were Ready 14:55 The Moment You Stop Living for Your Family’s Expectations 18:09 Releasing the Need for Everyone’s Approval 22:33 Meeting Your Real Self For the First Time 24:42 Choosing Yourself and Finding Peace 27:07 Finding Strength When You Don’t Feel Safe 31:21 Learning to Rise After Betrayal 35:18 Learning to Trust Yourself Again After Being Let Down 37:04 Staying Steady When Everything Around You Isn’t 39:19 The Cost of Living for Applause 44:21 Letting Yourself Love Again 48:25 Finding Strength Through Anxiety 55:35 The Reality of Postpartum No One Talks About 01:00:27 Losing Everything You Built and Starting Again 01:03:52 The Truth About Postpartum Depression 01:07:41 Letting Go Even When It Hurts 01:14:57 Choosing What’s Best for Your Child 01:17:18 Staying Close Even When You’re Far Apart 01:21:16 Finding the Strength to Leave an Abusive Relationship 01:30:41 Rebuilding Yourself After Trauma 01:35:36 Finding the Courage to Ask for Help 01:37:46 Walking Away and Reclaiming Your Power Episode Resources: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/haydenpanettiere/ 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. 6 MAY

    Tony Roma's: King of (Chain) Ribs

    🍖🤖 Tony Roma's Review: Robot Waiters, Trying All the Ribs, and "Champion or Chumpion" 🤖🍖 We're back at Tony Roma's with Gabe Legg (@gabe_legg), and this visit throws us for a loop almost immediately thanks to a ROBOT WAITER gliding through the dining room like Tony Roma's like a better Roomba. Between three different rib styles, Gabe trying lobster tail for the first time ever, and a human waiter who refused to accept me turning down his upsell, this meal was a bizarre little journey. 🍖 Ribs Ad Infinitum: Beef, St. Louis, & Baby Back 🦞 Gabe Tries Lobster Tail for the First Time Ever 🤖 A Robot Waiter Steals the Show 💸 The Human Waiter Judges Me for Declining a Bargain 📺 We Rate the "Show Us Your Rib Face" Contest Winners 🎭 Vibes Swing Wildly Between Medieval Times and Bank Office 🔥 Gabe's Worst Restaurant Experience: Bad Melting Pot Energy 🫕 Gabe's Best Restaurant Experience: Literally The Melting Pot 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Would a robot waiter improve your dining experience, or make it weirder? 📢 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: Gabe Legg | IG: @gabe_legg 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 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, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael, Crystal C. 👉 NEXT WEEK: I dive into the history of Gen Korean BBQ House with Jon Durnell.

    1hr 8min

  4. 29 APR

    Tony Roma's: Playboy, Pivoting to Ribs, and "Winning Best Ribs in America"

    🍖🔥 Tony Roma's: The Rib Pivot That Took Over the World (and Then Left America?) 🔥🍖 This week, Gabe Legg (@gabe_legg) joins me to unpack the history of Tony Roma's, a restaurant that stumbled into ribs, built an empire on them, and somehow ended up bigger overseas than in the US. From Playboy beginnings to NFL ownership to a string of financial shakeups, Tony Roma's might be one of the strangest success (if you can call it that?) stories in chain restaurant history. 🍖 A Random Rib Special That Completely Rewrote the Menu 🍸 Tony Roma & Hugh Hefner 🏈 A Dallas Cowboys Owner Added Tony Roma's to His Portfolio 📉 Bought, Sold, Flipped, Bankrupted...Repeat? 📺 "Show Us Your Rib Face" Is a Messy But Clever Campaign 🧅 The Onion Loaf: The Bloomin' Onion's Spiritual Cousin 🔥 The Heat Lamp Debuts: Gabe Fires Off His Controversial Restaurant Hot Take 🤢 Yelp from Strangers: Violent Illness Still Nets FOUR STARS?? 💬 COMMENT BELOW: How do you like your ribs? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, board games): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Gabe Legg | IG: @gabe_legg 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 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, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael, Crystal C. 👉 NEXT WEEK: We put Tony Roma's to the Chili's Test and see if the ribs hold up.

    32 min
  5. Zaxbys: Good Egg Rolls, Terrible Fries, Mid Chicken

    22 APR

    Zaxbys: Good Egg Rolls, Terrible Fries, Mid Chicken

    🍗🔥 Zaxby's Review: Fingerz, Wings, and a Whole Lot of Disagreement 🔥🍗 We're back at Zaxby's with Alex Stedman (@alex.paisley.stedman), and this one is...divisive. We did not see eye to eye on a LOT of these items, the vibes were aggressively brown, and one unexpected menu item rose above it all as the most consistent treat. 🍗 Fingerz & Wings Meal with Tongue Torch Sauce Sparks Debate 🍞 Texas Toast Holds It Down (As It Usually Does) for Michael Only 🥟 Veggie Egg Rolls Somehow Become the MVP 🥒 Fried Pickles: Alex Says Nay 🍪 Chocolate Chip Cookie Is Straight-Up Garbage 🍰 Fried Cheesecake Bites with Strawberry Sauce (Alex Only!) 🤠 "Retro Farmhouse" Decor That Feels More Like a Saloon 🎭 Alex's Best & Worst Restaurant Stories: Rule-Breaking Fallout vs. Recency Bias 💬 COMMENT BELOW: How does Zaxby's compare to the other chicken chains? 📢 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: Alex Stedman | IG: @alex.paisley.stedman 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 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, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael, & Crystal C. 👉 NEXT WEEK: I dive into the history of Tony Roma's with Gabe Legg.

    54 min
  6. Zaxbys: Chicken Fingerz, The "Sauce Boss," and The Letter "Z"

    15 APR

    Zaxbys: Chicken Fingerz, The "Sauce Boss," and The Letter "Z"

    🍗🔥 Zaxbys: Sauce Boss, $16K Beginnings, and the Cult of the Z 🔥🍗 Brought to you by the 2025 Septemburger Tournament bracket winner Craig Majors, this week, I'm joined by actress and improvisor Alex Stedman (@alex.paisley.stedman) to break down the history of Zaxbys. From a tiny college chicken joint called "Zax" to a 1,000+ location powerhouse, this is a story of an obsession with the letter Z that borders on ztupid. We dig into their rise, their ownership changes, and how this Southern favorite carved out its niche in the chicken wars. Also which is a better improv name: Tony Townley or Bernard Acoca? 🍗 Humble Beginnings: Just $16,000 and a Dream Called "Zax" 📈 Rapid Growth to Over 1,000 Locations Nationwide 💰 Acquisition by Goldman Sachs (Now Do Me Next!) 👔 New Leadership from a Former El Pollo Loco CEO 📺 "Sauce Boss" Ads That Don't Deliver on the Promised Vibe 🔤 A Brand Identity Built Almost Entirely Around the Letter Z 🚽 Alex's Dream Restaurant #1: Eat on a Toilet for Maximum Efficiency 💘 Alex's Dream Restaurant #2: A Dining Experience for Singles to Meet ⭐ Yelp from Strangers: Ken R. Decides His Wife Also Won't Be Returning 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is the Zaxbys branding genius, or just a little too Zilly (I'm not proud of that...)? 📢 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: Alex Stedman | IG: @alex.paisley.stedman 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: It's time to put Zaxbys to the Chili's Test with Alex Stedman.

    46 min
  7. Torchy's Tacos is So Good

    8 APR

    Torchy's Tacos is So Good

    🌮🔥 Torchy's Tacos Review: Damn Good (Hey! That's Their Slogan!) 🔥🌮 We're back at Torchy's Tacos with my mom Sue Ornelas, and despite forgotten items, cooled-off food, and a few service hiccups, this ended up being a remarkably positive experience. The decor is packed with personality (pitchfork door handles are peak), and the food carries the day. Also, we unpack the long-standing psychological damage Torchy's has done to me assuming guacamole has cheese on it. 🌮 The Threesome: Tomatillo Salsa, Guacamole (with Cotija cheese smh...), and Queso 🌽 Street Corn That Shows Up Ready to Play 🌮 Taco Gauntlet: The Democrat, Green Chile Pork, Brushfire, Wrangler, and Baja Shrimp 🍩 Churros Close Things Out Strong 🧀 Cotija vs. "Cojita": A Full Mandela Effect Crisis 🤦‍♂️ Torchy's Made Me Ask If Guac Has Cheese Everywhere Else 🍴 Service Misfires But at Least They're Nice About It 🏰 Sue's Best & Worst Restaurant Stories: Sleeping Waiters and a Real-Life Wine Castle 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Does great food outweigh bad service, or is that a dealbreaker for you? 📢 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: Sue Ornelas 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 cover the restaurant requested by my Septemburger bracket winner, a fried chicken chain called Zaxby's with actor, comedian, and friend Alex Stedman.

    52 min
  8. Torchy's Tacos: The Next Great Mexican Chain?

    1 APR

    Torchy's Tacos: The Next Great Mexican Chain?

    🌮🔥 Torchy's Tacos: From Trailer Park to Taco Empire (Damn Good Origins!) 🔥🌮 This week, I'm joined by my mom, Sue Ornelas, to dig into the history of Torchy's Tacos. From humble trailer beginnings to an expanding national chain, Torchy's built its reputation on pork tacos, the devil, and tacos named after political affiliations. We talk about its early days, the wild marketing stunts, and whether this Austin-born taco spot has what it takes to become one of the next dominant Mexican chains in America (eagle sound). 🌮 Founder Hustle: Free Tacos from a Red Vespa to Build the Brand 🏕️ Trailer Park Origins and Eating at the Original Location 📣 The "Damn Good" Slogan Came Straight from Customers 🎉 SXSW Parachute Drop Is Badass 📈 Expansion Across 15+ States and Growing Fast 🔮 Could Torchy's Become the Next Big National Mexican Chain? 🎡 Sue's Dream Restaurant: A Game Show Wheel That Builds Your Meal 🕵️ Yelp Drama: Staff Steals Your Purse and Still 3 Stars?! 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is Torchy's actually "Damn Good," or just great marketing? 📢 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: Sue Ornelas (my mom!) 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: We're back w/my mom to put Torchy's Tacos to the Chili's Test.

    41 min
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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
    172
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    "Fine" Dining

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