"Fine" Dining

Michael Ornelas
  • 4.9 (207)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Comedian Michael Ornelas dives deep into the stories behind your favorite chain restaurants like Cracker Barrel, McDonald's, and Chili's before reviewing them with a new guest each week in search of the perfect 5-out-of-10 "fine" dining experience.

  1. 5D AGO

    Is Dairy Queen Worth a 2 Hour Drive?

    🍦 We Drove 2 Hours for Dairy Queen – Was It Worth It? 🍦 We hit the road and drove nearly two hours to the nearest Dairy Queen Grill & Chill to finally see if there’s more to DQ than just frozen nostalgia. We tried three burgers (including a surprisingly delicious Flamethrower), fries, onion rings, chicken tenders, and two iconic desserts—the Blizzard and the Banana Split. The building looked half-abandoned, the service felt five-star, and the bathroom was designed by David Lynch, apparently. Is Dairy Queen just a dessert destination with a food menu on the side—or is it a true contender for America’s most mediocre chain? Indie filmmaker Tyler Eaton joins me to evaluate! 🎙 IN THIS EPISODE: 🔥 The Flamethrower Burger Actually Brought the Heat (and Flavor) 🍨 The Blizzard: A 10/10 Dessert Worth the Hype 🥶 The Banana Split That Summoned My Grandpa’s Spirit 😬 The Fries and Onion Rings Were… Not It 🚽 A Bathroom So Weird It Deserves Its Own Movie 🥄 Why the Chicken Strips Were the Definition of “Just There” 🏰 DQ Needs to Embrace Its Royal Branding Already! 💬 JOIN THE COMMUNITY & SUPPORT THE SHOW: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus Yelp Reviews & Exclusive Episodes!): https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Talk chain restaurants & share horror stories!): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🔗 All links: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎬 Check out guest Tyler Eaton’s indie horror-comedy Mysterious Ways – coming soon to YouTube, Amazon, Google Play, Apple TV+, and Tubi! 👉 NEXT WEEK: Panera Bread gets the "Fine" Dining treatment. Let's learn all about that lemonade with a body count...

    51 min

  2. MAR 19

    Dairy Queen’s Rise to Power – The Blizzard Effect

    Dairy Queen is more than just ice cream—it was one of the first fast-food chains to take over America. In this episode, we dive into how a self-proclaimed chemist helped perfect soft serve, why DQ dominated the 1950s, and the moment that changed everything: the invention of the Blizzard. Joining me is writer & director Tyler Eaton of the new horror-comedy film Mysterious Ways, as we explore Dairy Queen’s rise, its questionable hot food menu, and whether it still lives up to its legendary status today. 🎙 IN THIS EPISODE: 🍦 How Dairy Queen exploded to 1,400+ locations in just 10 years ❄️ The Blizzard: Can Dairy Queen even take credit for it? 🏁 Did Dairy Queen help spark the fast-food boom in America? 🤔 How did a 14-year-old inspire the most famous upside-down dessert? 🍔 Hear all of DQ's slogans throughout the years! 🎤 Gwen Stefani worked at Dairy Queen?! 📢 JOIN THE COMMUNITY & SUPPORT THE SHOW: 🔥 Patreon (Exclusive bonus content!): https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Fast food talk & horror stories!): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FineDiningPodcast 🔗 All links: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: We visit Dairy Queen Grill & Chill – Can they actually pull off burgers, or should they just stick to ice cream? 🍔🍦

    48 min
  3. Taco Bell Proved Me Wrong (But Not About Everything)

    MAR 12

    Taco Bell Proved Me Wrong (But Not About Everything)

    After avoiding it for over a decade, I finally stepped back inside a Taco Bell—and I was not ready for what I found. The Baja Blast? Genuinely delicious. The Crunchwrap Supreme? A smart design, poorly executed. The guacamole? It's giving Home Depot. In this episode, comedian & actress Priya Pappu joins me to break down the good, the not good, and everything in between about eating inside a Taco Bell. From its strangely sterile atmosphere to its impressively bad beef portions, we’re analyzing it all to find out if it truly represents fast-food mediocrity. 🎙 IN THIS EPISODE: Does Taco Bell’s food go bad faster than any other fast food? Why the Chalupa was my biggest disappointment Should you trust Taco Bell’s guacamole? (Spoiler: No.) How Taco Bell’s weirdest marketing collabs have kept it relevant Why their kiosks make the dining experience feel less personal 📢 JOIN THE COMMUNITY & SUPPORT THE SHOW: 🔥 Patreon (Exclusive bonus content!): https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Fast food talk & horror stories!): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FineDiningPodcast 🔗 All links: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van 👉 NEXT WEEK: Everything you've ever wanted to know about Dairy Queen Grill & Chill – Will the story of the DQ Blizzard turn your life upside down?

    58 min
  4. How Taco Bell Became Fast Food’s Most Creative Brand

    MAR 5

    How Taco Bell Became Fast Food’s Most Creative Brand

    Taco Bell Is the Most Creative Fast Food Restaurant—But At What Cost? Taco Bell is the fast-food chain that isn’t afraid to get weird. Over the years, they’ve served up bold (and sometimes questionable) menu items like the Naked Chicken Chalupa, the Firecracker Burrito, and even a Kit Kat Quesadilla. But alongside its reputation for creativity, Taco Bell has a messy history—food recalls, bizarre marketing stunts, and legal battles that only Taco Bell could pull off. In this episode, comedian Priya Pappu joins me to unpack the history of America’s most inventive fast-food chain. We dive into how Taco Bell was founded, its strangest discontinued items, its failed upscale spin-off, and the time it got sued for serving horse meat in Europe (yikes). We also check Yelp reviews for the Taco Bell we visited—because people have some thoughts. Also, VyVy Nguyen is back and here to read a fan-submitted What's Going On Over There from the show's Discord server! "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube to WATCH this episode! IN THIS EPISODE: ✔️ Taco Bell’s Origins – Started by a guy named Bell, but not a taco in sight ✔️ The Strangest Menu Items – From Cheetos burritos to Pop Rocks-style tacos ✔️ Marketing Stunts & PR Disasters – They tried to “buy” the Liberty Bell?? ✔️ Healthier Than You Think? – The surprising facts about Taco Bell’s menu ✔️ Lawsuits & Recalls – E. coli outbreaks, metal shavings, & food safety scares ✔️ Yelp Chaos – Unhinged customer reviews of the Taco Bell we ate at 💬 Have a Taco Bell horror story or a weird order you swear by? Let me know! 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus episodes & extra Yelp reviews!): https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Talk chain restaurants & share horror stories!): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🔗 All links in one place: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎙️ SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts & more! Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas

    57 min
  5. Subway Is Even Worse Than You Remember

    FEB 26

    Subway Is Even Worse Than You Remember

    Subway’s reputation has been circling the drain for years—but is it really as bad as people say? We tried a bunch of footlongs and we've got thoughts. This week, Terral Wells joins me to put the country’s most common fast-food chain to the test. From a pretzel drier than the Mojave Desert to an interior design aesthetic that actively made Terral upset, we break down every moment of our subpar experience. "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube to WATCH this episode!   WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: 🥖 Is there anything redeemable about Subway? 🫠 The footlong pretzel was a mistake. 🚨 “Is that smell coming from Subway? Damn, that’s crazy.” – A real quote from a real woman outside Subway. 🖼️ Bizarre wall art that we still don’t understand. 🥪 The assembly line: efficient or soul-crushing? 💀 Subway’s decor is so lifeless it might be worse than the food. 🍪 The cookie: the best thing we ate but still just fine. 📉 Where does Subway rank in our search for the most mediocre restaurant in America? 💬 LET ME KNOW: What's the worst thing you've ever eaten at a Subway? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus episodes & extended Yelp reviews!): https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Talk chain restaurants & share horror stories!): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🔗 All links in one place: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you love deep dives into chain restaurants! 👉 NEXT WEEK: Taco Bell. Can it score better than Subway? Stay tuned.   Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van

    54 min
  6. Subway’s Disturbing History: Jared, The Infinite Destroyer, & Azodicarbonamide

    FEB 19

    Subway’s Disturbing History: Jared, The Infinite Destroyer, & Azodicarbonamide

    Subway’s history is WAY messier than you think. Sure, it’s the biggest fast-food chain in America, but behind the Eat Fresh™ branding lies a disastrous past filled with lawsuits, bizarre marketing stunts, and yes… Jared Fogle. In this episode, Terral Wells joins me to uncover Subway’s wildest moments, from its humble beginnings as a way to fund med school to the time they got sued because their footlongs weren’t actually a foot long. Oh, and did you know there’s a Subway fashion show? Or that you can order something called the Infinite Destroyer sandwich in Tokyo? We’re going deep. "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube to WATCH this episode! WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: 🥖 Subway’s origins – A sandwich shop meant to pay for med school? 👖 The pants should’ve been the spokesperson – Jared Fogle & the brand’s biggest scandal 🛑 The Subway that almost made me throw my soiled shorts at an employee 🥪 Project Subway Fashion Show – Who asked for this?? 💀 The Infinite Destroyer sandwich (only in Japan!) ⚖️ A lawsuit over 11-inch ‘footlongs’ – The most ridiculous scandal ever 🤡 Marketing gimmicks & chaotic Subway history 🏆 Terral’s dream restaurant – A chain designed for gamblers (yes, really) ⭐ Unhinged Yelp reviews – Subway employees doing too much for minimum wage 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What’s the worst experience you’ve ever had at a Subway? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Bonus episodes & extended Yelp reviews!): https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Talk chain restaurants & share horror stories!): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🔗 All links in one place: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you enjoy deep dives into fast-food disasters! 👉 NEXT WEEK: We eat at Subway. Pray for us. 🚊🥪 Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas

    51 min
  7. The Only Hooters with Breakfast feat. Alexander Poncio

    FEB 12

    The Only Hooters with Breakfast feat. Alexander Poncio

    Hooters Casino Hotel—now rebranded as OYO Hotel & Casino—has been called the worst hotel on the Vegas Strip. But is it really that bad? We put it to the ultimate test by spending 19 hours trapped inside, eating Hooters for dinner AND breakfast (because yes, this is the only Hooters in the country that serves breakfast). And if that wasn’t enough? We also hit up Aussie Heat (a male strip show), sang Dear Theodosia at karaoke (to everyone’s disappointment), and dealt with clogged toilets, broken elevators, and staff who couldn’t care less.   "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube to WATCH this episode!   💀 Spoiler: It was a nightmare. 💀 WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: 🍗 The final Hooter Bowl – Our third (and last) review of Hooters  🏨 The hotel experience – Broken elevators, clueless staff, and the weakest toilets on Earth 🍔 What we ate – Some of the worst food we’ve had… except for the beef sliders, which slapped 🎤 Karaoke chaos – From The Little Mermaid to Rap God to Little Shop of Horrors 🕺 Aussie Heat adventures – Featuring the return of JUB, our ex-sponsor! 💩 Alex’s worst restaurant experience EVER – A little girl took a dump on the floor next to his table 👀 WATCH UNTIL THE END: We give OYO/Hooters its official score in our search for the most mediocre restaurant in America. 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Would YOU stay here? Or better yet, what’s the WORST hotel you’ve ever stayed at? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🔥 Patreon (Get exclusive episodes & extended Yelp reviews!): https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Talk chain restaurants & share horror stories!): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🔗 All links in one place: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you enjoy deep dives into chain restaurant chaos! 👉 NEXT WEEK: We’re heading to SUBWAY. 🚊🥪 Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Follow Alex on Instagram @ponciosa

    1h 18m
  8. Hooter Bowl 3: The History of the Worst Hotel in Las Vegas feat. Alexander Poncio

    FEB 5

    Hooter Bowl 3: The History of the Worst Hotel in Las Vegas feat. Alexander Poncio

    Hooters Casino Hotel was meant to be a game-changer—bringing its busty brand of mediocrity to the Las Vegas Strip. Instead, it became one of the biggest disasters in Vegas history. A casino so bad, it made Circus Circus look classy. So... what went wrong? For my third annual Hooter Bowl Spectacular, I had to go big. So I spent 19 hours trapped inside the Hooters Casino Hotel (now OYO), enduring its busted elevators, depressing ambiance, and suspiciously sticky carpets—all for the sake of history. Along the way, my guest Alexander Poncio and I uncover the shocking history of this cursed Las Vegas casino—including its mob ties, multiple bankruptcy scandals, and an abandoned attempt in the 1980s to become Vegas' first LGBTQ-friendly resort. "Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube to WATCH this episode!   💬 What’s the WORST hotel you’ve ever stayed at? Drop it in the Discord! 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🚨 Support the show & unlock exclusive content! 🚨 🍔 Bonus episodes – including deep dives into underrated chains like the most recent monthly exclusive: Dan's Hamburgers (Austin, TX) 📢 Extended Yelp from Strangers segments – with even wilder reviews 🎶 Download exclusive music – including all 7 tracks from our Olive Garden musical! 👉 Join us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast 👉 Hop into the Discord! https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 👉 All links in one place: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎵 Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music) 🎶 Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe) 🎙 Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas Follow Alex on Instagram @ponciosa ⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you enjoy deep dives into the weirdest chain restaurant history!

    47 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
207 Ratings

About

Comedian Michael Ornelas dives deep into the stories behind your favorite chain restaurants like Cracker Barrel, McDonald's, and Chili's before reviewing them with a new guest each week in search of the perfect 5-out-of-10 "fine" dining experience.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Ornelas
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    115
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    "Fine" Dining

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