"Fine" Dining

Michael Ornelas

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. BJ's Restaurant: Snooki, Deep Dish, & The Pizookie

    19H AGO

    BJ's Restaurant: Snooki, Deep Dish, & The Pizookie

    🍕🍺📚 BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Finding the Gimmick (It Was Beer) 📚🍺🍕 This week kicks off Part 1 of our BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse coverage with a full Eat Deets history episode, joined by PJ McCormick (@peejmccormick). We trace BJ's unlikely evolution from a Chicago-style pizza experiment to a beer-forward empire, debate whether pizza was ever really their best foot forward, and draw a completely reasonable comparison between BJ's brand identity journey and Stone Cold Steve Austin ditching the Ringmaster gimmick. Also yes: b*****b jokes. 🍕 "BJ Grunt's" Got a Cease-and-Desist 🍺 Explaining the Real Gimmick via Stone Cold Steve Austin 📈 From Pizza Joint to National Restaurant & Brewhouse Chain ��� The Birth of the Pizookie and How It Stole the Whole Show 🎤 PJ Pitches His Dream Restaurant: A Pho Spot Where You're Immortalized for Not Coughing ⭐ Yelp From Strangers Includes a "Fat and Ugly" Man Mad His Hot Waiter Wouldn't Hustle for the Tip 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is BJ's a pizza place, a brewery, or just a Pizookie delivery system? 📢 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: PJ McCormick | IG: @peejmccormick 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 👉 NEXT WEEK: Part 2 as we actually eat BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse and find out if the pizza, the wings, or the Pizookie can beat Chili's.

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

    19H AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing Jaspreet Singh: Why Most People Stay Broke (Follow THIS 7-Step System to FINALLY Stop Living Paycheck-to-Paycheck!) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Money doesn’t define you, it reveals what you value, what you understand, and whether your choices are leading to freedom or confinement.   Jay sits down once again with entrepreneur and financial educator Jaspreet Singh for a comprehensive conversation about money, mindset, and the systems that quietly shape our financial realities. Jay opens up about how success, comparison, and social pressure distort our relationship with wealth, while Jaspreet challenges the idea that financial struggle is purely personal failure. Together, they unpack why so many people work hard yet feel stuck, caught in a cycle they were never taught how to escape, and why the first step to financial freedom isn’t earning more, but really understanding the rules of money.   Jay and Jaspreet lay out a clear, practical framework for building financial stability, from redefining money as a tool rather than a measure of self-worth, to understanding debt, investing, and the habits that keep people broke. Jaspreet breaks down complex ideas into simple, actionable steps, emphasizing the importance of having emergency savings, intentional spending, and long-term ownership over short-term appearances.   Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is accelerating inequality between those who understand it and those who ignore it, and why learning to use AI is becoming essential across every industry. Rather than chasing fast money or quick wins, they encourage listeners to focus on education, adaptability, and patience, building systems that serve their values, protect their families, and create lasting impact.   In this interview, you'll learn: How to Break the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle How to Treat Money as a Tool, Not Your Identity How to Build a $2,000 Safety Net Fast How to Separate Spending, Saving, and Investing How to Use AI to Get Ahead at Work and in Business How to Build Wealth Without Chasing Fast Money   If money has ever felt overwhelming, confusing, or out of reach, this is your reminder that nothing is “wrong” with you, you were simply never taught the rules. Small decisions, repeated consistently, have the power to change not just your finances, but the way you see your future. Want smarter money insights without the noise? Sign up for Jaspreet’s free Market Briefs newsletter and get bonus access to his investing masterclass here: https://briefs.finance/c2ebdb   With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty   Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.    Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast    What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:25 Are You Stuck Living Paycheck to Paycheck? 07:26 The Illusion of Looking Rich While Being in Debt 18:37 What is the First Thing You Should Cut to Start Saving Money? 27:13 The Fastest, Most Realistic Way to Make More Money 32:47 How to Become Revenue-Generating at Work or in Business 34:31 Start by Solving a Problem You Already Understand 39:03 How to Start Investing (Even With Little Money) 45:13 Begin With the Easiest Investing Option Available 46:43 How the Stock Market Really Works 51:17 Why Quick Money Never Lasts 53:59 Where the Real Financial Opportunities in AI Are 01:01:48 What Market Briefs Is and Why It Matters 01:03:46 How to Prepare for an AI-Driven Economy 01:09:52 The Best Places to Learn About AI Right Now 01:12:20 Why Financial Education Matters More in the AI Age 01:14:02 Spend More on Investments That Increase Your Freedom   Episode Resources: Website | https://theminoritymindset.com/  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/minoritymindset  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/minoritymindset  TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@minoritymindset   X | https://x.com/MinorityM1ndset  LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/minoritymindset  Facebook |  https://www.facebook.com/MinorityMindset/ 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. My Go-To Domino's Pizza Order, An Incredible Dessert, & Are They Better than the Competition?

    JAN 14

    My Go-To Domino's Pizza Order, An Incredible Dessert, & Are They Better than the Competition?

    🍕📊🍴 Domino's Pizza Review: Three Pizzas, Vibes, & Getting  Deputized 🍴📊🍕 Season 4 continues as James Werner (@jamesyjoehenry) returns for Part 2 of our Domino's Pizza episode, this time putting the pizza where the mouth is. We actually ate inside a Domino's, sat at a real table, and watched the pies come together from what can only be described as the Young Pizza Inspector overlook. With all-star service, we break Domino's down category by category to see if it can clear the Chili's bar. 🍕 Reviewing the Full Spread (and Absolutely No Salad) 🔥 BBQ Chicken Pizza, Ultimate Pepperoni, and Pan Pizza with Pepperoni, Bacon, & Garlic 🍝 Penne Pasta, Garlic Bread Bites, Cinnamon Bread Bites, and Chocolate Lava Cake 🏆 James Is the Champion of Shouting People Out 🎨 Decor That Made Us Wish We Could Vandalize the Walls 👀 Deputized to Inspect Pizzas 🍕 Yes, I Do Crave Pizza Despite Not Liking Cheese ✈️ James' Worst Restaurant Experience Ever Involved an Airport Sandwich 🍌 His Best Experience Was Weighted by Flashiness of Bananas Foster 📊 The Final Score: Is Domino's Better or Worse Than Chili's? 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's your go-to Domino's order? 📢 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/@thefinediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: James Werner | IG: @jamesyjoehenry   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   👉 NEXT WEEK: I head to BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse with comedian PJ McCormick and dive into their history (including pretty dumb etymology).

    1h 10m
  4. Domino's Pizza: Hostages, Food Tampering, and Turning It All Around

    JAN 7

    Domino's Pizza: Hostages, Food Tampering, and Turning It All Around

    🍕📦🚗 Domino's Pizza: Hostages, Food Tampering, and Turning It All Around 🚗📦🍕 Season 4 (omg, what??) kicks off with a deep dive into the wild, complicated, and occasionally Noidy history of Domino's Pizza. Joined by improviser and musician James Werner (@jamesyjoehenry), I trace how a tiny Michigan pizzeria turned into the world's largest pizza chain by making bold promises, bad mistakes, smarter apologies, and some genuinely fascinating tech gambles. This is a story about shame, sincerity, and why sometimes admitting "our pizza sucks" is the smartest move a company can make. 🍕 Two Brothers, $500, and a Volkswagen Beetle That Changed Pizza History ⏱️ The 30-Minute Delivery Promise That Built the Brand (and Nearly Broke It) 😈 The Noid, a Nintendo Game, and One of the Strangest Ad Campaign Aftermaths Ever 📉 "Our Pizza Sucks": The 2010 Recipe Overhaul That Saved Domino's 📱 Domino's Becomes an E-Commerce Company That Happens to Sell Pizza 🕳️ Paving Over Potholes Because "Bad Roads Shouldn't Happen to Good Pizza" 🧠 The Pizza Tracker Is Mostly Fake and That's Kind of the Point 🎅 James Pitches His Dream Restaurant: Santa's Kitchen, Serving What Santa Eats ⭐ Yelp From Strangers Includes a Reviewer Furious About a Tip Request on Mother's Day 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Did the Domino's recipe change actually win you back? 📢 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/@thefinediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: James Werner | IG: @jamesyjoehenry 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 👉 NEXT WEEK: We put Domino's to the Chili's Test with a full review (and we actually found a Domino's that had tables for dine-in)!!

    59 min
  5. Rainforest Cafe, Bob's Big Boy, Waffle House, Pappadeaux, & Chuy's Get Yelped

    12/24/2025

    Rainforest Cafe, Bob's Big Boy, Waffle House, Pappadeaux, & Chuy's Get Yelped

    🗣️⭐🍽️ Yelp From Strangers: Rainforest Cafe, Bob's Big Boy, Waffle House, Pappadeaux & Chuy's 🍽️⭐🗣️ VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) is back as we wrap up our two-part Yelp From Strangers special during the final stretch of Bridge Season. This week's batch is truly unhinged. Once again, the food is secondary and the feelings are loud. Also, wtf does "we are bar people" even mean?? 🥩 A Rainforest Cafe Review That Treats the Jungle Steak Like Fine Art 🧠 My Personal Connection to David Lynch Lore at Bob's Big Boy 🪑 A Waffle House Review That References the Flying Chair Incident! 📱 A Chuy's Text Message That Woke a Man from His "Sleep Cycle" 👨‍👩‍👧 A Reviewer Who Seems Actively Mad That Her Own Children Exist 🍤 Pappadeaux Through the Eyes of Someone with Very Specific Expectations 🔥 Turtle from Entourage Writes a Review (from a Terrarium??) 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Which chain do you think has the most chaotic Yelp reviews of all time? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp chaos & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: VyVy Nguyen | IG: @cest_la_vyvy 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 👉 NEXT WEEK: Enjoy your holidays! The Bridge Season is officially over, but Season 4 will hit your table January 7th with an episode detailing the history of Dominos Pizza!

    43 min
  6. Denny's, Pizza Hut, Olive Garden, Gyu-Kaku, & Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Get Yelped

    12/17/2025

    Denny's, Pizza Hut, Olive Garden, Gyu-Kaku, & Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Get Yelped

    🗣️⭐🍽️ Yelp From Strangers: Denny's, Pizza Hut, Olive Garden, Gyu-Kaku & Bubba Gump 🍽️⭐🗣️ This week, VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) joins me for a pure Yelp chaos episode as the Bridge Season barrels toward its finale. No history, no food review, just unfiltered opinions from the internet's most confident critics. From late-night diners to shrimp shrines, this first of a two-part Yelp special proves once again that the most unhinged storytelling lives in the review section. 🥞 A Denny's Customer Furious About Being Mistaken for Homeless Flaunts His iPhone 🍕 Pizza Hut Favoritism Allegations That Will Not Be Forgotten 🍝 Olive Garden and the Unavoidable Consequences to One's Digestive Tract 🔥 A Deeply Uncomfortable and Kind-of Racist Gyu-Kaku Review 🦐 Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Through the Eyes of a True Shrimp Evangelist 😡 Entitlement, Pettiness, and Selective Outrage Across Multiple Chains 📉 The Internet Continues to Be the Worst (and Best) Place on Earth 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Which chain has the wildest Yelp reviews in your experience? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp chaos & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: VyVy Nguyen | IG: @cest_la_vyvy 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 👉 NEXT WEEK: Yelp From Strangers Part 2 as the Bridge Season comes to a close with even more reviews, more grievances, and absolutely no self-awareness as VyVy Nguyen is back to chat about Rainforest Cafe, Bob's Big Boy, Waffle House, Pappadeaux, & Chuy's.

    44 min
  7. Is Islands the Best Casual Burger Chain?

    12/10/2025

    Is Islands the Best Casual Burger Chain?

    🍔🏄‍♂️🍟 Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks: The Best Casual Burger Chain? 🍟🏄‍♂️🍔 This week, VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) returns for another round of Eat Deets as we surf the waves of flavor offered by Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks. From their golden fries and proprietary fry salt to surf videos looping endlessly on the walls, Islands is a California chain that perfectly captures chill beach energy. We explore its expansion beyond the West Coast, the founder's wild journey from selling to buying the company back, and why seasoning > sauce every single time. 🍔 Burgers So Good 🧅 Island Reds (Crispy Onion Strings) Make Burger So Better 🍟 The Legendary Fry Salt That Outshines Any Sauce 🌊 Surf Videos and Tropical Vibes at Every Location 🗺️ From California to Hawaii and Back Again ⚓ The Founder Sold, Bought It Back, and Righted the Ship (Literally, He's a Navy Vet) 🪨 Yelp Reviewer Claims She Found Rocks in Her Food 💬 COMMENT BELOW: What's the best beachside burger you've ever had? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: VyVy Nguyen | IG: @cest_la_vyvy 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 👉 NEXT WEEK: VyVy returns for a Yelp from Strangers special covering some hilarious Yelp reviews I discovered when looking at the restaurants I reviewed during season 1!

    41 min
  8. The Old Spaghetti Factory: "Why the Trolley?", Mizithra Cheese, & the Nashville Bombing

    12/03/2025

    The Old Spaghetti Factory: "Why the Trolley?", Mizithra Cheese, & the Nashville Bombing

    🍝🚋🕯️ The Old Spaghetti Factory: Trolleys, Mizithra, and Guss Dussin's Dream 🕯️🚋🍝 This week, VyVy Nguyen (@cest_la_vyvy) joins me for a deep dive into the charming, old-world history of The Old Spaghetti Factory. We uncover how a humble warehouse filled with antiques became one of America's most distinctive restaurant chains, complete with a refurbished trolley car centerpiece and chandeliers that make every meal feel like a special occasion. From its signature mizithra cheese and brown butter pasta to a story of explosive disaster, this chain has us asking the question: is "meat sauce" a good euphemism for jizz? 🏭 Founded in a Real Warehouse Filled with Antique Décor 🚋 The Iconic Refurbished Trolley Car in Nearly Every Location 🧀 The Legendary Mizithra Cheese & Brown Butter Dish 🔥 How the Nashville Bombing Led to a Lost Lease 👑 Founder Guss Dussin Has the Best Name in Restaurant History 🍽️ A Reviewer So Petty He Roasted a Waiter from Another Restaurant Too 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Have you ever eaten inside one of The Old Spaghetti Factory's trolleys? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, full Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@finediningpodcast 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: VyVy Nguyen | IG: @cest_la_vyvy 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 👉 NEXT WEEK: VyVy returns as the Bridge Season continues with the history of Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, a tropical twist on California casual dining!

    43 min

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
212 Ratings

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.

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