This Podcast Explores the Nostalgia of America’s Favorite Chain Restaurants
By: Ilana Susnow
It’s no secret that nostalgia has been making a comeback — from ‘90s themed pop-ups to remakes of millennial and gen z-er’s favorite TV shows.
So why should America’s chain restaurants be any different? Recently, my 30+ year old brother in law wanted nothing more than to have his birthday dinner at the Olive Garden. He lives in L.A. and is a food influencer — he could have gone to any restaurant in town, but no, he wanted unlimited breadsticks and salad and a deep dish of pasta. Who among us?
What is it about these restaurants — Chilis, Cracker Barrel, Outback Steakhouse to name a few — that consumers love so much? This is what podcast host Michael Ornelas is on a mission to find out in his podcast, “Fine” Dining, the search for the most mediocre chain restaurant in America.
This means that earning a perfect 5 out of 10 score for everything from food, to service to patrons, is an honor. Michael just launched season two of his podcast and he is sharing some of his favorite dining adventures with us.
Michael on the “Fine” Dining podcast
Ilana Susnow: You’ve released over 40 episodes. What restaurant is the most underrated based on your dining experiences so far?
Michael Ornelas: I think Outback Steakhouse deserves more respect. Not for their steaks necessarily — I’m a realist — but for almost everything else. They won “Fine” Dining’s 2023 Septemburger competition with their Bloomin’ Burger with bacon, and I’m on record as calling their Bloomin’ Onion the best appetizer in the chain restaurant game. Solid desserts, decent ribs, top tier apps… there are some tasty meals to be had at an Outback.
IS: What restaurant that you’ve covered is the most overrated?
MO: While plenty of places have scored lower, I’m going to say Red Lobster. I know this is to be expected when you go to a mid-tier chain restaurant, but everything is so salty and buttery. I just left there feeling like I could have gotten everything on their menu done better at a different restaurant. Didn’t stop me from going to town on their shrimp though.
IS: In your episodes, you have some signature segments with original jingles and characters to help tell your audience about each dining experience. What are some of your favorites? Tell us about them.
MO: Early in the first season, I produced a seven-song original musical called “Perfectly Adequate” about one night at Olive Garden, with songs covering everything from having Server Envy, overeating, and sending back food… to corporate greed for sauce up-charges.
Season two has a new totally-not-made-up sponsor named “Harrison Augustine 💸 Arrylius XIV,” an out-of-touch trust-fund kid billionaire who sponsored the showing after mistaking the name for actual fine dining… and he’s been a lot of fun to hear. Oh, and the “T.G.I. Friday’s the 13th” horror-themed season one finale is another favorite.
IS: In season two, you have a guest in every episode. Who is your dream guest and why?
MO: How do I pick just one? I don’t think I can. Going to Black Angus with Jack Black would have to be up there. I think taking Gordon Ramsay to a P.F. Chang’s would be hilarious. Among comedians, Rick Glassman is a huge influence over how I present my podcast… Ben Schwartz would be a dream too. Kristen Bell also seems like a light, and going to Taco Bell with her seems to make sense.
IS: What can audiences expect in 2024? What restaurants do you plan to cover?
MO: I’m working on a full-time transition to video with a special “Hooter Bowl II: Hootdunnit” episode in February. I’ll be opening the podcast up to fast food and fast casual offerings starting with episode 50, and I’ll be traveling the country for regional burger joints in the 2024 Septemburger competition (Whataburger, Shake Shack, White Castle, Freddy’s Steakburgers…etc). I’m also eyeballing trips to North Carolina and Nashville to hit chains I don’t have available to me at home like Shoney’s, O’Charley’s, and Bojangles.
IS: Anything else you’d like the EarBuds Podcast Collective readers to know?
MO: Whether you love chain restaurants or look down on them, we can all acknowledge that they’re all somewhat mediocre and that’s okay! Being mid is my bread-and-butter, but this show is anything but. If you love hearing about the history of your favorite chains, vicariously eating them through me, and diving into the weeds of their Yelp reviews, you’re going to enjoy my podcast. Check out “Fine” Dining: The Search for the Most Mediocre Restaurant in America wherever you get your podcasts.
