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Season 3 Episode 13

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Chili's feat. VyVy Nguyen

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In this episode of Fine Dining: The Search for the Most Mediocre Restaurant in America:

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○ Part 1: Chili’s. For nearly 50 years, it’s been slinging margaritas, sizzling skillets, and vibes that are somehow both flirty and corporate. In this episode, actress and podcast 3-timers guest club VyVy Nguyen is back to explore the surprisingly spicy history of this chain restaurant icon with me — from its post office origins to its entanglement with The Office, N*SYNC, and the internet’s horniest Vine.

Was Chili’s always this unhinged, just waiting for us to notice?

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○ Part 2: After 100 restaurant reviews, this was it. Chili’s officially earned the perfect 5.00 out of 10, making it the most mediocre restaurant in America — the ultimate point of comparison for every meal to come. In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest VyVy Nguyen as we review the Encino location in full detail. From booth battles and dry wings to nostalgic chips and a molten dessert that hides its magic in the middle, we break down the exact moment Chili’s became the standard of mid.

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Location: Encino, CA

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Michael's Score:                                     4.97

VyVy's Score:                                        5.03

Tchotchke of Mediocrity Score:       5.00

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Host: Michael Ornelas

Guest Host: VyVy Nguyen

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Music by: James McEnelly

Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez

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Segment Transitions Voice by: Sandy Rose