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Season 3 Episode 16

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Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken feat. Dave Theune

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In this episode of Fine Dining: The Quest to Compare All Restaurants to Chili's:

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○ Part 1: Before Gus’s was world famous, it was just spicy chicken sold out the back of a bar in the segregated South. But that secret recipe grew into a Southern staple, complete with 40+ locations, a chicken-loving superfan turned CEO, and even a rogue rooster who hangs out outside one of their Memphis spots.

In this episode, I’m joined by improvisor, actor, and all-around delight Dave Theune (NBC’s St. Denis Medical) to go deep on the wild rise of Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, the hearse they use for advertising, and why you’ll never know what’s in their spice blend. Plus, Dave pitches a double-restaurant concept where Italian comfort meets a dessert diner, and it's all Rocky-themed.

Is Gus’s really chicken to die for? Or just another chain in a hearse-shaped hat?

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○ Part 2: We went to Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken and literally nothing made it into the “Not Good” category. Nothing!

Comedian and improviser Dave Theune (St. Denis Medical, NBC/Peacock) joins me to talk about his first foray into eating dark meat, crispy fried okra, spicy batter, and the kind of service that borders on too attentive (but we loved it). The waiter even coaxed out my Star Wars hot take.

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Location: Burbank, CA

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Michael's Score:                                     7.54

Dave's Score:                                        9.28

Tchotchke of Mediocrity Score:       8.41

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Host: Michael Ornelas

Guest Host: Dave Theune

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Music by: James McEnelly

Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez

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Segment Transitions Voice by: Sandy Rose