View Odd Restaurant Chains
40:10 – Roundtable Pizza offers “The Last Honest Pizza.”
37:15 – Seth had kind of given up on his quest of egging any chain that introduced a new pizza, although he does announce a new pizza by Papa Murphy’s – a 5-Meat Stuffed Pizza. Papa Murphy’s is the largest Take ‘N’ Bake pizza company – you take the cold pizza home and cook it
15:32 – There was a lot of interest in Papa Murphy’s and Take ‘N’ Bake from last week’s segment. This week’s introduction is Jimmy John’s gourmet sandwiches – good old-fashioned hoagies and subs. The company is headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, and founded by J.J. Liautaud. His first shop was four sandwiches and a garage in Charleston, Illinois. In January 1983 he sold his first sandwich, and they now have over 700 stores in 35 states. Two slogans: “Subs so fast you’ll freak” and “Your mom wants you to eat at Jimmy John’s.
7:49 – Seth informs us that many people have called UYD and said they love eating at and/or working at Papa Murphy’s and Jimmy John’s establishments. Seth’s new joint is called Grandy’s Country Cookin’. It was founded in 1973 in San Antonio, and there are over 70 Grandy’s in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia and Florida. It’s quick service, homestyle “comfort” food. They feature hearty breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Some favorites are fried chicken, country fried steak, catfish, biscuits, lost of gravies and the favorite – sinnamon rolls that are supposed to be heavenly
11:26 – Seth takes us to a new fast food chain called Runza. Runza opened its first store in 1949 in Lincoln, Neb. It specializes in the ethnic cuisine once served by the Volga German immigrants who came to the Midwest in the late 19th, early 20th century. The Germans were in Russia and immigrated to a lot of U.S. states. The runza sandwich is a pastry filled with ground beef, onions and cabbage. There are 83 locations, basically all in Nebraska, except two in Colorado, one in Kansas and one in Iowa. “The difference is real.”
56:11 – Seth says Jimmy John’s is still leading the pack, although he did hear from one listener from Boston who’s going home for Christmas to Nebraska, and the first thing she’s doing is having her mom take her to Runza. His new chain this week is H. Salt Esquire, opened in 1965 under the name Salt’s Fish-n-Chips. The fish is a deep-fried fish, either white cod or haddock in batter or breadcrumb and the chips are deep fried slab-cut potatoes. They have 26 locations in Southern California. Jah says that when it’s good, it’s the best. Before he was vegan he used to eat at the one in Santa Monica all the time. It’s one of the few things he still gets a hankering for – that and Jack In The Box spicy chicken sandwiches
52:26 – Taco John’s – a Mexican fast food chain serving “West Mex.” It started in 1969 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. There are currently 425 Taco John’s in 25 states. Potato Oles are their signature item – round bite-sized potato nuggets deep-fried and coated with a special blend of spices and seasonings unique to the company. For dessert they have churros, cinnasopapilla bites, a choco taco and nachos navidad (during Christmas)
8:41 – Whataburger – “Just Like You Like It.” Started in Corpus Christi, TX in 1950, and there are now 700 locations in TX, AZ, NM, OK, LA, AR, MS, AL, FL and GA. Jah mistakenly thinks there was one in Oxnard, California that he and his dad used to eat at, but then he realizes that was Lot-a-Burger. Seth says it also shouldn’t be confused with What-A-Burger in VA, NC and SC. Whataburger is in the movie 8 Seconds, where Luke Perry brings his future wife there on their first date, and it sponsors a tennis tournament in the late David Foster Wallace’s book “Infinite Jest.” A Whataburger is a 5-inch bun, 3 tomatoes, 4 pickles, famous mustard, fresh lettuce, diced onions and 100% pure American beef
42:44 – Noodles & Co. – founded in 1995 in the tony section of Denver called Cherry Creek. Noodles & Co. tend to be located in upscale areas of major cities. There are 150 locations in 18 states, serving primarily pasta, soup and salad. Themes are Asian, Mediterranean and American. You can add chicken, shrimp, beef or tofu to any dish. Seth apologizes for not having this segment last week
2:56 – Zaxby’s – 450 locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The menu is built around buffalo wings and chicken fingers. You can order a zappetizer – onion rings or potato chips or a zalad or a zoda pop. World famous Zax sauce, crinkle fries and Texas toast. Commercials have featured LaVerne and Shirley, Lorenzo Lamas, John Schneider and Reginald VelJohnson
40:58 – Dog ‘n Suds – “Where everything is so dog-gone good.” They serve hot dogs and root beer, where the root beer comes in a frosted mug and they have car hops who bring you your food old-school studies. 17 locations in 7 different states – Indiana, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Michigan, Arkansas and Wisconsin
15:52 – The restaurant business is feeling the economic downturn, but a hot new concept in the restaurant business is flourishing: breastaurants. Guys in Texas realized that Hooters was doing wonderful despite everything else, and they started a place called Twin Peaks, where the slogan is “twice as much fun as other restaurants.” They have a hunting lodge motif, where there are mounted trophies, game on the wall, serving wings, burgers, fries and such, and the waitresses are wearing black-and-red knotted shirts with short khaki shorts. There’s also a place called Bone Daddy’s, that has young ladies in short shorts serving the food. These places are taking over places that have closed, like Applebee’s and Bennigan’s. Jah: “You know what we need to open? A brosteraunt.”
37:58 – L & L Hawaiian Barbeque – since 1976. Opened first store in Honolulu. They now have over 200 locations in Hawaii, California, Washington, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and New York. “Generous portions at low prices.” They’re famous for the “plate lunch.” 2 servings of rice, serving of macaroni salad and some sort of meat. Dishes are infused with an ingredient infused in the island – the warm spirit of Aloha. Neither Seth nor Jah has never seen one of these.
49:20 – Bojangles Famous Chicken and Biscuits – founded in 1977 in Charlotte, N.C. Now over 400 locations in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. They serve Cajun-style chicken and fresh buttermilk. “No biscuit should ever be older than 20 minutes.” Lots of fixins – mac and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, dirty rice, seasoned fries and Cajun pintos. Wash it down with a delicious sweet tea.
21:15 – Seth was informed through many calls that Bojangles (Episode 155, 49:20) is giving Jimmy John’s (Episode 142, 15:32) a run for its money. Jah says he’s gotten a lot of info from listeners about Jimmy John’s as well as Taco John’s (Episode 146, 52:26). He heard from one vegetarian listener who was denied veg-friendly food there numerous times. This week’s restaurant is Steak N Shake – founded in 1934 in Indianapolis, Ind. 502 locations in 21 states, most open 24 hours a day. Hand-dipped real milk milkshakes, as well as delicious tuna melts.
1:03:22 – The Melting Pot – a chain of fondue restaurants. Started in Tampa, Fla. Seth never heard of this before.
19:16 – Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen has introduced a new “Dippin’ Chicken” for only $3.99. The new nuggets feature a spooned curviture that makes it easier to scoop up the blackened ranch dipping sauce. It also comes with Cajun fries and a biscuit.