When talking about food, it can often evoke unseemly images of humans living to consume, not consuming to live. I mean, at the end of the day we are all just eating, right? But a podcast has emerged from the sludge of day-to-day life and has worked to end the ostracizing of chain restaurants. I am, of course, talking about Doughboys.
Doughboys is a podcast about chain restaurants that started in May 2015, starring co-hosts Nick Wiger and Mike Mitchell. While a relatively new entry to the podcast game, the co-hosts and the show itself have roots in the entertainment industry. Wiger has written on multiple TV shows for Comedy Central and Comedy Bang Bang on IFC, and is the leader of the two. Mitchell, who has a supporting role on the TV show “Love” on Netflix and was a creator of the short-lived TV show The Birthday Boys on IFC, is much more of a lovable sidekick. Both have backgrounds with UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade) and have extensive experience in podcasting, appearing on many other shows.
Each week features a new restaurant, with a comedian guest joining the hosts to discuss a particular chain restaurant of the guest’s choosing. The episodes range from In-N-Out Burger to Cabo Wabo Cantina. Big or small, the Doughboys are willing to cover it. As the show begins, Wiger reads off a prepared soliloquy about the restaurant of choice for that week. Often times great, other times goofy, they always start the show off on the right foot.
Mike Mitchell, aka “the Spoonman,” normally gives Wiger a hard time about the opening and away they go. Mitchell has given himself that goofy “Spoonman” nickname, and in each episode, he addresses his fans as “Spoon Nation.” It is an extremely dumb gimmick that somehow, in some way, works. The show has a lot of little bits like that. In no way, shape or form should some of these bits work, but they continually draw laughs. Their earnest approach toward food establishments should be reserved for finer dining, but the focus is on places like Wendy’s and Chili’s, and the payoff couldn’t be sweeter.
As they introduce the guest, they ask about their chain restaurant background, whether they worked at one, or if they are just a big-time fan. It doesn’t matter; they don’t discriminate. They will break down their meals with such fervent passion that you will crave the food after listening.
This is another genius part about the show; while people are trying to move toward more “foodie” options, Wiger and Mitchell are completely fine talking about these faster dining establishments. They embrace the food for what it is: fatty and most times greasy. They will make declarative statements about their eating habits and have even at times described it as a type of hedonism. The discussions can range from silly to serious. An episode with Simpsons producer Matt Selman is especially noteworthy, as they talk about every wing they tried at Buffalo Wild Wings. They somehow make the mundane palatable, which is a true testament to the co-hosts.
Wiger, sometimes referred to as “The Burger Boy,” “Lil’ Wigs” or “Cuck” keeps the show moving and asks his guests to rate the restaurant from one to five forks. Much like everything else I have mentioned, it is silly and fun but also deadly serious to some guests. They have various clubs that the restaurant can enter if they end up with a certain rating. “The Gold Plate Club” and “The Platinum Plate Club” are the most prestigious of the bunch. The Gold Plate Club is reserved for a restaurant that has four forks across the board and the Platinum Plate Club is for a restaurant that has five forks from each show participant. The clubs were made up on the spot by Mitchell during one episode and ever since they have been a staple of the show.
Heck, someone even started a website dedicated to the clubs themselves. Take a look if you are wondering whether or not your favorite place made the list.
The premise of the show is very simple, but over time, the hosts have decided to get more deeply involved with it at the behest of Wiger. You can hear the anguish in his voice when Mitchell comes up with another oddball wrinkle to the show. They also have segments titled “Snack or Wack,” in which they try a new snack and decide whether or not it is any good. A mailbag titled “The Feedbag” ends the show and answers your burning hot questions regarding the chain industry. They care so deeply for their shared goofiness that you feel like a part of the fun.
As far as non-visual mediums go, the entertainment factor for Doughboys is off the charts. Rather than snickering at a joke, you will find yourself howling with laughter. That is a rare feat. The fact that Wiger and Mitchell accomplished this with such an innocuous theme makes it all the better. Embrace your gluttony, give yourself a treat for the ears and start this podcast at episode one. Much like a Big Mac, you won’t regret it.
(Subscribe to the podcast here.)
