In The Weeds with Ben Randall

Tonight, kids, we're pitching holiday food movies! Also, we're constantly injured.

In this episode we discuss Ken Friedman the Coward, robots in the kitchen, New York's banning of cashless restaurants and a new heartwarming restaurant Christmas special for everyone.

Tonight we talk rare food allergies, Ken Friedman's employee and customer abuse case settlement, music about food and Michigan roads. Because of course we do.

Welcome back, and welcome to 2020! Today we talk restaurant closings, predictions for 2020 food trends, the Cheez Whiz spectrum and we look into why customer politeness has become an endangered species. Also, we forget to introduce ourselves at the beginning of the show!

Just in time for Christmas, we talk about NOTHING holiday related. Today we're talking about hiring restaurant staff, people bitching just to bitch and gigantic Twixes. Also, we've interviewed Ali Gonzales from https://sustainableculinarysolutions.com/, a chef/consultant with 30 years restaurant experience.

Tonight we're talking Thanksgiving, Canadian hyperlocal desserts and Papa John Schnatter's descent into madness.

Today we talk Cheesecake Factory, Indiana Judges vs White Castle and why Naperville Illinois is having a really bad month.

So that sandwich you just ordered on your phone & had delivered to you? It's probably cold, the fries are a sticky mess, and it's more expensive than if you just went to the shop. Also, the drivers get paid jack, and the restaurants get skimmed too. This third-party delivery system is a goddamn mess. Until we get robots. The robots will save us.

Oh, man you guys. Tonight we're talking customer service, unions, the Chicago Public Schools teachers strike, apple heists and high-ass robots. It's a ride.

Here's the thing...

You win some, you lose some, and sometimes you have to fire a lazyass. If you're applying for a restaurant job, we lay out tricks & tips here! Also, an apple-free Apple Festival and Ben goes to a childhood nostalgia hotdog restaurant.

It ain't what you know; it's who you know, and I've been very lucky in my career to know Aaron Stahlman, co-owner of Ravage Deli in Baltimore. Aaron & I went to culinary school together, and to date, he's living the dream. He and his wife own and operate a very exciting all-scratch deli 2 miles from their house north of Baltimore, where they basically do whatever they want. Trouble with doing whatever you want is that you have to also do it all yourself. Well, let's have Aaron tell you about it! http://ravagedeli.com/ 9636 Belair RdPerry Hall, MD 21236

Steve's back in studio! We talk White Castle, food delivery companies and how NOT to write a wine list.

Yelp is bad in every direction, and trying to examine data from Yelp is even worse. So let's do that! What's the most affordable, best restaurant in your state? Probably NOT what Yelp says it is!

We have another guest! Today we're talking to Midnight Smoke about New York wine, food in the armed services and high-end chocolate.

We're back for more with Rafael Esparza of Finom coffee. This is the second part of our longform discussion, and again, this guy is a treasure.

Tonight I sit down and chat with Rafael Esparza of Finom Coffee. We talk...well, everything. This guy is a FOUNTAIN. That's why this is Part One.