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Season 3 Episode 5

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IKEA Swedish Bistro feat. Chris Grace

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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: I'm joined by Chris Grace from NBC's Superstore to tackle the largest furniture retailer in the world IKEA and their fabled Swedish Bistro which happens to be the 6th-largest food chain internationally!
○ "Coffee and a biscuit" was where it all began in Sweden

○ Despite being what they're known for, the Swedish Meatball (which isn't even actually Swedish) didn't hit the menu until the 80s, almost 30 years after open

○ There were plans for a viking themed restaurant originally!

○ A nightmare green hot dog and food made of mealworms??

○ A Yelper writes with whimsy and then drops it before the end and Chris thinks it's hacky

○ Part 2: We're back to review it this time!

○ The Good: The cafeteria set up (for Chris), the garlic bread, many of the desserts, the scenic vista of Griffith Park, and the place is clean

○ The Not Good: The grimy hallway of tray return, the fries, the "fake" feeling made me dissociate, lack of variety, and the cinnamon roll

○ The Just There: Chicken Fingers, the service, the vibes, and sadly: the meatballs

○ What We Ate: Swedish Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Peas, Lingonberry Jam, Garlic Bread, Lemon Cod, Chicken Fingers, French Fries, Cinnamon Roll, Santa Fe Chicken Eggroll, Caramel Almond Cake, Chocolate Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Swedish Apple Cake, Chocolate Coconut Bites, New York Cheesecake

○ Chris talks about a tense interaction with a server in Edinburgh while detailing the worst meal he's ever had

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Location: Burbank, CA

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Michael's Score:                                    3.23

Chris's Score:                                      5.17

Tchotchke of Mediocrity Score:      4.20

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Host: Michael Ornelas

Guest Hosts: Chris Grace

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Music by: James McEnelly

Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez

 

Segment Transitions Voice by: Sandy Rose