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๐ Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken (Part 1): Gus's Parents, the Superfan, and Chicken Championships ๐
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?
๐ฅ Backdoor Fried Chicken in 1950s Tennessee ๐ The Secret Recipe That Not Even Marrying into the Family Can Teach You ๐ How a Superfan Became the CEO of the Whole Company ๐ป Hearses, Roosters & Other Bizarre Gus's Lore ๐ Two-Time Winner of the National Fried Chicken Festival ๐งป Yelp Reviewers vs. Chicken Gremlins ๐ช Dave Theune's Dream Restaurant: Rocky & Apollo's
๐ฌ COMMENT BELOW: Have you tried Gus's? Did it make you say "goddamn"? Or just "meh"?
๐ข SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: ๐ฅ Patreon (Bonus reviews & exclusive content!): https://www.patreon.com/finediningpodcast ๐ฌ Discord (Share horror stories & chat chains): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 ๐ธ Instagram/TikTok: @finediningpodcast and @davetheune ๐ง Full episodes & video: https://www.youtube.com/@finediningpodcast ๐ All links: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast
โก Like, Subscribe & Share if you believe fried chicken is a spiritual experience!
Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van
๐ NEXT WEEK: We actually eat the chicken at Gus's. Is it "chicken to die for"? Or just fried food with a strong brand? Find out in Part 2.
By Michael Ornelas4.9
210210 ratings
๐ Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken (Part 1): Gus's Parents, the Superfan, and Chicken Championships ๐
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?
๐ฅ Backdoor Fried Chicken in 1950s Tennessee ๐ The Secret Recipe That Not Even Marrying into the Family Can Teach You ๐ How a Superfan Became the CEO of the Whole Company ๐ป Hearses, Roosters & Other Bizarre Gus's Lore ๐ Two-Time Winner of the National Fried Chicken Festival ๐งป Yelp Reviewers vs. Chicken Gremlins ๐ช Dave Theune's Dream Restaurant: Rocky & Apollo's
๐ฌ COMMENT BELOW: Have you tried Gus's? Did it make you say "goddamn"? Or just "meh"?
๐ข SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: ๐ฅ Patreon (Bonus reviews & exclusive content!): https://www.patreon.com/finediningpodcast ๐ฌ Discord (Share horror stories & chat chains): https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 ๐ธ Instagram/TikTok: @finediningpodcast and @davetheune ๐ง Full episodes & video: https://www.youtube.com/@finediningpodcast ๐ All links: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast
โก Like, Subscribe & Share if you believe fried chicken is a spiritual experience!
Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van
๐ NEXT WEEK: We actually eat the chicken at Gus's. Is it "chicken to die for"? Or just fried food with a strong brand? Find out in Part 2.

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