Monty's Good Burger with Evan Susser

"Monty's Good Burger with Evan Susser" is Episode 330 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Monty's Good Burger with Evan Susser" was released on December 16, 2021.

## Synopsis

Comissioner Evan Susser (*Fist Fight*, *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*, Man Bites Dog) joins the 'boys to reflect on 2021 and review Steak 'n Shake for a sixth time (kind of) via plant-based Monty's Good Burger. Plus, the debut of a new segment: I Don't Like Sand...wich.

## Nick's intro

The UK in the 1990s saw the emergence of so-called "Lad Culture," a celebration of young men getting drunk, watching football, and generally being randy. And with it came the rise of Lad magazines: print publications that blended ribald writing with softcore wank material, with names like *For Him Magazine* (or *FHM*), *Stuff*, *Loaded*, *Zoo*, and *Nuts*.

A similarly unapologetic celebration of maleness surfaced stateside, though lads were called 'dudes' or 'bros,' randiness was called 'horniness,' and football was of course of the American sort. And so too the Lad mag migrated across the pond (though with the breasts covered for the puritans) - US versions of *FHM* and *Stuff*, along with the most successful import, *Maxim Magazine*.

Featuring an array of saucy celebrity photoshoots and articles like "Legalize Steroids" and "Cheat and Don't Get Caught," the publication peaked in circulation and relevance in the early 2000s. But Lad mags, along with magazines at large, faded away in the 21st century due to the rise of the internet, and by the early 2010s, *Maxim* had declined from a circulation of nine million to around two million.

Enter Sardar Biglari, CEO of his eponymous Biglari Holdings. As reflected on his company's remarkably crude website, Biglari owns a diverse slate of interests, including steak chain Western Sizzlin, First Guard Insurance, and Southern Oil of Louisiana. In 2014, Biglari added to his holdings by purchasing *Maxim* for $12 million, promptly adding his own signature to the logo, and pivoting away from its Lad mag roots toward being an *Esquire*-style men's lifestyle magazine. Sales fell a further 40% as a result, but undeterred, Biglari appointed himself Editor-in-Chief in 2016, asserting an even tighter control over the publication.

The pattern will seem familiar to devout fans of another asset in Biglari's portfolio: a beloved Midwest burger chain with diner-style table service that first opened in Illinois in 1934. Biglari had acquired the hamburger-and-milkshake brand in 2008, taking the regional chain national by way of new "By Biglari" locations, which similarly affixed his signature to the company's logo, while vastly reducing its menu and swapping in more cost-efficient counter service. The results were similarly catastrophic, as sales tumbled, dining rooms shuttered, and the company piled on debts, while franchisees and employees filed myriad lawsuits against the parent company. As reported by *Restaurant Business*'s Jonathan Maze in February of 2021, Biglari had to inject cash to pay off the company's debt and is now desperately transitioning the remaining restaurants from counter service to even cheaper automated kiosks.

Today, most of the old-school Lad mags are defunct or irrelevant, superceded by online simulacrums like *The Chive* and *Barstool Sports*. And while one could note that Biglari's mismanagement of *Maxim* aside, print media was doomed either way, that's not the case with chain restaurants, a sector that continues to thrive, even factoring in the pandemic. It seems to just be Biglari's standard operating procedure: buy a new car, take the wheel, and promptly drive it off a cliff.

This week, on the final new *Doughboys* of 2021, we return to Steak 'n Shake, by way of a plant-based steak-and-shake alternative, Monty's Good Burger.

## Fork rating

* Max'd Out Fries & Tots (50/50)
* Dipping Sauces
	+ Sriracha Aioli
	+ Habanero
* Chamberlain Coffee Shake
* Arnold Palmer (No Syrup)
* Kale Caesar Salad
	+ add 1 Patty w/ Cheese & Onions
* Dipping Sauces
	+ Onion Aioli
 Mike Mitchell
* Double Cheeseburger
* Charlie's Chickɘn Sandwich
* Tater Tots
	+ Ranch
* Dipping Sauces
	+ Onion Aoili
	+ House Spread
	+ Sriracha Aioli
* Monty's O'Yeah Shake
 Evan Susser
* Double Cheeseburger
* Charlie's Chickɘn Sandwich
* Kale Caesar Tater Tots
* Max'd Out Fries & Tots (50/50)
* Havok's Harvest Shake
* Single Hamburger [Susser's daughter's order]
* Cookie Shake (Vanilla, Middle of the Brownie Cookie) [Susser's daughter's order]
* Single Cheeseburger [Jamie's order]

Nick made two trips to Monty's.

The **Susser Family's Sip of the Trip** went to the Cookie Shake. Susser's wife, Jamie, said she'd give Monty's "maybe 3 forks."

**Spoonman's Bite of the Night** went to the Double Cheeseburger.

## ~~I Don't Like Sand...wich~~ Santa Calls In

In this (brand new) segment, Nick has a series of mystery sandwiches and Mitch and the guest have to figure which 'wich is which.

The segment was unfortunately interrupted by a phone call from Santa Claus.

Santa is calling to announce who is on his Naughty and Nice list!

 Jason Reitman
 the Johnson & Johnson vaccine

He then ranks The Doughboys Naughty & Nice Lists and gives them gifts.

 2. Evan Susser

 Mike Mitchell

Happy holidays!

## I Don't Like Sand...wich

In this (brand new) segment, Nick has a series of mystery sandwiches and Mitch and the guest have to figure which 'wich is which.

Susser is the initial winner of I Don't Like Sand...wich!

## Mash-Off 4: The Dream Mashter (Part 2) 🥔

This year's Mash-Off episode for Thanksgiving was focused on holiday pies. Mitch made an apple cranberry pie for the episode, but they were on Zoom and were not able to share.

So the night before this episode, Mitch gave a slice of his pie to Nick, who tried it during this episode.

"I see why they call you Mr. Slice (of Pie)" was Nick's glowing review.

## Good Riddance, Palmerston (Time Of Your Life)

This is the last episode of the year, and the last episode from Mitch's apartment, Palmerston. He sings a song about it.

Irma's by the door and Wiger's deep in thought
The table's too big and there's garbage on the ground
In my back bedroom is where Wolly can be found

The show is real predictable
And mostly really bad
I think that Wiger's starting to get mad

(I'm not mad. I don't get mad.)

So watch the cat turd and the cum stain on the floor
There's another cum stain and I think I see three more
Yusong, be careful for that cat turd and that jizz
You know the saying "it's just show business, kid"

Wiger is annoying me
He always thinks he's right
The Spoonman's gonna start a real big fight

(That's because I was right.)

My friend's Jacky Boy and Kowalick both lived here
Then came Emma and Suss and all this podcast gear
I've lived here twelve years and a lot of shit's gone wrong
But I'll be honest, I'm gonna miss it when it's gone

This place should be condemned by now
Drop King, get some caution tape
I think I just found Emma's old vape

(I'm not mad!)
(I'm not mad!)

It was always unpredictable
But in the end was right
I kinda had the time of my life

It was always unpredictable
But in the end was right
I kinda had the time of my life

Thanks, Palmerston.
(OK, I was kinda mad.)*

## The Feedbag

* Chili's "Baby Back Ribs" jingle
* Subway "Five Dollar Footlong" jingle
* Denny's Original Grand Slam
* Outback Steakhouse Bloomin' Onion
* The Cheesecake Factory menu
* a server from Hillstone
 Mike Mitchell
* Grimace
* Wendy's Spicy Chicken Sandwich
* McDonald's Chicken McNuggets
* Taco Bell Cheesy Gordita Crunch
* napkins and straws
* Domino's Pizza
 Evan Susser
* Chili's Fajitas
* California Pizza Kitchen Original BBQ Chicken Pizza

## Photos

Charlie's Chickɘn SandwichCharlie's Chickɘn SandwichKale Caesar Salad (add 1 Patty w/ Cheese & Onions)Max'd Out Fries & Tots (50/50)Chamberlain Coffee Shake and Arnold PalmerHabanero and Sriracha Aioli Dipping SaucesCharlie's Chickɘn SandwichDouble CheeseburgerTater TotsDipping SaucesMonty's Oh Yeah! ShakeSparkling Strawberry LemonadeSusser Family Spread