Jimmy John's with Lauren Lapkus

"Jimmy John's with Lauren Lapkus" is Episode 99 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Jimmy John's with Lauren Lapkus" was released on April 13, 2017.

## Synopsis

Lauren Lapkus (*Crashing*, *With Special Guest*) returns for a discussion of midwest quick-service sandwich staple Jimmy John's. The 'boys and Lapkus debate the ethics of frequenting a chain whose founder is a big game hunter, and delve into London eats and mayo's worthiness as a condiment. Plus, an Easter edition of Season's Eatings.

## Nick's intro

African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, rhinoceros: this quintet of species comprise the Big Five game, the targets in the crosshairs of big-game hunters in Africa.

While hunting remains a common American pastime, the big-game variant has become a widely derided taboo practiced only by oblivious ultra-rich elites. In 2013, photographs surfaced of Illinois businessman, Jimmy Liautaud, grinning with thumbs up in front of slain elephants, rhinos, and leopards, leading to calls for a boycott of his eponymous Midwest sandwich chain.

While it speaks to our oddly categorized beliefs on animal welfare that customers were outraged by the hunting practices of the restaurant's founder, but not by the company's continued use of deli meats harvested from livestock raised and slaughtered on factory farms, Liautaud still issued a tearful apology and claimed he has since abandoned his homicidal hobby.

The hunting photos weren't the only controversy faced by his franchise.

In 2016, the company settled a lawsuit brought by New York State Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman, due to their practice of forcing employees to sign unlawful non-compete clauses preventing them from seeking work elsewhere in the sector.

Still the chain has been a beloved institution across the Midwest since its founding in 1983, when a then 19-year old Liautaud used a substantial loan from his father to begin his business career. Liautaud combined fresh-baked breads with store-bought meat to create cost-effective sandwiches and his first shop's limited real estate gave him the idea to offer freaky-fast delivery, which made it a hit with the college crowd.

As this chain expands from the Midwest and South to the East and West, will coastal America too fall under its spell?

Or will this be another heartland fixture that falls flat with city folk?

This week on *Doughboys*: Jimmy John's.

## Fork rating

* Jalapeño Jimmy Chips
* #6 The Veggie
	+ add Sprouts
	+ 9-grain Wheat Bread
* Jumbo Kosher Dill Pickle
 Mike Mitchell
* #9 Italian Night Club
	+ add Jimmy Peppers
* BBQ Jimmy Chips
 Lauren Lapkus
* #4 Turkey Tom
	+ no Mayo
* Regular Jimmy Chips

Nick went to Jimmy John's twice, once with Lauren.

## Season's Eatings: Easter Edition 🐰🥚🍫

Season's Eatings is a segment when the Doughboys try a variety of holiday-themed snacks.

For this Easter edition, they have Reese's Reester Bunnies, Twix Egg, Cadbury Chocolate Creme Eggs, Sour Cherry Peeps, and Peeps Oreo.

They decide that their favorite gets to rise from the grave, while their runner-up is placed in their Easter basket. Their least favorite is deemed a rotten egg.

 Mike Mitchell
 Lauren Lapkus

Reese's Reester BunnyCadbury Creme EggSour Cherry PeepsTwix EggPeeps Oreo

## Quotes

**Lauren**: The bread is so good.
**Mitch**: I was gonna say, the bread is good. The bread at Jimmy John's is good.

## #hashtags

* #GoodJohnGoodman vs. #BadJohnBadman
* #MitchSwitch

## The Feedbag

My favorite was always the Tender Crisp Bacon Cheddar Ranch commercial from Burger King starring Darius Rucker.

 Mike Mitchell
 Lauren Lapkus

## Restaurants

 Jimmy John's

 Pizza Port

## Plugs and Drops and Themes

* *Holmes & Watson*
* *With Special Guest*
 unknown music
 Guster "Mamacita, Donda Esta Santa Claus?"

## Related Episodes

* 99. **Jimmy John's**
* DD42. A Very Doughboys Christmas
* 340. Hero's Journey: Sub-Optimal: Desperation Region
* 391. BOWL: Finale

## Photos (via @doughboyspod)

Ultimate PorkerThe Veggie and Kosher Dill PickleJalapeño Jimmy Chips