Dough Zone with Mookie Blaiklock (live)

"Dough Zone with Mookie Blaiklock (live)" is Episode 356 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Nick Wiger and Mike Mitchell. "Dough Zone with Mookie Blaiklock (live)" was released on June 30, 2022.

## Synopsis

Mookie Blaiklock (*YOU ARE WORTHY with LilMookieB*) joins the 'boys to discuss *Boogie Nights* and DALL-E before entering the Dough Zone. Plus, Drank or Stank with the Drop King.

Recorded live at the Neptune Theatre in Seattle, WA 6/11/22.

## Nick's intro

If Seattle has one person you can call its mortal enemy, it may very well be Oklahoma energy magnate, Clay Bennett.

After leading an ownership group that acquired the Seattle SuperSonics from Starbucks founder and humiliated presidential candidate also-ran, Howard Schultz, in 2006, Bennett moved the team to Oklahoma City in 2008, ending the legacy of one of the league’s most storied franchises. But for Seattle NBA fans who the villainous Bennett deprived of tall basket fun, they at least can be satiated with 'small basket bun' — one common translation of xiao long bao.

A dumpling filled with meat jelly that dates to Shanghai in the late 19th century, in recent decades, it’s developed into an internationally devoured delicacy. And much of that popularity can be credited to Din Tai Fung, the Taiwanese chain that first established a U.S. foothold in Arcadia, California as a stepping stone to stateside stardom. But today, Din Tai Fung has become the establishment — primed for a disruptor to enter the game.

Enter Jason and Nancy Zhai, restaurateurs who experimented with different concepts of differing success before opening a Chinese restaurant in 2014 in Bellevue, Washington, specializing in xiao long bao and dan dan noodle. This new eatery was immediately popular, and it wasn’t long before the duo had a quintet of locations in the Seattle metropolitan area. While the comparisons to Din Tai Fung are inevitable, founder Jason Zhai has an even more ambitious target in his crosshairs: the ubiquitous Panda Express. He may be on his way. In the past few years, the chain has grown to over a dozen locations, even expanding south of the Evergreen State into west-coast neighbors Oregon and California, while continuing to foster a fervent fandom in the city of Macklemore.

And, if the Zhais can meet their expectations and achieve a monolithic level of chain-restaurant success, perhaps they’d have the funds to at long last bring the SuperSonics back to the Sound.

This week… the *Doughboys* enter the Dough Zone.

## Fork rating

 Mike Mitchell
* Mango Green Tea
 Mookie Blaiklock
 shared
* Sweet & Sour Cucumber
* Q-Bao
* Broccoli w/ Seafood Sauce
* Green Onion Pancake
* Spicy Beef Pancake Roll
* Dan Dan Noodle
* Chicken Veggie Wonton w/ Chili Sauce
* Zucchini Shrimp Dumplings
* Chicken Soup Dumplings
* Pork w/ Crab Soup Dumplings
* Banana Naan Bread

With these scores, Dough Zone makes it into the Platinum Plate Club!

## Drank or Stank

In Drank or Stank, the Doughboys try a beverage and rate it either 'Drank' or 'Stank.'

For this episode, they are joined by The Drop King, Robert Persinger, to crack open the 2005 Jones Soda Co. Holiday Pack, which includes five soda flavors: Turkey & Gravy, Smoked Salmon Pate, Corn on the Cob, Broccoli Casserole, and Pecan Pie.

Nick and Mookie refuse to try these old sodas, which appeared moldy. Nick did like the smell of the Smoked Salmon Pate soda, however.

The Drop King tried the Broccoli Casserole and the Turkey & Gravy and claims they are good. He then tries the Salmon Pate, but says it is bad.

Mitch tried the Pecan Pie and said it was 'not bad.'

They also had some more 'normal' Jones Sodas (Green Apple Soda and Cream Soda). Mitch liked the Green Apple Soda. Nick liked the Cream Soda, but Mookie and Drop King found it weird.

In the end though, Mitch and Nick rate all the Jones sodas (even the new ones) as Stanks, and fire The Drop King (again).

 Mike Mitchell
 Mookie Blaiklock
 The Drop King

## Snack or Wack

In Snack or Wack, the Doughboys try a snack food and decide if it is 'good' or 'bad'.

For this episode, they have a variety of flavors of Bluebird Ice Cream.

They don't rate them exactly, but Mitch says every flavor is 'so fucking good.'

## The Feedbag

 Mike Mitchell
 Mookie Blaiklock

 Mike Mitchell
 Mookie Blaiklock

 Mike Mitchell
 Mookie Blaiklock

## Photos

Sweet & Sour CucumberSpicy Beef Pancake RollQ-BaoBroccoli w/ Seafood SauceDan Dan NoodlesChicken Veggie Wonton w/ Chili SauceSoup Dumplings