Mimi’s Cafe with Georgia Hardstark

"Mimi’s Cafe with Georgia Hardstark" is Episode 38 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Mimi’s Cafe with Georgia Hardstark" was released on February 18. 2016.

## Synopsis

Georgia Hardstark of *Alie & Georgia* and the *My Favorite Murder* podcast joins the ‘boys to review her childhood favorite: West Coast French bistro chain Mimi’s Cafe. Plus, Mitch brings an array of food and drink from his Colombian vacation for a special regional Snack or Wack.

## Nick's intro

In the early 1920s, Marcus Loew, the founder of the Loews Theatre chain, initiated a series of movie studio acquisitions - first, Metro Pictures, then Goldwyn Pictures, then finally Louis B. Mayer Pictures - consolidating the trio of companies and putting Mayer in charge. MGM Studios would go on to dominate the film industry in the first half of the 20th century.

In the 1950s, the MGM commissary was headed by Arthur J. Simms, who, prior to serving lunching movie-studio employees, had served his country as an airman in World War II. Simms had been stationed in France during the war and developed a love for its food, which later led to him and his three sons opening a French bistro in Anaheim, California in 1978. The restaurant's Disneyland-adjacent home base was reflected in the cartoonish rendering of French culture in its menu and structural design.

Over the next three decades, Simms' neighborhood bistro expanded into a chain spread across the American West, thriving into the 2000s - at which point its valuation dipped by $100,000,000 over the course of the decade, as individual locations saw consistent negative quarterly growth.

But it still endures.

And with 145 corporate-owned locations in twenty-four U.S. states, it stands as an icon of America's ongoing conflicted relationship with France - a suspiciousness of its people and politics, but an unabashed love its cuisine and culture.

This week on *Doughboys*: Mimi's Cafe.

## Mitch's intro

The Statue of Liberty.

Or, Lady Liberty.

In the late 1880s, it was a gift from France to America.

Little did we know that it wouldn't be France's best gift...

## Fork rating

* Le Duet
	+ 1/2 Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich
	+ French Onion Soup
	+ French Fries
* Seven Meatballs
* White Peach Mimosa [Natalie's order]
* Bacon Avocado Sourdough Burger [Natalie's order]
 Mike Mitchell
* French Dip
	+ peppers, onions, mushrooms, mozzarella
	+ French Fries
* Baked Brie
* Seven Meatballs
 Georgia Hardstark
*(based her review on her childhood visits to the place)*

## ~~Mitch's Colombian Tasting Session~~ 🇨🇴 Snack or Drank

The Doughboys sample a variety of drinks and snacks that Mitch brought back from a recent trip to Colombia. This segment was initially going to be called "Mitch's Colombian Tasting Session," but Mitch decided to just Snack or Wack them instead.

Mitch brought a bottle of Aguardiente, a strong licorice-flavored Colombian alcohol. He also brought some Colombian coffee-flavored dark chocolate, but does not indicate which brand. Further, Mitch somehow smuggled 7-year Havana Club Rum from Cuba back into the States (which he had bought in Colombia).

 Mike Mitchell
 Georgia Hardstark

AguardienteHavana Club 7-year Rum

## The Feedbag

 Mike Mitchell
 Georgia Hardstark

## Drops and Plugs and Themes

 *The Simpsons* / *Friends* / Bill Clinton (tv) / 'Weird Al' Yankovic "Fat"
 *Unique Sweets* (tv)
 Tito Puente

## Photos (via @doughboyspod)

Orange Mimi-osaSeven MeatballsCombo: French Onion Soup & 1/2 Chicken Cordon Blue sandwich & Fries