Wood Ranch with Esther Povitsky

"Wood Ranch with Esther Povitsky" is Episode 78 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Wood Ranch with Esther Povitsky" was released on November 10, 2016.

## Synopsis

Actress and comedian Esther Povitsky (*Brooklyn 99*, *Workaholics*), along with her 3-month-old puppy Donut, joins to discuss her love of chains, her outsize appetite, and SoCal upscale barbecue chain Wood Ranch. And, Organic Gatorade is in the crosshairs in a new Drank or Stank.

## Nick's intro

"*Went into Alexandria to a barbecue and stayed all night.*"

That's dated May 27, 1769, and it comes from the journal of George Washington, commonly referred to in the U.S. as the "Father" of our country.

American barbecue dates to the early colonial days of the mid-17th century and came about after Spanish explorers transported pigs to the New World. While barbecue culture grew and continues to thrive primarily in the American South, it most certainly has spread nationwide. By some estimates, 75% of Americans consume barbecue on our Independence Day.

It was this national identity that two California restaurant-industry workers, UCLA business-school graduate Eric Anders and Israeli ex-pat Ofer Shemtov, aimed to capitalize on when they launched their own restaurant concept in 1992. Like industrialist hermit crabs, Anders and Shemtov found a failed barbecue restaurant in the Southern California community of Moorpark and converted it into their pilot location. As it became a hit, they repeated the process, absorbing a second failed restaurant in nearby Agoura Hills and converting it into a thriving outlet.

Twenty-five years later, the two founders now own the region's go-to chain for smoked sweet meats with sixteen locations across the Southland. It's been commended for having one of the top-ten kids' menus in America by *Restaurant Hospitality* magazine, and lauded as "barbecue king" by *LA Weekly*.

Locals may love it, but what about everyone else?

This week on *Doughboys:* Wood Ranch.

## Fork rating

* Mushroom and Tri Tip Soup
* Ethan's Brisket Sandwich
	+ Skin-On Fries
 Mike Mitchell
* BBQ Chicken Potato Skins
* Slider Lunch Special
	+ Western Tri Tip BBQ Slider
	+ CAB Slider
	+ Chicken Tortilla Soup
	+ Loaded Mashed Potato
 Esther Povitsky

Esther only got dessert on her trip to Wood Ranch for the show, but has been many times and talked about her usual order (BBQ Chopped Salad and Guacamole & Chips).

Evan Susser went with Mitch (he ordered the same special as Mitch but with Skillet Baked Beans), and offered a 3 fork rating (not used in any calculations, despite Nick trying to use it to raise Mitch's rating).

Wood Ranch gained entry in the **Shailene Woodley Club** (the scores are... divergent).

## Drank or Stank

In Drank or Stank, the Doughboys have a drink and decide if it is 'good' or 'bad.'

For this episode, they try Gatorade G Organic Strawberry Thirst Quencher.

They gave it similarly divergent scores as they had to Wood Ranch: Nick liked it, Esther hated it, and Mitch was right in the middle, saying it wasn't either Drank or Stank (or perhaps it was both).

 Mike Mitchell
 Esther Povitsky

## Hometown Heroes

Instead of playing a drop, Mitch plays some messages from his hometown Quincy Crew.

## Quotes

**Mitch**: You know nothing about us common men!
**Nick**: You're not a common man!!
**Mitch**: Yes I am! I'm the most common of men!!!!
**Nick**: You're a common fool.
**Mitch**: WHOA! How dare you?!!!!

## #hashtags

* #AHumansLife
* #IRememberBeaucoup or #ImRichardLewis
* #DumbestScientist

## The Feedbag

 Mike Mitchell
 Esther Povitsky

## Restaurants

 Wood Ranch

 Wendy's | Quincy, MA
 Hillstone / Bandera

## Related Episodes

* 169. Johnny Rockets
* 262. Kroger

## Photos (via @doughboyspod)

Ethan's Brisket Sandwich with Skin-On FriesRollsMushroom and Tri Tip SoupWR Margarita