Ezell's with Toni Charline Ramos

"Ezell's with Toni Charline Ramos" is Episode 238 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Ezell's with Toni Charline Ramos" was released on February 13, 2020.

## Synopsis

Toni Charline Ramos joins the 'boys to review Seattle fried chicken institution Ezell's. Plus a brand new segment.

Recorded live at the Neptune Theatre in Seattle, WA.

## Nick's intro (as read by Mitch)

Quincy Jones. Jimi Hendrix. Macklemore.

What do these three musicians have in common, aside from being equally influential?

They're all alumni of Garfield High School, an academically-esteemed and ethnically-diverse campus located in the urban Central District of Seattle, Washington.

Opened in 1923, the high school takes its name, not from the sardonic cartoon cat, but from James Garfield, the U.S. president who was shot and died a slow, agonizing death over the course of 79 days, during which inept physicians force-fed him rectally.

And it was across the street from Garfield High where, in 1984, two long-time friends, Ezell Stephens and Lewis Rudd opened a fried-chicken restaurant intended for the more traditional oral method of consumption. The eatery's scrumptious breaded bird, based off a recipe from Rudd's native Texas, is never frozen, fat-trimmed, double-battered, and cooked in 100% vegetable oil, and was a quick hit with locals.

In 1994, the eatery began expanding, eventually growing to its current fifteen locations. Its fried chicken became a favorite of Oprah Winfrey. She even has it flown into Chicago, a city which is no slouch when it comes to crispy-skinned fowl. And it's not just the Big O, the family-owned chain was recently proclaimed by *Esquire Magazine* to be the best fried chicken in America.

So it turns out that Seattleites and Americans agree with Garfield High alum Macklemore, as quoted on his single "Let's Eat": "fuck it, man, I love fried shit!"

This week on *Doughboys*: Ezell's Famous Chicken.

## Fork rating

* Cream Slaw
* Heritage Mac & Cheese
* Slow-Baked BBQ Beans
* Fresh Baked Roll
* Fresh Gizzards (Original)
* Sweet Potato Pie
 Mike Mitchell
* 8 Piece Combo (Half & Half)
* 1/2 Pound Buffalo Chicken Tenders
* Heritage Mac & Cheese
* Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
* Slow-Baked BBQ Beans
* Fresh Potato Salad
* Golden-Fried Okra (Spicy)
* Large Cajun Fries
* 2 bowls of Peach Cobbler
* 2 slices of Sweet Potato Pie
 Toni Charline

Nick ate his meal during the show. Mitch and Toni went to the restaurant prior to the show.

They sort of adjust the fork scale for various reasons (Toni's vegetarianism, Nick eating on stage). Nick does place Ezell's in the Golden Plate Club (and adjusting the ratings, it does average 4.39 forks out of 5).

## Snack or Wack

In Snack or Wack, The Doughboys have a snack and decide if it is 'good' or 'bad'.

At the start of the show, they try some local Seattle chocolates: Theo Chocolates Dark Salted Caramels and Ghost Chili Caramels, and Fran's Chocolate Gray Salt and Smoked Salt Caramels.

Mitch preferred the Theo Chocolates, but rated them all Snacks. Toni and Nick seemed to enjoy them too, but didn't really rate them.

 Mike Mitchell
 Toni Charline

Theo Dark Chocolate CaramelsFrans Gray Salt Caramels
## Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs

In this new segment, probably just for Seattle, the Doughboys try some tossed salad and scrambled eggs.

Not separately, of course; Mitch dumps the scrambled eggs into a salad, and then tosses it.

Nick was entirely appalled by this. Mitch liked it. Toni abstained.

 Mike Mitchell
 Toni Charline

## #hashtags

* #KissMommyorDaddy
* #CoolFreaks

## The Feedbag

And Toni, if we are going to stay vegan/vegetarian, which chains would you suggest?

## Related Episodes

* DD49. Eat Your Heart Out
* 193. Mouth of the Border: Fast Casual Region
* 196. Mouth of the Border: Finals
* 238. **Ezell's**
* DD. E-R-E-R Dough
* DD. Hero's Journey: Sub-Optimal: Fat Chance Kitchen
* DD. Cranberries Four Ways