"Panda Express with Tricia McAlpin" is Episode 37 of Doughboys, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Panda Express with Tricia McAlpin" was released on February 11, 2016.
Synopsis[]
The biggest American Chinese fast food chain gets the fork treatment, as writer Tricia McAlpin (Brooklyn 99) joins Mitch & Wiger in studio. And, a special Valentine’s Day edition of Season’s Eatings.
Nick's intro[]
the original Panda Inn
In 1858, a group of Methodist ministers founded Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas.
A century and change later, Andrew Cherng met his future wife Peggy, an immigrant from Burma, while both were students at the school. Andrew, himself the son of a master Chinese chef from Jiangsu province, parlayed his knowledge of Far East cuisine into a sit-down restaurant the newlyweds opened in the Southern California city of Pasadena, taking its name from the national animal of China.
The concept was a success and expanded its dine-in table-service locations until, in 1983, UCLA football coach Terry Donahue and his brother, real-estate mogul Don Donahue, persuaded the couple to attempt a quick-service version of their eatery. Together, they opened an 'express' version of their 'inn' concept at one of the most famous malls in America, the Glendale Galleria. In 1987, the chain introduced a Hunan-inspired dish developed by Chef Andy Kao, orange chicken, which would become, and remain, their signature entrée.
The sit-down originals slowly faded away, but the leaner fast-food edition endures and thrives with 1700 locations across North America.
And to many in the U.S., it's the chain that defines Chinese cuisine.
This week on Doughboys: Panda Express.
Mitch's intro[]
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China: over 2,200 some odd years ago, its first bricks were laid into place. Little did anyone know, this mighty border-defense system would one day become one of the greatest wonders of our world.
A few miles, and a couple of centuries later, in the nearby Jiangsu region, Chinese master Chef Ming Tsai Cherng and his wife gave birth to a son, Andrew, a man who would one day create a wonder all of his own.
Andrew moved overseas to study mathematics in the dusty plains of Kansas at Baker University. That's where he met his future wife, Peggy. Together, they left Kansas for California's Golden Coast, but shortly after their arrival, Andrew was bitten by a bug. However, this was no ordinary California insectoid. No! Andrew had been bitten by the food bug.
Andrew's father joined him in Pasadena in 1973 and together they opened their first restaurant, Panda Inn. Peggy soon joined forces with the father/son combo and in 1983, their fortunes changed forever. That's when they teamed with UCLA head football coach Terry Donahue and his real-estate agent brother to create a fast-food version of the restaurant for Glendale Galleria's food court. The fast-food Chinese counter would prove to be a culinary touchdown that slowly spanned across the United States like a mighty Great Wall.
Today on Doughboys: it's Panda Express.
Fork rating[]
| guest / host | ordered | fortune cookie | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Wiger |
|
A wish will be granted after a long delay. | 2.5 forks |
| Mike Mitchell |
|
A distant romance could begin to look more promising. | 3 forks |
| Tricia McAlpin |
|
- | 4 forks |
Since they all ordered basically the same food items, even though they went to the same Panda Express separately, Mitch dubs this phenomenon the Venn Diagram Friends.
Season's Eatings 💘[]
This is a segment during which the Doughboys try a variety of holiday-themed snacks.
For this episode, the Doughboys focus on Valentine's Day treats: Lindt Lindor Strawberries & Cream White Chocolate Truffles, Life Savers Gummies Message Hearts & Rings, The Perfect Man Chocolate Bar and Reese's Peanut Butter Hearts.
They all agree that Valentine's Day is a bullshit holiday. They like the Reese's best, but generally that all the snacks are just as bullshit as the holiday.
Quotes[]
| “ | I hereby disband Burger Brigade! | ” |
–Mike Mitchell | ||
| “ | Anyone listening to this who is in college: you're a fucking dumb fuck. | ” |
–Mike Mitchell | ||
| “ | Fuck Puppa John, he can't even lick the boots of Dave Thomas. He's a little soupless bitch. | ” |
–Mike Mitchell, after tearing up over Dave Thomas | ||
| “ | I got a fortune too. It's really specific. "Your podcasting co-host will die of auto-erotic asphyxiation while watching the Minions movie." | ” |
–Mike Mitchell's fortune cookie | ||
| “ | You think my wife wants to commit suicide because I'm going down on her? | ” |
–Nick Wiger | ||
#hashtags[]
- #SpoonmanWasRight
- #WeRespectZane
The Feedbag[]
| “ | Every year for Lent, I try to give up a favorite food or drink until Easter. What would be the hardest chain-related food or drink to give up for a over a month? | ” |
–Chase Horton | ||
| guest / host | food too difficult to give up | brand too difficult to give up |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Wiger | carbonation | Del Taco |
| Mike Mitchell | pizza |
|
| Tricia McAlpin | salt | In-N-Out |
Restaurants[]
| official visits | location | notes |
|---|---|---|
| Panda Express | Studio City, CA | Nick, Mitch, and Tricia all went to the location on Cahuenga (albeit separately) |
| restaurants referenced | location | notes |
|---|---|---|
| Panda Express | Westwood, CA | Nick talks about the Panda Express on UCLA's campus |
| Panda Express | Atwater Village, CA | Tricia's most-frequented Panda Express |
| Mandarin Palace | Lakewood, CA | Nick's childhood Chinese restaurant |
| El Sarape | Braintree, MA | Mitch mentions this Mexican restaurant he was afraid of when he was a kid |
| Majestic Dragon | Ipswich, MA | Mitch mentions Wootang's Chinese restaurant |
| Cathay Pacific | Quincy, MA | Mitch mentions this Chinese restaurant |
| Chandni | Santa Monica, CA | an Indian restaurant Nick likes |
Drops and Plugs and Things[]
| movies / tv | notes |
|---|---|
| South Park / The Chappelle Show / Saturday Night Live (tv) / Soundgarden "Spoonman" | Mitch's drop (fan remix) |
| The Simpsons / Big Bang Theory / Franklin D. Roosevelt / Saturday Night Live (tv) / Jay Pharaoh "What Does My Girl Say" | Nick's drop |
| Brooklyn Nine-Nine (tv) | Tricia's plug |
| Guster "Mamacita, Donda Esta Santa Claus?" | theme to Season's Eatings |
| Quincy Crew | Fake Quincy Crew |
|---|---|
| Mikeus and Shawnzy | Chankbot |
| Chankton and Freilbot | Chang Man |
| Wootang | Johnny Two Eyes |
| Joey Roast Beef | |
| Fat Pussy |
Related Episodes[]
| Panda Express episodes | Tricia McAlpin episodes |
|---|---|
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Photos (via @doughboyspod)[]
