"Dogdoughbarkfest: Sonic Drive-In with Matt Apodaca" is Episode 321 of Doughboys, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Dogdoughbarkfest: Sonic Drive-In with Matt Apodaca" was released on October 7, 2021.

"Tomorrow… with Matt Apodaca" - @doughboyspod
Synopsis[]
Matt Apodaca (What's With These Homies Talkin' About Weezer, How Did This Get Played?) joins the 'boys to kick off Dogdoughbarkfest with a review of Sonic Drive-In. Plus, another edition of Let Me Be Frank.
Nick's intro[]
"I can't talk about the reason now, but I hope I can talk about it when the time comes. I may retire."

Balan Wonderworld
This was part of a June 2021 Twitter post by legendary video-game developer Yuji Naka, as translated by Polygon, following the critical and commercial disaster of his most recent project, that half-baked 3-D platformer, Balan Wonderworld. If it is, in fact, an early curtain call for Naka, it closes out a career that includes, as the highest of highlights, programming and co-creating, along with character designer Naoto Ohshima and level designer Hirokazu Yasuhara, one of the most famous franchises in gaming history: a platformer starring a speedy blue hedgehog with a bad-boy 'tude.
Released by Sega in 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog boasted fine-tuned physics and a remarkable sense of speed, as well as a cooler, edgier tone that contrasted with competitor Nintendo's friendly first-party offerings. Sequels would follow in rapid succession - first, introducing beloved characters like Tails and Knuckles, then later as the franchise stagnated, less-beloved editions like Cream the Rabbit and Charmy Bee (the bloated roaster eventually nicknamed by its fandom as "Sonic and His Shitty Friends").
The franchise would start to struggle as games transitioned from two dimensions to three around the turn of the century, and the series' nadir is widely considered to be the 2006 bomb simply titled Sonic the Hedgehog, which included a cringe-inducing dramatic beat where the anthropomorphic blue hedgehog shared a passionate kiss with a human woman. Naka had resigned in mid-production, ending his affiliation with the character.
And by pure coincidence, the franchise Naka co-created and oversaw shares a name with a fast-food franchise similarly associated with speed (as well as rings; gold and onion, respectively), distinctive footwear (over-sized red sneakers and roller skates), and of course, chili dogs (eating and serving).
Founded in Oklahoma in 1953 by Troy Smith as a hot-dog and root-beer stand; in 1956, Smith brought on board Charles Pappe, and in 1959, the duo re-branded their budding chain to share a name with the blue blur, adding the slogan "Service with the Speed of Sound." Featuring hyper-efficient roller-skating carhops and centered on in-car dining, the chain's grilltop classics and frozen sweet treats became foodie favorites in the South and Midwest, and in the '90s and 2000s, just as the Hedgehog was making a splash, the Drive-In expanded nationally.
Today with 3500 locations across the US, its profile elevated by a memorable series of TV commercials starring comedian TJ Jagodowski and Peter Grosz, this drive-in eatery has made an impact as enduring as the Hedgehog with which it shares a name.
This week on Doughboys, we begin Dogdoughbarkfest 2021, a month-long grillebration of hot dogs and pet dogs, with Sonic Drive-In.
Statement from The Top Dog[]
Commissioner Susser makes a statement, laying out the rules for Dogdoughbarkfest 2021.
- Rule #1: Even though this is a theme month and not a Tournament, there are rules.
- Rule #2: This is hot-dog month, not burger month. The restaurants must be evaluated on hot dogs, sides, and drinks only. NO BURGERS.
- The Susser Addendum: Sometimes a burger is allowed - if it is flattened hot-dog meat on a burger bun, that is fine; so is burger meat in a tubular shape.
- Rule #3: Even though this is not a Tournament, the chain Pink's is disqualified.
- Rule #4: Even though this is not a Tournament, the Commissioner is still in charge. However, his new title is Top Dog Evan Susser.
- Rule #5: No cats allowed! They are banned from the podcast for the month. Wolly and Irma can only be discussed as dogs, and referred to as Woofy and Grrma.
- Rule #6: If there is no veggie option, Nick just eats an empty bun (this is called "going millennial").
Fork rating[]
guest / host | ordered | rating |
---|---|---|
Nick Wiger |
|
5 forks |
Mike Mitchell |
|
5 forks |
Matt Apodaca |
|
5 forks |
Mitch's Loser of the Dogs went to the Footlong Quarter Pound Coney. Spoonman's Bite of the Night went to the All-American Dog.
Nick's Sip of the Trip went to the Peach Bellini Slush.
Matt's Munch of the Lunch went to the Chili Cheese Coney.
With these scores, Sonic Drive-In qualifies for the Platinum Plate Club. Mitch says a few times this was not a full review of the restaurant, but they do welcome it to the Platinum Plate Club at the end, so it is canon.
Let Me Be Frank 🌭📰[]
“ | Mitch, you know we're talking hot dogs here. And you and Matt and Emma know me as "The Burger Boy" Nick Wiger, but what you may not know is my full legal name is Nicolas Frank Wiger. And sometimes, I go by Frank.
|
” |

The Lovin' Spoonful "Summer in the City"
“ |
Hot dog simmer in the city |
” |

Elvis Presley "Hound Dog"
“ |
You ain't nothin' but a hot dog |
” |

Garbage "Only Happy When It Rains"
“ |
I'm only happy when I'm Frank |
” |

The Matrix
“ | The Franktrix is a hot dog, Wigey-o. That hot dog is our food. When you're inside, you look around. What do you see? Frankfurters, hot links, sausages, corn dogs - the very types of franks we are trying to eat. But until we do, these franks are still a product at a grocery store and that makes us hungry.
|
” |
In this segment, Mitch searches Google for 'hot dog' and discovers the latest news about hot dogs. They then discuss!
- First, Mitch finds an article from Boston Magazine called "What's a Massachusetts Style Hot Dog, and Why Haven't We Heard Of It?". Mitch says there isn't one, though the article indicates it's the Fenway Frank. LA has bacon-wrapped street dogs.
- The next article is about a guy who drives a hot-dog hearse.
- Mitch also notes an article about a popular Houston hot-dog cart opening a real restaurant (Yoyo's) and one about Portillo's filing to go public.
- Next Mitch reads an article about the Dallas Cowboys adding "sumo hot dogs" to their stadium menu.
- Mitch glances at a CNN article about stopping eating hot dogs ("Fuck you!" "Get off my back!" they yell at CNN.) They're similarly upset at a NY Post story about how eating hot dogs takes time off your life, and then are grossed out by this story and bummed out by this one.
- On a happier note, Mitch finds this fun idea: hot dog-inspired Bloody Mary kits.
- Lastly, they discuss if ketchup goes on a hot dog, via this article. Mitch says it is good, but Nick and Matt are more neutral.
- Mitch does a quick mention of a few others, including this and this (sacrebleu!).
Roast Spoonman[]

Frankenstein
“ | Frankfurterstein | ” |
–Mr. Slice |
“ | He Puts the Frank in Frankenstein | ” |
–Mr. Slice's alt roast |
Quotes[]
“ | Mitch: Ben, Casey, Matt Affleck - all three Afflecks will be at the [Doughboys show in Boston]. And you know what else?! The Aflac duck!
Nick: That's exciting. I think Matt Damon should canonically be an Affleck. That makes everyone's lives easier. |
” |
–attend the Boston late show |
“ | I watched this man eat a bun! He didn't even sauce it up or anything. And he said "I'll take the hot dog home to Natalie, she'll love it." | ” |
–Matt Apodaca re: Nick eating an empty bun |
The Feedbag[]
“ | Just wondering how you handle leftovers that have been in the fridge for a sketchy amount of time. Do you sniff test? Toss it in the trash? Are there particularly foods you risk and roll the dice? | ” |
–Brolin from Aurelia, Ontario |
guest / host | leftovers policy |
---|---|
Nick Wiger | usually just eats leftovers the next day for breakfast. 3 days is fine, though maybe depends on the food. |
Mike Mitchell | it's not wrong to wait 3 days, but he usually won't go longer than 2 days |
Matt Apodaca | excited by them |
Related Episodes[]
Dogdoughbarkfest episodes | Sonic Drive-In episodes | Matt Apodaca episodes |
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