Hooter Bowl 3: The History of the Worst Hotel in Las Vegas feat. Alexander Poncio
"Fine" Dining5 Feb 2025

Hooter Bowl 3: The History of the Worst Hotel in Las Vegas feat. Alexander Poncio

Hooters Casino Hotel was meant to be a game-changer—bringing its busty brand of mediocrity to the Las Vegas Strip. Instead, it became one of the biggest disasters in Vegas history. A casino so bad, it made Circus Circus look classy. So... what went wrong?

For my third annual Hooter Bowl Spectacular, I had to go big. So I spent 19 hours trapped inside the Hooters Casino Hotel (now OYO), enduring its busted elevators, depressing ambiance, and suspiciously sticky carpets—all for the sake of history.

Along the way, my guest Alexander Poncio and I uncover the shocking history of this cursed Las Vegas casino—including its mob ties, multiple bankruptcy scandals, and an abandoned attempt in the 1980s to become Vegas' first LGBTQ-friendly resort.

"Fine" Dining is now on video! Head on over to my YouTube to WATCH this episode!

💬 What's the WORST hotel you've ever stayed at? Drop it in the Discord!

📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY:
🚨 Support the show & unlock exclusive content! 🚨

🍔 Bonus episodes – including deep dives into underrated chains like the most recent monthly exclusive: Dan's Hamburgers (Austin, TX)
📢 Extended Yelp from Strangers segments – with even wilder reviews
🎶 Download exclusive music – including all 7 tracks from our Olive Garden musical!

👉 Join us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/finediningpodcast
👉 Hop into the Discord! https://discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4
👉 All links in one place: www.linktree.com/finediningpodcast

🎵 Music by: James McEnelly (@Ramshackle_Music)
🎶 Theme Song by: Gabe Alvarez (@spooky.gabe)
🎙 Segment Transitions Voiced by: Sandy Rose

Patreon Producers: Joyce Van, & Sue Ornelas

Follow Alex on Instagram @ponciosa

⚡ Like, Subscribe & Share if you enjoy deep dives into the weirdest chain restaurant history!

Avsnitt(159)

Septemburger 2024 Kick-Off Spectacular: Steak 'n Shake vs. Rally's, Freddy's vs. Culver's, Whataburger Review

Septemburger 2024 Kick-Off Spectacular: Steak 'n Shake vs. Rally's, Freddy's vs. Culver's, Whataburger Review

Your chance at $500 is here! Septemburger is once again upon us, and this time I've scoured the nation for 8 fast food burger chains to compete in the annual contest I'm joined by a slew of guests: m...

4 Sep 202437min

Perkins Review feat. Andrew Canada (Two in the Cooler Podcast) [Part Two]

Perkins Review feat. Andrew Canada (Two in the Cooler Podcast) [Part Two]

Even the name sounds mediocre! I'm joined once again by Two in the Cooler podcast host Andrew Canada to hit up a chain that was a staple of his childhood: Perkins Restaurant & Bakery Perkins has a di...

28 Aug 20241h 6min

Perkins History feat. Andrew Canada (Two in the Cooler Podcast) [Part One]

Perkins History feat. Andrew Canada (Two in the Cooler Podcast) [Part One]

I traveled to New York, New York for this one! From the Two in the Cooler podcast, host Andrew Canada joins me this week to check out Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, a chain that I flew across the count...

21 Aug 202440min

Houston's Restaurant Review feat. Adam Macias (That Was Wild Podcast) [Part Two]

Houston's Restaurant Review feat. Adam Macias (That Was Wild Podcast) [Part Two]

The sushi at Houston's is an unexpected masterpiece! Houston's Restaurant aka Hillstone is one of the higher-end experiences I've had for the podcast, and That Was Wild podcast's Adam Macias joined m...

14 Aug 20241h 3min

Houston's Restaurant History feat. Adam Macias (That Was Wild Podcast) [Part One]

Houston's Restaurant History feat. Adam Macias (That Was Wild Podcast) [Part One]

A chain with 15 different names! Houston's Restaurant aka Hillstone aka 13 other things is one of the more upscale chains, and Adam Macias from the That Was Wild podcast joins me to learn interesting...

7 Aug 202440min

Popeyes Review feat. Sierra Katow (Stand-Up Comedian, TV Chef Fantasy League) [Part Two]

Popeyes Review feat. Sierra Katow (Stand-Up Comedian, TV Chef Fantasy League) [Part Two]

We eat the chicken sandwich that caused chaos upon launch! Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen makes it clear that you're not supposed eat it there. But I powered through with my guest, stand-up comedian Sierr...

31 Juli 20241h 1min

Popeyes History feat. Sierra Katow (Stand-Up Comedian, TV Chef Fantasy League) [Part One]

Popeyes History feat. Sierra Katow (Stand-Up Comedian, TV Chef Fantasy League) [Part One]

The stories from the sandwich launch are wild! I went to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen with stand-up comedian Sierra Katow, but before reviewing the place we have to go over the franchise history The Eat...

24 Juli 202447min

Shoney's Review feat. Dad [Part Two]

Shoney's Review feat. Dad [Part Two]

A new Worst Restaurant in America is crowned! A restaurant so bad, I don't think my Dad (my guest this week) will ever let me live it down: Shoney's Buffet soups shouldn't have such a thick skin over...

17 Juli 202454min

Populärt inom Komedi

mellan-himmel-och-jord-med-jlc
ursakta
den-som-skrattar-forlorar-podcast-2
hogt-i-tak-2
jocke-jonna-sanningen-maste-fram
gynning-berg
alex-sigges-podcast
mardromsgasten
filip-fredrik-svarar
alla-goda-ting-ar-tre
rss-vafalls
fordomspodden
skaringer-nessvold
filip-fredrik-podcast
da-ar-vi-igang
kafferepet
rss-vastgotapodden
killradet
rss-alla-goda-ting-ar-tre
hor-har