Fast food is one of those things people get real passionate about. Whether it’s your hometown burger joint or a regional chain you swear by, everyone thinks their go-to is the best—and they’ll fight about it online. But what about the places that are all hype and no flavor?

On a recent episode of MZNOW, the crew took a hilarious deep dive into what they consider the most overrated fast food chains in America. And yes, some beloved classics got roasted.

In-N-Out: Great Burger or Just “Fine”?

California’s pride and joy, In-N-Out Burger, was the first to take a hit.

“I love In-N-Out, but it’s 100% overrated,” said host Michael Zavala. “It’s a great burger, but it’s not as good as everyone makes it out to be.”

This one stings for a lot of people. The West Coast staple is known for its fresh ingredients, minimalist menu, and cult following. But for some, that love is more about nostalgia than flavor.

“If your burger needs all that animal-style sauce to taste good, maybe it’s not a good burger to begin with,” Michael added.

Harsh. But fair?

Whataburger: A Texas Favorite That’s… Meh?

Next on the chopping block? Whataburger—Texas’ golden child.

“Whataburger has always been inconsistent,” Michael said. “Even before they sold it to a Chicago company, it was never great.”

The panel recounted late-night visits to a specific Whataburger location that always served the same thing—regardless of your order.

“We could order anything and still get a sausage, egg, and cheese,” added Clark. “It didn’t matter.”

Even more frustrating? The wait time.

“How are you calling yourself fast food when it takes 30 minutes to get through the drive-thru?” Michael said.

Ouch.

Portillo’s: Chicagoans, Please Don’t Come for Us

But the chain that really got dragged was Portillo’s, the Chicago-based chain known for its Italian beef sandwiches and hot dogs.

“That’s the worst restaurant I’ve ever been to,” said Michael. “It’s like fair food. Like something you’d get in a parking lot carnival.”

He went on to say he’s given it multiple chances—at different locations, including the original in Chicago.

“I’ve tried everything on their menu. Every time, it’s been garbage,” he said. “I think it’s a joke Chicagoans tell tourists—like, ‘Let’s see if they actually go to Portillo’s.’”

If you’re from Chicago, you might feel personally attacked. But the crew was united in their verdict: Portillo’s doesn’t live up to the hype.

Honorable Mention: Waffle House

To round out the list, Waffle House also got a side-eye.

“It’s not even about the greasy food—there’s no flavor,” said Zavala “It’s just bad.”

Still, some admitted Waffle House has its place—mostly at 2 a.m. after a night out.

“Who’s going there sober?” Lola joked. “You gotta be a little drunk to enjoy it.”

The Takeaway

Everyone has their favorites when it comes to fast food. And just because a place is overrated doesn’t mean it’s bad—it just might not deserve all the hype. 

Whether it’s In-N-Out, Whataburger, or Portillo’s, the real test is this: Would you still eat it if no one was posting about it on Instagram?

So next time someone tells you to try that “must-have” local chain, maybe lower your expectations—or bring some backup fries.

With Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 on the horizon, fans are eagerly searching for any details about what’s next for Captain Pike’s crew. In an exclusive interview with MZNOW, Jess Bush, who plays Nurse Christine Chapel, shared some exciting insights about the upcoming season—hinting that the show’s writers are pushing the boundaries like never before.

“The writers have really noticed what’s unique about this show and taken it as far as possible,” Bush revealed. “It just keeps amping up and up and up!”

How Season 3 Will Elevate Strange New Worlds

While Bush couldn’t give away major plot points, she emphasized that fans should expect even bigger stakes, deeper character moments, and more surprises in Season 3.

“This season was so much fun to shoot. We have such a great time on set, and it keeps getting more intense,”she said.

Given Strange New Worlds’ success in blending episodic storytelling with deep character development, many are wondering how the events of Season 2’s cliffhanger will impact Chapel and the rest of the crew.

What This Means for Nurse Chapel

As Nurse Chapel continues to evolve, Bush’s comments suggest we’ll see even more growth for her character in the upcoming season.

“There wasn’t a ton of material to pull from, so I had to fill in the gaps myself,” Bush explained about developing her version of the character.

With Chapel’s relationships and personal journey becoming more central to the story, fans will be watching closely to see how her arc unfolds in Season 3.

Watch the Full Interview for More Season 3 Insights!

Want to hear everything Jess Bush had to say about Strange New Worlds Season 3? She shares more behind-the-scenes stories and insights in our exclusive interview!

️ Click here to watch or listen to the full interview!

In Star Trek: Picard, the relationship between Captain Liam Shaw and Seven of Nine is a compelling narrative that delves into leadership, personal growth, and the challenge of confronting deep-seated prejudices. While Shaw’s rigid and often abrasive demeanor made him appear an unlikely ally to Seven, their evolving dynamic revealed why she was the perfect choice as his first officer aboard the USS Titan.

“No matter how you slice it, no matter what time continuum, it’ll always come up Seven of Nine.”

Confronting Personal Demons

Captain Shaw’s decision to appoint Seven of Nine as his first officer was a significant step in his journey toward confronting his own biases and fears. As someone with a traumatic history involving the Borg, Shaw’s choice to work with Seven—a former Borg—was laden with personal challenges. Reflecting on this decision, Shaw’s actor, Todd Stashwick, stated, “I think Shaw had a lot of growth that he needed to do. And so by hiring a person who was a former Borg, [it] allowed him to confront fears and prejudices in himself.” (MZNOW)

This decision was not just about filling a role on his ship but about pushing himself to overcome past traumas. Working alongside Seven forced Shaw to face his prejudices head-on, a process that was both difficult and transformative for him​.

A Necessary Voice of Dissent

Another critical aspect of Shaw’s decision to choose Seven as his first officer was her ability to challenge him. Shaw understood the importance of having a first officer who would not just follow orders but would question and push back when necessary. As Stashwick noted, “She was the best choice. She challenged him on things that needed challenging, and he knew that she would do that. So, a good captain chooses a first officer that isn’t a yes man, that challenges his order”​ (MZNOW).

This respect for Seven’s perspective and strength highlights Shaw’s growth as a leader. Despite his initial resistance, Shaw valued the dissenting voice that Seven brought to the bridge, recognizing that it was essential for effective leadership​.

A Story of Redemption and Growth

Throughout Picard‘s third season, the evolving relationship between Shaw and Seven is marked by significant character development. Shaw’s initial reluctance to fully accept Seven’s identity as a former Borg gradually gave way to respect and acknowledgment. Reflecting on the importance of their dynamic, Stashwick remarked, “No matter how you slice it, no matter what time continuum, it’ll always come up Seven of Nine.” (MZNOW)

This statement underscores the inevitability and rightness of Shaw’s choice.

In selecting Seven as his first officer, Shaw not only chose the best person for the job but also took a crucial step in his own journey of redemption and self-improvement.

Their relationship serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership is about embracing challenges, both external and internal, and growing from them​.

References:

• RedShirtsAlwaysDie. (2023). Why Captain Shaw has Seven of Nine as his first officer on Titan. Source​ (Redshirts Always Die).
• SlashFilm. (2023). Why Captain Shaw Won’t Call Hansen Seven Of Nine In Star Trek: Picard. Source​ (SlashFilm).
• The Digital Fix. (2023). Who is Captain Shaw in Star Trek Picard season 3? Source​ (The Digital Fix).
• MZNOW (2024) Michael Zavala‘s Interview with Todd Stashwick Source (Youtube)

Watch the full interview with Todd Stashwick on MZNOW with Michael Zavala.

Actor Todd Stashwick, widely recognized for his roles in both Star Trek: Picard and 12 Monkeys, eagerly anticipates a special reunion for the cast of 12 Monkeys at the upcoming Star Trek Las Vegas event. The reunion marks a significant occasion as it will be the first official gathering of the cast since the show concluded.

Stashwick, who played a pivotal antagonist in 12 Monkeys, shared his excitement about reuniting with his former castmates with Michael Zavala of MZNOW. “It’s the first time we’re doing a reunion, the first time we’ve all been back together on a stage since we were advertising for season three,” he remarked during a recent interview. He expressed enthusiasm for the planned panel discussions, photo ops, and autograph sessions that will allow fans to engage with the cast in new and meaningful ways.

The actor reflected on the series’ journey and its resurgence in popularity thanks to streaming platforms. “12 Monkeys had a very passionate and loyal audience when it aired, but it wasn’t a large one. Thanks to streaming, more people are discovering the show, which is bringing new life to it,” Stashwick noted. He credits the series’ increased visibility to the continued success of its showrunner, Terry Matalas, who also worked on Star Trek: Picard.

Stashwick’s relationship with Matalas, forged during their time on 12 Monkeys, has been a cornerstone of his career. “We share a brain often, and he’s able to communicate to me very quickly what he’s wanting from me,” Stashwick said, highlighting the deep creative connection they share.

As Stashwick looks forward to the 12 Monkeys reunion, he is also enthusiastic about the ongoing influence of the series and its contribution to the sci-fi genre.

The reunion at Star Trek Las Vegas is not just a celebration of 12 Monkeys but also a testament to the enduring appeal of well-crafted science fiction narratives that continue to captivate audiences long after their initial release.

The entire interview with Todd can be found at MZNOW.tv.

Scooters may be back on the streets of Dallas soon.

But not everybody thinks they should return.

Dallas radio host, Michael Zavala, was injured in a scooter accident on Labor Day 2018. He gave his thoughts on the possible scooter return on his weekly show, MZNOW.

“Here’s my thing, I’m not pro scooter because of the accident. Who remembers being in Deep Ellum, when these scooters were riding around town? I know three people that were just coming out of like restaurants or bars or whatever, and were knocked over by people riding scooters on the sidewalk.

They weren’t supposed to do it, but they did it anyway.

Who remembers sitting in traffic and having a scooters zip by, almost hitting people on scooters?”

He went on to say that, “providing stupid people with tools to be stupid is a terrible idea. We’ve already tried it. Dallas is not a scooter city.”

Michael, who shattered his leg in more than 16 places, spoke about his accident on NBC in 2019.

He was also recently featured on Judge Steve Harvey for the same injuries.

In 2020, the city of Dallas ordered rental companies like Lyft and Bird to stop operations due to safety concerns and public complaints.

If the Dallas city council approves, the scooters could return by the fall.

It’s that time of year again! Michael Zavala has released his 2022 MUST WATCH list. Did your favorites make it? Find out below.

Animaniacs – Hulu

The Warner siblings live in the Warner Bros. Water Tower on the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank, California. However, characters from the series had episodes in various places and periods of time. The Animaniacs characters interacted with famous people and creators of the past and present, as well as mythological characters and characters from contemporary pop culture and television.

Barry – HBO Max

Barry follows Barry Berkman, a discharged Marine from Cleveland, who works as a hitman. Lonely and dissatisfied with life, he travels to Los Angeles to kill a target and finds a new sense of purpose when he joins a class full of aspiring actors. Despite his efforts to leave behind his criminal history and become an actor himself, he struggles to escape his dark past.

Bel-Air – Peacock

The series follows Will Smith’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air.

Curb Your Enthusiasm – HBO Max

The series stars Larry David as a fictionalized version of himself. Like the real-life David, the character is well known as the co-creator and main co-writer of the highly successful sitcom Seinfeld. Although Larry maintains an office, he is rarely shown working. The show’s plots often center around everyday interactions between Larry and his friends, acquaintances, and occasionally strangers. Conflicts in the show are frequently sparked by Larry’s social unorthodoxy, particularly his often tactless manner of speaking and his stubbornness.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Paramount+

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds follows Captain Christopher Pike (played by Anson Mount) and the crew of the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) in the 23rd century as they explore new worlds throughout the galaxy in the decade before Star Trek: The Original Series. It has a contemporary take on that series’ episodic storytelling and 1960s designs, and features the following narration from Mount during each episode’s opening credits (similar to the opening narrations in The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation).

Stranger Things – Netflix

Stranger Things is set in the fictional rural town of Hawkins, Indiana, during the 1980s. The nearby Hawkins National Laboratory ostensibly performs scientific research for the United States Department of Energy, but secretly does experiments into the paranormal and supernatural, including those that involve human test subjects. Inadvertently, they have created a portal to an alternate dimension, “the Upside Down”. The influence of the Upside Down starts to affect the unknowing residents of Hawkins in calamitous ways.

The Boys – Amazon Prime

The Boys is set in a universe where superpowered individuals are recognized as heroes by the general public and work for a powerful corporation known as Vought International, which markets and monetizes them. Outside of their heroic personas, most are arrogant, selfish, and corrupt. The series primarily focuses on two groups: the Seven, Vought’s premier superhero team, and the Boys, vigilantes looking to bring down Vought and its fake superheroes.

The Orville: New Horizons – Hulu

The Orville is set on the titular spacecraft: USS Orville (ECV-197), a mid-level exploratory vessel in the Planetary Union, a 25th-century interstellar alliance of Earth and many other planets. The show consists of adventures encountered by the ship’s crew, usually involving planet exploration and visits to various parts of the galaxy.

What We Do in the Shadows – Hulu/FX

Set primarily in Staten Island, New York City, New York, What We Do in the Shadows follows the lives of three traditional vampires, Nandor, Laszlo, and Nadja; Colin Robinson, an energy vampire; and Guillermo, Nandor’s familiar. The series revolves around the vampires interacting with the modern world and other supernatural beings.

Judge Steve Harvey: Season 1, Episode 8 – Hulu

Judge Steve Harvey is an American arbitration-based reality court comedy show hosted by Steve Harvey.