Spoon Mob

Ray and Ben travel to South America for the first time to break down the Colombia episode. Katie makes her Spoon Mob Pod/Parts Now Known debut before the guys debate how safe the plane flight is and talk all things cocaine, cartels, and the war on drugs. Then Ray makes Ben wonder aloud about how America's involvement in slavery is perceived by the rest of the worlds history books and how America is currently perceived globally in 2020. Ray then highlights the similarities between where America is at now and where Colombia was at in 2013, Ben challenges Ray on his hate of shrimp, and they cover all the food scenes in the episode before digressing into an aside about the 2003 Tommy Lee Jones Benicio Del Toro action flick "The Hunted" and Ben's love for the 2007 Mark Wahlberg film "Shooter". They wrap things up by running through the categories and updating their best episode rankings lists. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On this episode, Ray talks about his recent and final experience at Ushabu in Cleveland. Ray reminisces about dining with strangers around, the things were losing due to cover-19, and why he'll miss Ushabu before breaking down the courses and comparing Cleveland's food scene to Columbus'. For more information on chef Matthew Spinner and Ushabu, visit spoonmob.com/matthewspinner. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On this week's episode of food news, Ray jumps right in with the recently announced upcoming layoffs at the hands of airlines and hotel companies, masks, Uber's new controversy, Instacart's appearance on the dark web, and explains the difference between filing chapter 7 and chapter 11 bankruptcy. Then Ray goes around the horn city by city touching on the restaurant closures and openings from the week, governors drunk with power, surprising news from the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, before breaking down Miami's $35 million dollar grant program. After running through the highlights in food in Cleveland, and why Townhall sucks, Ray runs through a list of promising new restaurant openings in Cincinnati before wrapping up with a few updates on Columbus and thinking around on future plans for this podcast. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On the second episode of the Parts Now Known series, Ben and Ray discuss Bourdain's hour long hang in the small Los Angeles neighborhood with his two friends, Roy Choi and David Cohoe. They talk about how the episode is definitely a one for him in favor of Bourdain versus a corporate idea, the part that gets left out pertaining to the 1992 L.A. Riots, Jon Favreau, Food Trucks, the enigma that is David Choe, Sizzler, Ray following up on the Dalai Lama, and Ben cites a University of Michigan study. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On this episode, Ray talks about a local destination bakery called Pistacia Vera. Ray goes into the backstory of its founding by Columbus natives Spencer and Anne Budros, it's start and eventual move from the Short North to German Village, how the Short North has changed over the years, why German Village is so strict on changes to neighborhood buildings, and gives a rundown on all the pastry's and desserts he's tried from the shop recently. Then Ben joins the pod to talk about his first experience eating Pistacia Vera baked goods before the two discuss all things coronavirus. For more information on chef Spencer Budros and Pistacia Vera, visit spoonmob.com/spencerbudros. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On this weeks episode of food news, snarky Ray makes his debut and spends the first 15 minutes giving his thoughts on the state of coronavirus in the U.S. before talking about the "partnership" announcement between American Airlines and Jet Blue. Then he touches on the Goya Foods controversy, Publix act of charity, Johnnie Walker going green, automation and robots at White Castle and Tyson, Burger King and methane, and why NBA players complaining about free meal kits in hotels in the Orlando Florida bubble is so tone deaf. Then Ray starts making the rounds state by state breaking down all the interesting restaurant openings and closings along with Moldgate, Alinea's misstep, the hostile workplace at Win Son, and the bartender vs owner clash in Houston at Taste Bar & Kitchen. Ray then highlights new restaurant openings in Ohio and the list of temporary re-closures in Columbus due to positive employee tests. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On the debut episode of Spoon Mob's newest podcast series, Parts Now Known, Ray and Ben jump right into how the opening shots of the episode set the tone for the entire series going forward, highlight the stark contrast between Travel Channel's No Reservations and CNN's Parts Unknown, where Myanmar is located on a map, talk about the craziest Ferris wheel you'll ever see, review an even crazier train ride, and get side tracked on the Dalai Lama and Bigfoot. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On this episode, Ray talks about his the best ramen shop he's every been to, Ivan Ramen in New York City. Ray outlines how chef owner Ivan Orkin got his start in Japan after personal tragedy, his rise to fame in Tokyo, shedding the white guy making ramen label, his move back home in 2011, the opening of his two ramen shops in Manhattan, how true ramen isn't the stuff in the bright colored packaging on grocery store shelves for $1, and why Orkin's ramen is the gold standard in the rapidly increasing food genre. For more on chef Ivan Orkin and Ivan Ramen, visit spoonmob.com/ivanorkin. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

Another long one! On this weeks episode of food news, Ray explains why your anger against PPP is misplaced and misdirected, outlines the remaining food delivery options, deep dives on the controversy's surrounding Jack The Horse, Atlas Restaurant Group, and Band of Bohemia, highlights all the weeks changes to reopening processes in the face of coronavirus, gives his thoughts on why Dave Changs 7 minute podcast in response to Peter Meehan's firing is vacant face saving B.S., and highlights some positive stories involving oyster delivery service, capping of food delivery app fee's out west, what Columbus Ohio's Brewery District would look like this fall, and gives an update on Comune's donation efforts. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On this episode, Ray talks with co-host and friend Ben Nelson about the newest podcast under the Spoon Mob Pod banner, Parts Now Known, where they break down each episode of the legendary Anthony Bourdain food culture travel show Parts Unknown. Together they chat about how Ben got Ray into Bourdain's shows, Charleston South Carolina, the last time either of them watched a Bourdain show, updates to the website, newly created Spoon Mob YouTube channel, and future plans for the Spoon Mob Pod. For more on Ben, check out is Instagram @bnelson087. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On this episode, Ray talks about his go to ice cream, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. Ray touches on Jeni Britton Bauer's career, her first ice cream company, where the company is now, and lists out some of his favorite flavors that he's had during the pandemic. For more on chef Jeni Britton Bauer and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, visit spoonmob.com/jenibrittonbauer. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On this weeks jam packed episode of food news, Ray runs down all the developments in the culinary industry from over the last week including bar closures at the hands of re-opening rollbacks, notable restaurant closures and openings from across the country, Uber's 2nd attempt at consolidating the food delivery market, Petter Meehan's resignation as editor at the LA Times, allegations of abuse at the hands of Museum of Ice Cream founder Maryellis Bunn, some positive developments around Cleveland, and the full list of restaurant closures in Columbus including the newest additions to the list, The Old Spot, Chuck E Cheese, and the Short North Coffee House. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On the 10th episode of the Spoon Mob Pod, Ray talks about chef Kyle McClelland's sliver of a seafood restaurant located in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, Saltie Girl. Ray runs through McClelland's culinary career thus far before talking about how he found out about the restaurant, the perils of a no reservation democratic first come first serve seating system pre pandemic, and why the menu is a seafood's paradise filled with locally sourced ingredients and a splash of nostalgia. For more on Chef Kyle McClelland and Saltie Girl, visit spoonmob.com/kylemcclelland. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On this episode, Ray talks about his go to spot Rockmill Tavern. Ray touches on why the Brewery District was chosen for its location, previous chefs Andrew Smith and Jay Kleven as well as current chef Travis Demons, and why its the best restaurant to get fish in the entire city. For more on chef Travis Demons and Rockmill Tavern, visit spoonmob.com/jaykleven. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).

On this episode, Ray talks about the best vegetarian restaurant in Columbus, Comune, currently helmed by chef Jacob Inscore. Ray talks about the lack of a diverse sustainable dining scene in the city and region, opening chef Ben Kanavel, current chef Jacob Inscore, and how he's surprised that Comune is making a comeback in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. For more on chef Jacob Inscore and Comune, visit spoonmob.com/jacobinscore. For all things Spoon Mob, visit spoonmob.com and make sure to follow us on Instagram (@spoonmob), Twitter (@spoonmob1), and Facebook (@spoonmob1).