Shadowing Practice: I Tried American Diners After Midnight - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creando lección...
1
Evening!
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I am in Houston, Texas in a Walmart car park.
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Why am I in a Walmart car park?
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Let me explain.
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I've just landed into Houston Airport, picked up the rental car, and I need to drive all the way to New Orleans in Louisiana.
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And on the way, I am going to be trying American diners, specifically in the middle of the night.
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I have never done this drive before in my life.
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I have no idea what we're going to come across.
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What are the people going to be like we meet?
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Is it going to be sketchy?
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This probably isn't the best idea, but it could be a great idea.
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So let's get in the car, let's get to New Orleans, and let's see where we go first.
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I've got a feeling this is going to be a long night.
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We're off.
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We need to get out of this car park, and let's see where the first place we're going to go to is.
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Right, our first stop in Houston, Texas is called Dots Coffee Shop.
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Oh, sorry.
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You're fine.
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How are you?
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You well?
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Good, good.
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Thank you.
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What's this place like?
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I've never been here before.
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It's kind of like a Denny's.
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Like a Denny's, is it?
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Yeah.
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Ah, okay.
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Yeah.
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I'll try it.
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Nice to meet you.
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Have a good one.
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I can't say I've ever been to Denny's, but I think they'll have to take it off on this trip.
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So, this is what we're dealing with.
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Dot's Coffee Shop, open 24 hours.
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Put the cherry on top of your summer with a banana split.
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The time is currently half past midnight.
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Is it too late for a banana split?
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Let's have a look what's in here.
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Is it good in here?
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I've never been in here before.
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Oh my God.
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Where are you from? From Wales.
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How about you?
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You like chicken fried steak?
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Houston born and raised.
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Houston born and raised.
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I love it.
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Well, this is my first time to this place.
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I've never been here in my life.
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You gotta try the waffles.
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The waffles?
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I was just reading about the banana split.
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I'm like, do I do the banana split or?
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They're chicken fried steaks, which they're famous for.
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Chicken fried steak?
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It is a little tough though.
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It's fried.
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Really?
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You know we love gravy.
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I know we're in Americans.
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We got to find gravy weird, but we love gravy.
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What are you guys coming in here for?
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Waffles.
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Waffles.
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Even past midnight.
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Oh yeah.
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I'm gonna get a chicken fried steak for breakfast.
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Do you know what?
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I might have to get one myself.
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They have a breakfast version because right now they don't have the dinner sites.
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Where else are you going in Houston?
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I've just landed into Houston.
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I'm actually driving over to New Orleans.
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But I've never done this drive before.
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How many days are you going to be in Houston?
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Literally just today and then I'm driving out.
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I thought it was going to be dead after midnight and there's loads of people coming in.
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No, it's empty right now.
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It's empty right now.
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There's usually people here where you need to be.
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Oh, really?
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So there's normally a queue to this place?
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No, there's usually a 45 minute wait.
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No way.
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Are you sure?
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Thanks so much, man.
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Hey, how's it going?
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You good?
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It's my first time here.
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Apparently the chicken steak's amazing.
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Would you say that's the one to get?
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Yes, sir.
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Okay, awesome.
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Can I get a table for one, please?
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Thanks so much, man.
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Mate, is it normally this busy after midnight?
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No, this isn't busy at all right now.
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I thought it was going to be dead.
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I've never heard of Dot's Diners.
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Is there just one or is it a chain?
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There's a chain, but I think right now in Houston there's only one.
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There's only one.
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Awesome.
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Thanks so much, man.
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I appreciate it.
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You're taking a drink.
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Yeah, can I get a coffee?
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I think I'm going to need it for my drive.
110
Is there a regular coffee?
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Yeah, just regular black coffee.
112
Awesome.
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Thanks so much, man.
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I don't know what I expected, but for the first stop, everybody's super friendly.
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I tell you what, though.
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Waffles are a chicken steak after midnight.
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It's going to be a long night, this.
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I don't know what to go for.
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we've got Dot's original breakfast, signature breakfast, pancakes, giant omelettes, waffles I tell you what though, let's not forget about the banana split
120
Can't have a banana splitter this time I think I'm going to go for Dot waffle Let's give it a go
121
First coffee of the night,
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cheers It's not bad, good coffee that Dot Do you get people all through the night stopping to order all this?
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Especially for weekends Really?
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What, just ordering chicken steaks at three in the morning?
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Steaks, our types of food, yeah.
126
Mate, that's crazy.
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Do you know what?
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I've got a long night ahead, so let's start off with a dot waffle, if that's all right.
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Cheers, mate.
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Thank you.
131
I tell you what, it does not feel like half twelve in this diner.
132
I can literally count about ten workers.
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There's three chefs in the kitchen, and there's about six tables taken.
134
Honestly, if you shut the curtains, you'd think it was midday.
135
Right, let's see how good these waffles are.
136
It's crazy.
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There's more people coming in here.
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There is literally a Q forming at the door.
139
Awesome, thanks so much.
140
What have we got here then, man?
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So we got the syrup, it's usually warm, so warm syrup.
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And then we got the powdered sugar and the butter.
143
Powder sugar and the butter, perfect.
144
What time are you working till then, mate?
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Are you on all night?
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Yeah, I work at a swing shift, that's what they call it.
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So I work from 6pm to either 3 or 4 in the morning.
148
Or I can go on, like if it's busy, I stay till maybe 6 in the morning.
149
Really?
150
What, and it gets that busier?
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3 or 4am? am yeah
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so this is 24 hours then yeah it's at 24 hours
153
yeah seven days a week seven days a week never shut
154
never shut man that's insane is this one specific to houston
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or like who's dot oh yeah there's a there's an owner yeah
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so yeah this was the first uh papa's brand
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so it's like the first let's say actual uh ah
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so this is the first ever dot yeah like the okay yeah
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so they have papa's barbecue that's like next door
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so there's different types of chains you know
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but this is the first of the first yeah oh it's
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amazing well i look forward to the waffle yes lario you're the man thanks
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so much man here we go waffles at 1am in the
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morning just how i like it doesn't get more unhealthy than
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this does it there we go we'll make it more unhealthy i think that'll do powder sugar
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right let's see what this waffle is like tell you what
167
there's some vibe in here for 1am how are you You're welcome mate, you well?
168
That's actually really good.
169
Hilario, good job mate.
170
Really good, thanks man.
171
I think I need to save room for the next diner. That was good.
172
I'll take the check if that's okay man.
173
I need to hit the road, head into New Orleans.
174
You did a good job man.
175
So nice to meet you mate.
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And thanks so much for all the good service.
177
I was going to say, can I pay Apple Pay with this?
178
Yes, sir.
179
It can be up front and I'll get you up front.
180
Okay, so if I just come up front, I can pay, yeah?
181
Awesome.
182
Thank you, mate.
183
How much are we looking?
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$16.24.
185
Let's get moving.
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I need to put some miles in.
187
Cheers, mate.
188
And if you want, you can come around on the other side.
189
Ah, come on the other side.
190
Perfect.
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You had a busy day then, mate?
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Yeah, there's still more people coming in, so...
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It's crazy.
194
So people like eating late in Houston, then?
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Oh, they do a lot.
196
Especially on weekends, you know people go out to drinks.
197
Yeah.
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Then they come over here at like 2 to 4 in the morning, we'll be getting busy.
199
In the UK, they go out drinking and get a kebab.
200
Here they can come for waffles.
201
How long has this place been open? Since 1957.
202
This place has been open since 1957?
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Yes, sir.
204
Wow, still going strong.
205
Well, the waffle is amazing.
206
Hilario, honestly, absolute pleasure, mate.
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Yes, sir.
208
Look after yourself, mate.
209
Hope you have a good night.
210
See you later.
211
Have a good day, mate.
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Good recommendation.
213
How was the food?
214
Nice to meet you, mate.
215
What did you get?
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I got the waffles, you know, because I've got a long drive.
217
I did it with the powder sugar and the maple syrup.
218
It was really good.
219
Thank you so much for the recommendation.
220
How's the...
221
So this is the chicken steak?
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No, no, no. This is the sandwich.
223
Nice.
224
How is it?
225
Good?
226
Oh yeah, it's good.
227
I'll get the fish next time.
228
Catfish.
229
Catfish.
230
Catfish?
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Wow.
232
The catfish is good.
233
Does it taste like cod?
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Like fish and chips in the UK?
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No. Totally different.
236
I'll put it on the list for next time.
237
Oh no, I'm good, honestly.
238
I really appreciate it, but honestly.
239
Thank you so much.
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Lovely to meet you.
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Have a great night.
242
See you later.
243
Have a good one.
244
I'll tell you what, I absolutely love this place.
245
Dots in Houston.
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You swear it was 3 o'clock in the afternoon and it's 1 in the morning.
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Hilario, 10 out of 10.
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Even the customers offering me pieces of their catfish.
249
Tell you what, someplace that.
250
Look at all the cars in the car park.
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This is how good this place is.
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I'll remember that one.
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That Waffles set me up for this trip.
254
Let's see what the next town is.
255
Oh, we're at our next stop.
256
We are in Beaumont or Beaumont, Texas, and we are in IHOP, International House of Pancakes.
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We've had Waffles, now time for a pancake.
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This is it.
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There's a few cars here.
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Hey, how's it going, mate?
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Are you still open at all?
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Yeah.
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You're still open?
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Cool.
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Thank you.
266
Can I go inside or?
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Yeah.
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Amazing.
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How are you mate?
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You well?
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Alright.
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Can I take a seat?
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Yeah.
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Awesome.
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Thank you mate.
276
How's your night been?
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Same old, same old.
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Same old busy or you had a quiet one or?
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Quiet.
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What time you on till?
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6 in the morning.
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6am.
283
Not too many people in.
284
So do a lot of people just take away or are they like, are they sitting or?
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Doordash or Uber.
286
Ah, okay, so a lot of your stuff is mainly takeaway, is it?
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Yeah.
288
Ah, that makes sense.
289
Flippin' egg, I think we're as tired as each other, mate.
290
What do you recommend?
291
I haven't been to IHOP for years.
292
Is everything on the menu available this time of night?
293
I don't have no tea, I have to make you some coffee, we have sodas, we have cold drinks.
294
Do you have all the food and stuff?
295
We should.
296
You should?
297
Okay, cool.
298
Would it be rude to come to the International House of Pancakes and not order pancakes?
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What's easiest for you?
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Because I know you've had a long night.
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I do have my food birthday.
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He was just waiting on you to make an order.
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I tell you what, let's do some pancakes.
304
That should keep me awake.
305
I'll get some pancakes and I'll get a coffee as well, please, mate.
306
You want to do the combo?
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The combo?
308
What's the combo, sorry?
309
So you get two pancakes, two eggs, bacon, sausage or ham.
310
Ah, you get bacon, sausage, eggs, the lot.
311
No, do you know what?
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I'll just need two pancakes if that's okay.
313
So only the pancakes.
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I'll have a bit of cream on top.
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We don't have any of that right now.
316
Ah, you don't have any cream.
317
Do you have any, like, syrup?
318
Perfect.
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Yeah, I'll just get the pancakes and the syrup, please, man.
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And then if I can get a coffee as well, like, in a takeaway cup, that'd be great.
321
You want buttermilk or do you want a flavor?
322
What's the standard? just the buttermilk is it?
323
buttermilk it is what was your name mate?
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Anthony nice to meet you Anthony my name's Simon are you from Beaumont?
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where are you from?
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Baton Rouge, Louisiana Baton Rouge, Louisiana I think I'm going through Baton Rouge yes you are is that better than Beaumont or is Beaumont better?
327
it's worse than Beaumont it's worse than Beaumont? yeah
328
is it? well we're starting off good and we're getting worse cheers Anthony appreciate that mate Where's the toilet mate?
329
Just straight down is it?
330
On the right.
331
On the right, thanks so much mate.
332
Poor Anthony's knackered.
333
I'm knackered as well.
334
I'll tell you what though, I've got to say, the toilets are spotless.
335
Anthony's doing a good job.
336
You doing the cooking Anthony or are you getting someone else?
337
I've got my cooking.
338
How are you tonight chef?
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Busy night or not too bad?
340
Not too bad.
341
My first time ever in Beaumont. For real? From Austria?
342
No, from Wales.
343
How about yourself mate?
344
Are you from here?
345
Oh yeah, here.
346
How's life like in Beaumont?
347
It's been better but you know.
348
What time are you working till?
349
6 as well?
350
Yeah.
351
Wow, a long night.
352
Yeah, just travelling.
353
Just travelling around mate.
354
See the sights.
355
Exactly man.
356
to offer pretty nice end up yeah definitely right look forward
357
to the pancakes mate all right what was your name sorry
358
mike mike simon nice to meet you mike okay nice have
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a good one man there's no one else here there's just
360
us tonight yeah i was saying there's some cars outside
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when i pulled up
362
so are they just takeaway are they no those are our cars oh they're your cars well
363
that makes sense then doesn't it oh
364
so you said you're from wales from wales yeah yeah i've been to england in a while
365
So you've been to the UK?
366
What did you think of it out there?
367
I loved it.
368
Yeah, it's good isn't it?
369
Whereabouts did you go in the UK?
370
Manchester.
371
Ah, Manchester, nice.
372
We were stationed in Germany, so...
373
Ah, okay, so were you in the military were you?
374
Yeah.
375
Flipping hell.
376
So how long were you in the military for?
377
My dad is...
378
24 years, I would say.
379
So you did a lot of travelling with the military then?
380
Nah, just to Germany.
381
How was that?
382
Enjoy it or...?
383
I loved it.
384
Let me get to your family.
385
Cheers, Anthony.
386
Tell you what, Anthony and Mike are the boys in Beaumont.
387
Looking forward to these pancakes.
388
Mike's rustling up.
389
Ah, thanks so much, mate.
390
You want to turn your cheek off?
391
I'll just have the black coffee.
392
Thanks so much mate.
393
Is this the syrup or is that the coffee?
394
That's the coffee.
395
That's the coffee.
396
How are the pancakes going?
397
Oh look at them.
398
How do you make the pancakes here?
399
Is it like in the machine or?
400
Ah okay then you just drop them what on the toaster is it or in the frying pan or?
401
On the grill.
402
On the grill nice.
403
Look forward to this.
404
Nice one for that Mike.
405
Appreciate that Anthony.
406
Thank you mate.
407
No problem.
408
Right, this is what we're dealing with.
409
We've got Mike's finest pancakes with a big dollop of butter on it.
410
They look good, though, to be fair.
411
And then we've got the coffee.
412
Right, let's give this a go.
413
I haven't had an IHOP for years.
414
They're good, then.
415
Anthony, Mike's done a good job.
416
Look what we've got here.
417
We've got strawberry syrup, butter pecan syrup, blueberry syrup and old-fashioned syrup.
418
Gotta be old-fashioned syrup, isn't it?
419
I tell you what, I should be calling this video the 10,000 calorie night.
420
Well, I can say, if you ever find yourself in Beaumont, Texas, come and give Mike and Anthony a visit.
421
I could just keep going here, but I need to stop.
422
Anthony, I finished me.
423
Can I get the cheque?
424
Thanks so much mate, that was amazing.
425
Can I do apple pay?
426
Yeah.
427
Mate, $7.87 for the coffee and the pancakes?
428
That's so cheap!
429
Pancakes were really good as well mate, good job.
430
Thank you.
431
Mike, good job man.
432
Appreciate it.
433
Thanks so much, lovely to meet you man.
434
Lovely to meet you too mate.
435
It's lovely.
436
Perfect.
437
Amazing.
438
And I can add a tip on this as well, can I?
439
Yeah.
440
Ah, just there, perfect.
441
Ten.
442
Thank you thanks so much anthony pleasure mate pleasure look after yourself like a nice one yeah thanks
443
so much man i really appreciate it yeah i know 100 have a good night anyway gents see you later
444
do you know what ihop's getting a solid 9.9 out of 10 mike and anthony top job pancakes for mega
445
Tell you what though, this coffee's boiling.
446
Right, next stop.
447
No idea.
448
It is night two, and I'm currently on the border between Texas and Louisiana.
449
And my next stop is a town, well I think it's a town, called Lake Charles.
450
I've never heard of Lake Charles.
451
But before we find the next diner, I need to go to a gas station and fill the car up with petrol.
452
But before I do that, I want to let you know that I'm giving a few things away that are handy when you're travelling.
453
A Nintendo Switch 2 and some AirPods, all thanks to our friends over at Whatnot.
454
If you've never heard of Whatnot, it's a live shopping app that people auction off literally everything.
455
Collectibles, vintage stuff, trainers, tech, Pokemon cards, sports cards, you name it.
456
And you can jump in and bid live.
457
If you sign up with my link in description, Whatnot will give you £10 or $15 for free to spend.
458
No catch, just free money to bid with.
459
To enter my giveaway, sign up using the link below, and either spend some of that free credit or comment your Whatnot username.
460
Honestly, my Pokemon obsession is getting out of hand recently.
461
There is loads on Whatnot, but enough about Pokemon, let's get going.
462
Right, next stop, Lake Charles.
463
Let's get to this gas station.
464
You from Australia?
465
No, from Wales.
466
Wales?
467
Oh, that's even good.
468
How are you doing?
469
You good?
470
Hey man, I'm mate.
471
Where is there a good diner around here?
472
Do you know?
473
A diner?
474
Yeah, like a good 24 hour diner.
475
I know.
476
Oh, Waffle House.
477
The Waffle House is here.
478
Waffle House good?
479
Yeah, yeah.
480
Okay, awesome.
481
But look, don't go to the one on the lakefront.
482
Don't go to the one on the lakefront.
483
No, go to Highway 14, Florida.
484
No, I'm from the UK, from Wales.
485
Where are you from mate?
486
Are you from Lake Charles or?
487
Yeah.
488
I've never been Lake Charles.
489
Is there any good round here or?
490
Yeah.
491
It's good?
492
You know what you do better?
493
No. The buffet at the casino.
494
Buffet at the casino?
495
And is a casino round here?
496
We play them.
497
Ah, nice.
498
It's Las Vegas in Louisiana.
499
What do you want from there?
500
I'll get you something and I'll bring it back out.
501
Cup of ice.
502
A cup of ice?
503
Am I doing that for me too?
504
Yeah, I'll get that.
505
Right, let me put some petrol in and I'll be back.
506
I appreciate you man.
507
Yeah, no worries man.
508
Just trying to help me, do my bit.
509
Right, petrol in the US, how do we do this?
510
I got your car.
511
Ah, okay, so I tap first.
512
You don't pay inside.
513
Tap.
514
Yeah, yeah.
515
Alright, let's get this in.
516
Yeah, watch that cigarette by the car, mate.
517
I don't fancy blowing the car up.
518
Nah, nah, nah.
519
Right, I think this is working.
520
Hey, don't mind me.
521
I'm just waking around here, so I'm just...
522
Yeah, all good, man.
523
Don't worry about it.
524
It's turning into an interesting night in Lake Charles.
525
How's it going, man?
526
You good?
527
Are you from Lake Charles mate?
528
Yes sir, yes sir.
529
Right here, born and raised.
530
What was everybody's name?
531
Sidney, yours?
532
Sidney, Simon.
533
Nice to meet you Sidney.
534
Nice to meet you.
535
What's your name?
536
Ray.
537
Nice to meet you man.
538
What does everybody want from the shop?
539
A drink.
540
So you want a cup of ice?
541
I want a soda.
542
A soda, okay.
543
I have no idea what's going on here, but we'll get some drinks.
544
Get some Gatorade.
545
Hey, how are you Manuel?
546
Well, out of curiosity, where is the best 24 hour diners around here?
547
What's my options?
548
You got a walk-off like by the interstate right here.
549
Okay, perfect.
550
I'm just going to get a cup of ice as well.
551
Thanks so much, man.
552
Thank you.
553
Are you from Lake Charles or how's it like around here?
554
It's okay.
555
If you leave this way, you want to go to Wawa, go straight all the way down that.
556
Yeah.
557
And when you get to the end, you're going to make a right.
558
Perfect and go around.
559
Awesome, thank you so much mate.
560
Where you from?
561
Australia? From Wales?
562
Wales, I can tell you you got to add shit.
563
Yeah, thanks so much mate.
564
Oh, you're welcome.
565
Lovely to meet you mate, have a good night.
566
See you later.
567
There's your ice man.
568
I appreciate it.
569
And there's loads of sodas and stuff there.
570
All the best Sid, have a good one.
571
See you later man.
572
See you later Peter, look after yourself mate.
573
Right, let's get back on the road, next diner.
574
And here we have it, the famous Waffle House.
575
The last time I was in a Waffle House was years ago, probably before Covid.
576
Let's see what this place is like.
577
Hey, how's it going?
578
You good?
579
My first time in a Waffle House in Louisiana.
580
Oh, well welcome.
581
Where are you from?
582
From Wales in the UK.
583
Okay, well welcome.
584
Thank you so much.
585
I'm heading from Houston through to New Orleans.
586
I want a bit of a drive.
587
Okay, cool.
588
I got stuck here.
589
I'll get some food if that's okay. Will you?
590
How are you tonight?
591
Are you good?
592
I'm good.
593
What do you recommend?
594
We have the All Star right here.
595
Which you get eggs, toast.
596
You can get grits or hash browns.
597
Grits?
598
What's grits?
599
Grits is like grinded up corn.
600
Ah, okay.
601
I can't say I've ever had that before.
602
So what are my options?
603
Grits or?
604
Grits or hash browns.
605
Or hash browns.
606
I think I'll go with a hash brown if that's okay.
607
So you want to get the All Star?
608
The number is 1225 and you get all this.
609
You get the waffle all set.
610
Flip!
611
Yeah, good value for money.
612
Look at this.
613
Yeah, let's do that.
614
Let's do the all-star.
615
Okay, how would you like your eggs?
616
What do you recommend?
617
I would do a scramble with cheese.
618
Scramble with cheese.
619
As unhealthy as possible.
620
All right, and we have waffles that you can get like chocolate chip, peanut butter, blueberry.
621
Do you know, on the waffles I'll just have it standard.
622
Yeah, just with maple syrup, please.
623
Bacon or sauce? let's do bacon no sausage okay
624
and we're going to drink with that yeah can i get a black coffee
625
if that's okay i think it's going to be a long
626
night yeah it will be all right baby i'm gonna get
627
that coffee for you thank you so much look at this menu cheese steak sausage
628
and bacon chicken
629
and egg what time do you close man we don't close
630
you don't seven days a week 24 7 fair play man What time do you finish working?
631
We start at 9, we get off at 7 in the morning.
632
7 in the morning?
633
Do you get busy in the middle of the night or?
634
Really?
635
Because I was going to say Lake Charles just driving through seems pretty quiet.
636
Yeah.
637
It's not that quiet though.
638
Is it not?
639
Thanks so much, cheers.
640
How are you?
641
I'm good, are you?
642
Yeah, very good.
643
So who's the longest serving member of staff here?
644
How long?
645
Over 20 plus.
646
You've been here 20 years plus?
647
Fair play, man.
648
What was your name, sorry?
649
I go by 2 o'clock too tall i really hope you
650
enjoy this listen i'm just really grateful to be here
651
and experience it
652
so thank you for having me i think i'll have to
653
try the grits next time yeah you'll have to try the
654
grits i've never even tried really how long have you been
655
here amanda are you from lake chow i am from my
656
toes i've been here for only 10 months 10 months what
657
are these casinos like i didn't even know there was a
658
casino in lake chow yeah i swivel over things there's two
659
of them I'm guessing you get a lot of people out of time to come in for that then.
660
Because we're open 24-7.
661
This is the only place that you'll be able to get some heat here.
662
It's around here in here.
663
Yeah, yeah.
664
I'm not done at Denny's yet.
665
What's better, here or Denny's?
666
Not very far.
667
Is it not good?
668
No. Well, to be fair, the guy in the gas station recommended coming here.
669
Really?
670
So you've obviously got a good reputation.
671
Too tall, you're the man.
672
Look at that.
673
Thank you so much.
674
You're very welcome.
675
Too tall, how did you get that out so quick?
676
You're good at it.
677
Mate, experience.
678
You don't have any ketchup at all?
679
I've even got my own bottle.
680
Perfect.
681
I've got two tootles for whenever your waffle comes up.
682
Ah, amazing.
683
I forgot I had the waffle as well.
684
And I think Mr. Reisel's been here for how long?
685
10 years?
686
10 years?
687
Come November of this year, it'll be 25 years.
688
25 years?
689
So who's winning out of you and TwoTall?
690
Me.
691
TwoTall's still winning.
692
What does Waffle House give you when you've worked here 25 years?
693
The same thing they give me every day, I come here.
694
Aww, don't say that.
695
They give us a little thing that goes for 25 years.
696
Are they good to work for?
697
Yeah, they're pretty good.
698
They're about to be the most fat food restaurants you go to.
699
I didn't realise Waffle House had been going that long.
700
It's been going for years.
701
What's this lady's name?
702
Miss Carney.
703
Miss Carney?
704
Where do I get a Waffle House hat like you?
705
I'm gonna show you here in just a second.
706
They had a lot of different kinds like that.
707
There you go sir.
708
Flipping.
709
They're trying to do this in the middle of the night.
710
I won't be sleeping tonight.
711
Good job on the breakfast, Tutal.
712
This is mega meat.
713
I might move to Lake Charles.
714
I quite like it, yeah?
715
It's not any nice stupid people out the door.
716
Really?
717
How are you Miss Connor?
718
You well?
719
I'm good.
720
How are you?
721
It's not in there.
722
So what's this badge for?
723
Let's take them when they give them to me.
724
Tell you what, for this time of night, like there's even another couple sat down in the corner.
725
What time do you finish, Amanda?
726
Are you on the whole night as well?
727
I'm here until 7 o'clock in the morning.
728
7 in the morning?
729
We all go.
730
So do you do that every night or is it?
731
Yeah, I mean, I do it at a different store also.
732
I work in Highway Handicare.
733
I work the third shift mainly.
734
I work one morning shift and that's it.
735
The majority of us is third shift here.
736
So like, how many people are on shift now?
737
Six people.
738
And are you all on through the night?
739
Yes.
740
Well, I don't know.
741
It does get busy in here, though.
742
Yes.
743
Is that the bill, is it?
744
Yes.
745
Perfect.
746
Thanks so much, Amanda.
747
You're welcome.
748
Tell you what, it's a good waffle.
749
Are you just here to visit and then you're going back?
750
Exactly.
751
Yeah, okay.
752
So I'm on holiday, going from Houston to New Orleans.
753
Houston to New Orleans.
754
Yeah.
755
Okay, New Orleans is a very interesting city.
756
What area are you staying in?
757
I'm gonna go like the urban street and all that.
758
And the French Quarter and all that.
759
That's the best part of all of it.
760
That's a riverboat ride, make sure you take that.
761
Really?
762
That's good.
763
I tell you what, Louisiana's better than Texas, but don't tell anybody I said that.
764
You gotta try the beignets in New Orleans, it's our guest.
765
The beignets?
766
What's a beignet?
767
A beignet?
768
A beignet?
769
What's that?
770
It's delicious.
771
Oh, it's like...
772
A beignet?
773
Yes.
774
I've never heard of this.
775
I'll say you should try a Keen cake while you're here.
776
A Keen cake?
777
What's a Keen cake?
778
Oh, that's good too.
779
And a pastry.
780
A pastry?
781
Okay, I do pastry.
782
What's this in here is it's covered in like fried sugar and it's delicious and it'll best in your order.
783
And this is the Keen cake?
784
A beignet.
785
A beignet.
786
A beignet.
787
So what's the difference between a Keen cake and a beignet?
788
So you're not going to be able to get a Keen cake this time of year most likely?
789
I mean probably somewhere at a donut shop out there.
790
Maybe, yeah.
791
I'll have to try the beignet.
792
I'll try it for you.
793
And food in.
794
You've got to try food in.
795
It's a pig intestine.
796
Can you tell I'm a foreigner?
797
Now, make sure you go to Canal Street.
798
You can get all kinds of barrens on Canal Street, but be very careful.
799
So during the daytime.
800
I've got so many things I need to try.
801
And Burberry Street, they never sleep.
802
You should have came to Mardi Gras.
803
Mardi Gras is a whole...
804
Starts in January.
805
So you have to come to Mardi Gras.
806
You know what?
807
Every town that I've passed through so far, everybody's so friendly and I love it.
808
We've got to give you a whack on that, Pep.
809
Right, what's this?
810
A chef.
811
Like a chef's hat?
812
Yes.
813
Oh, perfect.
814
Let me get that on.
815
What do you reckon?
816
You haven't got any job applications as well.
817
Thank you so much.
818
Look at this.
819
I've even got the American flag on it.
820
Connie, I don't need to buy the merch anymore.
821
I've got it.
822
I think this is better than the baseball hat.
823
Right, I think I best hit the road.
824
Thank you so much for everything.
825
Yeah, it's lovely to meet you all.
826
Thank you so much.
827
How was your meal?
828
It was amazing.
829
Ten out of ten.
830
Two tall smashed the hash brown.
831
Amanda smashed the service.
832
The best Waffle House.
833
What do you say in the barren?
834
Can I add a tip?
835
You can.
836
Perfect.
837
All good.
838
I don't need the receipt.
839
Thank you so much, Amanda.
840
It's so nice to meet you.
841
How's the food?
842
What did everybody else order?
843
We're all gone.
844
Where's everybody from here?
845
Here.
846
Here.
847
Ah, you're all from Lake Charles?
848
Where are you from? From Wales.
849
I'm from Triosau, Tokyo.
850
Ah, so you've got a place as well?
851
Yeah, Tokyo.
852
Ah, nice.
853
So is that a diner as well?
854
Or is that like a restaurant?
855
A diner.
856
It's like Asian cuisine.
857
Awesome, I'll check it out.
858
So what is your clothes then?
859
This is your spot then, isn't it?
860
Yeah, most of the time, yeah.
861
Yeah, fair play.
862
It's so nice to meet you all.
863
Yeah, same.
864
Have a good one.
865
See you later.
866
I really appreciate that.
867
No, don't be silly.
868
I really appreciate you.
869
So nice to meet you all anyway.
870
Have a good one.
871
See you later.
872
Have a good one.
873
See you later.
874
My shirt is a Wales football top. From Wales.
875
Have a good one.
876
See you later.
877
Bye.
878
I'll tell you what.
879
Waffle House.
880
Lake Charles at this time of night.
881
Who'd have thought?
882
Lovely, lovely people.
883
Working 12 hour shifts.
884
Even being nice in the middle of the night.
885
What more can you ask for?
886
I really, really enjoyed that.
887
Let's see where the next town is.
888
And here we have it.
889
Mel's Diner in Lafayette.
890
Open 24 hours.
891
I'm not too sure what that is.
892
And then this is it.
893
This is the main sign.
894
Mel's Diner.
895
Call ahead drive-through.
896
Crawfish or fried fish?
897
Right, let's see what this is like.
898
It looks pretty bougie.
899
This looks proper old school.
900
We've even got a call machine.
901
What are these pictures?
902
Choice Awards winner Mel's Diner.
903
Hey, how's it going?
904
You good?
905
Yeah, just for one please.
906
Would you like to sit here by the table?
907
I'll sit at the bar if that's okay.
908
Come on, let's go ahead.
909
How are you tonight?
910
You well?
911
I'm doing wonderful.
912
What can I get for you?
913
Can I get a black coffee if that's okay?
914
You sure can.
915
Here's your menu.
916
Amazing, check this out.
917
Look at this menu.
918
Looks like you had a dog right there.
919
Hey, how's it going, Manuel?
920
Simon, nice to meet you.
921
Bobby Boucher.
922
Ah, nice, Bobby Boucher.
923
I've heard that name before.
924
And I'll be back to take you on in a second.
925
Yeah, perfect, thanks so much.
926
Where are you from?
927
From Wales in the UK.
928
How about you, are you local or...?
929
I am.
930
Is your name actually Bobby Boucher?
931
I'm from Scotland.
932
You've got family from Scotland.
933
I live Venezuela, when Chavez took over in 98.
934
I left and went to Amsterdam until my ex-wife got mad and then I came home for a divorce.
935
Oh, nightmare.
936
How many countries have you been to?
937
Sounds like you've been to a few.
938
Fourteen countries, probably.
939
Is your name actually Bobby Boucher?
940
Yeah, it's Bruce.
941
Bruce, nice to meet you.
942
But they couldn't pronounce it.
943
I was going to say, because I watched Waterboy years ago and I never forget Bobby Boucher.
944
Guess right.
945
I'm in North Dakota.
946
Well done on the pipeline coming in from Canada.
947
Bobby Boucher, you gotta go see this movie.
948
I don't know, I don't want to say that movie.
949
Oh, you love it.
950
I loved it.
951
Bobby Boussette.
952
So you live in Lafayette now, do you, Bruce?
953
Yeah, I do.
954
Ah, you grew up here?
955
Yeah.
956
Nice.
957
How is it out here?
958
It's my first time here.
959
It's good.
960
What's Mel's Diner like?
961
I've never been to Mel's before.
962
It's pretty decent.
963
Is it good?
964
What do you recommend on the menu?
965
Well, I'll tell you one damn thing.
966
French fries and brown gravy.
967
French fries and brown gravy.
968
Well, coming from a local, I think I might have to try that.
969
You might like it.
970
Mate, this menu's massive.
971
I was going to say, it's pretty busy for the early hours of the morning.
972
It'll get busy.
973
Really?
974
It'll get busy?
975
Yeah.
976
4am.
977
Everybody's leaving the ballroom.
978
It's all good to meet you, mate.
979
You have a good night.
980
Have a good night.
981
Have a good night.
982
Yeah, you too, mate.
983
I'm going to take your order.
984
Yeah, perfect.
985
What's the best thing on the menu?
986
Like, what's the most famous thing on the menu?
987
I've never been to a Mel's in my life.
988
I'm going to be honest.
989
I'm new.
990
What's the best thing on the menu, Jess?
991
Best thing on the menu?
992
What are we talking?
993
Oh, my God.
994
The menu is so big.
995
I was gonna say, I'm not being funny, I've been to a few diners on my route.
996
Literally, it's like mid-afternoon in here, the amount of people that's in here.
997
Is it like this all night?
998
We're gonna get more busy.
999
Really?
1000
Absolutely.
1001
So what time did you finish?
1002
4am.
1003
4am.
1004
I got here at 5pm.
1005
Where are you from? From Wales.
1006
Where are you from, local?
1007
Yeah.
1008
How long have you worked here? Since March.
1009
Give me one second.
1010
Yeah, no problem, no rush.
1011
Right, let's have a look at this menu.
1012
What are we saying?
1013
Fried steak, hamburger supreme, chef's...
1014
This menu has literally got everything.
1015
Liver and onions, shrimp platter.
1016
Oh my God, there's too much choice here.
1017
Bruce, look after yourself, mate.
1018
Have a good one.
1019
Boucher.
1020
Bobby Boucher.
1021
He made me want to watch Waterboy now.
1022
You have a good night.
1023
See you later, Bruce.
1024
Right, what we having?
1025
First time in Mel's?
1026
Breakfast or dinner?
1027
Nothing too heavy.
1028
I've got a drive to go.
1029
What do you reckon?
1030
A lot of our stuff is heavy.
1031
A lot of your stuff is really heavy, yeah.
1032
You thinking breakfast?
1033
Yeah, go on, let's do breakfast.
1034
This is our breakfast menu.
1035
There's more on the back.
1036
Do you know what?
1037
Let's do some eggs.
1038
I've done so many waffles and pancakes along the way.
1039
I think let's go a bit healthier.
1040
Healthier?
1041
So anything with this little orange thing is like...
1042
Healthy.
1043
More healthy.
1044
More healthy.
1045
Okay.
1046
I tell you what, let's go for the eggs on toast. On toast? On toast.
1047
So you want like a sandwich?
1048
No, just like the toast and then the eggs on top.
1049
Does that work?
1050
That'll work.
1051
Perfect.
1052
Any breakfast meats like bacon or sausage?
1053
No, I'm good.
1054
I'll just, eggs on toast will be good.
1055
Eggs and toast.
1056
What type of bread do you have?
1057
We have white bread, wheat toast.
1058
Let's just do white toast.
1059
Can't be eggs on white toast.
1060
And how do you want the eggs cooked?
1061
Fried?
1062
Is that what you say?
1063
In America it's like over easy, sunny side, but in the UK we just say They say scrambled, fried or poached.
1064
So I'm going to have it fried if that's okay.
1065
So like over, do you want yolk?
1066
Not too runny, but not too well done.
1067
Over medium.
1068
Over medium, right.
1069
So if I ever have eggs in the US, I'm saying over medium.
1070
It also comes with grits or hash browns.
1071
Do you know what?
1072
I had this option in the Waffle House that I went to.
1073
And I went for hash browns.
1074
Grits doesn't sound good.
1075
They like to tell us we're like Waffle House on steroids.
1076
really do you like grits would you recommend it here yeah
1077
okay let's try it maybe like rich with cheese let's try grits with cheese
1078
but can i like have it on the side i don't know
1079
if i'm gonna like it yeah
1080
but we'll try it it comes in a separate okay perfect grits with cheese let's do it
1081
and just to clarify what is grits i have no idea
1082
right well we're gonna find out you've never had grits never
1083
had grits no way never had it this will be the first time in mel's diner serious I hope I like it, but please don't be offended.
1084
We'll just put lots of ketchup on it and I'm sure it'll be good It's not like the tank totally No,
1085
let's try the grits.
1086
I feel like I've got to try it.
1087
Okay, wish me luck We don't hear what that way.
1088
So let's just try it.
1089
Am I gonna like grits or what?
1090
Yeah, do you like this?
1091
Like it with sugar what is it?
1092
You like salty grits, sugary grits.
1093
What is grits?
1094
It's gritty.
1095
This sounds awful.
1096
It's good.
1097
It's gritty.
1098
It sounds lovely.
1099
It's gritty.
1100
You have it with sugar.
1101
This lady has it with salt.
1102
Yes.
1103
You can have it with seasoning.
1104
It goes with eggs.
1105
Can you put ketchup on it?
1106
You can put whatever you want on it, but I wouldn't recommend ketchup.
1107
Can I get a Coke Zero if that's alright?
1108
Perfect, thanks so much.
1109
What was your name by the way?
1110
Justice.
1111
Thank you so much, appreciate it.
1112
I'll tell you what, I like Mel's Diner.
1113
You had a busy night mate?
1114
Not bad.
1115
My first time ever in a Mel's Diner.
1116
How is it?
1117
Yeah, so good, I'm looking forward to the food.
1118
How many Mel's Diner is there?
1119
Is it a chain or is it just one?
1120
Just two, we have one in the last, it's original than the last it is.
1121
And then they close it down and he opened up, he opened up and put his wife's name in the light and his wife is Mel.
1122
Ah, okay.
1123
Mel Diner.
1124
They have some in like Florida.
1125
This is the original one then, is it?
1126
The one in Lafford is, of these two, we only have two of them.
1127
This is the second one.
1128
His daughter and son-in-law opened this one in 97.
1129
He was in 91, this one was in 97.
1130
After the Covid, Mr Jack sold them.
1131
Mr Keith owns both of them.
1132
Mr Keith is Mr Jack, son of them.
1133
So the original owner doesn't own them anymore?
1134
No, he's here every day.
1135
You still call him the boss.
1136
He still comes in every day?
1137
He just had a hip surgery.
1138
No, wait, how old is he now?
1139
Must be in his late 70s, early 80s.
1140
It must be amazing for him to come in and see it still going.
1141
I'm a big fan of Mel's Diner.
1142
It's going to be my first time trying grits, so wish me luck on that.
1143
Some of that.
1144
Seasonal.
1145
So do you have sugar or salt on yours?
1146
I did it once, I didn't like it.
1147
I've never tried grits.
1148
What exactly is it?
1149
It's kind of like rice, it doesn't really have a taste.
1150
We're going to see.
1151
A little bit of salt, a little bit of pepper, some seasonal, a maca butter.
1152
I like butter.
1153
Well, I'll let you know what it's like after I've tried it.
1154
What time do you finish work, mate?
1155
Six.
1156
Six a.m.
1157
Do you always do the nights?
1158
Wednesday and Thursday day, Friday, Saturday, Sunday night.
1159
Friday, Saturday.
1160
Are they the busiest nights I'm guessing?
1161
There's a concert in town, we get really busy when it's a hurricane, or the only ones open.
1162
Oh wow, you get a few hurricanes through here then do you?
1163
We had two in 2020.
1164
But last year we had a blizzard, a snow-dwelling blizzard.
1165
And my grandmother made some shit, you never see, that doesn't happen in New Year's.
1166
But the snow's flowing sideways and it'll snow for like a few days.
1167
So you're open 24 hours, seven days a week?
1168
and go for christmas it's only day before it's lovely to
1169
meet you ryan simon i'm gonna check one i'll see how
1170
you like it yeah 100 it is absolutely rammed in here it's literally full down there
1171
and it's full over there it's been some journey this it's
1172
been a good one i'm getting closer to new orleans is this it yes thank you
1173
so much eggs on toast
1174
and this is the grits now we give butter with grits a lot of people like butter in their grits Okay, it looks like porridge, doesn't it?
1175
Somewhat similar.
1176
Try some grits, Simon.
1177
I'm gonna try it.
1178
Let's see you try some grits.
1179
Do you think I'm gonna like it?
1180
I think so.
1181
I hope so.
1182
And not everybody makes their grits to see.
1183
You can try them and then decide if you want salt or sugar.
1184
Is it worth putting ketchup on it?
1185
No, no. Try it first.
1186
You'll put ketchup on everything in the UK, huh?
1187
Oh, wow.
1188
It is literally like porridge.
1189
Right, let's try it.
1190
You want a spoon?
1191
Yeah, let's try it.
1192
Can you not eat grips with a fork?
1193
It has to be with a spoon.
1194
Right, let's give it a go.
1195
Let's eat.
1196
Don't judge me here, right?
1197
I want to judge you.
1198
Oh, wow.
1199
So what's in this at the minute?
1200
Just butter?
1201
It doesn't have butter in this.
1202
No, let me try it.
1203
It doesn't have butter in this.
1204
It doesn't have butter in this.
1205
What on...
1206
What is it?
1207
What on earth is that?
1208
It's like mashed potato.
1209
It's mashed potato.
1210
It's like Grinny Cup.
1211
Look it up.
1212
It's not good with nothing in it.
1213
Okay, so let's put something in it.
1214
Butter.
1215
Right, go on then.
1216
You need another one.
1217
Make a boat with butter and salt.
1218
I'll get you.
1219
Butter and salt.
1220
We're just going to put as much butter and salt in it and then it'll be amazing.
1221
Amazing.
1222
We're going to do one sweet and one salty.
1223
I can't have sweet.
1224
Let's do the salty.
1225
You need a bigger boat.
1226
Let's get my blood pressure up really high.
1227
I'll get you a baby.
1228
Let's mash this butter in.
1229
This looks horrendous.
1230
This is corn.
1231
right the butter and salt is in let's give this another go I don't know I put butter
1232
and salt in it you ready
1233
no that's not for me that no I appreciate you let me try it
1234
but I'll stick to the eggs on toast the potatoes really good let's try the potato
1235
The home fries is what I recommend.
1236
Okay, what's the best one?
1237
I prefer home fries.
1238
Everybody would say home fries.
1239
Okay, let's try home fries.
1240
Oh, no, the grits.
1241
I put the butter and salt in, Ryan, innit?
1242
Yeah.
1243
Are you a fan of it?
1244
I love it, man. Do you?
1245
You love it?
1246
I broke with it, I know how to fix it.
1247
I love it.
1248
Yeah.
1249
So you have it for breakfast, I'm guessing?
1250
Tripping grits.
1251
Prawns and that?
1252
I couldn't do that, Ryan.
1253
I'll stick to the egg and toast, mate.
1254
Oh, yeah.
1255
Tell you what, this egg's in there.
1256
Toast is mega.
1257
Hey, 10 out of 10 for the eggs on toast.
1258
What's your go-to order here?
1259
I do the French toast.
1260
Come every weekend.
1261
Every weekend?
1262
French toast?
1263
I like it.
1264
You need anything else right now?
1265
No, I'm all good, thank you.
1266
I'll try the house fries, and then I'm going to hit the road, I think.
1267
You can put ketchup on those if you want.
1268
I'll 100% be putting ketchup on them.
1269
Okay.
1270
These are the famous house fries.
1271
Yeah.
1272
They look good.
1273
Do you want a refill?
1274
Yeah, I'll get one more refill.
1275
I'm...
1276
I'm sorry.
1277
Pulling knives and forks out of nowhere.
1278
Thank you.
1279
You're welcome.
1280
Tell you what, these look a lot better than that grits.
1281
That's more like it.
1282
A lot better than grits.
1283
I'll stick to the house fries next time.
1284
Have a good night.
1285
Enjoy the French toast.
1286
See you later.
1287
Can you show me the fries? So good.
1288
They're good, huh?
1289
So much better than the grits.
1290
Yeah, the grits are not good.
1291
I don't like grits either.
1292
Exactly.
1293
Well, I'll stick to the house fries in the future.
1294
Hello.
1295
Can I get the check if that's alright?
1296
You sure can.
1297
Amazing.
1298
Thank you so much.
1299
You're welcome, have a good one.
1300
Amazing, so nice to meet you.
1301
I tell you what, Mel's diner has exceeded my expectation.
1302
I'll be coming back.
1303
Perfect, is that mine?
1304
And the whole fries are on me.
1305
No, don't be silly, I'll pay for them.
1306
Well, I'll give it to you back in a sec.
1307
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.
1308
Nice to meet you, Justice.
1309
Nice to meet you too.
1310
Have a good one, sir.
1311
Yeah, you too, so nice to meet you.
1312
Nice to meet you as well.
1313
There you go.
1314
Oh, hallelujah.
1315
Amazing, is that everything?
1316
Yes, sir.
1317
Thank you so much.
1318
So nice to meet you.
1319
Have a good one.
1320
Thank you.
1321
All the best, mate.
1322
Lovely to meet you.
1323
See you later.
1324
Cheers.
1325
Thank you.
1326
See you later.
1327
Mel's Diner.
1328
Winner.
1329
I tell you what, Louisiana's doing me proud.
1330
All these places are so good.
1331
I don't think I'll be in a rush to try grits again, but I'd definitely go back there.
1332
We're on the final stretch now.
1333
New Orleans.
1334
We've made it the time.
1335
4.30 in the morning in New Orleans and I am knackered.
1336
What a trip, what a few nights, but there's one more diner that I haven't tried and you all know which one it is and that's Denny's.
1337
Lucky for me, in front of me, is the only Denny's in New Orleans.
1338
I don't think I've ever been to a Denny's in my life.
1339
Have I been to a Denny's?
1340
I don't think so.
1341
I think it's safe to say that I won't be ordering grits.
1342
Right, the last diner of this trip, 4.30.
1343
Let's go.
1344
I tell you what, for 4.30 in the morning, there's a few cars.
1345
There we have it, the famous Denny's sign.
1346
I genuinely don't think I can eat any more food.
1347
I suppose one more pancake won't hurt.
1348
Here we have it, Denny's America's Diner.
1349
Wish me luck who's going to be in this at 4.30.
1350
Absolutely no public restrooms.
1351
Welcome, please wait to be seated.
1352
Hey, how's it going?
1353
Can I just grab a table?
1354
Yeah.
1355
Thank you.
1356
How are you?
1357
Busy night?
1358
Yeah, just for one person.
1359
Anywhere you'd like to see.
1360
Anyway, perfect.
1361
Thanks so much.
1362
Appreciate it. From UK?
1363
Oh, no, no, no. Where are you guys from?
1364
Colorado.
1365
Colorado, nice.
1366
So you just travelled into New Orleans or?
1367
I came here for work and then stayed here for a couple of years.
1368
Awesome.
1369
Awesome.
1370
And then try to move to Texas.
1371
What do you do for work?
1372
Uh, winter bath.
1373
Ah, awesome.
1374
You having a good night though?
1375
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
1376
Ah, good.
1377
How's the food in Denny's?
1378
Yes, it's pretty good.
1379
It's good?
1380
No English.
1381
No English, espanol?
1382
Espanol, espanol.
1383
Mi espanol poquito.
1384
No, mi espanol poquito.
1385
Poquito, oh, ok.
1386
Where are you from?
1387
Guatemala.
1388
Guatemala, nice.
1389
Mi inglés is good.
1390
Mi inglés is good.
1391
So are you all from Guatemala or?
1392
No, Colombia.
1393
Colombia, nice.
1394
So nice to meet you anyway, man.
1395
Have a good night.
1396
You too.
1397
Have a good one.
1398
Right, let's jump on a table.
1399
Thank you so much.
1400
Where's your accent from?
1401
I'm Ukrainian.
1402
My brother stayed in England for about four years.
1403
He had not learned how to speak English.
1404
Really?
1405
I learned how to speak English, but I'll tell you, I love the way English sound, not American.
1406
Yeah.
1407
I messed up.
1408
I learned how to speak here, because I've been here for too long.
1409
I've been here almost 18 years.
1410
You've been in America for 18 years?
1411
Wow.
1412
And in New Orleans or?
1413
Just New Orleans.
1414
I don't like to move, I don't like to pack.
1415
I'm staying here, not going away.
1416
Yeah, 80 years, wow.
1417
So I messed up, I learned how to speak American English but I just love it.
1418
I heard you talking to the guys over there, I was like, oh my god, I love it.
1419
Yeah, definitely.
1420
What do you want to drink?
1421
Can I just get a black coffee if that's okay?
1422
Coffee, I got you.
1423
Thanks so much.
1424
Have you been on a night out, have you mate?
1425
Yeah, just a little bit.
1426
Got off of work and we're just exploring the town.
1427
New Orleans is a place to be.
1428
If you haven't been down Bourbon Street, it's like Thailand.
1429
Like Thailand?
1430
Yeah, I've been there a couple of times.
1431
Ah, really?
1432
Bourbon Street's like Thailand, is it?
1433
Last time I was in Bourbon Street, I think, was maybe a couple of years ago.
1434
So you've been into town and then you thought you'd come here for some food?
1435
Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.
1436
Yeah, we just got off work, went to a bar, came here.
1437
This is my first time ever in a Denny's, I think.
1438
Oh, man.
1439
You'll love it.
1440
What do you recommend?
1441
Like, what's the thing to get in Denny's?
1442
The Stackhouse?
1443
I would say something.
1444
Stackhouse?
1445
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I don't even know if they even have it here.
1446
But definitely the pancakes.
1447
Mate, I have eaten so many pancakes.
1448
I've driven from Houston, so it's been a long drive.
1449
What was your name, mate?
1450
Uh, Taylor.
1451
Taylor, nice to meet you, Simon.
1452
Nice to meet you, Simon.
1453
Awesome, I hope you have a good night anyway, man.
1454
Oh, yeah, yeah.
1455
See you later.
1456
All the best, mate.
1457
Ah, thank you so much.
1458
You're welcome.
1459
So, you're visiting?
1460
Yeah, just visiting.
1461
Yeah, I drove from Houston all the way here over the last couple of days.
1462
And this is my final stop.
1463
I'm going to stay here for a bit.
1464
We'll see where life takes me.
1465
What's your shift been tonight?
1466
When did you start?
1467
I came at 10.
1468
10 p.m.
1469
And what time do you finish?
1470
7. 7, not long to go.
1471
No, almost over.
1472
Have you been busy tonight?
1473
Tonight actually wasn't.
1474
And you know, it's kind of unusual for Fridays because we usually get very, very crowded.
1475
Really?
1476
Saturday's worse.
1477
So I'm not even tired today.
1478
I just, you know, chillin'.
1479
Because I'm guessing people like that gentleman, and they'll like go for drinks and they'll come here for food or something.
1480
That would be a night crowd, yeah.
1481
So it gets rowdy in here on the weekend?
1482
It gets rowdy, yeah.
1483
It gets pretty loud.
1484
But you know, we don't mind.
1485
I mean, I've been there before.
1486
I have used to be my stuff.
1487
Yeah, exactly.
1488
I'm old as well.
1489
2 o'clock in the morning, you know, I don't do that no more.
1490
I mean, 10pm, I gotta go to sleep.
1491
If I'm not working, I can't be up.
1492
I have a drink now, you get like a three-day hangover.
1493
It's not worth it.
1494
How was it like coming from Ukraine to America 18 years ago?
1495
I mean, it was different times, you know, I was a student, I had nothing to hold me back, I was young, I thought, believe, you know, the sky is the limit.
1496
Look back, like, 20 years later, this country not the same, that country is not the same, I'm not the same, and you know, the 20 years is like 40 now,
1497
because it aged so quickly, I'm gaining life, like, a little bit here, but I'm losing so much behind in Ukraine, you know?
1498
It's tough.
1499
Yeah, for sure.
1500
Yeah, I'll have a look at the menu, I haven't had a look yet, so yeah.
1501
But thank you so much.
1502
Jacku.
1503
Jacku, you're welcome.
1504
Thank you.
1505
What a lovely lady.
1506
I tell you what, I need that.
1507
Right, let's have a look at this.
1508
Denny's Welcome to America's Diner.
1509
Look at all this stuff.
1510
Where do I even start with this?
1511
Beef burgers, sharing platters, nachos, A frying pan with chicken and mushrooms.
1512
Chicken tenders.
1513
Oh, it just keeps going, doesn't it?
1514
Cheesecake, caramel apple pie.
1515
I can't get a caramel apple pie at 4.30 in the morning.
1516
Brownie sundae with Oreo pieces.
1517
Maple stuffed donut holes.
1518
This is too early in the morning for this.
1519
What are Denny's famous for?
1520
Like, what's the go-to on this menu?
1521
What's, like, the most famous thing here?
1522
Like, what do people order when they come here?
1523
What's the most popular? like country fried steak and egg.
1524
Country fried steak and eggs.
1525
Or like T-bone and eggs.
1526
French toast is really good.
1527
Is it, the French toast?
1528
Yeah, let's do the French toast.
1529
And it comes with eggs, does it?
1530
Two eggs and four pieces of meat.
1531
Either do like bacon and sausage or all four the same.
1532
I'll just do bacon if that's okay.
1533
Yeah.
1534
Amazing.
1535
How do you like your eggs?
1536
Perfect.
1537
Do you want to scramble well or you want to over...
1538
No, well I've scrambled well.
1539
French toast and bacon.
1540
Alrighty.
1541
Jakku, thank you.
1542
You're welcome, thank you.
1543
First time here?
1544
No, I've been here before, but not for a couple of years.
1545
So first time in a bit.
1546
How about yourself?
1547
Are you from here or...?
1548
I was born in Mississippi. In Mississippi?
1549
Yeah, I've been here for years though.
1550
So it's pretty much home.
1551
Has it been a long night or not too bad?
1552
I just came on.
1553
She's been here all night.
1554
I know, it's a long night.
1555
I can't work all night.
1556
Yeah.
1557
I used to when I was younger.
1558
Yeah.
1559
I don't want to do that anymore.
1560
I don't blame you.
1561
I'd rather be sleeping.
1562
Yeah, exactly.
1563
Nice talking to you.
1564
You too, have a nice, I was gonna say have a nice night, but have a good day.
1565
You have a good day too.
1566
Ah, thank you so much.
1567
Thank you.
1568
French toast and the eggs and bacon.
1569
Amazing.
1570
More coffee?
1571
Yeah, I'll take another one please.
1572
Thank you so much.
1573
You're so welcome, enjoy.
1574
Cheers.
1575
I've never eaten so many pancakes, waffles and now French toast on this trip.
1576
Right, we're looking good.
1577
French toast, scrambled egg, bacon.
1578
Let's give this a go.
1579
Denny's scrambled egg, not bad.
1580
Do you know what?
1581
Going to these diners at 2 o'clock in the morning, I thought was going to be really sketchy.
1582
But everybody's just so friendly.
1583
Right, let's go and get the bill.
1584
Thank you so much for everything, I really appreciate it.
1585
You're welcome.
1586
Nice to meet you.
1587
Nice meeting you.
1588
17.54.
1589
Perfect.
1590
Can I put a tip on there as well?
1591
Yes.
1592
It's okay.
1593
I'm okay for a receipt.
1594
It was so nice to meet you.
1595
Have a lovely weekend anyway.
1596
See you later.
1597
All the best.
1598
Bye.
1599
And that's it for Denny's.
1600
One last thing.
1601
Don't forget the WhatNot giveaway.
1602
To enter the giveaway, sign up using the link below
1603
and either spend some of the free credit or comment your WhatNot username.
1604
Good luck and I'm off to bed.
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Vocabulario y notas de pronunciación para esta lección
Esta lección de conversación de nivel B1 se basa en el vídeo “I Tried American Diners After Midnight”. Este vídeo tiene 1602 frases y 9718 palabras para practicar shadowing. La parte hablada dura 50:59. El hablante habla rápido, unas 191 palabras por minuto, así que espera sonidos enlazados y reducidos. El 83 % de las palabras está entre las 3.000 más comunes del inglés; conviene repasar el resto antes de empezar. 404 de sus 1602 frases son preguntas, así que sirve para practicar la entonación de las preguntas y las respuestas cortas.
Vocabulario clave de este vídeo
Las 15 palabras más avanzadas del vídeo, con su pronunciación y significado:
| Palabra | Pronunciación | Significado |
|---|---|---|
| grit sustantivo | /ɡɹɪt/ | arenilla |
| waffle sustantivo | /ˈwɑf.əl/ | waffle, wafle |
| fry verbo | /fɹaɪ/ | freír |
| toast sustantivo | /toʊst/ | pan tostado, tostada |
| pancake sustantivo | /ˈpæn.keɪk/ | hot cake, pancake |
| menu sustantivo | /ˈmɛn.juː/ | menú, carta |
| syrup sustantivo | /ˈsɪɹ.əp/ | almíbar, jarabe |
| steak sustantivo | /steɪk/ | bistec, bisté |
| beignet sustantivo | /bɛnˈjeɪ/ | buñuelo |
| bacon sustantivo | /ˈbeɪ.kən/ | tocino |
| cheers | /t͡ʃɪəz/ | salud, chinchín |
| scramble verbo | /ˈskɹæmbl̩/ | gatear |
| hash sustantivo | /ˈhæʃ/ | picadillo, guiso |
| sausage sustantivo | /ˈsɔsɪd͡ʒ/ | embutido, salchicha |
| banana sustantivo | /bəˈnænə/ | banana, banano |
Phrasal verbs que vas a escuchar
| Palabra | Significado |
|---|---|
| look forward to verbo | no ver la hora de, quedar a la espera de |
| come up verbo | salir a relucir |
| get out of verbo | salirse de, ponerse fuera de |
| mess up verbo | desbarajustar, desbarahustar |
| sign up verbo | inscribir, alistar |
| back out verbo | dar marcha atrás, echarse atrás |
| come across verbo | pasarse a |
| end up verbo | terminar, ir a parar |
Frases que vale la pena repetir
Frases cortas y completas del vídeo que puedes reutilizar en la conversación diaria:
- I'm like, do I do the banana split or?
- Would you say that's the one to get?
- You don't have any ketchup at all?
- Can you tell I'm a foreigner?
- Ah, so you've got a place as well?
Gramática en este vídeo
Las estructuras que más usa el hablante, con las palabras exactas del vídeo:
| Estructura | En el vídeo |
|---|---|
| “Used to” used to + verbo — un hábito o estado pasado que ya no es cierto | used to be · used to when |
| Present perfect have/has + participio pasado — una acción pasada que sigue importando ahora | I've just landed · have never done · I've never been |
| Voz pasiva be + participio pasado — importa lo que ocurre, no quién lo hace | is called · were stationed · be offended |
| Superlativos the -est / the most … — lo más alto o lo más bajo de un grupo | the best · the longest · the most fat |
Pronunciación a tener en cuenta
El hablante usa 370 contracciones y formas reducidas, como I'm, I'll, I've. Dilas en su forma corta, tal como las oyes.
- Los sonidos de “th”: unhealthy /ʌnˈhɛl.θi/, grandmother /ˈɡɹæn(d)ˌmʌðɚ/
- Los sonidos de “sh” y “zh”: hash /ˈhæʃ/, catfish /ˈkætfɪʃ/, chef /ʃɛf/, mash /mæʃ/, smash /smæʃ/
- Palabras largas — cuida el acento: recommendation /ˌɹɛkəmɛnˈdeɪʃən/, curiosity /ˌkjʊɹ.iˈɑ.sə.ti/, expectation /ˌɛk.spɛkˈteɪ.ʃən/, genuinely /ˈd͡ʒɛn.ju.ɪn.li/
Cómo practicar con este vídeo
- Escucha el vídeo entero una vez sin hablar y anota las palabras que no conoces.
- Empieza a velocidad 0,75×, haz shadowing frase por frase y vuelve a la velocidad normal cuando te resulte fácil.
- Grábate y compara con el original, prestando atención a palabras como grit, waffle, fry.
¿Qué es la Técnica de Shadowing?
Shadowing es una técnica de aprendizaje de idiomas respaldada por la ciencia, desarrollada originalmente para la formación de intérpretes profesionales y popularizada por el políglota Dr. Alexander Arguelles. El método es simple pero poderoso: escuchas audio en inglés nativo y lo repites en voz alta de inmediato, como una sombra que sigue al hablante con solo 1-2 segundos de retraso. A diferencia de la escucha pasiva o los ejercicios de gramática, el shadowing obliga a tu cerebro y músculos de la boca a procesar y reproducir simultáneamente patrones de habla reales. Las investigaciones muestran que mejora significativamente la precisión de la pronunciación, la entonación, el ritmo, el habla conectada, la comprensión auditiva y la fluidez al hablar, convirtiéndola en una de las metodologías más efectivas para la preparación del IELTS Speaking y la comunicación en inglés en el mundo real.