Podcast Summary: American Gravy — SNAP Fraud, Food Fights & the Rise of Robot Restaurants

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show | iHeartPodcasts | November 20, 2025

Main Theme / Overview

In this lively episode of American Gravy, chef Andrew Gruel and Lauren Gruel stir up conversations blending food, family, and social commentary—exploring the real flavors (and frustrations) of modern American life. The episode dives into government SNAP/food stamp fraud, vegan restaurant drama, quirky food facts, the economics of robot restaurants, and the emergence of live-stream shopping—always with a side helping of banter, practical cooking tips, and “WTF” food stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Vegan Restaurant Adds Meat: A "Betrayal" or Smart Survival?

[03:42 – 09:16]

Story: Vegan/gluten-free restaurant "Good Beat" faced backlash after owner Ashley Cohn announced the addition of chicken and salmon to the menu.
Lauren: "I could see why they're upset. Right. Because I feel like if you go to...just a vegan, cruelty-free...then adding, you know, chicken and fish on the menu..." [05:33]
Andrew: Shares experience running both a plant-based and a chicken restaurant side by side, highlighting the financial difficulty of serving a niche vegan market:
"There was such a small subset of vegans or plant-based diners...we financially couldn't make it. Like, we couldn't get our sales high enough..." [08:36]
Insight: Vegan restaurants face economic challenges due to a small client base—even if the food is excellent.

2. WTF Food Stories: Scented Wrapping Paper and Family Antics

[09:17 – 12:39]

Scented Gifts: Cinnabon released cinnamon roll-scented wrapping paper, prompting jokes about pets (and kids) thinking it’s edible, and a digression about home-life and ant infestations.
Parent Humor: Andrew admits to being the "kid" making sandwich messes and hiding for naps, leading to a lighthearted exchange about family life and the universal struggle for parents to find a peaceful moment.

3. SNAP Benefits & Fraud: Root Problems and Who Profits?

[12:39 – 18:15]

Andrew’s Thesis: SNAP (food stamps) often acts as "corporate welfare," funneling money to big food manufacturers since recipients can only spend benefits at places with unhealthy food options in food deserts.
- "The problem that I have with the SNAP benefits is it's corporate welfare...the Only food that's available...are in food deserts..." [13:44]
Fraud Stats: 186,000 deceased individuals were still collecting SNAP benefits.
Viral Story: In NJ, $24,952 in unspent SNAP benefits were shown in one viral video, questioning oversight and eligibility.
Solutions: Discusses capping rollover balances rather than outright removal, and the need for responsible benefit management to protect genuinely needy families.
Lauren: "If there's that much fraud and...people taking advantage...I think if you truly need it, you should...receive it." [17:02]
Andrew: "Every state has a national program, but they give it to the states to administer..." [15:01]
Also criticizes the blame game between federal and state government, emphasizing the needs of the recipients over political quibbling.

4. Food & Shopping Trends: Live-Stream Commerce and Robot Restaurants

A. Rise of Live-Stream Selling
[18:15 – 22:24]

Lauren: Introduces the massive growth of live-shopping (like TikTok Live or Whatnot) as a trillion-dollar opportunity, confusing Andrew who can’t grasp the social media-centric model.
Notable exchange:
- Lauren: "So it's like shop...the experience is more like shopping at a brick and mortar store without the hassle. Right." [20:19]
- Andrew: "How are they valuing this at $11.5 billion? If I...don't even understand it..." [21:16]

B. Robot Restaurants – Automat Sweetgreen
[25:17 – 26:54]

Lauren: Discusses her experience at Sweetgreen’s new drive-thru with a fully automated food-dispensing line.
- "They have all of these...dispensers...the bowl gets set up on this line and it goes down and they fill it for you." [25:55]
Andrew: Questions if total automation can ever replace “culinary artists”—sees automation making sense for fast casual, not fine dining:
"This is one industry where...the culinary artist is always gonna be required..." [26:21]

5. Fun Food Facts (“Food Facts That'll Blow Your Biscuit”)

[22:24 – 25:02]

Most Stolen Food: Cheese is the most stolen food in the world. "There's a huge underground cheese trade." [22:50]
Spam’s Origin: Spam was invented in Minnesota in 1937 to utilize pork shoulder, but became popular in Hawaii via WWII supply lines.
Bantering on Spam:
- Lauren: "People love Spam." [24:34]
- Andrew: "I'd pan fry it and have it with, like, an egg." [24:36]

6. Cooking Tips & Techniques

[26:56 – 29:35]

Butter Burning:
- Andrew: “I finish with butter. I don't always cook with butter. If you want a higher smoke point...mix in a little bit of olive oil or avocado oil..." [27:04]
Vegetable Boiling Rule:
- "If it grows underground, start it in a cold pan. If it grows above ground, blanch it in boiling water." [27:29]
Sheet Tray Preheating:
- Lauren: “Preheat the sheet tray...It will start the cooking process immediately...faster cooking and better browning." [28:33]
Broader message: Americans need to cook more at home to avoid processed foods and improve health:
- Andrew: "50% [of the federal budget] somehow related to healthcare...so much...is chronic disease...goes back to food." [28:51]

7. “86 It” – What’s Overrated or Annoying

[29:35 – 31:58]

Andrew: Tired of sex-related puns on food menus (e.g. “nut in your mouth sandwich”), calls the trend “old” and “slapstick.” [29:59]
Lauren: Annoyed by endless verification codes and password resets, and by the hype around adult collectors of “Labubu” monster plush dolls. [30:38]
Pop culture tangent: Compares today's collectible toy crazes (like Labubu) to past fads such as Tickle Me Elmo and classic gaming consoles.

8. Thanksgiving Tips & The Science of Turkey

[33:45 – 35:10]

Buy Early:
- Lauren: “Definitely buy your turkey now. You can pre order..."
Double-Breasted Turkeys: Andrew explains modern turkeys are “genetically modified to have...double broad breasts"—a result of consumer preference for white meat. "If you want the dark meat, now's the time to get a good heritage bird." [34:01–35:10]
Humorous detours: The pair jokingly discuss trends in physique (big breasts), but loop the chat back to serious turkey-buying tips.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On SNAP Fraud: "The people who truly need the SNAP benefits are then getting tainted by the people who are using it for fraudulent purposes." — Andrew [13:55]
On Vegan Restaurant Survival: "There was such a small subset of vegans...we financially couldn't make it." — Andrew [08:36]
On Live Selling: "This makes no sense to me. And I guess the other thing is, is that...how are they valuing this at $11.5 billion?" — Andrew [21:16]
On Cheese Theft: "Cheese is the most stolen food in the world." — Andrew [22:50]
On Food Automation: "The artist is always gonna be required, the culinary artist." — Andrew [26:21]
On Turkey Breeds: "Try and get a heritage bird...the birds they sell for Thanksgiving are actually genetically modified to have...double broad breasts." — Andrew [34:01]
On Health & Cooking: "50% [of the federal budget] somehow related to healthcare...so much...is chronic disease...goes back to food." — Andrew [28:51]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[03:42] — Vegan Restaurant Adds Meat & Economic Challenges
[09:17] — Scented Wrapping Paper, Family & Antics
[12:39] — SNAP Fraud: Causes, Stats, and Solutions
[18:15] — Rise of Live Steam Shopping (Whatnot, TikTok, Instagram)
[22:24] — Fun Food Facts (Cheese Theft, Spam Origins)
[25:17] — Automated Restaurants & Future of Food Service
[26:56] — Cooking Tips: Butter, Vegetables, Sheet Trays
[29:35] — 86 It: Annoying Menu Puns, Verification Codes, Labubu
[33:45] — Thanksgiving Tips: Buying, Genetics of Modern Turkey

Tone & Style

The episode is marked by quick-witted back-and-forth, mixing culinary expertise with personal anecdotes and playful sarcasm. The hosts keep things conversational yet informative, often shifting from serious policy talk to relatable stories about parenthood, nostalgia, and new tech trends.

Conclusion

American Gravy serves up a flavorful medley of hot-button issues (SNAP fraud, food industry economics), light-hearted food trivia, practical cooking advice, and pop-culture food trends—always with a blend of humor and honesty. Whether you care about policy, food science, new shopping habits, or just want a kitchen giggle, this episode delivers plenty of food for thought.

Hosts:

Chef Andrew Gruel (@ChefGruel)
Lauren Gruel (@LaurenGruel)

Find more:
Subscribe and follow on social media for recipes, cooking videos, and more “What the Fork” stories!

Podcast Summary: American Gravy — SNAP Fraud, Food Fights & the Rise of Robot Restaurants

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show | iHeartPodcasts | November 20, 2025

Main Theme / Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Vegan Restaurant Adds Meat: A "Betrayal" or Smart Survival?

[03:42 – 09:16]

Story: Vegan/gluten-free restaurant "Good Beat" faced backlash after owner Ashley Cohn announced the addition of chicken and salmon to the menu.
Lauren: "I could see why they're upset. Right. Because I feel like if you go to...just a vegan, cruelty-free...then adding, you know, chicken and fish on the menu..." [05:33]
Andrew: Shares experience running both a plant-based and a chicken restaurant side by side, highlighting the financial difficulty of serving a niche vegan market:
"There was such a small subset of vegans or plant-based diners...we financially couldn't make it. Like, we couldn't get our sales high enough..." [08:36]
Insight: Vegan restaurants face economic challenges due to a small client base—even if the food is excellent.

2. WTF Food Stories: Scented Wrapping Paper and Family Antics

[09:17 – 12:39]

Scented Gifts: Cinnabon released cinnamon roll-scented wrapping paper, prompting jokes about pets (and kids) thinking it’s edible, and a digression about home-life and ant infestations.
Parent Humor: Andrew admits to being the "kid" making sandwich messes and hiding for naps, leading to a lighthearted exchange about family life and the universal struggle for parents to find a peaceful moment.

3. SNAP Benefits & Fraud: Root Problems and Who Profits?

[12:39 – 18:15]

Andrew’s Thesis: SNAP (food stamps) often acts as "corporate welfare," funneling money to big food manufacturers since recipients can only spend benefits at places with unhealthy food options in food deserts.
- "The problem that I have with the SNAP benefits is it's corporate welfare...the Only food that's available...are in food deserts..." [13:44]
Fraud Stats: 186,000 deceased individuals were still collecting SNAP benefits.
Viral Story: In NJ, $24,952 in unspent SNAP benefits were shown in one viral video, questioning oversight and eligibility.
Solutions: Discusses capping rollover balances rather than outright removal, and the need for responsible benefit management to protect genuinely needy families.
Lauren: "If there's that much fraud and...people taking advantage...I think if you truly need it, you should...receive it." [17:02]
Andrew: "Every state has a national program, but they give it to the states to administer..." [15:01]
Also criticizes the blame game between federal and state government, emphasizing the needs of the recipients over political quibbling.

4. Food & Shopping Trends: Live-Stream Commerce and Robot Restaurants

A. Rise of Live-Stream Selling
[18:15 – 22:24]

Lauren: Introduces the massive growth of live-shopping (like TikTok Live or Whatnot) as a trillion-dollar opportunity, confusing Andrew who can’t grasp the social media-centric model.
Notable exchange:
- Lauren: "So it's like shop...the experience is more like shopping at a brick and mortar store without the hassle. Right." [20:19]
- Andrew: "How are they valuing this at $11.5 billion? If I...don't even understand it..." [21:16]

B. Robot Restaurants – Automat Sweetgreen
[25:17 – 26:54]

Lauren: Discusses her experience at Sweetgreen’s new drive-thru with a fully automated food-dispensing line.
- "They have all of these...dispensers...the bowl gets set up on this line and it goes down and they fill it for you." [25:55]
Andrew: Questions if total automation can ever replace “culinary artists”—sees automation making sense for fast casual, not fine dining:
"This is one industry where...the culinary artist is always gonna be required..." [26:21]

5. Fun Food Facts (“Food Facts That'll Blow Your Biscuit”)

[22:24 – 25:02]

Most Stolen Food: Cheese is the most stolen food in the world. "There's a huge underground cheese trade." [22:50]
Spam’s Origin: Spam was invented in Minnesota in 1937 to utilize pork shoulder, but became popular in Hawaii via WWII supply lines.
Bantering on Spam:
- Lauren: "People love Spam." [24:34]
- Andrew: "I'd pan fry it and have it with, like, an egg." [24:36]

6. Cooking Tips & Techniques

[26:56 – 29:35]

Butter Burning:
- Andrew: “I finish with butter. I don't always cook with butter. If you want a higher smoke point...mix in a little bit of olive oil or avocado oil..." [27:04]
Vegetable Boiling Rule:
- "If it grows underground, start it in a cold pan. If it grows above ground, blanch it in boiling water." [27:29]
Sheet Tray Preheating:
- Lauren: “Preheat the sheet tray...It will start the cooking process immediately...faster cooking and better browning." [28:33]
Broader message: Americans need to cook more at home to avoid processed foods and improve health:
- Andrew: "50% [of the federal budget] somehow related to healthcare...so much...is chronic disease...goes back to food." [28:51]

7. “86 It” – What’s Overrated or Annoying

[29:35 – 31:58]

Andrew: Tired of sex-related puns on food menus (e.g. “nut in your mouth sandwich”), calls the trend “old” and “slapstick.” [29:59]
Lauren: Annoyed by endless verification codes and password resets, and by the hype around adult collectors of “Labubu” monster plush dolls. [30:38]
Pop culture tangent: Compares today's collectible toy crazes (like Labubu) to past fads such as Tickle Me Elmo and classic gaming consoles.

8. Thanksgiving Tips & The Science of Turkey

[33:45 – 35:10]

Buy Early:
- Lauren: “Definitely buy your turkey now. You can pre order..."
Double-Breasted Turkeys: Andrew explains modern turkeys are “genetically modified to have...double broad breasts"—a result of consumer preference for white meat. "If you want the dark meat, now's the time to get a good heritage bird." [34:01–35:10]
Humorous detours: The pair jokingly discuss trends in physique (big breasts), but loop the chat back to serious turkey-buying tips.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On SNAP Fraud: "The people who truly need the SNAP benefits are then getting tainted by the people who are using it for fraudulent purposes." — Andrew [13:55]
On Vegan Restaurant Survival: "There was such a small subset of vegans...we financially couldn't make it." — Andrew [08:36]
On Live Selling: "This makes no sense to me. And I guess the other thing is, is that...how are they valuing this at $11.5 billion?" — Andrew [21:16]
On Cheese Theft: "Cheese is the most stolen food in the world." — Andrew [22:50]
On Food Automation: "The artist is always gonna be required, the culinary artist." — Andrew [26:21]
On Turkey Breeds: "Try and get a heritage bird...the birds they sell for Thanksgiving are actually genetically modified to have...double broad breasts." — Andrew [34:01]
On Health & Cooking: "50% [of the federal budget] somehow related to healthcare...so much...is chronic disease...goes back to food." — Andrew [28:51]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[03:42] — Vegan Restaurant Adds Meat & Economic Challenges
[09:17] — Scented Wrapping Paper, Family & Antics
[12:39] — SNAP Fraud: Causes, Stats, and Solutions
[18:15] — Rise of Live Steam Shopping (Whatnot, TikTok, Instagram)
[22:24] — Fun Food Facts (Cheese Theft, Spam Origins)
[25:17] — Automated Restaurants & Future of Food Service
[26:56] — Cooking Tips: Butter, Vegetables, Sheet Trays
[29:35] — 86 It: Annoying Menu Puns, Verification Codes, Labubu
[33:45] — Thanksgiving Tips: Buying, Genetics of Modern Turkey

Tone & Style

Conclusion

Hosts:

Chef Andrew Gruel (@ChefGruel)
Lauren Gruel (@LaurenGruel)

Find more:
Subscribe and follow on social media for recipes, cooking videos, and more “What the Fork” stories!

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American Gravy: SNAP Fraud, Food Fights & the Rise of Robot Restaurants

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Summary

Podcast Summary: American Gravy — SNAP Fraud, Food Fights & the Rise of Robot Restaurants

Main Theme / Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Vegan Restaurant Adds Meat: A "Betrayal" or Smart Survival?

2. WTF Food Stories: Scented Wrapping Paper and Family Antics

3. SNAP Benefits & Fraud: Root Problems and Who Profits?

4. Food & Shopping Trends: Live-Stream Commerce and Robot Restaurants

5. Fun Food Facts (“Food Facts That'll Blow Your Biscuit”)

6. Cooking Tips & Techniques

7. “86 It” – What’s Overrated or Annoying

8. Thanksgiving Tips & The Science of Turkey

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone & Style

Conclusion

Summary

Podcast Summary: American Gravy — SNAP Fraud, Food Fights & the Rise of Robot Restaurants

Main Theme / Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Vegan Restaurant Adds Meat: A "Betrayal" or Smart Survival?

2. WTF Food Stories: Scented Wrapping Paper and Family Antics

3. SNAP Benefits & Fraud: Root Problems and Who Profits?

4. Food & Shopping Trends: Live-Stream Commerce and Robot Restaurants

5. Fun Food Facts (“Food Facts That'll Blow Your Biscuit”)

6. Cooking Tips & Techniques

7. “86 It” – What’s Overrated or Annoying

8. Thanksgiving Tips & The Science of Turkey

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone & Style

Conclusion