The Dinner Table: A Southern Cannibal Podcast

Episode 7: TRUE Scary Fast Food Stories | Episode 608

Release Date: June 14, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 7 of The Dinner Table: A Southern Cannibal Podcast, host Southern Cannibal delves into a series of harrowing true stories shared by Stephanie, a young woman whose experiences working in various fast-food establishments took terrifying turns. This episode intricately weaves multiple narratives that highlight the unsettling encounters Stephanie faced, emphasizing the often-overlooked dangers lurking behind the counter and within the shadows of seemingly mundane workplaces.

1. The Culver's Incident

Timestamp: [01:53] - [10:43]

Stephanie begins her tale with a chilling experience at a Culver's restaurant. On a seemingly ordinary lunch day, she and her family decide to dine at a new Culver's location. Upon arrival, Stephanie notices a suspicious man in his 30s sitting in a black Chevy pickup outside the restaurant, smoking and observing everyone intently.

• Unsettling Observation

  • "He looked to be in his 30s and he was smoking a cigarette and seemingly watching everything and everyone around him very carefully." ([01:53])

• The Attack

  • While the family waits for their food during a staff shift change, Stephanie hears three loud gunshots. A female employee collapses outside the restaurant. The perpetrator hastily exits the scene, leading to police intervention.
  • "The police showed up and shut down the restaurant and we had to leave." ([04:35])

• Aftermath

  • The man is identified as the ex-boyfriend of the murdered woman. He faces severe charges and receives a 190-year prison sentence.
  • "The image of that woman laying in a pool of blood is still burned into my mind forever and I'm never going back to that Culver's again." ([05:06])

Stephanie reflects on the trauma and the lasting impact of witnessing such a violent event, underscoring the vulnerability employees can feel in fast-paced environments.

2. Encounters at Burger King

Timestamp: [10:43] - [28:37]

Transitioning to her time at Burger King, Stephanie shares a narrative about an unsettling customer who evolves from creepy to outright menacing.

• Initial Interaction

  • A man in his late 40s orders consistently but with increasingly inappropriate comments.
  • "Love that braid you're wearing tonight. You look tired, sweetheart. Long day." ([06:39])

• Escalation

  • The man's behavior intensifies, culminating in a threatening encounter where he lingers outside the restaurant late at night.
  • "I just wanted to talk. You're always so busy inside." ([08:16])

• Confrontation and Fear

  • Stephanie is confronted by the man in the alley, leading to a tense moment where her manager intervenes just in time.
  • "The back door slammed open. Tanya appeared in her work polo eye, scanning the alley." ([09:07])

• Psychological Impact

  • The incident leaves Stephanie deeply scarred, emphasizing the importance of trusting one's instincts and speaking up against threatening behavior.
  • "Creeps don't always look like villains. They don't always break laws. Sometimes they wait." ([10:43])

3. The Taco Bell Nightmare

Timestamp: [11:01] - [17:51]

Stephanie's next story unfolds at Taco Bell, where her search for normalcy after enjoying a cushy family life leads her into another distressing situation.

• Seeking Normalcy

  • Despite financial security, Stephanie seeks a genuine experience by working at Taco Bell, hoping to feel connected and "real."
  • "I think I just wanted to feel something different. Something normal. Something real." ([11:44])

• Ominous Discovery

  • While taking out the trash, Stephanie discovers a human finger near the dumpster, leading to a medical investigation.
  • "There was a finger. At first, of course, I thought it was a prank... But then I saw the dirt under the chip's nail, the dried blood crusted on the knuckle." ([17:51])

• Aftermath and Reflection

  • The police identify the finger as belonging to a missing homeless woman whose body was later found elsewhere. The incident leaves Stephanie haunted by the proximity to tragedy.
  • "I wonder if he'd looked earlier, if I'd said something about the truck sooner, if anything would have changed." ([18:37])

Stephanie emphasizes the fragility of safety and the ever-present potential for danger in everyday settings.

4. Terrifying Experiences at McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts

Timestamp: [28:37] - [35:07]

Continuing her series of unsettling encounters, Stephanie recounts experiences from both McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts, highlighting the pervasive nature of danger in service jobs.

McDonald's Encounter:

• Threatening Customer

  • A man orders a large meal but refuses to pay, brandishing a knife and threatening immediate harm if his order isn't fulfilled.
  • "You make the order or bad things will happen tonight." ([28:37])

• Fear and Aftermath

  • The encounter leaves Stephanie traumatized, leading her to quit her job abruptly.
  • "I couldn't sleep at all that night." ([30:56])

Dunkin' Donuts Encounter:

• Persistent Follower

  • An older man named Jason begins stalking Stephanie, showing up at the parking lot and following her into her personal life.
  • "It was an older, dark colored sedan with tinted windows. The car's headlights stayed on, but it never moved." ([33:01])

• Escalation and Confrontation

  • Jason's behavior intensifies, culminating in a direct confrontation where he admits to developing a crush on Stephanie.
  • "He said he just wanted to say hi." ([35:07])

• Resolution

  • Despite the police's intervention, the fear persists, and Stephanie ultimately relocates to a safer job environment with new coworkers who support her.
  • "It's quieter, safer, and for now it really feels like a fresh start." ([35:07])

5. Starbucks and Managerial Challenges

Timestamp: [35:07] - [50:00]

In a departure from her fast-food experiences, Stephanie shares her tenure as an assistant manager at Starbucks, revealing a different set of challenges and a return to unsettling encounters.

• Managerial Struggles

  • After her store manager leaves, Stephanie faces the chaos of understaffing and eventually clashes with a new manager, Jason, whose oppressive management style leads to increased stress.
  • "He was micromanaging in ways that didn't make sense and piling on work that wasn't realistically manageable." ([40:12])

• Job Transition to Dunkin' Donuts

  • Seeking relief, Stephanie transitions to Dunkin' Donuts, only to encounter Jason again as a stalker-like figure, now more aggressive and menacing.
  • "At this point, I was terrified. My phone was almost dead, but I had managed to call my husband." ([45:22])

• Final Confrontation

  • A climactic chase ensues when Jason attempts to force Stephanie into his vehicle, leading her to flee in her Jeep and evade him successfully.
  • "I shift into four wheel drive, spin the wheel and gun it." ([50:00])

• Long-Term Impact

  • The ordeal results in Stephanie severing ties with her former workplace and moving to a safer environment with supportive friends, underscoring the lasting psychological impact of such encounters.
  • "We work at a grocery store. It's quieter, safer, and for now it really feels like a fresh start." ([50:00])

Conclusion and Lessons Learned

Throughout her narrative, Stephanie imparts crucial lessons about personal safety, the importance of trusting one's instincts, and the need for supportive work environments. Her stories reveal that danger can manifest in subtle, unexpected ways, often from individuals who blend into everyday settings.

• Empowerment and Vigilance

  • "Whether you're working fast food, retail, or anywhere that puts you in contact with strangers... You don't owe anyone your silence, your smile, or your time." ([10:43])

• The Hidden Dangers of Service Jobs

  • Stephanie's experiences serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by those in service industries, highlighting the necessity for awareness and proactive measures to ensure personal safety.

Key Takeaways

• Vulnerability in Service Roles: Employees in fast-food and retail settings are often on the front lines, facing potential threats from customers that can escalate rapidly.
• Trusting Instincts: Stephanie's stories emphasize the importance of listening to one's gut feelings and taking action when something feels off.
• Support Systems Matter: Having supportive coworkers and management can make a significant difference in handling and recovering from traumatic incidents.
• Psychological Impact: The long-term effects of these encounters underscore the need for mental health support for individuals in high-stress, customer-facing roles.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Creeps don't always look like villains. They don't always break laws. Sometimes they wait." ([10:43])
• "I can't give out free food. Company policy, you know." ([28:37])
• "The world isn't always about smiling customers and drive thru timers. Sometimes it's about survival." ([30:56])
• "You have every right to walk away. Every right to be safe, and every right to say no." ([10:43])

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Dinner Table: A Southern Cannibal Podcast offers a gripping exploration of the hidden fears and dangers encountered by individuals in the fast-food industry. Through Stephanie's candid storytelling, listeners gain insight into the personal toll such experiences can take and the resilience required to navigate and overcome them. The episode serves as both a cautionary tale and an empowering message for anyone in similar positions, urging vigilance, courage, and the importance of standing up against unwarranted threats.