Ep 12. Love Hurts

In Mystery Diners season 2 episode 12, titled Love Hurts, restaurant consultant and host Charles Stiles and his team of expert undercover "mystery diners" are called in to help romance-themed restaurant Heart Attack Cafe in Las Vegas. The owners of Heart Attack Cafe, Jade and Randy, suspect that their head chef, Dave, is sabotaging their business.

Jade and Randy’s dream of running a successful restaurant is being threatened with negative reviews, food complaints, and empty tables. Despite their marketing strategy and a unique theme, the Heart Attack Cafe has had a hard time retaining customers. They suspect that the reason lies in the kitchen. Dave, their head chef, has been putting in long hours and seems to be overly stressed and short-tempered lately. They also suspect Dave has been stealing food and booze.

Charles and his team of "mystery diners" go undercover to investigate the restaurant. They install hidden cameras and microphones throughout the restaurant to carefully observe the staff and customers. The investigative team of “mystery diners” includes Julia, who is tasked with posing as a newly-hired bartender, and Shelby, who goes undercover as a customer out on a date.

Julia quickly observes that Dave appears to be a bit more interested in the bar than he should be. He frequently leaves the kitchen to get drinks and has even started helping himself to the cash register. Shelby, on the other hand, observes the bizarre antics of the waitstaff who frequently mock the customers and have rude and unpleasant comments.

As the team carries out its investigation, they discover a dark secret about one of the employees. They learn that one of Heart Attack Cafe’s waitresses, who is also Dave’s girlfriend, is doing more than just serving food. She has a secret side-job that no one knows about - she's a car thief. Now, the team is uncertain of whether her boyfriend, Dave, is responsible for doing anything wrong as they sort out this new issue.

When the team gathers evidence and reports back to Jade and Randy, they're appalled and embarrassed. They can't believe they've let things get so out of hand. Once they address the underlying issues, Charles Stiles delivers his verdict, with a twist. Charles has arranged for Heart Attack Cafe’s owners to go home with the rent money for the month. However, there's a catch - the money is couched in a pile of magic mushrooms. Upon discovering this news, Jade and Randy laugh, and the surprise helps them realize that they need to let their staff know it’s okay to have fun while working, but it’s not okay to steal or ruin customers’ experiences.

In the end, Heart Attack Cafe’s operations improve, and the restaurant becomes a booming success. With improved service and increased accountability among staff, Jade and Randy can finally relax and focus on their unique menu. Mystery Diners season 2 episode 12 showcases how Charles Stiles and his team can tackle issues with patience, expertise, and a dash of humor.