Ep 1. Tastes Like Chicken

Mystery Diners season 5 episode 1 is titled Tastes Like Chicken and revolves around a fried chicken restaurant in Southern California called Cluckingham Palace. The owner, Dave, had a successful business until he hired his nephew, Ivan, as the new manager. Since Ivan has taken over, Dave's profits have decreased and he suspects that Ivan is stealing from him.

In order to find out what's really going on, Dave contacts Charles Stiles and his team of Mystery Diners to investigate. The team installs hidden cameras and microphones throughout the restaurant to monitor the staff and customers. The Mystery Diners go undercover as customers and keep a close eye on Ivan and the other employees.

Suspicions are immediately raised when Jen, one of the Mystery Diners, orders a fried chicken sandwich and is served a piece of chicken that is much smaller than what is advertised on the menu. The team also observes Ivan taking food from the kitchen and hiding it in his backpack.

But the real drama unfolds when Dave's daughter, Natalie, arrives at the restaurant unexpectedly and sees Ivan arguing with a customer. Ivan becomes aggressive and tries to throw the customer out, but Natalie intervenes and insults Ivan before storming out. She later tells her father about the altercation and Dave realizes that he needs to take action.

After reviewing the footage, it becomes evident that Ivan is not only stealing food but also money from the cash register. Charles Stiles confronts Ivan about his actions, and Ivan admits to stealing but blames Dave for not paying him enough. Ivan is fired on the spot, and Dave is relieved to finally have the truth.

In the end, Charles Stiles praises the Mystery Diners for their work and emphasizes the importance of trust in any successful business. Dave is grateful for the Mystery Diners' help and gives them a big tip before they leave. The episode ends on a positive note with Dave looking forward to the future and the success of Cluckingham Palace.

Overall, Mystery Diners season 5 episode 1 is a thrilling and suspenseful episode that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. It showcases the importance of trust and honesty in the restaurant industry and highlights the expertise of Charles Stiles and his team of Mystery Diners.