Ep 2. Trimming the Fat

In Mystery Diners season 6 episode 2, titled "Trimming the Fat," restaurant owner Steven contacts Charles Stiles and his team to investigate his failing barbecue restaurant in Ontario, California. Steven believes that his general manager, Chris, is behind the drop in business. He suspects that Chris is stealing from the restaurant and giving away free meals to his friends.

Charles sends Mystery Diner Martel to pose as a new cook at the restaurant, while another undercover diner, Abby, pretends to be celebrating her birthday with her friends. Martel observes Chris giving away free food to his friends, including brisket, fried chicken, and macaroni and cheese. As a result, the restaurant loses money and faces a shortage of supplies.

Meanwhile, Abby and her friends order a variety of items from the menu. Abby requests that her burger be cooked medium-rare, but when it arrives, it is fully cooked. She also finds a hair in her coleslaw, and her friend discovers that her pulled pork sandwich is cold. Martel and Abby both report their findings to Charles.

To gather more evidence, Charles sends in Mystery Diner Elijah, who pretends to be a secret shopper from a BBQ franchise. Elijah goes to the kitchen and discovers that Chris is using lower-quality meat than advertised on the menu. He also finds that Chris is cooking burgers on a dirty grill and using expired sauce. Elijah reports his findings to Charles and Steven.

In a confrontation with Chris, Steven discovers that Chris has been stealing from the restaurant to support his gambling habit. Chris admits to giving away food and using low-quality ingredients to save money for himself. Steven fires Chris and thanks Charles and his team for uncovering the truth.

With Chris gone, Steven implements new policies to prevent stealing and improve the quality of the restaurant. He hires new staff and purchases fresh ingredients. The Mystery Diners return a few weeks later to find that the restaurant is now thriving and customers are returning. Steven thanks Charles and his team for helping him change his business for the better.

Overall, "Trimming the Fat" is a suspenseful and intriguing episode of Mystery Diners that highlights the importance of maintaining high standards in the restaurant industry. With the help of Charles and his team, Steven is able to overcome a challenging setback and turn his restaurant around.