Restaurant Fiction | Fictional Restaurant Expert | Los Angeles, CA | Food Critic

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Shenaniganz

Shenaniganz is the fictional restaurant prominently featured in the 2005 film, "Waiting..."

It is hard giving a restaurant a detrimental review. There are restaurants where one will expect to have a bad experience. When those expectations are met or exceeded, the establishment usually earns a positive write up. But there comes a time when a restaurant shouldn’t exist. 

Suburban franchises revolve around every big-box-store plaza. You know them: TGI Friday’s, Chili’s, Applebee’s, Mimi’s Café, and Olive Garden. Shenaniganz fits into this section too. 

TGI Fridays, Chili’s, and Applebee’s are all on the same level when compared, but after dining at   Shenaniganz, microwavable frozen Jalapeno Poppers and Mozzarella Sticks from the supermarket would have been a better option instead.

Shenaniganz isn’t worth writing about other than to provide a warning. A warning to never enter. Inside, it looks like its competitors: cheesy, clichéd man’s cave interior with faux Tiffany Lamps, sports pictures, outdoors equipment.The menu features definitions for a hamburger, hot dog, pizza, corn dog, nachos, Buffalo wings, and a hot fudge sundae. Does it truly think America is that dumb?

The food never came, but it was ordered. At times, guests saw their food sitting under the heat lamps being ignored. The waiters and waitresses flirted outside instead.

There’s no use in complaining about this place. It is what it is. It doesn’t want to be anything more than the bane of existence it is. 

Because this is a warning more than a review, we at Restaurant Fiction hope the people working there quite and the people who are curious to dine there stop. We don't care if you've eaten the exotic and gross or can handle a very dirty job, is not for anyone.

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ATMOSPHERE: Depressing and fake feeling. Dead end, pessimistic people in their 20s all the way through their 40s serve shady food with fake smiles and an attitude that isn’t cute or kitsch.

SERVICE: None existent. Sure, there are waiters and waitresses but there isn’t a reason for them to be there.

 

SOUND LEVEL: As if you were the only one in a long elevator ride in a 1980s medical building.

 

RECOMMENDED: Jack squat (that isn’t an item, it literally means nothing)

 

DRINKS AND WINE:  They have a liquor license, but I wouldn’t be surprised that every single liquid served has traces of back wash in it.

 

PRICES: $3-$15

 

OPEN: 11am-11pm, 7 days a week.

 

RESERVATIONS: No.

 

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS:  Yes

 

Wi-Fi:  No

 

Restrooms: Yes

 

Smoking: Yes