Are Viral Foods Like The Sushi Donut Killing The Restaurant Industry? [The Katchup Podcast]

Are sushi donuts killing the restaurant industry?

That’s the major topic of the first episode of our BRAND-NEW podcast, “The Katchup. The discussion launches a weekly podcast discussion on the top trends in food. Given the viral success of the Sushi Donut, which generated over 80 million video views between ourselves and other food news outlets in the past week, it had to be the key discussion for this week.

This week, Foodbeast’s Editor-In-Chief, Elie Ayrouth, brought in Andy Nguyen, the owner of viral restaurant successes like Project Poké’s Sushi Donut and Afters Ice Cream’s Milky Buns, and Jason Quinn, owner of the Playground Restaurant in downtown Santa Ana, to discuss how social media virality is affecting customer eating habits at restaurants.

Since the Sushi Donut’s massive success was borne from Nguyen’s poké shop, the group also discusses the future of poké and of the restaurant industry. 

The podcast gets extremely real when Elie brought up e-mails he received regarding Foodbeast’s coverage of these items:

“I have quotes on two chefs, at least two chefs in my inbox, that have said: ‘Fuck you Elie, stop promoting sushi donuts, and stop promoting shit with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos on it.’ “

Definitely give the podcast a listen, as it provides in-depth commentary as to how items like the Sushi Donut are affecting the future of restaurants and their menu offerings.

More content

CultureProducts
OREO Just Dropped A Doctor Doom Cookie That Turns Green When You Lick It
The mysterious fourth and final cookie pack from Marvel and OREO’s Stuf Of Legends campaign has been revealed, and it features none other than Dr.…
,
CultureEating Out
Taco Bell’s 2026 Menu Reveal Is Basically A Star-Studded Award Show Now
Taco Bell is officially bringing back Live Más LIVE and this year it’s less key note address and more award show energy. On March 10,…
,
CultureEating Out
The Investors Behind Dave’s Hot Chicken Are Betting Big On Birria
Ben Phelps and Andrew Feghali, the investors responsible for the viral success of Dave’s Hot Chicken, are backing San Diego-based Mike’s Red Tacos, with plans…
,
Burger
We Deliver!

Enter your email address below and we'll deliver our top stories straight to your inbox