The BEST episodes of Mystery Diners

Every episode of Mystery Diners ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Mystery Diners!

What happens in the food world when a bad employee starts to take down an otherwise thriving establishment or when restaurant owners suspect someone of not doing their job appropriately? They call in the Mystery Diners. These undercover operatives go into restaurants, bars and food service establishments with hidden cameras to find out what's really going on when the boss isn't around.

Last Updated: 1/29/2025Network: Food NetworkStatus: Ended
star
8.10
10 votes

#1 - Vintage Scams

Season 7 - Episode 10 - Aired 10/1/2014

Jimmy, owner of Rockabillies in Arvada, Colo., is concerned about a dip in sales, especially during his restaurant's summer vintage car show. Charles sends in Mystery Diners Amber and Kyle to investigate and discovers that his staff is breaking multiple rules.

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star
7.92
13 votes

#2 - Fired Up

Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/13/2014

The owner of Looney's BBQ in San Leandro, California asks Charles to investigate his staff when he hears that some of them are pranking customers with the restaurant's Devil's XXX hot sauce. He is shown why by the Mystery Diners when his waiter Matt and manager had been behind the pranks. The manager is disciplined by the owner and asked to be more friendly to the staff while Matt is fired. In his exit interview, Matt stated that he didn't regret his actions in giving some of the customers the XXX hot sauce because they were acting bad around him and he believed they deserved it. The narrator revealed that Matt had found employment elsewhere. The manager has adopted a more friendly approach and no longer hazes the staff.

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star
7.85
20 votes

#3 - Crooked Contest

Season 11 - Episode 13 - Aired 4/20/2016

Rose and Tom of Belcourt Taps in Nashville contact Charles Stiles for help after hearing rumors that their songwriting contest is rigged.

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star
7.84
19 votes

#4 - Too Many Tourists

Season 9 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/1/2015

The owner of Marigny Brasserie in New Orleans notices an influx of rowdy tourists at his bar for locals.

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star
7.82
17 votes

#5 - Mystery Wedding

Season 9 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/18/2015

The owners of Moviesets, in New Orleans, are concerned about theft at their prop house-turned-event center.

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star
7.77
13 votes

#6 - Cabin Fever

Season 9 - Episode 11 - Aired 4/15/2015

The owners of the Gateway Restaurant and Lodge, located near Sequoia National Park in California, hear complaints of unauthorized parties taking place inside their vacant cabins.

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star
7.76
25 votes

#7 - Tables Turned

Season 11 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/27/2016

In this special episode of Mystery Diners, Charles Stiles and his undercover team risk it all to bust the boss! For the first time ever, the sting is conducted from inside the restaurant to see if the horrifying accusations against the boss are true.

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star
7.75
4 votes

#8 - Cafe Coup

Season 7 - Episode 12 - Aired 10/6/2014

After purchasing Cafe Aldente in Studio City, Calif., and retaining most of the previous owner's staff, the new owners believe their employees are still practicing old policies. Charles sends in Mystery Diners Annalisa and Kiel to find out if anyone is ignoring the new rules.

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star
7.72
18 votes

#9 - Train Robbery

Season 9 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/22/2015

Missing supplies and unauthorized passengers are a concern for the owner of the Fillmore and Western Railway in California.

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star
7.69
16 votes

#10 - Very Bad Bosses

Season 9 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/18/2015

The wait staff of a California restaurant contacts Charles to do a reverse sting on their employer.

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star
7.67
12 votes

#11 - History Mystery

Season 10 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/29/2015

When Lee, owner of Old Vinings Inn in Atlanta, hears rumors of unauthorized "Civil War Tours" taking place inside his historical restaurant, he contacts Charles Stiles to investigate. Mystery Diners Kendall and Eliot go undercover to see how authentic the tours really are.

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star
7.65
17 votes

#12 - Strange Brew

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/31/2013

Michael, the owner of Newport Beach Brewing Company in Newport Beach, California, asks Charles to investigate his onsite brewmaster who is suspected of running a side business. The Mystery Diners go undercover and discover that his brewmaster is not behind the side business. Instead, they discover big problems with his bartender Mike who is running a side business with a waiter. The bartender admits to brewing his own flavor brands of beer from his own home and promoting it in the Newport Beach Brewing Company. During the confrontation, Michael fires Mike. In his exit interview, Mike remained unremorseful for his actions claiming that Michael lost an opportunity to market and sell his flavor beer brands that could've helped his business. The narrator revealed that Mike has been unsuccessful in promoting his own beer. The waiter has also been terminated for his involvement and has found employment elsewhere. The brewmaster continues to be a valuable employee.

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star
7.64
11 votes

#13 - Oktobertheft

Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/3/2014

Cindy, the co-owner of Speisekammer is Alameda, California believes the "Dirndl Girls" hired by her ex-husband, Peter, are the source of many problems. Peter disagrees and thinks it's her recently hired waiter named Tim that behind the problems. They Mystery Diners show Cindy why she had a right to be concerned when they point to big problems with two of the Dirndl Girls named Angela and Shana. They are not only speaking poorly of her behind her back, but are also drinking on the job, stealing tips, and rigging the mass holding competition to allow their friends to win. Only one Dirndl girl named Danielle, is actually a model employee. Bigger problems are exposed when Tim is revealed to be involved with Angela and Shana's scheme. Knowing that both Cindy and Peter often disagree about the work ethics in the restaurant, he takes advantage of it by pitting the two against each other. After firing Angela and Shana during the confrontation, Peter reluctantly apologizes for not trusting Cindy earlier and agrees to help her deal with Tim in the morning. The narrator revealed Angela and Shana found employment elsewhere. Danielle continues to work as a Dirndl Girl part time. Tim was confronted for his involvement by Cindy and Peter and has made amends for his actions.

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star
7.63
57 votes

#14 - Lobster Looting

Season 11 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/20/2016

Brother-sister owners Richard and Marilyn of Langosta Lounge in Asbury Park, N.J. contact Charles Stiles after noticing a discrepancy in their lobster supply. Mystery Diners Megan and Natale go undercover to discover where the lobsters are going.

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star
7.57
14 votes

#15 - Dusting for Prints

Season 9 - Episode 13 - Aired 4/29/2015

Owner suspects one of her managers after noticing over $4,000 missing from her office safe.

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star
7.57
23 votes

#16 - Comic Book Caper

Season 11 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/30/2015

The owner of a comic book-themed restaurant in Brooklyn discovers an employee is using their powers for evil.

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star
7.56
16 votes

#17 - Repeat Offender

Season 9 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/25/2015

Owner is concerned about an unhealthy competition between her two New Orleans restaurants, Toast and Tartine.

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star
7.56
32 votes

#18 - Secondhand Scam

Season 11 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/25/2015

Luca, owner of Riemma Kitchen Warehouse, asks Charles Stiles for help after his customers find food inside the factory-sealed appliances they just purchased. Mystery Diner Jamie goes undercover and discovers a large-scale operation.

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star
7.55
11 votes

#19 - Missing Links

Season 10 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/22/2015

Jeff, general manager of Emerald Hills Golf Course in Hollywood, Fla., contacts Charles after fielding complaints about non-members playing for free. Mystery Diners Jamie and Brianna go undercover and discover a bigger problem inside the dining room.

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star
7.54
13 votes

#20 - Trademark Trouble

Season 7 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/27/2014

After already successfully battling one fast food chain over the rights to his signature sandwich, Damien, the owner of Devine Pastabilities in San Diego, now fears someone from within his organization is trying to steal his culinary creation. Charles sends in Mystery Diners Amanda and Andy to investigate.

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star
7.54
13 votes

#21 - What a Drag

Season 4 - Episode 12 - Aired 10/2/2013

Bob, the owner of Venture Inn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is hearing complaints from both his regular and cross-dressing customers that the weekly quiz night is rigged. He suspects his manager is involved. The Mystery Diners discover that the manager Joe is not behind the rigging. Instead, it was the bartender who has stolen the answer sheets in Joe's office and giving them to a reigning Drag Queen champion named Brigette Jones, via an ear phone in her ear. When confronted by Bob for rigging the quiz night, the bartender is fired for being behind the scam and is to inform Brigette Jones to never return to the restaurant. In his exit interview, the former bartender maintained he did nothing wrong and mentions that he hopes Stiles is happy for firing an innocent man. Joe is spared when Bob realized he had nothing to do with the rigging. The narrator revealed that the former bartender has found employment elsewhere. Brigette Jones no longer attends quiz night. Joe added a password on his computer. There has been a different winner each week.

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star
7.54
13 votes

#22 - Boss Hog

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/28/2013

The owner of Stroker's Ice House, a biker bar and grill in Dallas, named Rick Fairless and his mother call in Charles Stiles to investigate a dip in revenue which may be related to Rick's motorcycle shop. The Mystery Diners point to problems with two waitresses that have been stealing money behind the manager Chris's back, and the waitress Sammi is stealing and selling motorcycle parts with her mechanic boyfriend Lobo who works at the motorcycle shop run by Rick. When the couple are confronted, they are both fired by Rick and his mother tells them to take the other waitress with them. The narrator revealed that Lobo, Sammi, and the other former waitress have found new employment. Chris has been demoted to bartender only to resign. The owner's mother has temporary come back to work and is looking for new managers.

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star
7.50
4 votes

#23 - Lactose Intolerant

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 9/4/2013

The owner of Cheesie's Pub and Grill in Chicago, Illinois is concerned about cheating with his grilled-cheese-eating contest (too many petite women among the winners) and cost of his alcohol sales. The Mystery Diners point to bigger problems with his waiter and his cashier cheating to help the female contestants win and giving away free beverages. In spite of his waiter's pleas that it was good for Cheesie's during the confrontation, he and the cashier are fired. The narrator revealed that both former employees have apologized for their actions and moved on to other jobs. The owner has implemented new rules for his grilled cheese-eating contest to discourage cheating on both the customers' and staff's part.

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star
7.50
16 votes

#24 - Art Show Sting

Season 10 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/10/2015

After noticing numerous discrepancies with the catering company she uses to cater her art shows, Patricia contacts Mystery Diners for help. Charles sends in Jamie and Brianna and discovers an even bigger problem with the assistant curator.

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star
7.50
34 votes

#25 - Unhappy Holidays

Season 11 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/2/2015

Nirav, owner of Smokin' Barrel in Hoboken, N.J., contacts Charles Stiles to investigate after noticing a decline in sales every holiday season. Mystery Diners Dennis and Jamie go undercover and discover a suspicious sidewalk solicitor.

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