Mystery Diners backdrop
Reality

The Best Episodes of Mystery Diners

Every episode of Mystery Diners ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Mystery Diners!

Binge this in 1d 23h•Peaking at 8.4/10

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

Airs on
Food Network
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons11

All1234567891011

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Mystery Diners Season 3 Episode 10 - Menu Mayhem
    8.4/10(10 votes)

    #1 - Menu Mayhem

    S3:E10

    Francesco, the owner of Zio Cecio in Dallas, begins hearing rave reviews about Tex-Mex food being served in his Italian restaurant. He had a right to be concerned with the head chef and floor manager running a side business serving Tex-Mex food. The floor manager also told the wait staff to push the Tex-Mex menu so they can get a cash incentive and was also poaching customers with plans to open their own restaurant in six months. During the confrontation, the head chef and floor manager are fired by Francesco. The narrator revealed that there is no indication if the former floor manager and head chef were successful in starting their own Tex-Mex restaurant or not.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Mystery Diners Season 10 Episode 8 - Missing Links
    7.8/10(8 votes)

    #2 - Missing Links

    S10:E8

    The manager of a golf course in Hollywood, Florida, asks the team to investigate complaints about non-members playing for free. However, a bigger problem is discovered in the club's dining room.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Mystery Diners Season 1 Episode 7 - Raiding the Bar
    7.7/10(9 votes)

    #3 - Raiding the Bar

    S1:E7

    A pub owner in Los Angeles suspects that one of her bartenders might be over-pouring for customers, giving away too many free drinks, and over-tipping himself. To find out, she calls in the Mystery Diners who outfit the bar with hidden cameras and go in undercover to see what is really happening when the boss is away.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Mystery Diners Season 3 Episode 6 - Friends With Benefits
    7.7/10(10 votes)

    #4 - Friends With Benefits

    S3:E6

    The husband-and-wife owners of N'awlins Café in New Orleans ask for help getting to the root of why their restaurant isn't thriving. Charles and his team discover that the manager has staffed the place with her friends, few of whom are fully qualified as one of the waiters (who happens to be the manager's boyfriend) was incompetent and was shown taking a break instead of working. The matters are made worse when the manager and waiter were shown eating an order that was messed up and being rude to difficult customers. During the confrontation, the manager and the waiter are fired. Charles claims that the bartender that was hired by the manager could be a good employee. While the narrator didn't mention what happened to the former manager and waiter, he did mention that the bartender was offered a full training to be an official bartender only for her to quit. The owners have replaced the former staff with more competent people.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Mystery Diners Season 2 Episode 13 - Where's the Beef
    7.5/10(11 votes)

    #5 - Where's the Beef

    S2:E13

    When Adam, owner of Via Brasil, is concerned that meat sales aren't being reflected in his register, he calls Charles for help. When the Mystery Diners go undercover, they discover the manager is doing a lot more than just giving away free steak.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Mystery Diners Season 2 Episode 4 - Raising the Stakes
    7.4/10(12 votes)

    #6 - Raising the Stakes

    S2:E4

    Ali, owner of a Moroccan-themed restaurant in California called Marrakesh, seeks the help of Charles and the Mystery Diners because he believes his manager may have a gambling problem outside of work that's affecting his ability to do his job. Mystery Diners, Rob, Scarlet, and Loree go undercover to see if the manager's extracurricular activities are taking a toll at work.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Mystery Diners

    READ
  7. Mystery Diners Season 2 Episode 2 - Something Smells Fishy
    7.2/10(10 votes)

    #7 - Something Smells Fishy

    S2:E2

    When Mario, the owner of La Traviata in Long Beach, California, becomes concerned over complaints with respect to the quality of his fish, Charles and the Mystery Diners discover that a recently hired chef may not be honest about what's in his high-priced dishes. Mystery Diners Rob, Shellene, and Lauren go undercover to find out what smells fishy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Mystery Diners Season 1 Episode 5 - Managing Disaster
    7.1/10(14 votes)

    #8 - Managing Disaster

    S1:E5

    The owner of Amaro Italian Bistro seeks the help of Charles Stiles and the Mystery Diners because he believes his manager is acting inappropriately with the staff and picking favorites based on appearance. Mystery Diners Destiny (who is Charles' daughter) and Sarah go undercover and interview for a new waitress position to see if the manager will hire an attractive waitress over a qualified one. This is proven true when the manager gets flirtatious with Destiny much to the annoyance of Charles. The manager has also attempted to poach the staff by offering them a job at his and his brother's own restaurant. During the confrontation, the manager gets into an argument with the owner and Charles which ends with him quitting. The narrator revealed that the former manager and his brother were unable to continue running their own restaurant after two months and both are seeking employment. The owner has hired a new manager and business has improved greatly.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Mystery Diners Season 1 Episode 3 - Big Earl's Gone Wild
    7.0/10(13 votes)

    #9 - Big Earl's Gone Wild

    S1:E3

    After losing thousands of dollars in unaccounted alcohol and hearing rumors of late-night staff parties, the owner of Big Earl's Greasy Eats contacts Charles Stiles and the Mystery Diners for help. Mystery Diners Shellene and Chris go undercover as a waitress and flirty customer in hopes of scoring invitations to an after-hours bash.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Mystery Diners Season 3 Episode 4 - Catch Of The Day
    7.0/10(9 votes)

    #10 - Catch Of The Day

    S3:E4

    The owner of Garcia's Seafood in Miami notices an unusual low amount of Crab Claws, and wasted product. The team finds out that a fisherman whose father worked for his company a long time ago has been selling the catch to another buyer and a prep cook is improperly filleting fish. The fisherman is fired and the prep cook is told to improve his filleting skills. The narrator revealed that the former fisherman is working at another fishing company. The prep cook is no longer wasting product. The owner installed an expensive security system to watch his restaurant from his office.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Mystery Diners Season 3 Episode 9 - Crazy Hearts
    6.9/10(14 votes)

    #11 - Crazy Hearts

    S3:E9

    The owner of Poppy's The Crazy Lobster in New Orleans fields complaints about constant fighting between the cooks. He also has a problem with his nephew bringing wild animals into the restaurant. The Mystery Diners point to a waitress who is playing the grill supervisor and cook against each other since she is dating the cook, and having an affair with the supervisor. The nephew has been bring wild animals in the bar to impress a Mystery Diner posing as a customer by showing off a baby alligator. During the confrontation, the cook lashes out against the grill supervisor upon what was revealed as the owner breaks up the argument. The waitress and grill supervisor are both fired while the cook and nephew are suspended. The narrator revealed that the former waitress and grill supervisor have stopped seeing other. The cook is training to be the grill supervisor. The nephew no longer brings wild animals into the restaurant.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Mystery Diners Season 2 Episode 3 - Getting a Leg Up
    6.8/10(12 votes)

    #12 - Getting a Leg Up

    S2:E3

    The owner of Pips on La Brea in Los Angeles named Derrick Pipkin has a problem with a waiter named Bob who claims he hurt his leg on the job the day Derrick was going to fire him for not doing his job. This former waiter has threatened a lawsuit. So to appease him, Derrick has made him a host. However, his lazy behavior has not stopped and Derrick wonders whether the injury is even legitimate. Derrick contacts Charles Stiles for help and Mystery Diners Shellene, Lukas, and Tracey go undercover to see if Bob is faking his injury. While posing as a damsel in distress, Tracy helps to prove that Derrick is right about Bob. During the confrontation, Bob is finally fired and told to take his leg brace with him. The narrator revealed that Bob "kept on walking" and Derrick hasn't heard from Bob since the taping of this sting. Pips has finished it's relaunch where business has never been better.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Mystery Diners Season 3 Episode 1 - Dining in the Dark
    6.8/10(9 votes)

    #13 - Dining in the Dark

    S3:E1

    The owner of Catharsis in Miami, Florida receives complaints about inappropriate touching and theft of items during the restaurants "Dining in the Dark" event. The targets are three newly hired servers (two waiters, and one waitress). The Mystery Diners head into the restaurant and discover that the new waitress and waiter have created a game by screwing with both the customers and food and stealing from them. The waiter and waitress are both fired during the confrontation. The narrator revealed that the former servers have gone their separate ways. The remaining new server has been promoted to head server.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Mystery Diners Season 4 Episode 2 - Naked Lunch
    6.8/10(11 votes)

    #14 - Naked Lunch

    S4:E2

    After losing several sushi models, Bruce, the owner of Lotus on Flower in Los Angeles, fears that one of his best customers is behaving inappropriately during the restaurant's "naked sushi" dining experience. Charles sends in Mystery Diner Christine to go undercover as a model to discover who is encouraging the inappropriate behavior.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Mystery Diners Season 8 Episode 13 - Bad Credit
    6.8/10(19 votes)

    #15 - Bad Credit

    S8:E13

    When chef Chai, owner of his namesake restaurant in Honolulu, notices multiple ticket voids, he contacts Charles Stiles for help. Mystery diners go undercover to see if his staff are making honest mistakes or committing foul play.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Mystery Diners Season 2 Episode 6 - Valet Disservice
    6.7/10(13 votes)

    #16 - Valet Disservice

    S2:E6

    George, the owner of Los Angeles hot spot Ca' Brea, has recently received a few complaints that are surprisingly not related to the quality of his food or his wait staff's service, but about his valet service. Charles sends Mystery Diners Tracey and Hank undercover to show George just how detrimental a bad valet can be to a restaurant's business.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Mystery Diners Season 3 Episode 7 - Barbecue Blues
    6.7/10(10 votes)

    #17 - Barbecue Blues

    S3:E7

    Terry, the owner of Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que in Dallas, Texas, is concerned that one of his employees is selling his secret family recipe to his rivals and calls in Charles to help find the culprit. The Mystery Diners discover that Terry's nephew Michael who works as a manager is behind this. During the confrontation, Terry fires him. The narrator revealed that Michael was disowned from the family business. The rest of the kitchen staff has signed non-disclosure agreements.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Mystery Diners Season 3 Episode 8 - No Laughing Matter
    6.6/10(11 votes)

    #18 - No Laughing Matter

    S3:E8

    Charles and his team arrive at Deanie's Seafood in New Orleans to keep an eye on the restaurant's manager who is a wannabe comedian. They also discover one of the waiters is drinking on the job and stealing wine while the manager performs is stand-up routine in the middle of the restaurant. When both are confronted, the waiter is fired and the manager is put on a 3-month leave and demoted to a waiter when he returns. The narrator revealed that the former waiter found work at another restaurant. The demoted manager continues his dream of being a professional comedian and performs at clubs in New Orleans.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Mystery Diners Season 5 Episode 9 - Mascot Mayhem
    6.6/10(14 votes)

    #19 - Mascot Mayhem

    S5:E9

    Blaine Cook, the owner of Zippy's Giant Burgers in Seattle, calls Charles Stiles to investigate rumors he's heard that his employee Aaron working as the costumed mascot Zippy the Yum Yum Burger Boy is misbehaving. The Mystery Diners go undercover and point to big problems when they reveal who was behind the whole misbehavior, Aaron's friend and roommate named Dopey Dan. He has been showing up intoxicated as a favor while Aaron visits his sick mother in secret to handle her errands. When the two are confronted, Blaine expresses his disappointment in Aaron for having Dan cover his shifts. Stiles asks Aaron why he doesn't have Dan take care of his mother's errands. Aaron stated that he wouldn't trust Dan to do any sort of errands for his mother. Stiles also points out that he made the mistake of trusting Dan to come to his place of work to cover his shifts and having him wear the Zippy costume while intoxicated.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Mystery Diners Season 6 Episode 13 - The Italian Job
    6.6/10(12 votes)

    #20 - The Italian Job

    S6:E13

    After a feud between his pizzeria and bakery threatens his business, John, owner of Metro Pizza in Las Vegas, contacts Charles for help. Mystery Diners Andy and Arielle go undercover and discover the source of the tension.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Mystery Diners Season 2 Episode 1 - The Tipping Point
    6.5/10(17 votes)

    #21 - The Tipping Point

    S2:E1

    After receiving numerous complaints from his staff that his recently promoted head waiter is not evenly distributing the pooled tips, the general manager of D'Cache restaurant in Los Angeles contacts Charles Stiles and the Mystery Diners to help him discover if there is any truth to the rumor. Charles sends in Destiny and Grant as a customer and a waiter, where they discover the head waiter is telling customers the card system is down, and pocketing the money. The waiter tries to set up Grant by stealing an entire bill payment, then asking Grant to fetch the bill. When confronted, the waiter tries to defend himself, stating the manager giving tips to people who haven't earned them is stealing. The manager doesn't buy it though and the waiter is fired.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Mystery Diners Season 2 Episode 11 - My Brother's Keeper
    6.5/10(11 votes)

    #22 - My Brother's Keeper

    S2:E11

    After Nico Santucci, owner of Capo's Speakeasy's, hears complaints that his brother/manager Dominic is acting inappropriately with guests, he calls Charles to investigate. The Mystery Diners go undercover and find that he is hitting on a lot of the female patrons. There is even a bigger problem with a disgruntled waiter who is stealing money and supplies from the restaurant. During the confrontation, both Dominic and the waiter are fired. The narrator revealed that Dominic is behaving himself. The former waiter has apologized for his actions and found employment elsewhere.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Mystery Diners Season 7 Episode 8 - Vicious Cycle
    6.5/10(11 votes)

    #23 - Vicious Cycle

    S7:E8

    After noticing a decrease in delivery sales, and an increase in delivery complaints, Lou, owner of Slice Works in Denver, asks Charles to investigate his bicycle delivery service. Mystery Diners Taylor and Dustin go undercover and discover one delivery guy is doing two jobs at the same time.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Mystery Diners Season 8 Episode 2 - Poaching Profits
    6.5/10(15 votes)

    #24 - Poaching Profits

    S8:E2

    The owner of Cookin' With Lenny Smokehouse in Los Angeles, fears that someone on his staff is using restaurant supplies to operate a competing catering company.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Mystery Diners Season 9 Episode 2 - Deli Drama
    6.5/10(15 votes)

    #25 - Deli Drama

    S9:E2

    Charles and his team investigate Lenny's Deli in Los Angeles after the owner expresses concerns that his new baker is taking artistic license with customer cake orders. However, it's discovered that there are bigger problems hurting this business.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Menu Mayhem" is the best rated episode of "Mystery Diners". It scored 8.4/10 based on 10 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 6/21/2013. This episode scored 0.6 points higher than the second highest rated, "Missing Links".