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Flyover Plates Podcast

Flyover Plates Podcast

By: Dr. Mike Brondon
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About this listen

This show is for people who've escaped Rochester, NY, but miss the city's signature cuisine, the PLATE. Hosted by Rochester expat Dr. Mike Brondon and co-hosted by Rochester radio legend Marc-Anthony Arena, we reminisce about the weather, the people, and the institutions of Rochester of yesteryear. You know, back when we had industry... and hope.Everybody has a friend who escaped Rochester, so tell them about the podcast!

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Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • 35 Christmas Special: The Straight Up Plate
    Dec 30 2025

    Tonight on FOP! A surprise episode where we clear our consciences and cleanse our palettes in anticipation of a new year.

    We Remember

    • Bad 2 the Bone BBQ, Ontario NY
    • QDOBA Webster
    • #Snap Burger in Greece
    • ER Sweetland
    • Odyssey/New Yorker/CornER Diner/Broken Yolk - currently El Greco
    • Big Lots all across Rochester - where else can you go to buy a couch, cereal, mouthwash, and foot lotion?
    • Boxcar Donuts - Roch Public Market
    • Gates cursed building: Fatso's XL, Tony Rigatoni, Yianni's, Cucina 21, Dinemore, currently Fazools
    • OTB on West Ridge - and what it became
    • Crystal Barn - a classic for high-end 80s events - and what it became
    • Quaker Steak & Lube Gates NY - the glorious meal and the tragic timing
    • Donuts Delite (just the one on the west side)
    • Pizza Oven Niagara Falls
    • Long Pond Meats in Greece - and what it became
    • Valley Cadillac, and most other car dealerships - and who took them over


    We Celebrate

    • Pane Vino on Monroe
    • Basin Pub
    • Tonight's Featured Plate: Empire Hots Trash Plate
    • Arby's Secret Meat Mountain
    • Sheet Pizzas


    We Believe

    • Confessions from the McQuaid and LeMoyne Chapels
    • Mike makes French Toast... in bacon grease.
    • Philly Steak sandwiches with bacon?
    • Do plate establishments advertise, or is it more like, IYKYK?
    • Best ways to cook Brussels sprouts
    • What does Don Alhart eat for Christmas?
    • What are most of the pictures on Mike's phone?


    (bonus points if you get the three category names)

    So from all of us here at Flyover Plates: Happy Holidays, Prosperous New Year, and fill your soul with food.

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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • 34 FINALLY, The Italian Plate.
    Dec 6 2025

    TONIGHT ON FOP!

    • Thanksgiving - where we went, what we ate.
    • What's the most annoying Christmas gift?
    • What passes for salad in Rochester
    • Are Mac & Cheese and Green Bean Casserole appropriate for Thanksgiving?
    • Mike eats stuffing... by itself?
    • Italian barbers having cookie trays at Christmastime
    • What exercise Mike logged in his FitBit this week
    • Mexican and Irish Traffic Lights
    • Kegs & Eggs
    • WNY Raccoon moms
    • Meet the HENRYS
    • A nationwide network of junkyards
    • Rochester's famous Tom the "Conehead"
    • Willy Wonka
    • An Olde Timey Newspaper's opinion of Rochester in 1812
    • For the first times in their lives, Mike and Marc were both at a loss for words tonight.
    • State Senator Jeremy Cooney's flier welcoming you to Rochester
    • Another Christmas poem from Dr. Mike!


    Reviews:

    • Abington Ale House, MA
    • Merc's and Wakeup Cafe in New Smyrna FL
    • Sweet Tomatoes SOUP BUFFET
    • The wait is over. Marc finally ate a Rubino's Italian Dinner Plate and reviews it for all both of you listeners.
    • Apple Country Spirits aka Rootstock in Williamson, NY


    From ALL of us at Flyover Plates, Happy Holidays and eat well!

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 31 mins
  • 33 Thanksgiving Flavored Oreos?
    Nov 20 2025

    Tonight on FOP!

    • Italian contact lenses
    • Mike attempts TV repair in honor of Marc's bday
    • Bills fans are now spreading their ruckus across the country
    • What's the common secret ingredient in Jewish and Italian food?
    • Thanksgiving-Flavored Oreos? Find out which flavors they offer.
    • A Pumpkin Spice radio channel?
    • Britney Spears is now considered soft rock?
    • BBQ in Outer Space
    • Zubaz pants popping up everywhere
    • How Rochester ruined modern mallpartment life with one stupid placement decision
    • HoHoHos holiday treats
    • The World Series of Cheese
    • The most difficult Italian dishes to make
    • Why regional chains should stay regional
    • Featured food: Gia's Chicken Parm


    In Memoriam

    • Marketplace Mall
    • Most stores in SouthTown Plaza
    • Pep Boys N Greece Rd
    • Log Cabin in Macedon - best brinner award
    • Bob Evans in Batavia
    • JimmyJohn's Henrietta
    • Food at Fishers Station
    • ChitChat Cafe Victor
    • Pier1 Imports Victor (and what it became)
    • The Springhouse
    • The Princess and The Dutchess diners
    • Niagara Falls, ON
    • Cheeburger Cheeburger
    • All Quizno's in Rochester
    • BigLots (nooooo!)
    • Pizza Uno in Victor and Chase in Gates
    • Two M's
    • Woolworth's Pittsford
    • Lindburger's
    • The Como, Niagara Falls, NY (soon to be resurrected!)
    • The Sizzler - resurrected!

    They're goin under faster than we can memorialize them! Thanks for being a fan, and why not have a listening party to get your friends into FOP!

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 40 mins
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