Mystery Diners is an American reality television series that aired on the Food Network from May 20, , to April 27, The show focuses on the Mystery Diners, an organization that goes undercover at specific restaurants at their owners' requests, and sets up undercover stings and unseen surveillance cameras to catch misbehaving restaurant employees in the act.
A disclaimer at the end of the credits reads, "The people and events depicted in this program are real. Certain events may have been re-enacted for dramatic purposes. This show, which purports to 'expose' employees of restaurants ripping off their employers, contains so many implausible scenarios, inept actors and transparently fake denouements that it's really quite refreshing. Maeve McNamara, owner of Maeve's Residuals in Studio City, California , suspects that one of her newly hired bartenders might be over-pouring for customers, giving away too many free drinks, and over-tipping himself.
During the confrontation, Maeve fires Rod, forcing him to give the money from his tip jar to her. He states in his exit interview that he sees nothing wrong with building a clientele for Maeve, claiming she lost a good bartender. The narrator reveals that Rod has moved to Los Angeles and found new employment. Maeve hasn't had any more theft since Rod left, and all of her regulars have since returned.
Mystery Diners Danny, Shellene, and Sarah go undercover as a waiter and customers, and reveal that Dennis' recently-hired chef David is running his own catering business illegally using the restaurant's kitchen and supplies, and making business at The Groves suffer, with customers waiting extensively for their orders. During the confrontation, Dennis fires David, who states in his exit interview that he will continue his business without Dennis' supplies.
The narrator reveals that David has gone out of business without his own overhead. The Groves' business has improved now that Dennis has all his food and supplies in check. Brett and Rose Hoffman, husband and wife owners of German restaurant Haus Murphy in Glendale, Arizona , disagree on almost everything, particularly the hiring of Rose's nephew-in-law Gunnar as their new restaurant manager, whom they fear is unqualified for the job. Mystery Diners Deanna, Danny, and Chris go undercover as a waitress, a customer, and a delivery man, and prove Gunnar to be a bad influence on staff and lazy and unwelcoming to customers; he even steals beer from right under his aunt's nose.
