If you spent any time in New England during the last thirty years, you know the purple logo. You know the "Great Ate." You definitely know the voice of the guy who turned restaurant reviews into a high-octane spectator sport. For decades, Dave Andelman was the face of Phantom Gourmet, a media juggernaut that basically decided which burger joints lived or died in Boston.
But then, everything went quiet.
Well, not exactly quiet—it was more like a sudden, screeching halt. One day he’s the king of New England food media, and the next, he’s gone. It’s been a few years now, and honestly, a lot of people are still scratching their heads wondering where he landed.
The 2020 Exit That Changed Everything
Basically, it all came crashing down in June 2020. Dave posted a series of comments on his personal Facebook page that mocked the Black Lives Matter protests and the George Floyd movement. He made jokes about "defunding potatoes" and suggested restaurants offer "curbside looting."
The backlash was instant.
The show was yanked off the air by WBZ-TV. Advertisers started bailing. Within days, Dave issued an apology, but it wasn’t enough to stop the bleeding. He officially resigned as CEO of Phantom Gourmet and stepped away from the Mendon Twin Drive-In, a business he co-owned with his brothers, Dan and Michael.
He didn't just step down; he "relinquished ownership." That’s a huge distinction. It meant he wasn't just hiding in the back office—he was legally out.
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What is Dave Andelman doing now?
So, where is he? If you’re looking for a big, splashy comeback tour, you’re going to be disappointed. Dave has largely stayed out of the public eye. Unlike some media personalities who try to pivot to a podcast or a "canceled" tour immediately, he’s kept a remarkably low profile.
His brother, Dan Andelman, took over the reins as CEO. The show eventually returned to the air after a two-month hiatus and a massive "culture overhaul." If you watch the show today, it’s Dan you see leading the charge.
Dave’s life since then has been a mix of:
- Private Life: He’s moved into a strictly private capacity. His once-public social media presence, which caused the initial firestorm, has been locked down or removed.
- The Family Business Shadow: While he has no official role or ownership in Phantom Gourmet anymore, the company remains a family affair. His brothers still run the show and the Mendon Drive-In.
- Consulting and Behind-the-Scenes: There have been rumors in the New England restaurant scene about him doing private consulting, but nothing has been publicly formalized or branded.
The Phantom Gourmet Evolution
While Dave vanished from the credits, the brand had to evolve. Dan Andelman and the remaining team hired diversity consultants—specifically former Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson—to help rebuild the company’s image. They started focusing heavily on minority-owned businesses and "Black-owned restaurant" segments to mend fences with a community that felt alienated by Dave's comments.
It’s a weird reality for fans. For years, the Andelman brothers were a trio. Now, it’s a duo plus the "Phantom" himself (who remains anonymous, though we know it’s not Dave).
The Marshfield Expansion That Never Was
One of the biggest "now what" moments involves the Marshfield Fairgrounds. Before the 2020 controversy, Dave was spearheading a massive expansion to open a new drive-in theater there. When the Facebook posts went viral, the Marshfield Fair board didn't hesitate—they cut ties immediately.
That project died on the vine. It was a sign that his name had become a liability for municipal partnerships. Since then, he hasn't been linked to any new major real estate or entertainment developments in the Massachusetts area.
E-E-A-T: The Reality of the "Comeback"
In the world of business and crisis management, some people wait for the storm to pass and then re-emerge. Dave seems to have chosen a different path: genuine exit.
Is he still involved in the food world? Not in any way that’s visible to the public. He’s essentially become a ghost in the industry he helped build. For a guy who was known for being loud, provocative, and everywhere at once, the silence is the most telling part of his current status.
His legacy is now a cautionary tale for CEOs about the "personal" nature of social media. Even if you own the company, you don't own the public's perception of it.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Story
If you’re trying to keep tabs on this or similar media shifts, here’s how to stay informed:
- Watch the Credits: Check the production credits on current Phantom Gourmet episodes. You’ll notice the absence of Dave’s name in the executive producer and ownership slots, confirming the legal separation.
- Monitor Corporate Filings: For those really curious, Massachusetts Secretary of State business filings are public. They show the current officers of Phantom Gourmet, Inc., where Dan Andelman remains the primary head.
- Follow the "New" Phantom: To see how the brand has changed, look at their recent "Community Spotlight" segments. It’s a complete 180 from the tone the show had five or six years ago.
Dave Andelman's story is basically a "before and after" snapshot of the 2020 era. He went from the most powerful man in New England food to a private citizen almost overnight. While he’s no longer the "CEO of Fun," the machine he built keeps rolling without him.