Ellen (Leigh-Allyn Baker) states, "it's like that time they tried to get us to eat "dim sum." This is a reference to the story-line in I Never Promised You an Olive Garden (1999).
In season 2, episode 9, Grace tells Rob to go to the bathroom with Ellen for support. In this episode, when Rob goes in the bathroom with Ellen, Grace asks why.
The exterior shot of the bar Karen's mom works in is the same one used for Paul & Jamie's favorite bar & grill "Riffs" on "Mad About You."