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Buddy travels the country visits iconic restaurants to speak with their chefs, taste their cuisine, and discover "secret sauce" to their success.
2023
Buddy visits two generational legacies—family owned and operated Patsy's Italian Restaurant in New York City and the famed Oaxacan joint in Los Angeles, Guelaguetza.
Buddy visits two restaurants that thrive on recipes handed down through generations. First, he heads to Mamoun's Falafel, an iconic middle eastern joint in New York City's Greenwich Village that's been making their best-selling falafel sandwich the same way for over 50 years. Then Buddy's off to Nashville, Tennessee to visit Silver Sands Cafe, a place that's climbed to the top of the food scene thanks to three generations of strong women who have carried on their family's soul food legacies.
Buddy heads to two small restaurants with huge reputations for making delicious food. First up is DiFara Pizza in Brooklyn, New York to learn the secrets to their famous slice. Then, it's off to visit Mini Kabob, in Glendale, California where Buddy learns to make Armenian classics like chicken shish kabob and beef lula kebab. These recipes have been handed down through generations and have remained secret...until now.
Get ready for the meat sweats, because in this episode, Buddy's hitting up two iconic spots that don't skimp on the meat. First, Buddy's off to Damon's Steakhouse in Glendale, California where they serve up some of the juiciest steaks you've ever seen with an island twist. Then it's BBQ time at Peg Leg Porker in Nashville, Tennessee where owner and pitmaster Carey Bringle is cooking up some of the best fall off the bone pulled pork, dry rubbed ribs and smokey chicken in the country.
We're turning up the heat! Buddy visits two iconic hotspots who are famous for their intensely spicy dishes. First, he heads to Jitlada in Los Angeles, California to see if he can withstand the heat of their infamous Thai Jungle Curry. Then, Buddy turns the dial to 400 Degrees in Nashville, Tennessee to see just how hot 400 degrees really is when he tastes owner Aqui Hine's legendary spicy pork chop and her twist on Nashville Hot chicken.
Buddy visits two legendary restaurants that have been open for over 100 years, McGillin's Old Ale House in Philadelphia, and Katz's Deli in New York City! First at McGillin's, Buddy learns about their famous Irish Philly Cheesesteak before getting into the kitchen to make their most legendary dish, the mile high meatloaf. Then at Katz's, Buddy finds out what it takes to make the greatest sandwich of all time, the legendary pastrami on rye that Katz's has been making for 135 years!
Buddy sees what's between the bread at two old school joints that hold a special place in his heart. First, he's heading to Fiore's House of Quality in his hometown of Hoboken, New Jersey to taste their legendary Italian sandwiches, including their famous roast beef and fresh mozzarella sandwich. Then he's off to Chicago, Illinois to see his good friend Chris at Al's #1 Italian Beef to learn the secrets behind the OG Italian Beef Sandwich.
Buddy visits two culinary powerhouses who are bringing the flavors of their native countries to the places they now call home. First, he's off to Natraliart, a hidden gem that's serving up an authentic taste of Jamaican paradise to the heart of Los Angeles. Then Buddy heads to Chauhan Ale and Masala House in Tennessee where his friend, Chef Maneet Chauhan, is bringing her mouthwatering Indian/Southern fusion to the heart of Music City.
Buddy hits up two old school eateries that are straight out of a time machine. Starting with Superdawg in Chicago, a 50's style drive-in that serves up a legendary hot dog based on a generations-old recipe. Then he's headed to Nashville, Tennessee to check out Elliston Place Soda Shop, where they're serving up burgers, dogs, fries, milkshakes, and desserts, just like they did back when it opened over 80 years ago.
Buddy is visiting two restaurants that craft their legendary menus around one-star ingredients. First up, he heads to Sweet Potato Sensations in Detroit, Michigan.
Buddy hits up two time-tested restaurants that have become lasting legends. First up is Triple Crown in Chicago, Illinois where he'll taste the house-made dim sum that has kept customers coming back for almost thirty years! Then he's off to Zum Stammtisch, one of the last standing, old school German restaurants in Queens, New York, with a reputation for serving the best Jagershnitzel and bratwurst this side of Munich.
Rise and shine! Buddy visits two restaurants whose breakfast offerings bring them to legendary status. First, Buddy's off to the Pancake Pantry in Nashville, Tennessee whose pancake recipe is so top secret, their current owner doesn't even know it! Then, he heads to Lou Mitchell's, one of Chicago's most legendary diners to see why their breakfast has brought customers back for over a hundred years. But when it comes to mastering the flipping technique for their legendary "deep-dish omelet," Buddy's got his work cut out for him.
Buddy heads to two restaurants that are known as much for their Hollywood connection, as they are for serving delicious food. First, he heads to The Victor Cafe in Philadelphia, which is as famous for appearing in the Rocky Balboa and Creed movies and for their tableside opera performances. After belting out a few tunes, Buddy heads to the kitchen with Chef Rick to learn how to make their pillowy gnocchi and one of Buddy's all-time favorite Italian dishes: veal saltimbocca. Next he's heading to El Coyote--a well-known Hollywood stomping ground and setting for some classic movies, to try their cheesy enchiladas, savory chili rellenos and "world famous" margaritas.
Buddy travels coast to coast to visit two legendary ladies who built their empires from the ground up. First, Buddy's in Harlem, New York to visit the "Queen of Soul Food's" famous restaurant, Sylvia's.
Buddy visits two neighborhood joints that have been thriving since the 1940s. First, Buddy tries the famous Bisteca Fiorentina and homemade pasta at Gene and Georgetti.
Buddy visits two restaurants that, despite recent openings, are on their way to becoming legends. Starting with Frontier in Chicago, Illinois which invites you to eat like the pioneers did and dive into unconventional proteins like Alligator, Elk, and Duck. Then he's off to Antique Bar and Bakery in his hometown of Hoboken, New Jersey, where meat, seafood, and even desserts come out of a 125-year-old brick oven.
Seafood may not be your first thought when you think of a city like Detroit, Michigan, but at the Belgian inspired restaurant Cadieux Cafe, Buddy tries the best bowl of steamed mussels and braised Belgian rabbit in the Midwest. Then his next stop is at Taverna Kyclades in Queens, New York, the wildly popular Greek establishment with the best branzino and spanakopita this side of the Aegean Sea.
Buddy Valastro
Self
