Ep 16. The Blues Trail

Bizarre Foods season 8 episode 16 titled "The Blues Trail" follows host Andrew Zimmern journeying through the southern United States in search of the rich cultural history behind the blues music genre. The episode is set against the backdrop of Mississippi's "Blues Trail," a series of historical markers that denote significant locations and landmarks related to blues music. Zimmern's mission is to discover the vibrant food culture that grew alongside the development of blues music, and to understand how the two became intertwined as symbols of southern identity.

The episode begins with Zimmern in Memphis, Tennessee, home of the famous Beale Street and the iconic Sun Studio, where blues legends like Elvis Presley and B.B. King recorded their hits. Zimmern visits a local barbecue joint to sample the region's signature dry-rubbed ribs, which he describes as "meat so tender it falls off the bone." He also meets with a local musician who shares tales of the city's rich musical history and describes how the blues became a form of expression for southern African Americans.

From Memphis, Zimmern travels south to Mississippi, stopping in Greenwood to visit a soul food diner that has been in business since the 1930s. He chats with the restaurant's owner about how the food they serve reflects the changing cultural landscape of the region over the past century. Zimmern then heads to Clarksdale, Mississippi, considered by many as the birthplace of the blues. The city is home to several blues clubs, including the famous Ground Zero Blues Club, where Zimmern meets the owner and samples a variety of dishes like fried catfish and fried pickles.

As Zimmern continues down the "Blues Trail," he makes stops in several other towns in Mississippi, each with its own unique culinary traditions. In Yazoo City, he visits a local farmer who raises heritage pigs and prepares a pork chop sandwich with homemade chow chow sauce. In Indianola, he samples a regional specialty known as hot tamales, which are made with masa dough and stuffed with spiced meat. Throughout the journey, Zimmern is struck by how the food he encounters is more than just sustenance, but a reflection of the people and the land from which it originates.

The episode closes with Zimmern returning to Memphis for a final taste of the city's famous barbeque at Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous. As he reflects on his journey along the "Blues Trail," he notes that food and music are powerful cultural symbols that connect people and places, and that the unique blend of Southern cooking and blues music is an essential part of America's cultural heritage.

Overall, Bizarre Foods season 8 episode 16 "The Blues Trail" is a compelling exploration of the cultural and culinary history of the southern United States. With its focus on the intersection of food and music, the episode offers a unique perspective on the region's rich heritage and the ways in which it has been shaped by the people who live there. Andrew Zimmern's enthusiastic and curious approach to the subject matter makes for an engaging and entertaining journey that is sure to delight fans of the show and anyone interested in the history of blues music or southern cuisine.