Big Food Bucket List Season 1 Episode 1 Rolling in the Deep Dish

In the premiere episode of Big Food Bucket List season 1, titled "Rolling in the Deep Dish," host John Catucci travels to Chicago to explore the city's most iconic dish: deep dish pizza.

Catucci starts his journey at Lou Malnati's, a family-owned pizzeria that has been serving up their signature deep dish pies for over 50 years. He meets with owner Marc Malnati, who takes him on a tour of the kitchen and shows him how the restaurant makes their famous buttery crust from scratch. Catucci then gets to try a classic deep dish pizza, loaded with cheese, sausage, and chunky tomato sauce.

Next, Catucci heads to Pequod's Pizza, another beloved local spot known for their caramelized crust. He chats with owner Keith Jackson, who explains how the unique crust is created by spreading a layer of cheese all the way to the edge of the pan and letting it crisp up. Catucci samples a slice of the restaurant's specialty pepperoni pizza, which features thick slices of spicy meat and a generous amount of cheese.

Catucci also stops by Gino's East, one of the oldest and most well-known deep dish pizza joints in the city. He meets with executive chef Keith Sirois, who shares the history of the restaurant and walks Catucci through the process of making a deep dish pizza from start to finish. Catucci is impressed by the sheer amount of cheese and toppings piled onto the pizza, which includes mushrooms, onions, peppers, and sausage.

Throughout the episode, Catucci also meets with passionate locals who weigh in on what makes Chicago-style deep dish pizza so special. He visits a group of regulars at Lou Malnati's who have been coming to the restaurant for decades, as well as a group of Chicago firefighters who swear by Pequod's for their weekly pizza night.

In addition to exploring Chicago's deep dish pizza scene, Catucci takes time to discover other local food favorites. He visits a popular hot dog stand, Portillo's, to try their famous Chicago-style hot dog (complete with mustard, relish, onions, and pickles), as well as the city's beloved Italian beef sandwiches at Al's Beef.

Overall, "Rolling in the Deep Dish" is a mouthwatering introduction to the world of Chicago's most iconic dish. Catucci's enthusiasm and passion for food shines through as he guides viewers through the city's best pizza joints and local hangouts, making for a fun and entertaining watch.