Bizarre Foods America Season 9 Episode 3 Iowa

Andrew Zimmern is back on the road again in Bizarre Foods America season 9 episode 3, exploring all things unusual and appetizing in Iowa. In this episode, he travels through the Hawkeye State in search of bizarre and delicious foods. From the pork tenderloin sandwich to the Iowa State Fair's famous 'Butter Cow', Iowa is a flat-out celebration of bold, Midwest flavors.

Andrew makes his first stop at the world-famous Maid-Rite sandwich shop in Marshalltown, where the loose meat sandwich originated. Andrew meets the owner Tippi and her daughter, who have been running the restaurant for over 30 years. He tries the Maid-Rite sandwich, which is a juicy ground beef sandwich topped with onions and mustard. Andrew is impressed by how flavorful the sandwich is and praises it for its simplicity.

The next stop on Andrew's Iowa food journey is the city of Keokuk, where he tries some of the best catfish in the country. He meets up with Chef Gordon Rader, who takes him fishing on the Mississippi River for wild-caught catfish. After catching a few, they set up a fry station on the riverbank, and Andrew cooks the catfish in a classic Southern style cornmeal coating. The catfish is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, a perfect combination of flavors and textures.

Andrew then visits a family farm in Dayton, where he tries a unique dish called 'Lutefisk', which is traditional Scandinavian cuisine made from aged dried cod that has been soaked in lye. The lye breaks down the proteins and changes the texture of the fish, making it gelatinous and slippery. Andrew is initially wary of the dish's smell and appearance, but after tasting it, he is surprised by how good it is.

Andrew also heads to Ames to check out one of the most iconic foods in Iowa, the pork tenderloin sandwich. He stops at the iconic, family-owned restaurant called 'The Fighting Burrito' to try their signature sandwich. The meat is pounded thin, breaded, and then fried until crispy, and is served on a soft bun with pickle and onion. Andrew loves how the sandwich is cooked to perfection, creating layers of texture and flavor.

Lastly, Andrew ends his journey at the Iowa State Fair, where he discovers a range of bizarre and unique foods. He tries the 'Hot Beef Sundae,' which is a dish consisting of mashed potatoes, a roast beef gravy, cheddar cheese and a cherry tomato on top, served in a sundae dish. He also samples the 'Butter Cow,' which is a life-sized cow made entirely out of butter. Andrew is astonished by how creamy and smooth the butter is.

Bizarre Foods America season 9 episode 3: Iowa is an ode to Iowa's rich food culture, history, and tradition which is reflective of the history of the Midwest. Andrew's journey highlights the hard work of the farmers and chefs to bring the best of the heartland food to the table. The episode is a must-watch for food enthusiasts and aspiring chefs who want to discover unique and authentic cuisine.