Ep 1. Lewis and Clark Trail

Bizarre Foods is a culinary travel show where host Andrew Zimmern takes viewers on a journey to explore unique and sometimes strange foods and traditions from around the world. In the first episode of Season 17, titled Lewis and Clark Trail, Andrew retraces the historic journey of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, who famously traveled from St. Louis, Missouri to the Pacific Coast and back in the early 19th century.

Andrew starts his journey in St. Louis, where he gets a taste of the local cuisine like toasted ravioli, a St. Louis staple of deep-fried ravioli stuffed with meat or cheese. He also visits a brewery to sample some beer, which was a popular drink of choice during Lewis and Clark's time.

As Andrew makes his way westward, he stops at several historic landmarks and national parks along the Lewis and Clark Trail. He explores the Missouri River, which was a major mode of transportation for the explorers, and learns about the Native American tribes they encountered along the way.

One of the highlights of the episode is when Andrew attends a traditional powwow in South Dakota. He tastes some of the foods prepared for the event, like fry bread and buffalo stew, and meets with locals who share their stories and traditions with him.

In Montana, Andrew tries his hand at fly fishing, just like Lewis and Clark did during their journey. He also visits a local ranch where he learns about the importance of bison to both the Native American and pioneer communities. Andrew has the opportunity to try some bison tongue and cheeks, which may sound unappetizing to some, but are considered delicacies in these parts.

As Andrew reaches the Pacific Coast, he visits the Fort Clatsop National Memorial in Oregon, a replica of the winter quarters that Lewis and Clark and their team established during their journey. Andrew learns about the struggles the group faced during their long winter there, including the food shortages and illness that plagued them.

Throughout the episode, Andrew reflects on the incredible feat of exploration that Lewis and Clark accomplished and how their journey paved the way for westward expansion in the United States. He also discusses the impact of this expansion on the Native American communities that were already established in these areas.

Overall, Lewis and Clark Trail offers viewers a unique blend of history and food, as Andrew explores the culinary traditions that played a role in the Lewis and Clark expedition. It's a fascinating journey that showcases the diverse cultures and landscapes of the western United States, and it's definitely worth tuning in to see what bizarre foods Andrew tastes along the way.