Ep 11. San Diego

In Bizarre Foods season 8 episode 11, host Andrew Zimmern travels to San Diego to explore the city's unique and diverse food scene. Beginning his culinary adventure in the city's Little Italy neighborhood, Zimmern discovers traditional Italian fare at Mona Lisa Italian Foods. He tries a variety of dishes, including a meatball sub and a fried ravioli with marinara sauce.

Next, Zimmern heads to Tijuana, Mexico, just a short drive from San Diego, to sample the local street food. He meets up with local food blogger Bill Esparza, who takes him to a few of his favorite spots. The first stop is at Tacos el Franc, a popular taco stand known for its goat meat tacos. Zimmern also tries a variety of other tacos, including beef tongue and a type of cactus called nopales.

Back in San Diego, Zimmern heads to the Kitchens for Good project, a non-profit organization that trains individuals who have suffered from homelessness or incarceration in culinary arts. He meets with some of the program participants and learns about their experiences. He then joins them in the kitchen to help prepare a meal for a local homeless shelter.

Zimmern's next stop is the San Diego County Fair, where he tries some of the more unconventional fair foods. He samples deep-fried butter, chocolate-covered bacon, and a bacon-wrapped turkey leg. He also tries a deep-fried tuna melt, a twist on a classic sandwich made with tuna salad and melted cheese.

Moving on to the North Park neighborhood, Zimmern visits a restaurant called Urban Solace, known for its modern twists on comfort food. He tries the restaurant's take on macaroni and cheese made with goat cheese and smoked bacon. He also samples a dish called "The Whole Hog," which consists of a pork chop, belly, and sausage served with collard greens and cheddar grits.

Finally, Zimmern heads to Siesel's Old Fashioned Meats, a butcher shop that has been operating in San Diego for over 50 years. He learns about the process of making sausage and tries a few different types, including a spicy chorizo and a traditional Polish kielbasa.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern emphasizes the importance of experiencing different cultures through their food and encourages viewers to step out of their comfort zones and try new things. From street food in Tijuana to modern comfort food in San Diego, Bizarre Foods season 8 episode 11 offers a diverse and exciting culinary journey.