Ep 1. Authentic Eats

Host Guy Fieri is back for the 16th season of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and he's kicking things off with an episode dedicated to "Authentic Eats." In this episode, Guy travels across the country, visiting some of America's best eateries to taste some of the most authentic and delicious food.

First up is a visit to a burger joint in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ted's Butcher Block serves up mouth-watering burgers, made with meat that's ground in-house. Guy tries their signature "Jimmy" burger, topped with bacon, fried egg, and a special hot sauce.

Next, Guy heads to Brooklyn, New York, to visit a family-run Middle Eastern restaurant called Tanoreen. Here, he tries a mezze platter, featuring a variety of dishes like labaneh, hummus, and stuffed grape leaves. He also gets to sample their lamb shank, which is slow-cooked and served with a side of couscous.

In New Orleans, Louisiana, Guy stops by a seafood restaurant called Neyow's Creole Cafe. He tries their gumbo, which is made with a dark roux and filled with shrimp, crab, and sausage. He also gets to sample their po' boys, including one filled with fried oysters and another with fried catfish.

Moving on to the west coast, Guy visits El Farolito, a taqueria in San Francisco, California. He tries their carnitas tacos, which are made with tender, slow-cooked pork and topped with onions and cilantro. He also gets to sample their super burrito, filled with beans, rice, meat, cheese, and avocado.

And finally, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Guy stops by Mary & Tito's Cafe, a family-run restaurant that's been serving up authentic Mexican food for over 50 years. He tries their carne adovada, which is pork that's been marinated in red chile sauce and slow-cooked until tender. He also gets to sample their famous sopaipillas, which are light and fluffy fried dough that are served with honey.

Throughout the episode, Guy gets to meet the chefs and owners behind these amazing eateries, learning about their histories and their passion for great food. And of course, he gets to taste some of the most delicious and authentic food around. "Authentic Eats" is a great start to the 16th season of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and is sure to leave viewers hungry for more.