Ep 4. Matches Made in Heaven

In this episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, host Guy Fieri is on a mission to find the perfect flavor combinations in the dishes he tastes from different restaurants across America. Titled “Matches Made in Heaven,” this episode features three distinct eateries each with unique culinary creations that showcase how different flavors can perfectly complement each other.

The first stop is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where Guy visits a family-owned restaurant that specializes in homemade pasta dishes with unexpected twists. At Mama’s Ladas, Guy meets the mother and son duo who combine their Mexican and Italian roots to create dishes like their famous lasagna combined with Mexican spices and flavors. The chefs use authentic ingredients like homemade chorizo, fresh cilantro, and ripe red tomatoes to create their dishes that are bound to satisfy cravings for both Italian and Mexican cuisine.

The next stop on the journey is in Nashville, Tennessee, where Guy explores the world of chicken dishes with a twist at Slow Burn Hot Chicken. The restaurant’s owner, Chef Kimberly Harris, brings together two completely different flavor profiles in her dishes – the spicy, bold flavors of Nashville’s famous hot chicken with the tangy, sweet notes of Korean-influenced sauces. Guy gets to try Slow Burn’s unique Korean-inspired chicken burritos and Korean-style fried chicken wings, which he describes as “explosions of flavor in every bite.”

In the final destination, we find Guy in Richardson, Texas, at a restaurant called Cattleack Barbeque. Here, he meets Todd David, a BBQ enthusiast who left his corporate job to turn his passion for barbeque into a full-time business. Todd creates BBQ dishes with unique and unexpected flavor combinations, like his famous brisket loaded baked potato, which is a sinister combination of smoky meat and buttery potatoes. Todd’s dishes are a perfect example of how even traditional BBQ food can be elevated with the right flavor profiles.

Throughout the episode, Guy is impressed by the creativity of the chefs he meets and their ability to make seemingly disparate flavors come together in perfect harmony. He is particularly enamored by the innovative combinations at Mama’s Ladas and Slow Burn Hot Chicken, where he experiences unique flavor combinations that he insists are “out of this world.”

As with all episodes of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, viewers can expect to be both entertained and enlightened by the varied and unexpected culinary delights that are on full display. For those who love food and culinary creativity, “Matches Made in Heaven” is a must-watch episode that is sure to satisfy the taste buds.