Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Season 2007 Episode 3 Blue Plate Special
- May 7, 2007
In this episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, host Guy Fieri is on the search for the ultimate Blue Plate Special. He travels across the country to find the best homemade comfort food that reminds him of the blue plate specials he had as a kid.
The first stop on his journey is at a restaurant in Portland, Oregon called Screen Door. Here, Fieri meets with chef Rick Gencarelli to sample his famous buttermilk fried chicken and waffles. Gencarelli's recipe for the chicken is a secret, but Fieri can't get enough of the crispy, juicy meat. The waffles are equally delicious, served with a dollop of whipped butter and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Next up, Fieri travels to Charleston, South Carolina to try some lowcountry cuisine at Hominy Grill. Chef Robert Stehling shows him how to make shrimp and grits, a traditional southern dish. Stehling's take on the classic dish features plump, juicy shrimp sautéed in bacon fat and served over cheesy grits. Fieri can't resist the rich, savory flavors and gobbles up every last bite.
Fieri's third stop is at The Nook, a diner in Atlanta, Georgia. Owner Mark Taft shows him how to make his famous meatloaf, which is covered in a tangy tomato sauce and served with a side of mashed potatoes and green beans. Fieri describes the meatloaf as a "perfectly cooked, homestyle classic" and praises the Nook's commitment to using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
In San Francisco, California, Fieri visits Brenda's French Soul Food to try their signature dish, the Hangtown Fry. The dish features a mixture of eggs, bacon, and oysters, all fried up together and served on a plate with a side of grits. Fieri loves the way the flavors of the bacon and the oysters complement each other, and calls the dish "mind-blowing."
Fieri's final stop is in St. Paul, Minnesota, at a restaurant called the Nook & Cranny. Here, he tries their famous Juicy Lucy burger, which is stuffed with a molten core of melted cheese. Fieri can't get enough of the ooey-gooey cheese and perfectly-cooked beef, and says that this burger is sure to satisfy any craving for comfort food.
Throughout the episode, Fieri marvels at the inventiveness and creativity of the chefs he meets, and praises their commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients in their cooking. He also gives viewers some insider tips on how to recreate some of these dishes at home, sharing his own tips and tricks for making the perfect fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and meatloaf.
Overall, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Season 2007 Episode 3: Blue Plate Special is a celebration of classic American comfort food and the creative chefs who are keeping these traditions alive. Whether you're craving crispy fried chicken, creamy grits, or a juicy, cheese-filled burger, this episode is sure to satisfy all your comfort food cravings.