Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Season 2008 Episode 16 In the Family

In the Family is the 16th episode of the 2008 season of the popular food television series, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Hosted by the effervescent Guy Fieri, the show's premise is to travel around the United States to discover unique and flavorful dishes served in out-of-the-way diners, roadside eateries, and mom-and-pop restaurants.

In this episode, Fieri dives deep into the histories of three family-run eateries, examining the recipes and traditions that have been passed down through generations and made their restaurants stand out. From a third-generation Irish pub in Portland, Oregon, to a Cuban café in Chicago, Illinois, and a tiny little taco shop in San Diego, California, Fieri explores what it means to keep it all in the family.

The episode begins in Portland, Oregon, at the legendary McMenamins Kennedy School. A beautiful old schoolhouse from the early 20th century, the building has been converted into a hotel with a restaurant, bar, and two movie theaters. Fieri sits down with owner Mike McMenamin to discuss the origins of his family’s business, before heading to the kitchen to check out the pub fare.

First up is the Irish lamb stew, a dish that has been a staple on the Kennedy School menu since 1978. Using lamb shoulder marinated in Guinness, the stew is slow-cooked with potatoes, carrots, and onions until it’s thick and hearty. Fieri also samples the Irish Nachos, a hybrid dish of classic pub fare and Tex-Mex, that replaces traditional tortilla chips with waffle fries and tops them with corned beef, melted cheddar cheese, green onions, and jalapeños.

The next stop on the tour is Havana in Chicago, Illinois, a Cuban café run by husband-and-wife team, Raúl and Miriam Martínez. Fieri sits down with the owners to hear their story, including how they met and how they built their restaurant from the ground up. The café is decorated with vintage Cuban posters, and the menu is full of traditional dishes, including ropa vieja, maduros, and croquetas de jamón.

Fieri samples a variety of dishes, including the Cuban Sandwich, which has slow-roasted pork, baked ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles on Cuban bread. He also tries the Lechón Asado, a whole roasted pig marinated in garlic and citrus and served with black beans and rice.

The final restaurant of the episode is Las Cuatro Milpas in San Diego, California, a tiny eatery that has been serving up home-style Mexican cuisine since 1933. The restaurant is run by the descendants of the original owner, who still make the food from scratch every day.

Fieri sits down with the family members who currently run the restaurant, including owner Peter Castañeda and his wife Nicolasa, to discuss the history of the eatery. He then heads to the kitchen to taste the food, including the handmade tortillas. He also samples the carne asada, slow-roasted marinated beef served with beans, rice, and homemade guacamole.

In the Family is a heartwarming episode that showcases the connection between family and food. Fieri explores the recipes and traditions that have been passed down through generations, and how those traditions continue to make their restaurants special. From Irish pub fare to Cuban cuisine to homemade Mexican dishes, this episode is a celebration of family and the food that brings us together.