Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Season 2018 Episode 17 BBQ Bites and Southern Flavor

In season 2018 episode 17 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, host Guy Fieri ventures to various eateries across the southern states of the United States to discover the best BBQ dishes and southern flavors. With his signature enthusiastic personality, Guy meets with local chefs, owners and customers to learn about the history and tradition behind each dish.

The first stop on Guy's BBQ and southern flavor tour is in Nashville, Tennessee, where he visits a family-owned restaurant that has been serving up BBQ since the 1950s. The owner takes Guy through the cooking process of their famous BBQ ribs and brisket, which are slow-smoked for hours using hickory wood. He also tries their unique spin on mac and cheese, made with smoked Gouda and cheddar cheese.

Next, Guy heads to Birmingham, Alabama, where he visits a neighborhood joint that has been a staple in the community for over 30 years. There, he tries their famous fried green tomatoes, a traditional southern dish, and their pulled pork BBQ sandwich topped with coleslaw. Guy also learns about the restaurant's involvement in the community and their efforts to give back.

In Atlanta, Georgia, Guy visits a popular BBQ spot that has won multiple awards for their ribs and brisket. The owner explains how they use a blend of spices and a special dry-rub to add flavor to the meat before smoking it for hours. Guy also tries their fried catfish and collard greens, two iconic southern dishes.

At a restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, Guy tries a unique spin on BBQ: BBQ nachos. The dish is made with smoked pork, nacho cheese, jalapenos and house-made BBQ sauce. He also tries their shrimp and grits, a classic southern dish that is elevated with the addition of smoked sausage and shrimp.

Finally, Guy visits a BBQ joint in Lexington, North Carolina, that has stayed true to their traditional BBQ methods for over 100 years. The owner explains their pit-cooking process and shows Guy how they make their famous BBQ sauce, which has been passed down through generations. Guy tries their pulled pork sandwich topped with their signature BBQ sauce and ends the episode with a note on the importance of preserving traditional southern BBQ practices.

Throughout the episode, Guy interacts with the passionate chefs and owners who have dedicated their lives to perfecting classic southern dishes. He also showcases the diversity in the BBQ and southern food scene, with each restaurant offering their own unique twist on traditional dishes. Viewers are sure to be left hungry and inspired to try their own spin on classic southern cooking.