Ep 19. Tasty Traditions

In the 19th episode of season 29 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, host Guy Fieri travels to various cities in the United States to discover the delicious and traditional food specialties. The episode, named "Tasty Traditions," showcases some of the classic and timeless dishes that have been passed down through generations and are still enjoyed by food enthusiasts today.

In the first segment, Guy visits a family-owned restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky that has been serving hot brown sandwiches for over 100 years. The sandwich which originated in the 1920s is a dish made of turkey or ham covered with a cheesy Mornay sauce and topped with bacon. The sandwich is then broiled until bubbly and served hot. The owner, eager to showcase his family recipe, prepares this mouthwatering sandwich for Guy, who is amazed by the flavors and the rich history behind the dish.

The second segment takes Guy to a restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio that specializes in pierogies. Pierogies, a traditional Polish dish, are filled dumplings made of unleavened dough and are typically boiled or fried. The owner, a second-generation Polish-American, tells Guy about how his mother used to make these dumplings from scratch and how he has continued that tradition in his restaurant. The pierogies come in different fillings like potato, cheese, sauerkraut, and meat and are served with sour cream, butter, and onions. Guy tries several of these delicious dumplings and can’t get enough.

In the next segment, Guy visits a seafood restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, that specializes in she-crab soup. She-crab soup is a classic Southern dish that was once served only in the finest households. The soup is made of crabmeat, crab roe, and cream and is flavored with sherry and spices. The owner tells Guy about the history of the soup and how it became popular in Charleston in the 1920s. Guy tries the soup, and with every spoonful, he discovers why this soup has been a Southern delicacy for so long.

The fourth segment takes Guy to a burger joint in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that has been serving the same hamburger recipe for over 60 years. The burgers are made of beef ground in-house and cooked on a griddle, which adds a perfect crust to the patty. The burger is served with onions, lettuce, and tomato, and the buns are toasted to perfection. The owner tells Guy about how his grandfather started the business and how it has been passed down three generations. The burger’s taste and the warm family history behind it leave Guy feeling content.

In the final segment, Guy travels to a family-owned BBQ restaurant in Fresno, California. The restaurant, started by immigrants from Laos, specializes in traditional Lao-style BBQ. The meat is marinated in a mixture of fish sauce, sugar, garlic, and lemongrass and is grilled to perfection. The dish comes with a variety of side dishes like papaya salad, sticky rice, and egg rolls. The owners tell Guy about how they have continued to stay true to their Lao roots and how they have tweaked the BBQ recipe to suit American tastes. Guy tries the BBQ and is amazed at how different yet delicious it is from traditional American BBQ.

In summary, the 19th episode of season 29 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives focuses on some of the food traditions that have stood the test of time. From the hot brown sandwich to Lao-style BBQ, each dish tells a story that has been passed down through generations. Guy explores each dish with his charismatic personality and of course, his always-famous catchphrases. The episode is a must-watch for food lovers and those interested in learning more about classic and timeless dishes.