Ep 2. Real Deal Italian

In Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives season 5 episode 2, viewers are taken on a culinary journey to explore some of the best and most authentic Italian cuisine in America. Host Guy Fieri scours the country to find some of the most truly Italian restaurants that offer everything from handmade pasta to brick oven pizza.

The episode starts with a visit to a restaurant in Grand Rapids, Michigan called Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen. This place is owned and operated by Italian-American Chef Giuseppe Licari who has taken inspiration from his family's Sicilian roots to create his restaurant. Fieri samples their best dishes, including a variety of pizza options and handmade pasta.

Next up, Fieri travels to Scottsdale, Arizona to visit Andreoli Italian Grocer. This hidden gem is a true institution in the community and is run by Italian-born chef, Giovanni Scorzo. Known for its authentic Italian ingredients, Fieri gets a chance to sample a variety of dishes including arancini, homemade meatballs, panini sandwiches, and fresh pasta.

The third restaurant Fieri visits is located in Austin, Texas, and is called La Cocina de Consuelo. This place is known for serving up traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine with an Italian twist. Fieri chats with owner and head chef Consuelo Alcala as she prepares her famous lasagna and other classic dishes.

The next stop on Fieri's Italian food odyssey is Madison, Wisconsin where he visits a family-run, old-school Italian restaurant called Lombardino's. Known for their hearty pasta dishes and fresh seafood, Fieri enjoys a delicious meal and chats with the owner, Patrick O'Halloran, about the history of the restaurant and how they've maintained their quality over the years.

Finally, Fieri heads to Redding, California to visit a roadside diner called Cicada Cantina. Here, he meets Chef Chip Lerwick who has created a unique menu inspired by both Italian and Mexican cuisine. Fieri samples their famous pizza that is cooked in a wood-fired oven and combines classic Italian toppings with spicy Mexican flavors.

Throughout the episode, Fieri showcases the diversity of Italian cuisine and how it has been interpreted and adapted in various regions across the United States. From traditional Sicilian-style pizza to Tex-Mex lasagna, viewers are sure to be amazed by the variety of flavors and dishes on display. This episode proves that no matter where you are, you can always find a good Italian meal.