Ep 22. The Spice is Right

The Spice is Right is the 22nd episode of the fifth season of Eat St., a food documentary series that explores the diverse and delicious street food culture in North America. The episode takes viewers on a mouth-watering journey across the United States and Canada, discovering the most flavorful and unique street food dishes made with exotic spices and seasonings.

The episode starts in San Francisco, where we meet the Curry Up Now food truck, specializing in Indian-inspired street food with a modern twist. The host James Cunningham tries their famous Tikka Masala Burrito, filled with juicy chicken marinated in a spicy tomato and cream sauce, rice, and beans. Next, he samples their Spiced Lamb Slider, topped with pickled onion and mint chutney, and gets a taste of their popular Indian street snack, Pani Puri. The owner of the Curry Up Now truck shares his passion for creating innovative fusion dishes that bring the vibrant flavors of India to the streets of San Francisco.

The next stop is Miami Beach, where James visits the Purple People Eatery, known for their colorful and healthy wraps, bowls, and salads. James tries their Thai-inspired Purple Noodle Bowl, made with black rice noodles, mango, avocado, and a lively peanut sauce. Next, he tastes their Jamaican Jerk Bowl, featuring tender chicken marinated in spicy jerk seasoning, and a side of sweet plantains. The Purple People Eatery prides itself on using fresh and locally-sourced ingredients and creating dishes that are both nutritious and tantalizing.

The episode then takes us to Vancouver, Canada, where we meet the Vij's Railway Express, a food truck run by the renowned chef Vikram Vij, famous for his sophisticated Indian cuisine. James samples their signature Wrap Roti, a mouth-watering dish made with butter chicken, potatoes, and spices, wrapped in a soft roti bread. He also tries their Lamb Kebab, marinated in ginger and cumin, and served with a zesty mint chutney. The Vij's Railway Express brings authentic Indian flavors to the streets of Vancouver and showcases the diversity of the Canadian street food scene.

The next stop is Portland, Oregon, where James visits the KOi Fusion food truck, which offers a fusion of Korean and Mexican cuisines. James tries their Bulgogi Beef Tacos, made with marinated beef, kimchi, and a spicy gochujang sauce. He also samples their K-Dawg, a Korean-style hot dog served with sweet and spicy toppings. The KOi Fusion truck brings bold and unexpected flavor combinations to the streets of Portland, reflecting the city's vibrant and experimental food scene.

In the final segment, James travels to Toronto, Canada, to meet the owners of the Fidel Gastro's food truck, famous for their creative sandwiches and comfort food. James tries their Dirty Fries, topped with pulled pork, cheese curds, and BBQ sauce, and their PB&J Figgy sandwich, which combines peanut butter, fig jam, and crispy prosciutto. He also samples their Kimcheese sandwich, made with Korean-style short ribs, kimchi, and melted cheese. The Fidel Gastro's truck showcases the fun and playful side of street food and offers a nostalgic and satisfying experience.

Overall, The Spice is Right episode of Eat St. offers a delightful and mouth-watering exploration of the diverse cuisines served on the streets of North America. From Indian-inspired burritos to Korean-style tacos and creative sandwiches, the episode showcases the endless possibilities of street food and celebrates the cultural richness of the cities and countries where they are served.