Ep 31. Blue Plate Special

In season 8 episode 31 of Food Paradise, titled Blue Plate Special, viewers are taken on a culinary journey through some of America's classic diners. Hosted by Jesse Blaze Snider, the episode pays tribute to the beloved blue plate special - a term coined in the 1920s for a low-priced meal served on a blue and white patterned plate.

The episode takes viewers to several locations across the country, starting in San Francisco, where the Grubstake Diner has been serving up comfort food since 1947. The Grubstake's signature blue plate special is a heaping plate of corned beef and cabbage that is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. From San Francisco, viewers are whisked off to the small town of Omak, Washington, where the Breadline Cafe has been a local institution for over 20 years. The cafe's blue plate special is their famous chicken and dumplings, which are made from scratch daily.

Next up is the historic Brown Derby Roadhouse in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Originally built in 1782, the Roadhouse has been a fixture of the town's dining scene for over a century. Their blue plate special is a traditional New England boiled dinner, complete with corned beef, potatoes, and carrots. Moving on to the Midwest, viewers are treated to a visit to the iconic Bluebird Restaurant in Logan, Ohio. Founded in 1938, the Bluebird is famous for its homemade pies and their savory blue plate special - a pork tenderloin sandwich served with a side of mac and cheese.

The episode also features stops in the South, including a visit to the Liberty Bell Restaurant in historic Savannah, Georgia. The Liberty Bell has been dishing out Southern-style blue plate specials, like chicken and dumplings and fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, since 1908. Viewers are also taken to Meridian, Mississippi, where Weidmann's Restaurant has been a local favorite for generations. Their blue plate special is a hearty serving of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

The episode wraps up in the Northeast with a trip to the East Coast Grill in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This beloved restaurant has been serving up bold flavors and inventive dishes since 1985. Their blue plate special is a spicy take on a classic meatloaf - made with ground pork, beef, and chorizo and served with a side of cheesy grits.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to footage of each restaurant's iconic dishes being prepared, as well as interviews with owners and customers. The episode also explores the history of the blue plate special and how it has become a beloved institution in diners across the country.

In sum, Food Paradise season 8 episode 31 is a mouth-watering tribute to the classic American diner and the comforting dishes that have become synonymous with them. From San Francisco to Cambridge, viewers are taken on a culinary journey that celebrates the simple pleasures of good food and good company.