Ep 1. The Dish on Charlotte

In Southern and Hungry season 2 episode 1, viewers are taken on a culinary journey through Charlotte, North Carolina. Hosts Damaris Phillips and Rutledge Wood explore the city's food scene by trying dishes from various local restaurants and establishments.

The episode kicks off with Damaris and Rutledge visiting a restaurant named The Packhouse. The restaurant is known for its Southern-style cuisine, and the hosts waste no time trying out some of their signature dishes. They indulge in savory fried chicken with collard greens and mac and cheese on the side. The hosts are left impressed with the quality and flavor of the food and remark that it's a great representation of traditional Southern cooking.

Next up, Damaris and Rutledge visit The King’s Kitchen, a non-profit restaurant and community gathering place that serves some of the best biscuits and gravy in the city. They meet with the restaurant's head chef, Jim Noble, who gives them a tour of the kitchen and shares the restaurant's mission to give back to the community by providing meals to those in need. The hosts enjoy their delicious breakfast and express their admiration for the restaurant's philanthropic efforts.

Moving on, Damaris and Rutledge venture to a unique spot, an underground supper club known as the Soul Food Sessions. The supper club features a rotating lineup of chefs who come together to offer diverse takes on Southern cuisine. The hosts are treated to a six-course meal that showcases unique flavors such as fried okra with black garlic aioli and potlikker soup. They praise the chefs for their creative approach to Southern fare and enjoy the communal atmosphere of the supper club.

Continuing their exploration of Charlotte's food scene, Damaris and Rutledge visit a popular food truck called Papi Queso. The food truck specializes in elevated grilled cheese sandwiches and has gained a cult following in the city. The hosts try a few of their best sellers, including the classic grilled cheese with tomato soup and the Korean BBQ grilled cheese. They remark on the innovative flavor combinations and appreciate the ingenuity of the food truck concept.

To cap off their culinary tour of Charlotte, Damaris and Rutledge visit a local bakery called Suarez Bakery. The bakery is famous for its sweet treats, including their award-winning Cronut, a donut croissant hybrid. The hosts try several of the bakery's sweet offerings, including their apple turnovers and cream puffs. They express their delight at the bakery's whimsical charm and the quality of their baked goods.

Overall, The Dish on Charlotte episode of Southern and Hungry season 2 provides an in-depth look at the diverse and innovative food scene in Charlotte, North Carolina. The hosts are enthusiastic about trying new flavors and showcasing the best of Southern cuisine. Viewers are sure to be inspired to explore the city's food offerings themselves after watching this episode.