Ep 9. Dirt Cheap & Delicious

In the episode titled "Dirt Cheap & Delicious," season four of Unique Eats explores the best dishes that satisfy your taste buds without breaking the bank. The host takes a culinary journey across the United States visiting various eateries that feature low-priced, yet mouth-watering dishes.

The episode begins in Seattle, where the host visits modest hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant Jai Thai to try their Pad Kee Mao. Their Pad Kee Mao is a classic Thai dish made of rice noodles mixed with ground chicken, onions, bell peppers, garlic, Thai chili pepper, and Thai basil leaves. The dish is affordable without sacrificing taste, and the host is impressed with the authenticity and flavors of the dish.

Next, the host travels to Houston, Texas, to visit a unique Southern-style Chinese eatery called Mein. The highlight of Mein's menu is their fried rice. While fried rice is commonly offered in Chinese cuisine, Mein's version is made up of a unique combination of ingredients, such as bacon and chicken, and cooked in smoked soy sauce and Texas oil. This blend of flavor is unlike anything the host has tasted before and is a must-try dish for anyone visiting the area.

From Houston, the host heads to San Francisco to visit a food truck called Señor Sisig. Their signature dish, sisig, originates from the Philippines and is made up of various parts of the pig's head, including the cheek and the ear. Señor Sisig turns this traditional dish into something unique and more palatable by turning the sisig into tacos, burritos, and nachos. The host is amazed by the complexity of flavors that come with the blend of Filipino and Mexican cuisine.

Next stop is Philadelphia to visit a cheesesteak shop called Jim’s Steaks. Philadelphia has been known for its famous cheesesteak, but Jim’s Steak takes it to another level by using top-quality rib-eye steak and fresh Italian bread. Jim's Steak also offers a unique touch by using Cheez Whiz instead of traditional cheese in their cheesesteak. The host is wowed by this combination of flavors and textures that come together in a sandwich.

The host then heads to Portland, Oregon, to visit a food cart called Nong’s Khao Man Gai, which serves up Khao Man Gai, a dish that originated in Thailand. The dish consists of poached chicken served over rice that is cooked in chicken broth and is flavored with garlic and ginger. The real star of the dish is the sauce that comes with it, made up of fermented soybeans, ginger, garlic, vinegar, and Thai chili. It is a simple dish done right, and the host raves about the texture and flavor of the chicken.

Lastly, the host goes to New York City to visit Prince Street Pizza. This pizza joint is known for its New York-style pizza, but their Spicy Spring slice is the dish the host is interested in. The Spicy Spring slice is a Sicilian-style pizza that is topped with fresh mozzarella, marinara sauce, spicy pepperoni, and chili oil. The chili oil adds an extra kick to the garlic-infused tomato sauce, which is then covered with cheese and baked in the oven. The host describes the pizza as "this is what life is all about."

Overall, "Dirt Cheap & Delicious" highlights some of the most exciting, affordable, and flavorful dishes that the United States has to offer. From Thai cuisine to Chinese-inspired dishes and Philippine flavors, the host experiences a wide range of dishes that are simply delish.