MEAT BOSS, ROOSTERS, SOUTHWOOD KITCHEN AND NOBLE SOUTH FEATURED ON FOOD NETWORK SHOW
In June of 2023, Guy Fieri, host of the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” (DDD) show, came to Alabama to attend the grand opening of Chef “Panini” Pete Blohme’s The Waterfront restaurant in Daphne. While Fieri was here, the DDD crew filmed at six Mobile area restaurants for Seasons 38 and 39 of the wildly popular show. Four of those restaurants are members of the Alabama Retail Association. The final episode from the summer of 2023 tapings will air at 8 p.m. CST Friday, March 1. The other episodes debuted between Oct. 20 and Nov. 17 of last year.
MEMBER SINCE 2017
“Smokin’ Southern Decadence” – Season 39, Episode 1 – premieres 8 p.m. March 1. Other air dates: 11 a.m. March 2, 10 a.m. March 9 and 1 a.m. March 10.
“In Mobile, a family-run barbecue joint puts out a bomb Boss Burger with a side of rib candy and a stellar smoked brisket sandwich,” says DDD in this episode. The late Benny Chinnis began the Meat Boss as a take-out counter in 2012. The restaurant grew from that small operation that began with just Benny, his wife and his dad. “Since then, Meat Boss has continually grown by increasing the number of employees and expanding our space,” said his widow, Dara Chinnis, the current president and owner. “It’s been hard to wait for you to see how much fun we
had taping Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!!,” Meat Boss said on its social media when the air date was finally announced.
For the recipe for the Boss Burger with Rib Candy and Spicy Carolina Sauce, go to foodnetwork.com/shows/diners-drive-ins-and-dives/episodes/smokin-southern-decadence
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“Wrapped, Pied and Fried” – Season 38, Episode 8 – premiered Nov. 17, 2023
The DDD crew called another downtown Mobile venue on Dauphin Street, “a funky Latin joint serving craveable carnitas and a surf-and-turf burrito.” In January, Roosters, owned by Frankie Little, celebrated its 7th anniversary in Mobile. Little grew up on a farm in Foley next to his grandmother, who had lived in Central America as a child, and he traveled extensively in Latin countries to develop his menu. He has plans to franchise Roosters this year.
Recipe for Roosters’ Torta De Carnitas sandwich and more
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“Sandwich-Fest” – Season 38, Episode 6 – Originally aired Oct. 27, 2023
“In Daphne, Alabama, Guy (Fieri) digs into a dynamite dip and delicious fall-off-the-bone pork,” the lead-in to the episode including Southwood Kitchen reads. Chef Jeremiah Matthews says the Snake River Wagyu French Dip sandwich is the most popular item on the U.S. Highway 98 restaurant’s lunch menu. The DDD episode also featured the Crispy Kurobuta Pork Shank off of the restaurant’s dinner menu. It comes with horseradish Robuchon potatoes, braising jus, heirloom carrots/peas and pork rind gremolata. Matthews is also behind the reopening of Ben’s Jr. Bar-B-Q in Fairhope.
Recipe for Southwood Kitchen’s Wagyu French Dip and more
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Host Guy Fieri with guest Panini Pete with Chef Chris of The Noble South, located in Mobile, Alabama, as seen on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives, Season 38.
“East, South, West” – Season 38, Episode 5 – Originally aired Oct. 20, 2023
Chris Rainosek, owner and chef of Noble South on Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile, explained to Fieri his process for crawfish etouffee, chicken-fried quail and cornbread made with heirloom cornmeal from a Baldwin County farm. “We explained that we highlight local ingredients and put our own spin on Southern food,” Chris said. Noble South opened in the spring of 2014. It will mark its 10th anniversary in April.
Recipe for The Noble South’s Heirloom Cornbread and more