Andrew Zimmern, host of the Travel Channel show “Bizarre Foods,” said the show has produced a Route 66 episode for its ninth season.
The new season of “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern” began Tuesday night, but that was with the “Lewis and Clark Trail” episode.
But Zimmern gave this news about the upcoming season on his website Monday:
In the all-new season of Bizarre Foods, I’m exploring America’s history and diverse cuisine along the country’s most famous historic routes. Traveling in the USA is all about the legendary trips that define our culture, from de Tocqueville to Kesey’s Merry Pranksters. Our history can be defined by our voyages, from north to south, and from sea to shining sea. It’s thrilling for me see our country’s great journeys, routes and pathways laid out for our fans with all the epic, historical sweep and adventure learning baked into a classic Bizarre Foods season.
I begin the journey in Oregon, uncovering indigenous foods of the Pacific Northwest while following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. After that, I’m headed to the Great Lakes coastline communities, the Southern barbecue belt, the Civil War antebellum trail, Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway.
In case you needed more confirmation about Zimmern traveling Route 66, check out the Route 66 shield — incongruously placed at Monument Valley, nearly 200 miles from the Mother Road — on his show’s Season 9 artwork shown above.
An email Tuesday to Zimmern’s publicist requesting information about a broadcast date for the Route 66 episode was not returned.
In the case of bizarre foods on Route 66, the first thing that comes to mind with many tourists is the calf fries at Clanton’s Cafe in Vinita, Oklahoma. It’s not the only place that serves them, obviously, but Clanton’s practically is the first place westbound Route 66 travelers will find the Western appetizer.
However, Zimmern covered calf fries on a previous episode in San Antonio.
Zimmern is a three-time James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef and food writer. So when he talks about food, he’s probably more knowledgeable than your typical fry cook.
(Image of Season 9 artwork for “Bizarre Foods with Anthony Zimmern” via Travel Channel)
Thanks for the research on the content of the series.
If I remember correctly, Ron Jones (the Tattoo Man of Route 66) met up with him at Clanton’s. I want to say he also stopped in at Ollie’s in Tulsa, but, I’ve no idea what might qualify for his show there.
Foodwise, I have no idea what would draw him to Ollie’s, either. Having watched one of the shows, however, I’ve noticed Zimmern delves into history and culture of food. Because Ollie’s Station sports a railroad theme and the railroads are linked to the future development Route 66, he may have used the restaurant to make a point about that history.
That’s just a guess. I could be completely wrong.
Gee, I hope they don’t get lost in Monument Valley on the way to Route 66.