Ep 2. Denver

In the second episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern's ninth season, the adventurous foodie heads to Denver, Colorado to explore the unique cuisine and culture of the city. Denver has a long and rich history of food culture with influences from Native American, Mexican, and European cultures. Andrew immerses himself in the city's diverse food scene to discover some of the most unusual and delicious foods that Denver has to offer.

The episode starts off with Andrew visiting a local restaurant that serves a unique twist on tamales- stuffed with smoked brisket and ancho chili sauce. The dish is the perfect representation of the multicultural influence on Denver’s cuisine, incorporating flavors from Mexican and American cultures.

In the following scenes, Andrew goes on an exploration of the city to discover some of the lesser-known foods and hidden gems that have gained a cult following throughout Denver. He meets with a chef who specializes in making lamb head tacos- a delicacy in many Latino cultures. Andrew also tastes fresh Colorado honey straight from the hive at a local honey farm and visits a bison farm to try bison liver pate, a unique take on the classic French dish.

One of the most interesting experiences that Andrew has during his time in Denver is trying Rocky Mountain oysters. Despite the name, these oysters have nothing to do with seafood, instead, they are actually bull testicles that have been deep-fried. Andrew visits a family-owned restaurant that specializes in this unique dish and learns about the history and cultural significance of cowboys eating Rocky Mountain oysters.

Throughout the episode, Andrew also explores the craft beer scene in Denver, a city that is home to over 150 breweries. He speaks with local brewers and learns about the unique ingredients that make up Denver’s famous beer flavors, such as the use of wild hops and other locally sourced ingredients.

The episode culminates with Andrew attending a traditional Mexican celebration called La Rama where he tries a variety of dishes from the communal feast, including spicy mole, tamales, and pork cooked in a traditional underground oven.

Throughout the episode, Andrew showcases Denver’s diverse and rich food history, embracing the city's multicultural influences and exploring some of the most unusual and delicious foods that Denver has to offer. His exploration of the city’s cuisine is a testament to how food can unite cultures and communities, and why Denver is a unique destination for culinary enthusiasts.