Ep 7. Branson

In The Zimmern List season 1 episode 7, host Andrew Zimmern travels to Branson, Missouri to discover the city's hidden food gems and local specialties.

The episode starts off with a visit to Danna's BBQ & Burger Shop, where Zimmern chats with owner Danna Sallee and tries her unique take on burnt ends, a Kansas City barbecue classic. Sallee's version involves smoked sirloin tips that are roasted, diced, and served with a homemade barbecue sauce. Zimmern notes that the dish is tender, juicy, and packed with flavor.

Next up is a stop at the Branson Farmers Market, where Zimmern meets with local farmers and artisans to sample fresh produce, homemade jams, and unique cheeses. He tries a variety of tomatoes, including the Cherokee Purple tomato which he describes as sweet, juicy, and earthy. Zimmern also tastes some award-winning goat cheese from Terrell Creek Farm, which he calls tangy and creamy.

Zimmern then heads to a Branson institution, the College of the Ozarks, where he visits the Keeter Center and meets with Chef Robert Stricklin. The college is unique in that students work on campus in various roles to cover their tuition costs. Chef Stricklin highlights some of the college's signature dishes, including their smoked trout dip which is made from farm-raised trout and seasoned with herbs and lemon juice. Zimmern also samples their lamb chops, which are raised on the college's farm, and he notes that the meat is tender and flavorful.

Zimmern continues his food tour with a stop at The Farmhouse, a farm-to-table restaurant located in downtown Branson. He meets with Chef Andy Hampshire, who shows him how to make their unique and popular dish, fried quail with cornbread stuffing. The dish is paired with pickled okra and homemade hot sauce, which Zimmern describes as tangy and flavorful.

The next stop is at a unique food truck called St. Philip's Fish Fry, which serves up traditional fish fry dishes with a twist. Zimmern tries their fried catfish po' boy sandwich, which is topped with a spicy remoulade sauce and pickled red onions. He notes that the catfish is cooked perfectly and the sandwich has a great balance of flavors.

Finally, Zimmern visits a Branson icon, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction, where he samples their famous whole rotisserie chicken. The chicken is slow-roasted over an open flame and seasoned with a secret blend of spices. Zimmern notes that the chicken is juicy, flavorful, and pairs perfectly with the buttery corn on the cob.

Overall, The Zimmern List season 1 episode 7 showcases the unique and tasty food scene in Branson, Missouri, featuring a range of traditional southern dishes and farm-to-table cuisine. Thanks to Zimmern's expert commentary and charming demeanor, viewers are likely to be left craving some of the mouth-watering dishes found in this episode.