Ep 16. Philadelphia

In the season 2 episode 16 of The Zimmern List, host Andrew Zimmern visits Philadelphia to explore the city's unique food scene. Philadelphia is known for its famous Philly cheesesteak, and Zimmern dives right into trying the best ones the city has to offer. He starts his journey at Joe's Steaks + Soda Shop, a popular spot in the city for their classic cheesesteak. Zimmern tries the sandwich with the classic combination of steak, cheese whiz, and onions, and describes it as "deliciously greasy."

Next, he heads to John's Roast Pork, known for their award-winning roast pork sandwich. The sandwich is made with thinly sliced pork, sharp provolone, and broccoli rabe. Zimmern raves about the perfect combination of flavors and describes it as "one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten."

Zimmern also visits Reading Terminal Market, a historic public market in the heart of Philadelphia. He tries a variety of dishes from different vendors, including a roast pork and beef brisket sandwich with horseradish sauce from DiNic's, a decadent seafood platter from Pearl's Oyster Bar, and a Philly-style soft pretzel from Miller's Twist.

Aside from classic Philly dishes, Zimmern also explores some unique and modern food spots. He visits Zahav, a contemporary Israeli restaurant, to try their famous lamb shoulder. The dish is cooked for 12 hours and served with a variety of Mediterranean dips and pita bread. Zimmern describes the lamb as "a game-changer" and loves the depth of flavors in the dips.

Zimmern also checks out Royal Izakaya, a Japanese-inspired restaurant that serves yakitori and craft cocktails. He tries a variety of skewers, including chicken liver, beef tongue, and shiitake mushroom. Zimmern loves the simplicity and bold flavors of the skewers and describes them as "addictive."

Throughout the episode, Zimmern also highlights the city's rich history and how it reflects in its food culture. He visits the Italian Market, a historic outdoor market that has been around for over 100 years. Zimmern talks with some of the vendors and learns about how their families have been selling produce and other goods for generations. He also visits the Reading Viaduct, a former railway turned into a public park, and talks about the importance of preserving the city's historic landmarks.

Overall, this episode of The Zimmern List showcases the diverse and rich food scene in Philadelphia, from classic Philly cheesesteaks to modern interpretations of international cuisine. Zimmern's enthusiasm and knowledge of food make this episode a must-watch for any foodie or Philadelphia enthusiast.