Ep 16. Urban Diner; Fat City; Phil's BBQ

In season 1 episode 16 of You Gotta Eat Here, host John Catucci heads to some of Canada's most popular food spots to indulge in their unique dishes and flavors. The episode features three different restaurants: Urban Diner, Fat City, and Phil's BBQ.

First up is Urban Diner. Located in downtown Edmonton, this restaurant offers a modern twist on classic diner food. John meets with the owner and head chef, who shows him around the restaurant and explains their philosophy of creating comfort food with a healthy twist. John tries the restaurant's fried chicken and waffles, which feature a unique twist on the classic dish with the chicken marinated in buttermilk and spices before being cooked in a blend of coconut and vegetable oil. The dish is served with a side of homemade jalapeno jelly, adding a sweet and spicy kick to the meal. John also samples the restaurant's vegan burger, made with a mix of quinoa and lentils and topped with avocado and a spicy aioli. The burger manages to pack in all the flavor of a classic burger without any meat.

Next, John heads to Fat City, a popular restaurant in Ottawa that specializes in poutine. The owner, a longtime poutine fan, opened the restaurant in order to showcase the many different types of the dish that can be made. John gets a behind-the-scenes look at how the restaurant makes their poutine, including hand-cutting their fries and using a special blend of cheeses to create the perfect topping. John samples the restaurant's classic poutine as well as their "Big Fat Bacon" poutine, which features fresh bacon bits and a generous helping of cheese curds. John also tries the restaurant's dessert poutine, made with sweet potato fries, caramel sauce, and vanilla ice cream.

Finally, John heads to Phil's BBQ in Calgary, which is known for their mouth-watering brisket and smokey, flavorful BBQ sauce. John meets with the owner, who gives him a tour of the kitchen and explains the extensive process that goes into making the restaurant's brisket. After marinating for several days, the brisket is cooked low and slow for up to 14 hours, resulting in a tender, flavorful cut of meat. John tries the brisket as well as the restaurant's pulled pork sandwich, which is topped with coleslaw and the signature BBQ sauce. He also samples the restaurant's "Atomic Buffalo Turds," a spicy appetizer made with jalapeno peppers filled with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon, and dusted with BBQ seasoning.

Overall, season 1 episode 16 of You Gotta Eat Here showcases some of the best flavors and dishes that Canada has to offer. From the modern twists on classic diner food at Urban Diner to the indulgent poutine at Fat City to the flavorful brisket and BBQ sauce at Phil's BBQ, this episode is guaranteed to make viewers' mouths water.