Ep 30. Shine Cafe, Bahn Mi Boys, Smoke & Spice Southern Barbeque

You Gotta Eat Here season 1 episode 30 takes viewers on a culinary journey through three different eateries: Shine Cafe, Bahn Mi Boys, and Smoke & Spice Southern Barbeque.

The first restaurant, Shine Cafe, is a cozy joint located in Victoria, British Columbia. The host, John Catucci, sits down with the cafe's owners to discuss their menu and philosophy. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch dishes, including their famous eggs benedict, which John eagerly tries. The dish consists of house-made hollandaise sauce over poached eggs and smoked ham on an English muffin, served with a side of home fries. John raves about the sauce's tangy and rich flavor and the perfectly cooked eggs.

Next stop on the episode is Bahn Mi Boys, a fusion restaurant located in Toronto, Ontario. John meets with the founders, who explain their concept of Vietnamese street food with a twist. John dives into their signature dish, the pork belly bao, which is a soft, steamed bun filled with sweet soy glaze, sriracha sauce, and pickled carrots and daikon, topped with succulent pork belly. His taste buds explode with the flavors and textures of the dish. He also tries their kimchi fries, a classic side dish with a Vietnamese twist, featuring fries topped with kimchi, mayo, and green onions. The dish is spicy, tangy, and crunchy all in one.

The final stop of the episode takes viewers to Smoke & Spice Southern Barbeque, a rustic restaurant in Windsor, Ontario. John meets with the owners, who walk him through the process of smoking meats with different woods and flavors. John starts with their infamous beef brisket, which is dry rubbed with secret spices and smoked for 12 hours. The meat melts in his mouth and the flavor of the spices lingers on his tongue. John also tries their pulled pork sandwich, which is a generous portion of tender, smoky pork, layered with sauce, coleslaw, and pickles on a soft bun.

Throughout the episode, John provides not only mouthwatering descriptions of the food he tries, but also insight into the owners and their love for food and community. He highlights the dedication and passion that goes into each dish and shares the stories behind the restaurants.

You Gotta Eat Here season 1 episode 30 is a captivating exploration of different cuisines and eateries, showcasing the diversity and creativity of Canada's food scene. From a cozy cafe to a fusion restaurant to a classic barbecue joint, viewers will be left hungry and inspired to seek out these hidden gems in their own cities.