A new season of a popular streaming travel show is putting San Antonio restaurants in the spotlight. Food media company Tastemade visited the Alamo City for season three of Worth the Hype, hosted by Emmy-winning chef Frankie Celenza.
Although "hype" is in the name, the series skips restaurants that have been ballyhooed by national outlets like Bon Appétit and The New York Times — so don't expect to see a peek into the kitchens of San Antonio's newest Michelin Star honorees. Instead, the show focuses on locally owned joints that are often unsung.
"Shot in four cities, San Francisco, San Antonio, Charleston, and New Jersey, Frankie dives into the dishes, stories, and people that make these hometown favorites truly worth the hype," explains a press release. "From family-run counter-service legends to culture-rooted institutions, these are real restaurants earning their place on the map."
The San Antonio episode stops by five area favorites: Alamo Biscuit, Boudro's Texas Bistro, Pete's Tako House, Castroville BBQ, and Bobbie's Southern Kitchen. Tastemade says the spots "redefin[e] the meaning of 'Southern charm', from classic Texas barbecue to authentic Tex-Mex." We won't delve into the age-old argument about whether the Lone Star State actually counts as the South, but Tastemade got the "charm" part right.
Frankie Celenza highlights local restaurants on 'Worth the Hype.'Frankie Celenza/ Facebook
Although certainly enthusiastic, Celenza lacks the bombast of some culinary hosts (ahem, Guy Fieri). Otherwise, the show's format is familiar with the chef stepping inside various kitchens to learn the recipes and lore behind restaurants and food trucks, and, more importantly, taste the fare.
The season three episode is the second jaunt through San Antonio. He also dived into local culinary culture during the premiere season, visiting Box St. All Day, Ray's Drive Inn, Alebrije Panadería, and Curry Boys BBQ and excessively rolling his "r's."
Worth the Hype is presented in partnership with the Local Eats Deserve Pepsi, a platform featuring local restaurants that also happen to carry the soda brand. You're not likely to see a future segment highlighting Big Red and barbacoa.
Regardless of cola politics, San Antonians can take a peek inside their favorite restaurants when the episode streams on December 19. Access requires a membership to Tastemade's premium streaming service, Tastemade +. The relatively inexpensive service offers a free trial, but food obsessives might want to stick around. The channel harkens back to the Food Network glory days with heavyweight hosts like Roy Choi, Jamie Oliver, and Gordon Ramsay, and actual cooking shows.
