Three Memphis restaurants will be featured on Food Network in February.
Guy Fieri will feature Las Torjaga Deli Mexicana and StickEm on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” It was his first visit to both restaurants.
Alcenia’s will appear on an episode of “Triple D Nation.” It’s the second time Fieri has visited this Southern soul food eatery.
Here’s what to expect and when to tune in.
Alcenia’s: ‘From Steak to Seafood’
Fieri will feature Alcenia’s, 317 N. Main St., in an episode of “Triple D Nation” set to air Feb. 9.
The “From Steak to Seafood” episode is described as: “On this trip, Guy Fieri’s having a turf-and-surf soiree! First, a Brazilian-American fusion place in Orlando, Fla., is serving traditional shrimp stew and savory steak. Then, a soul-food spot in Memphis, Tenn., is dishing out a fierce fried sandwich, and a waterfront joint in Tiverton, R.I., is bringing some killer flavor to next-level seafood platters and chowders.”
Alcenia’s owner BJ Chester-Tamayo runs her Pinch District soul food restaurant with lots of love, and it shows in both her hospitality and food. She’ll be the first to tell you, “You may walk in a stranger, but you leave as family.” Chester-Tamayo makes everything from scratch, serving some of the best fried chicken, fried catfish, meatloaf and Southern veggies in town.
Chester-Tamayo made her over-the-top Double-Decker Fish Sandwich for Fieri.
It’s the second time for Fieri to visit Alcenia’s for his show. Alcenia’s was featured on “Dinners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in November 2008.
“For someone to call me in November 2023 and say Guy has chosen you to be on ‘Triple D Nation,’ I am like, ‘No, he doesn’t remember me!’” she said. “…I am still getting people visiting from all over the world because of the show. To be featured again? WOW!”
The episode airs Feb. 9 at 8 pm Alcenia’s has planned a watch party the night the show airs. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the festivities include a special menu, games and watching the show.
THINGS TO DO IN MEMPHIS:8 Memphis food events you shouldn’t miss, from Waffle Shop to Lunar New Year Bar Crawl
StickEm: ‘Flavor World’
Midtown restaurant StickEm, 1788 Madison Ave., will make its first appearance on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” on Feb. 16.
The episode titled “Flavor World” is described as: “This trip, Guy Fieri’s dive into a world of cultural cuisine. There are indigenous recipes, like fry bread and pozole, in Phoenix, Arizona, and authentic Argentine specialties in Boulder, Colorado. Plus, a kabob spot in Memphis, Tennessee, is marinating meats with Ethiopian flavor.”
Owner Ermyias Shiberou launched StickEm as a food truck in 2012. His brick-and-mortar location of StickEm opened in 2020 when he turned his Blue Nile Ethiopian restaurant into an outpost for the concept that originally got him started in the food business.
Marinated chicken kabobs, steak kabobs, shrimp kabobs and tofu kabobs are the heart of the menu. The skewers are well seasoned using an interesting blend of spices that have their roots in Ethiopian and Asian cuisines.
“It was an honor to be chosen in a city full of really great restaurants,” Shiberou said. “It was a lot of fun and a great experience making the episode.”
The episode airs Feb. 16 at 8 pm
Las Torjaga Deli Mexicana: ‘Bird, Belly and Beef’
Las Torjaga Deli Mexicana is featured on a “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” episode titled “Bird, Belly and Beef.”
The description on Food Network reads: “This trip, Guy Fieri’s grabbing flavorful meat that runs the gamut. There are Mexican pork sandwiches in Memphis, Tennessee, plus curry chicken and rich short ribs in St. Louis. Simons Island, Georgia. Then in Scottsdale, Arizona, a funky spot is serving up Italian beef and duck fried rice.”
MARDI GRAS IN MEMPHIS:Looking for King Cakes in Memphis? Here are 13 spots to find this Mardi Gras treat
Las Torjaga Deli Mexicana offers some of the freshest and most authentic Mexican food this side of the border. With almost 20 kinds of tacos served each day, along with other authentic menu items that are constantly changing, there is always something new to try. There are two locations in the Memphis area: 6300 Poplar Ave. and 1215 S. Germantown Road, Germantown.
“It was a dream come true,” said Jonathan Magallanes, who owns Las Torjaga with his father, Pepe Magallanes.
Jonathan said they filmed the episode at their Poplar Avenue location in East Memphis. “They featured my dad cooking one of my recipes,” he said.
The episode airs Feb. 23 at 8 pm
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at [email protected] and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.
If you want to keep up with the tastiest news in the Bluff City — like the story above, sign up for our Eat Drink Memphis weekly newsletter for a hearty serving of stories on everything from restaurants to recipes. You can sign up here.