Rick Sebak has done it again. He's made yet another enjoyable and light documentary for PBS--despite being about a seemingly mundane topic. Yet, you can't help but watch. Some of the many odd topics he's covered over the years are hot dogs, old-style amusement parks, farmers' markets, weird roadside buildings and beaches. All are enjoyable bits of Americana--a celebration of a part of our world that you'd not really expect to see on TV.
In this installment, the very likable Sebak once again narrates as his crew visits various restaurants around the country. And, like his other films, he mostly just lets people talk and pass on their excitement to the viewer. The only problem is that as you watch this film, you can't help but get very hungry AND you can't wait to go see these places for yourself! Well, that's not totally true, as Sebak's little celebration of the lowly peanut butter and jelly sandwich did little for me (even though this restaurant was pretty creative), as I really can't stand that sandwich--but the rest of the featured foods really, really looked good. And, it's a fun and enjoyable film.
FYI---In the segment about Philly cheese steaks, I did what the film did one night. My daughter and I (not natives of Philly) went to Pat's, Geno's and Tony Luke's. Our verdicts? We weren't all that impressed by any of them (and thought is insane that some of them used American cheese or Whiz) and prefer Jersey Mikes (a chain up and down the East Coast). Sorry Philadelphia.
Also, surprisingly, despite being a show about the sandwich, I was surprised that the best of all, the Reuben, was never mentioned. How sad.
In this installment, the very likable Sebak once again narrates as his crew visits various restaurants around the country. And, like his other films, he mostly just lets people talk and pass on their excitement to the viewer. The only problem is that as you watch this film, you can't help but get very hungry AND you can't wait to go see these places for yourself! Well, that's not totally true, as Sebak's little celebration of the lowly peanut butter and jelly sandwich did little for me (even though this restaurant was pretty creative), as I really can't stand that sandwich--but the rest of the featured foods really, really looked good. And, it's a fun and enjoyable film.
FYI---In the segment about Philly cheese steaks, I did what the film did one night. My daughter and I (not natives of Philly) went to Pat's, Geno's and Tony Luke's. Our verdicts? We weren't all that impressed by any of them (and thought is insane that some of them used American cheese or Whiz) and prefer Jersey Mikes (a chain up and down the East Coast). Sorry Philadelphia.
Also, surprisingly, despite being a show about the sandwich, I was surprised that the best of all, the Reuben, was never mentioned. How sad.
