In an exciting episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Guy Fieri takes viewers to Mobile, Alabama, to discover the vibrant flavors of Roosters, a restaurant that’s redefining Latin American cuisine in the heart of the South. Known for its fresh ingredients and bold taste combinations, Roosters offers an eclectic menu that draws inspiration from across the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America.
Discover Roosters
Located in the lively streets of Mobile, Roosters is far from your typical fried chicken joint. Its name may evoke images of classic American fare, but as soon as you walk in, you’re transported into a world of Latin American culinary artistry. The brainchild of Frankie Little, Roosters is founded on the principles of using fresh, high-quality ingredients to create dishes that burst with flavor.
Frankie, influenced by his grandmother who spent her youth in Central America, brings a wealth of experience and passion to his cooking. “There was always fresh vegetables, fresh meat,” Frankie recalls, attributing his love for Latin American food to his travels around the region.
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The Star of the Show: Surf-and-Turf Burrito
The highlight of Guy Fieri’s visit is undoubtedly the Surf-and-Turf Burrito, a mouthwatering creation that features a delicious combination of barbacoa brisket and Gulf shrimp. The episode begins with Frankie walking Guy through the preparation of this iconic dish.
The Barbacoa Brisket
Frankie starts by making the house brown seasoning, a fragrant blend of granulated garlic, Mexican oregano, cumin, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. This seasoning is generously applied to trimmed and cut brisket, which is then mixed with dark chili powder, fresh onions, garlic, jalapenos, red wine vinegar, and tomatoes. A couple of bay leaves are added for extra depth, and the mixture is cooked for ten hours at 230°F, resulting in tender, flavorful meat.
After cooking, the brisket is shredded and left to soak in its own juices, ensuring that each bite is packed with delicious flavor.
The Shrimp
Next, the Gulf shrimp are seasoned with the red house seasoning, another intricate blend featuring cumin, paprika, Mexican oregano, granulated garlic, smoked paprika, dark chili powder, ground black pepper, and salt. The shrimp are then cooked to perfection, adding a seafood dimension that perfectly complements the richness of the barbacoa brisket.
Building the Burrito
The Surf-and-Turf Burrito is crafted with a toasted tortilla filled with fresh guacamole, Spanish rice, homemade pico de gallo, Chipotle cream, the seasoned Gulf shrimp, and the tender barbacoa brisket. The burrito is then seared on both sides for a crispy texture and topped with queso sauce, queso fresco, pico de gallo, and fresh cilantro.
Guy Fieri is visibly impressed with the creation.”There’s a lot of big flavor, a lot of texture. The bite of the shrimp and its snap, and you get the freshness of it.” He emphasizes the burrito’s balance of flavors and textures, calling it “a wet burrito you need a basket of chips and about four beers for.”
More Than Just Burritos
Roosters’ menu doesn’t stop at the Surf-and-Turf Burrito. The restaurant also offers a delectable Torta Carnitas, a sandwich filled with slow-roasted pork shoulder seasoned with the house brown seasoning and roasted with onions, garlic, and peppers. The pork is then seared on a grill for added texture and served on bread with a black bean spread, pickled onions, and queso fresco. The sandwich is accompanied by a spicy tomato-based sauce that adds an extra layer of flavor.
Guy is blown away by the Torta Carnitas as well. “The technique you use of throwing it on the flat top puts a really nice texture to it,” he says, appreciating the depth of flavor and presentation. “This dunk sandwich into this hot tomato sauce is the bomb.”
Final Thoughts
By the end of his visit, Guy Fieri is thoroughly impressed with Roosters. “I love the attitude, your authenticity. You are who you are,” he tells Frankie, praising the restaurant for its unique and delicious offerings. Roosters stands out not only for its flavors but also for its dedication to fresh, quality ingredients and the vibrant culinary traditions of Latin America.