upper waypoint

Dig Into "Check, Please! You Gotta Try This!"

Feed your foodie soul with Check, Please! You Gotta Try This!, KQED’s new spin-off series hosted by Leslie Sbrocco. Listen in as locals reveal their recommendations for the most delectable dishes in the Bay Area — from tasty appetizers and entrees to sinful desserts. These are the foods people love so much they’d stand happily in a long line to savor. And if you’re wondering why something is so delicious, the chefs will take us into their kitchens to see what’s in a dish and how it’s made, as well as share the stories behind them. Each episode is capped off by a segment where producer/reporter Cecilia Phillips hunts down off-the-grid dining experiences for even more delicious bites.

You can catch Check, Please! You Gotta Try This! on Thursdays starting September 9 through October 28 at 7:30 PM on KQED 9. Here’s a taste of what you’ll see.

September 9 (Featuring Special Celebrity Guests!)

  • Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Fantastic Negrito samples the savory Omu Curry, a jet-black curry served atop omurice, at Dela Curo in Oakland.
  • Award-winning director and actor Margo Hall delights in the iconic Chicken Milanese at San Francisco's Garibaldis Restaurant.
  • Oakland Roots soccer player Max Ornstil joins 50 years of devotees of the Chocolate & Vanilla Frozen Yogurt at Berkeley's Yogurt Park.
  • Reporter Cecilia Phillips visits Fantastic Negrito’s Storefront Market in Oakland to sample Mexican-inspired BBQ.

September 16

  • Flavorful Brussel Sprout Tacos with garam masala-spiced pepitas and yogurt dressing at Paper Plane (San Jose)
  • House-made Italian comfort food Asiago Roasted Zucchini Ravioli at Ravioli House (San Mateo)
  • Pacifica Brewery’s PB Burger, where beer onions meet sharp cheddar on a handmade pretzel bun (Pacifica)
  • Cecilia heads to Grand Lake Farmers' Market in Oakland to try traditional Ethiopian coffee, Moroccan Briowat and hand-rolled bagels.

September 23

  • A unique Beef Hot Dog with Hawaiian flair at Altamont General Store (Occidental)
  • Italian cuisine meets Indian flavors with “The Best Indian Pizza - Vegetarian” at Zante Pizza & Indian Cuisine (San Francisco)
  • Taiwan Bento’s Fried Pork Chop Bento, the ultimate Taiwanese comfort food (Oakland)
  • Cecilia visits the Roseland neighborhood in Santa Rosa to experience the Mitote Food Park, a combination farmers' market and food truck park dishing up Mexican specialties and fresh-grown produce.

September 30

  • Sweet, flaky Kouign Amann at Arsicault Bakery (San Francisco)
  • Mouth-watering, fresh Crispy La Calaca Loca Especial Grilled Pescado Tacos at La Calaca Loca Taqueria (Oakland)
  • Brasswood Bar + Kitchen’s off-menu Hand-Pulled Mozzarella, a local favorite (St. Helena)
  • From tiny finger limes to raw, white corn and pennywort herb, Cecilia snacks on a bounty of colorful produce and prepared items, like tree oyster mushroom jerky, at San Francisco’s historic Alemany Farmers' Market.

October 7

  • A garden-fresh, fragrant Rose and Strawberry Waffle at Mints & Honey (San Carlos)
  • A hearty, traditional Columbian Beef Empanada at Milohas (San Jose)
  • Delicate, steamed Xiao Long Bao, handmade soup dumplings, at Din Ding Dumpling House (Union City)
  • Cecilia visits a unique cluster of South Asian and Indian Food trucks in Sunnyvale to do a mini "chaat crawl" and taste authentic street foods.

October 14

  • Sizzling, savory Sisigsilog at Tselogs (Daly City)
  • Beef Tartare with a twist at Ernest (San Francisco)
  • Handmade black bean noodle dish Jajangmyeon at Zazang Korean Noodles (San Francisco)
  • Cecilia finds tasty treats with Asian influence at Japan Center Mall in San Francisco.

October 21

  • Pacifica Pan-Fried Frittata with smoked salmon at Bacon (Novato)
  • Tender Steak Frites with Point Reyes Blue Cheese Butter at Due West Tavern (Olema)
  • Spit-roasted pork Al Pastor Burrito at Al Pastor Papi (Food Truck)
  • Cecilia sets out to SPARK Social SF to try some of the region's most beloved fast-casual restaurants on wheels.

October 28

  • Thin, delicate Swedish Pancakes with lingonberry butter at Millbrae Pancake House, a fan-favorite for more than 60 years (Millbrae)
  • Lamb and Beef Shawarma Bowl with fresh hummus and flame-roasted meat at Falafel Boy (Oakland)
  • Savory braised beef short rib Kalbijjim (an Instagram favorite!) at Daeho (San Francisco)
  • Cecilia dives into housemade specialties like fresh halibut ceviche and smoked salmon at Anna’s Seafood Fish Market in Petaluma.

Sponsored

lower waypoint
next waypoint