"CAVA with Jamelle Bouie, Carl Tart, and Libby Watson (LIVE)" is Episode 220 of Doughboys, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "CAVA with Jamelle Bouie, Carl Tart, and Libby Watson (LIVE)" was released on September 12, 2019.
"Tomorrow...(with @DammitCARL @jbouie, and @libbycwatson)" - @doughboyspod
Synopsis[]
For our second show on the 2019 Feast Coast Tour, we're joined by Jamelle Bouie (New York Times), Carl Tart (Comedy Bang! Bang!, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), and Libby Watson (The New Republic) to review Mediterranean fast-casual chain, CAVA. Plus, an all new live segment, Snackarchy in the UK.
Recorded live at the DC Improv on Sept 4th, 2019.
Nick's intro[]
"But if you go to the prosperous land of Ambracia and happen to see the boar-fish, buy it! Even if it costs its weight in gold, don’t leave without it, lest the dread vengeance of the deathless ones breathe down on you; for this fish is the flower of nectar…"
Archestratus
This passionate screed is a translation of an excerpt from the first ever cookbook, written about 350 B.C. by a Greek writer named Archestratus. Because he could read and write, one could infer that, as per the class system of the era, Archestratus was not himself a chef, rather he was more akin to the first food critic - the Jonathan Gold of Athens.
A handful of Greek dishes from the days of Archestratus endure, such as stuffed grape leaves (or dolmades), but the cuisine has evolved over the millenia and when Greeks began emigrating en masse to America in the 1890s, Greek-American food became its own sub-genre. In the Northeastern U.S. cities where they settled, enterprising Greek immigrants opened and took over existing diners, serving American classics while adding traditional Greek favorites like gyros and souvlaki to the menus. Greek food would gradually become a part of the culinary identity of major cities like New York, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.
In 2006, a trio of children of Greek immigrants - businessmen Ted Xenochristos and Ike Grigoropoulos along with chef Dmitri Moshovitis - took out a $30,000 loan to open a sit-down Mediterranean restaurant in Rockville, Maryland. The spot was a hit and grew to a trio of locations, leading to the launch of a more casual grill concept in 2011, which offered counter service and its inspired hook: assembly-line customizability.
Allowing customers to create a healthy salad, grain bowl, or pita wrap of their choice, this "Greek Chipotle" became one of the great chain-restaurant successes of the 2010s, growing to over 75 locations across the U.S. as of 2019.
And while the eatery doesn't offer Ambracian boar-fish, one must think that a time-warped Archestratus would be inspired to write feverishly about the flavors of its accessible Greek fare.
This week on Doughboys: CAVA.
Fork rating[]
Feast Coast Tour 2019
| guest / host | ordered | rating |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Wiger |
|
3.5 forks |
| Mike Mitchell |
|
3.75 forks |
| Jamelle Bouie |
|
3.5 forks |
| Carl Tart |
|
3 forks |
| shared |
|
Nick made two trips, having returned to CAVA for dinner after having lunch there with Mitch, Jamelle, and Carl.
Snackarchy in the UK[]
Snackarchy in the UK
In this segment, The Doughboys try some snacks from the UK, brought to them by Libby Watson.
First, they have Percy Pig Soft Gums (a soft gummy candy), which everyone really loved.
After that, Libby brings a Cadbury Dairy Milk with Crunchie Bits chocolate bar. She also brings an American version of the bar to compare, but they don't really get to it.
Finally, Libby gets them to try Marmite! They spread it on Ritz Crackers and everyone was thoroughly disgusted by it, except Nick who was into it.
| guest / host | Percy Pig Soft Gums | Dairy Milk Bar | Marmite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Wiger | Snack | Snack | fine |
| Mike Mitchell | Snack | Snack | Wack |
| Jamelle Bouie | Snack | Snack | - |
| Carl Tart | Snack | Snack | Wack |
Roast The Artist Formerly Known As Spoon[]
Bill Clinton
| “ | Former U.S. President who did not have sexual relations with any woman, Bill Squintin' | ” |
–@bearsandyou | ||
Quotes[]
| “ | You made my Patriots hat shoot off my head! | ” |
–Mitch on Yusong's knowledge of football | ||
| “ | Maybe they're going after me because I'm a snack? | ” |
–Nick Wiger on mosquitos, not ladies | ||
| “ | Mitch: What is harissa? Carl: Something I'm going to name my daughter. |
” |
–Mitch and Carl on harissa | ||
| “ | Mitch: I just don't know what I feel about the bowlification of America. Jamelle: Make America Plates Again. |
” |
–The Doughboys | ||
| “ | Mitch, I think now is a good time to reveal your big movie role: you will be playing Percy Pig in the adaptation. | ” |
–Nick Wiger on Mitch's as-yet-unrevealed big movie role | ||
Lettuce Rap (Carl Tart remix)[]
| “ | Lettuce rap, it's the lettuce rap Selling drugs right out of the trap |
” |
–Carl Tart | ||
The Feedbag[]
| “ | How many days is too many days to be eating the same leftovers? | ” |
–Joshua Hall | ||
| “ | Is there any difference between a tortilla and a wrap that you would use for a wrap sandwich? | ” |
–Jean-Luc Bouchard | ||
| “ | What's your favorite moment that you've ever had in a restaurant? | ” |
–Drew Martin | ||
Related Episodes[]
Photos[]
