MUSCATINE, Iowa – Culinary artist Alton Brown’s appearance in Muscatine as part of his television series, “Feasting on Asphalt 2,” will be shown on the Food Network, (MPW Cable channel 75) at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1.

Brown, also known for his hit television shows, “Good Eats and “Iron Chef America,” was in Muscatine on May 9 filming part of his 30-day motorcycle trip up the roads that run along the Mississippi River and in neighboring cities. Brown and his crew were in search of good food and interesting places in celebration and examination of what it means to eat on the American road.

Muscatine’s Clam Shell Diner will be featured on the program and its owner, Kerry Keller of Muscatine, is proudly awaiting the air date.

Brown’s crew stopped by the Clam Shell, located on the corner of  Mississippi Drive and Chestnut Street, because Brown was interested in checking out the little Valentine Diner which originated in the Depression era. The Clam Shell is reportedly one of the few Valentine Diners still in active restaurant service in the United States.

After being told of the origin and significance of the Clam Shell name, Alton and his crew visited Muscatine’s History and Industry Museum, according to the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to learn more about freshwater mussel clams and their use in making pearl buttons.

The crew was also seen      

shopping Second Street where they found some souvenirs.

The crew had samplings of different specialty hot dogs, Keller said. “Alton had the Pearl City Dog and a chocolate shake.”

The Pearl City Dog is a specialty at the Clam Shell, consisting of a deep-fried Nathan’s hot dog on a bed of shredded cheddar cheese, topped with onion, mustard and ketchup.

Keller said that Brown seemed to enjoy his meal and that the crew gushed compliments such as “Best Chicago Dog outside of the Windy City” and “Coney Dog just like the Coney Island.”

Keller was interviewed, along with Muscatine’s Ann Meeker, who owns the diner with her husband Tom.

“I think he’s a very down-to-earth type of person,” Keller said of the time Brown spent at the diner. “When we were doing the actual shoot, he was all business, but when they were done he hung around, autographed pictures and chatted.”

Overall, Keller said he’s proud that the tiny diner will represent Muscatine and be featured on national television.

Keller said that business has been good this summer. He plans to stay open through the upcoming Labor Day weekend and plans to close the business for the season at the end of September.

Reporter contact information

Melissa Regennitter: 563-262-0526

mregennitter@muscatinejournal.com

About Brown

According to a press release from Brown’s network: His flair in the kitchen developed early with guidance from his mother and grandmother, a budding culinary talent he skillfully used later “as a way to get dates” in college.

Switching gears as an adult, Brown spent a decade working as a cinematographer and video director, but realized that he spent all his time between shoots watching cooking shows, which he found to be dull and uninformative. Convinced that he could do better, Brown left the film business and moved to Vermont to train at the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier.

Soon after, Brown tapped all of his training to create “Good Eats”, a food show that blends wit with wisdom, history with pop culture, and science with common cooking sense.

Brown not only writes and produces the show, which recently received the prestigious Peabody Award, but also stars in each episode. 

He also serves as the resident food historian, scientist and commentator for Food Network’s popular competition series “Iron Chef America.”