Matthews Cafeteria to be featured on Food Network
Tucker’s worst-kept secret is about to be broadcast all over the world.
Matthews Cafeteria, a Tucker Business Association (TBA) member and the unofficial city hall of the Tucker community, is well known throughout DeKalb County and Georgia for its home cooking, so well known that someone–or perhaps a number of people–tipped off the Food Network.
Michael Greene, the third generation of Matthews family ownership, said he was thrilled to oblige when the Food Network sent the production crew for the series Diners, Drive ins, and Dives.
“I love the Food Network, and I always wanted to cook on TV,” said Greene. “For a couple of days, I got to live my dream.”
Beth O’Neill, president of TBA, which meets at 7:15 a.m. on the third Thursday every month at Matthew’s Cafeteria, was not surprised by the sudden recognition.
“Some people drive an hour or more to eat here at Matthews. Those of us who live here just walk over,” said O’Neill. “We hold our meetings here because the food is fantastic, and all of our members were probably coming here anyway.”
The taping of the show was actually completed over two days last February, which included a rare departure for Matthews regulars, who have become accustomed to the daily change in menu. “We had to make it look like the same day, so we had to serve Tuesday’s menu on Wednesday, too,” said Greene.
“Everybody was fine once we explained what was going on.”
The show, Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, hosted by food critic Guy Fieri began airing as a series in April 2007 on the Food Network, which says these eateries are popular again thanks to faithful baby boomers, a slew of younger fans and a whole new generation of owners.
“We are proud that Matthews Cafeteria is finally getting some of the worldwide attention that it deserves,” said O’Neill. “It couldn’t happen to nicer people in a nicer place.”
The episode of Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, hosted by Fieri, will be broadcast on the following schedule, subject to programming change: Monday, June 23, at 10 p.m.; Tuesday, June 24, at 1 a.m. and Sunday, June 29, at 4 p.m.
For more information on the Food Network, go to www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_dv.
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