When given the opportunity to interview the host of a popular TV series about cooking, tough, investigative questions must be asked, such as, “Why don’t you weigh 300 pounds?”

Luckily John Catucci, host of the popular Food Network series You Gotta Eat Here! was open to such questions at The American Cheesesteak Co. restaurant on Davie Street, where an episode of You Gotta Eat Here! was filmed May 4.

Catucci said he insists his producers stop him from eating after a bite or two, no matter how much he begs. Catucci, who also makes his living as a comedian, gestured towards his colourful shirt and added, “And plaid does wonders to hide any problem areas.”

Catucci said Vancouver is establishing itself as a foodie paradise, which is why the city is increasingly being featured on TV programs about food, such as No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain and the popular Food Network series Diners, Drive-ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. During their time in Vancouver, Catucci and crew visited several other restaurants, including The Reef on Main Street and Miura Waffle Milk Bar on Davie before heading to Victoria, Nanaimo and Tofino.

Catucci said The American Cheesesteak Co. is a good fit for the show because it’s unique. The restaurant is the first in the city dedicated to creating the sandwich, which is legendary in Philadelphia where it was founded. “They’re bringing their game on with this one,” said Catucci. “The food is really tasty and they’re doing it well with the best bread, meat and cheese cooked to perfection.”

Heading up The American Cheesesteak Co. is celebrity chef Anthony Sedlak, who’s put a new twist on the old classic in several ways, including a variation that likely has Philadelphians cringing. Sedlak has created a vegetarian West Coast version of the Philly cheesesteak by replacing the thinly sliced grilled steak with Portobello and forest mushrooms, roasted red peppers, sautéed onions, crumbled feta and fontina cheese. So much for the Cheese Whiz still used today in the original versions made in Philadelphia. Italian-American immigrants who moved to that city in the 1930s are credited with creating the first cheesesteak sandwich. Sedlak said that while he offers a true version of the iconic sandwich, he’s taken it up a notch and offered a little trash talk by bravely boasting his Philly cheesesteak could beat the original.

“I didn’t reinvent the wheel, but we bake our bread in house and no one does their own bread in Philadelphia,” said Sedlak. “And a lot of those places pump out a stewed sloppy mess with no love in the kitchen. That’s not us.” He added while the decor of the restaurant is an homage to an old-style Philly diner, his restaurant uses locally sourced, simple and natural ingredients to create indulgent comfort food.

Sedlak agrees Vancouver is becoming as known for its food as its incredible scenery. But, he added, even foodies crave real food. “This restaurant offers nostalgia and reminds people about the comfort food they enjoyed when they were a kid,” Sedlak said. “People never get tired of that.”

sthomas@vancourier.com

Twitter: @sthomas10