How 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' helped Somerset County restaurants

To us, Somerset County is home. But to the world, it's been a stage — at least on Food Network hit "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

Host Guy Fieri has headed to Somerset County restaurants, including Joe's Meat Market in South Bound Brook and Big Pinks BBQ in Bridgewater, a few times throughout the years.

But just how have those restaurants fared since those towering sandwiches were in the spotlight?

Well, we asked. Here's how Somerset County restaurants have grown since their television debuts.

Joe's Meat Market, South Bound Brook

Joe LaCorte, owner of Joe’s Meat Market in South Bound Brook, knows when the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” episode featuring his deli is repeated on the Food Network.

“When it re-airs we definitely see an uptick in the number of customers, even if it re-airs at 4 a.m.,” LaCorte said. “You can always tell because we’ll sell double of the items featured on the show the next day.”

That means Giovanni LaCorte, Joe’s son and chef at the deli, is extra busy making Nick’s Overstuffed Antipasto Bread with prosciutto, ham, salami, pepperoni and cheese; as well as Sloppy Joe triple-decker sandwiches on rye bread with homemade Russian dressing, turkey, corned beef, roast beef and Swiss cheese.

The episode featuring the 33-year-old deli premiered in August 2022, the 16th episode of the 35th season of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

“I always thought it would be so cool to be on the show," Joe said. "I never thought we would be on it, a small kind of place in South Bound Brook. And then we had our chance. It was such a high. I love the show even more now.”

Joe’s Meat Market is capitalizing on its success by opening a catering hall and small restaurant behind the deli at 113 Clinton St. inside a former church fellowship hall.

Named Giovanni’s, it will have three rooms with varying capacities for private parties and events. Giovanni — who, then at 18, was the youngest chef to ever be featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” — will lead the kitchen, serving Italian specialties and elevated fare.

On-screen: Have you tried all of these Somerset County restaurants that have been on TV?

The restaurant will open in mid-summer with a modern, elegant and minimalist vibe, featuring lights imported from Italy, hardwood floors, neutral colors and a waterfall outside.

“I’m hoping once we open, maybe Guy will come back,” Joe said. “When Guy met Giovanni and saw the passion this kid has, he was taken aback by it.”

Joe already knows what he would say to the Food Network star.

“I would just thank him for everything he did for us,” he said. “I’m sure that us being on the show helped. He gave us credibility.”

Big Pinks BBQ, Bridgewater

Big Pinks BBQ in Bridgewater, “a broken-down food truck,” as described by Fieri, was on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in July 2022, just weeks before Joe’s Meat Market. Owner Martin Gleason has his own reasons to thank Fieri.

Fieri recommended Gleason get a bigger smoker — which is now inside a trailer behind the truck. He can now smoke 300 racks of ribs at once instead of 50.

“I would thank Guy," Gleason said. "He was wonderful and completely authentic. He made you feel at ease."

Immediately after the 14th episode of the 35th season of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” when Big Pinks BBQ was featured, the truck that has been parked on Union Avenue saw a 50% increase in customers.

Traffic is back to normal now, but Gleason sees more people ordering the items featured on his episode whenever the show re-airs.

Those menu items are the Abe Frohman sandwich with sausage on a potato roll topped with American cheese, onion rings and sauces; and the Big Pink, an 8-inch sausage sandwich with brisket, pulled chicken, pulled pork, sausage, several sauces, a blend of four Italian cheeses and onion rings on an onion roll.

Big Pinks BBQ is also expanding, as it soon won’t be a broken-down food truck. Gleason is getting a new engine for the truck, and also purchasing an additional truck.

The trucks will be in different locations all the time.

Looking back: An NJ 'broken down food truck' will be on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'

In the meantime, some of his customers remain star-struck.

“People like coming to the window and seeing us there,” Gleason said. “They’re amazed that the people on TV are actually the people working on the truck.”

Working is the key word.

“You always think that once you’re on the show you’re on Easy Street, but you’re not,” Gleason said, laughing. “You still have to work your butt off.”

Joe's Meat Market: 28 Main St., South Bound Brook; 732-356-4557, joes-meatmarket.com.

Big Pinks BBQ: 483 Union Ave., Bridgewater; 908-334-5685, bigpinksbbq.com.

Contact: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com

Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, although she's a lifetime Jersey girl who considers herself an expert in everything from the Jersey Shore to the Garden State's buzzing downtowns. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. You can also follow her on Instagram at @seejennaeat and on Twitter at @JIntersimone.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: Exposure helps Somerset County spots