David Chang to Visit Pittsburgh in New Episode
The Detour episode featuring the city is scheduled to air on CNN this October 10.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Dining Out
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David Chang will explore Pittsburgh in an upcoming episode of his series, The Detour, which is set to premiere on CNN on October 10, 2026. The episode features actress Gillian Jacobs as a local guide during a three-day filming session.
Why it matters
The episode highlights Pittsburgh after Chang received public criticism from Pat McAfee for previously excluding the city from a list of the top five NFL sandwich destinations.
Production crews spent 3 days filming across the city, capturing various local landmarks. Among those appearing on camera, 95% of individuals were noted to be wearing sports paraphernalia.
The players
David Chang
He is a chef and television personality who hosts the series The Detour.
Gillian Jacobs
She is an actress from Mt. Lebanon who appears as a guide in the episode.
Pat McAfee
He is a sports analyst who publicly challenged Chang regarding his sandwich city rankings.
The details
Actress Gillian Jacobs joins David Chang for an unscripted tour of the city, including stops at Primanti Bros., Apteka in Bloomfield, Dave & Andy's Homemade Ice Cream in Oakland, and a visit to Sheetz. The crew captured footage throughout the area, starting the process at Point State Park.
Timeline
March 2026: The production crew spent three days filming in Pittsburgh.
2024: Dave & Andy's Homemade Ice Cream experienced a closure and subsequent rebirth.
October 10, 2026: The Pittsburgh episode of The Detour will air on CNN.
Culture Shift
This visit reflects the growing influence of social media feedback on travel and food media production. The episode directly reconciles Chang's established culinary rankings with the specific local identity of Pittsburgh as a top sports and food hub.
Residents can look for familiar city landmarks and local staples like Primanti Bros. and Sheetz when the episode broadcasts. The feature highlights the city's unique sports culture, with the vast majority of local extras appearing in sports apparel.
The takeaway
Travel and food shows are increasingly using public feedback to shape their narrative focus. Viewers can see how Pittsburgh's specific culture compares to other cities featured in the series.
Further reading
Learn more about the local culinary scene in our Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TribLIVE.
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