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TV crew films in Uvalde


Kimberly Rubio

Assistant editor

Crew members with six-time Emmy Award-winning travel series The Daytripper explored the history, culture and food in Uvalde last week.

Creator, producer and host Chet Garner – yes, he is distantly related to native Uvaldean and former vice president John Nance Garner – sat down with the Uvalde Leader-News Thursday for an interview over chips and salsa at Live Oak Gorditas.

The restaurant was one of several scheduled visits, which also included Briscoe-Garner Museum, Chalk Bluff, Hangar 6, Ox Ranch: Native and Exotic Hunting, and First State Bank of Uvalde.

Crew members include producer Todd White, director Richie Lozano, editor John Clawson, and audio engineer Greg Armstrong.

Self-proclaimed Texplorer Chet Garner said his mission is to explore the Lone Star State and share those experiences with his audience.

The Uvalde episode will air on PBS in February as part of season 10.

“The idea of this episode is to inspire people to visit Uvalde,” Garner said, noting that his crew previously passed through the area as the team sought out other destinations.

Garner returned over the summer to scout the area in hopes of filming in the near future.

“Uvalde has a lot to offer. We can’t fit it all in one episode, so we chose a few spots. It will be fun,” Garner said of his two-day visit, which began Thursday.

Although Ofelia’s Mexican Restaurant will not be featured in the episode, producer Todd White said a visit to the West Main eatery ended his search for the best puffy taco in the state of Texas.

“It is hard to find a good puffy taco where I live,” White said as he tasted Live Oak’s arrangement of chips, salsa and guacamole. “This salsa is spicy, but I like the kick.”

Live Oak Gorditas was chosen as a site to visit after it was recognized in a November 2010 edition of Rachael Ray Magazine. The recognition stemmed from Andrew Zimmern’s praise of the restaurant. Zimmern is host of the Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern.”

“No matter where you go, you will find some hidden gem or treasure. There is always a reason to visit out-of-the-way places, like Uvalde,” Garner said, noting that his audience has many reasons to fall in love with this small town.

“Whether they are a foodie, history buff or maybe they just want to blow stuff up at a ranch, somewhere in Uvalde our audience will find a passion point,” Garner said.

krubio@ulnnow.com, 830-278-3335

Kimberly Rubio|Leader-NewsThe Daytripper creator and host Chet Garner during a visit to Live Oak Gorditas.

Kimberly Rubio|Leader-NewsThe Daytripper creator and host Chet Garner during a visit to Live Oak Gorditas.

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