Izzy's president: "Travel Channel shoot was incredible"

CINCINNATI - It's not every day that the president and chief operating officer of a Tri-State company decides to turn off his cell phone. But that's what John Geisen of Izzy's had to do Saturday morning.

The calls just never stopped congratulating him on Friday's Travel Channel shoot with Adam Richman of "Man V. Food Nation."

"It was an incredible day for the restaurant and the entire staff of Izzy's," said Geisen.

Geisen closed the Main Street location Friday at 2 p.m. so the crew could set up lights, cameras and microphones.  

Geisen's very best customers, a few family members, and some restaurant employees waited for hours as Richman's crew prepared for the shoot. Around 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, Richman came out of the RV parked across the street from Izzy's. He spent time with Geisen in the kitchen learning about the restaurant's legacy and how they prepare their corned beef. You can be sure Richman heard plenty about the legendary Izzy Kadetz.

Around 8 p.m. Richman was ready to coach a local competitor into taking on the 110 Reuben Challenge where he had to eat a sandwich that consists of more than a pound of corned beef, a super-sized potato pancake, a colossal pile of fresh sauerkraut, swiss cheese and Izzy’s special dressing, all assembled on a gigantic specialty baked poppy seed loaf.

The episode is scheduled to air in October.

Geisen talked about the filming on 9 News at Noon Monday with Lance Barry. Click the player above to hear what he had to say.