Jose’s to have its 15 minutes of fame — ‘exactly’

MANATEE -- The suspense is finally over for Jose Baserva and his beloved restaurant, Jose’s Cuban Food on Cortez Road.

Baserva, born in Cuba and raised in Miami, learned Monday that his establishment’s appearance on an episode of Food Network’s popular road show, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” is scheduled to run at 9 p.m. Sept. 19.

Jose’s and another restaurant will divide the 30-minute segment, Baserva said.

Jose’s Real Cuban Food had first been scheduled at 9 p.m. June 6, but Baserva got word soon after that he would be getting a new air date.

“We finally got an air date, man!” Baserva said. “I will sleep real well tonight.”

Back in June, Baserva told the Herald that business had quadrupled since the news broke that “Triple D” and its crazy-haired host, Guy Fieri, had taped at Jose’s in February.

Finally, a nationwide audience will be able to watch Fieri dine on Jose’s picadillo, paella and boliche.

“To all my Facebook fans I have great news: The official air date is now September 19,” Baserva posted at 5 p.m. Monday on the social network site.

“Just got the call today. Thanks to everyone for their support.”

Baserva joked that his 4-year-old 26-seat restaurant at 8799 Cortez Road will be so busy after the show airs that it will probably freak him out.

“I’m not showing up the day after,” he quipped. “The employees will handle that mess.”

This story was originally published July 26, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Jose’s to have its 15 minutes of fame — ‘exactly’."