Even if you haven't heard of Jake Owen, there's a good chance you've heard his songs. The country singer's released five No. 1 hits, including the double-platinum "Barefoot Blue Jean Night," and this summer, he's hitting the road with Kenny Chesney on the Big Revival 2015 tour.
But it wasn't until we saw his latest music video, "Real Life"—which features the singer doing donuts in a drift trike outside of Waffle House and giving side-eye to an artfully plated lone shrimp that's trying to pass for dinner—that we realized he's all of us: Burger lover, unabashed diner enthusiast, and part-time booty-shaker (evidence? See minute 2:20).
We caught up with Owen between tour stops to find out which diners are worth planning a road trip around, what to order when you get there and why his idea of a 'home-cooked meal' just involves one step: Pick up the phone.
You spend a lot of time at Waffle House in your new music video. What's your go-to order there?
"Chocolate-chip waffles and hash browns scattered, smothered, covered and chunked. 'Chunked' is an option, right?"
[Editor's Note: You can totally get them chunked. For the uninitiated, that means his hashbrowns are topped with grilled hickory-smoked ham, as well as melted cheese and sauteed onions.]
What are some of your favorite—favorite—places to eat on tour, and what do you typically order?
"One of my favorite places to eat is P.J. Clarke's in New York City. I get the Cadillac burger [a bacon cheeseburger] every time. Another spot is the Riverside Café in my hometown, Vero Beach, FL. The fresh fish sandwich is my go-to!"
That Cadillac burger is phenomenal. If you had to name three more diners you love, what would they be, and what would you recommend trying?
- Mel's Drive-In in Los Angeles: "The famous Melburger, fries and a fountain Coke"
- Bobbie's Dairy Dip in Nashville: "French fries and ice cream"
- Katz Delicatessen in New York: "The best pastrami sandwich on rye you'll find."
Your video spoofs your "normal dinner." What's your go-to weeknight dinner, if you're cooking it?
"Being out on the road, we don't get too many nights at home. So if I'm cooking, I'm ordering pizza from our local pizza joint, SkyKing Pizza. Their signature SkyKing pie with sausage, prosciutto and pepperoni is pretty epic."
Okay, lightning round of food questions: If you're at a truck stop, what would you typically get as a snack?
"Snickers bar."
Favorite breakfast while you're on the road?
"Scrambled eggs and fruit."
Ultimate comfort food that reminds you of home?
"Fish sandwich for sure!"
What's one food combination that other people just don't get but you love?
"Dropping peanuts in Coke. It gives it an extra salt kick."
"Real Life" is now available on iTunes. See even more behind-the-scenes photos from the music video shoot here.
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