Ever wonder what the biggest food stars and chefs eat in their free time — when they're paying? Find out on The Best Thing I Ever Ate! It's the ultimate guide to the country's most-amazing meals, eats and treats as told by the pros who spend their lives obsessing over food.
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Episodes
See Episode GuideVoted 'Most Popular'
We're sharing seven of the most popular go-to dishes from restaurants across the country. Jason Smith takes us down south to an irresistible ice cream shop, while Bobby Flay reveals his secret neighborhood joint. Chef Beau MacMillan keeps it simple with his favorite salad, and Katie Lee admits that a nontraditional grilled pizza is her ultimate favorite.
Bay Area
Some people leave their hearts in San Francisco, but we left our appetite. The oysters at Hog Island are so good we can't stop dreaming about them. San Francisco proves that barbeque is not strictly southern, with the pork bun at Yank Sing. The soufflé at Café Jacqueline to the strudel at Schmidt's and the pain au chocolat at Tartine, San Francisco has some of the best sweets we ever ate.
Big Cheese
Jeff Mauro, Geoffrey Zakarian, Jamika Pessoa and Bobby Flay are just a few of your favorite food personalities sharing their all-time favorite ways to indulge in some cheesy goodness. Whether it's a cheese curd-stuffed bratwurst or a fried cheese work of art, macaroni and cheese or the most incredible Queso Fundido, these cheese dishes are sure to blow your taste buds.
Seattle
Seattle has some of the best seafood, slices, and sorbet around. At Dahlia, the crab cakes are so good it's an obsession. While Seattle may not be known for pizza, we found a seriously good slice at Serious Pie. Le Pichet has some of the richest Raclette we've ever had. And, from the donuts at Lola and the rhubarb sorbet in Kirkland's Café Juanita to Fran's best chocolate bars, Seattle's got the West Coast covered when it comes to sweets.
Mexican Favorites
We're saluting magnificent Mexican food from all around the country starting with Alton Brown's favorite homemade salsa in Columbus, Ohio. Ali Khan then serves up a true Mexican original with beef carnitas tacos in Austin, Texas. Finally, Alex Guarnaschelli's favorite Al Pastor at Lene Brave in Chicago is so good, it has customers begging for more.
Stretchy Pants Required
America's best dishes just might burst your buttons. Anne Burrell faces off against a gut-busting club sandwich from Little Goat Diner in Chicago while Antonia Lofaso ventures to the heart of Los Angeles for heavy-hitting Korean barbecue at Park's BBQ. Jernard Wells gets weak in the knees when confronted by a massively unbelievable cake from Southern Art and Bourbon Bar in Atlanta.
One of a Kind
We're talking about dishes that are unique, original and unlike anything that's come before. Alton Brown has his eye -- and his stomach -- set on a genuine creation called the Crab Rangoon Pizza. Jonathon Sawyer says he's found a blast of flavor that's too good to be true in Los Angeles. And Tregaye Fraser attempts the impossible with the most obscure and jaw-dropping dish yet.
Stretchy Pants Required
America's best dishes just might burst your buttons. Anne Burrell faces off against a gut-busting club sandwich from Little Goat Diner in Chicago while Antonia Lofaso ventures to the heart of Los Angeles for heavy-hitting Korean barbecue at Park's BBQ. Jernard Wells gets weak in the knees when confronted by a massively unbelievable cake from Southern Art and Bourbon Bar in Atlanta.
One of a Kind
We're talking about dishes that are unique, original and unlike anything that's come before. Alton Brown has his eye -- and his stomach -- set on a genuine creation called the Crab Rangoon Pizza. Jonathon Sawyer says he's found a blast of flavor that's too good to be true in Los Angeles. And Tregaye Fraser attempts the impossible with the most obscure and jaw-dropping dish yet.
Mid-Atlantic
We're touring the amazing Mid-Atlantic, sampling seafood like crab cakes in Baltimore and paella in Washington, DC. We found the perfect breakfast at Golden West Café, and some of the best beef we've ever had at Baltimore favorite, Chap's Pit Beef. And don't think we didn't save room for dessert! From a chocolate, marshmallow, peanut creation called the CMP at Woodberry Kitchen, to Baltimore's own bomb pie, we're trying it all on our Mid-Atlantic mission.
Miami
We are headed to Miami for a little fun in the sun and some truly epic eats. We're trying it all, from stone crabs at Joe's, to the lamb shank at Sardinia. The piping hot oven at Fratelli La Bufala is turning out pillowy calzones, while the folks at Ola are cooling off with a nice and icy pear granita. And don't let the fabulous physiques of Miami Beach fool you, this city loves their sweets. With a trifecta of treats at Michaels Genuine and the chocolate peanut butter s'more from Prime 112, Miami has some of the best desserts around.
Life Changers
We're revealing all the unforgettable dishes that changed our lives. Alex Guarnaschelli names the dish that resulted in her being born, and Fanny Slater explains why she wouldn't get married without catfish and grits. Chef Jonathon Sawyer discusses how one dish changed the lives of over 200 inmates, while cake ace Duff Goldman talks about the slice of pie that makes him weak in the knees.
Picture Perfect
We're going after picture-perfect dishes that taste as good as they look. Carla Hall shows off beautiful beets from Michigan, and Molly Yeh reveals the surprise inside the ultimate breakfast muffin. Aaron Sanchez shares his warm cookies and milk, while Alton Brown talks about his favorite dish at Destroyer in Los Angeles.
Philadelphia
We're going to Philadelphia to show you some of the best things we ever ate. There's impossibly delicious pasta at Vetri and perfect mashed potatoes at Parc. Check out the crepes at Creperie Beau Monde for one of our favorite Francophile treats, but leave room for the Mexican tiramisu at Lolita. From the namesake Philly cheesesteak at Tony Luke's to the down, dirty, and delicious Junkyard Special at Sarcone's Deli, Philly's got it all.
San Diego
San Diego may be the land of sun, surf and fun, but it's also home to some of the best dining spots around. From a bacon burger at Hodad's that left us speechless, to the chilaquiles at Mexican hotspot Talavera, we're hitting some of the best spots this side of the boarder. From the peanut butter spread at Spread, to the extra-delicious chocolate cake at Extraordinary Desserts, dining in San Diego will make you feel like it's summer all year long.
Southern Charm
We're checking out the best rich, hearty, home-style cooking straight from the South. Roger Mooking can't pass up a simple yet magical Southern dish, while Food Network Star winner Jason Smith introduces the epitome of a Southern sandwich. If you've been looking for the best shrimp and grits, let Alton Brown tell you where to go. And Chef Beau MacMillan goes deep for a low-country boil you won't ever forget!
Extra Crispy
We're tracking down the crunchiest, flakiest and noisiest favorite foods. In New York, Justin Warner shares a pizza completely enclosed in the ultimate crispy crust. Alex Guarnaschelli heads down south to New Orleans for her favorite bite at Turkey and the Wolf, and Fanny Slater travels all the way to Hawaii for her favorite Crispy Tuna Roll.
As Good as Mom's
Food stars including Wolfgang Puck, Curtis Stone and Andrew Zimmern pay homage to their moms, as they reveal favorite dishes that remind them of their mother's cooking. From sweet delicious macaroons and decadent melt-in-your-mouth blintzes, to spicy chili rellenos ... these dishes and more are comforting, scrumptious, and almost ... As Good As Mom's.
The Upper Crust
The best part of any dish is what holds it all together -- the crust! Chef Beau MacMillan's favorite pot pie in Phoenix, Arizona, takes on Duff Goldman's seafood pie pick in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Next, Jason Smith's favorite picture-perfect pork tenderloin boasts a clever crust that is sure to turn some heads.
Desert Island Dish
Mayday! Mayday! The chefs and foodies are stranded on a desert island with nothing but an appetite, and they're sharing the one dish they simply can't live without. Duff Goldman turns to an irresistible doughnut from Baltimore's Paradise Donuts, Alex Guarnaschelli brings along her must-have paella from Black Bull in Chicago, and Wolfgang Puck chooses one dessert above all others from Angelini Osteria in Los Angeles.
Terrific Italian
Mangia! Mangia! Mangia! Celebrity chefs and Cooking Channel personalities are talking about the most sensational Italian food they've ever had. Alton Brown revisits a decadent, old-world pasta dish while Ali Khan chats up his favorite chicken parmigiana sandwich. Alex Guarnaschelli then gives a shout out to a not-to-be-missed lasagna and Duff Goldman reveals his pick for the best dish to end a perfect Italian meal.
More Than I Can Count!
Some special dishes are so good you can enjoy them over and over again. Andrew Zimmern has lost count of how many times he's indulged in the infamous barbecue chicken from Miss Myra's Pit Bar-B-Que in Birmingham, Ala. Aarti Sequeira can't stop ordering her favorite handmade ice cream at Salt and Straw in Los Angeles, and Duff Goldman can't keep track of all the jumbo lump crab cakes he has eaten at Faidley's Seafood in Baltimore.
Sandwich Hall of Fame
We're honoring the all-time favorite sandwiches in the Sandwich Hall of Fame because it's all about the bread and what's in between! If you've never had a BL"G"T, Eddie Jackson will tell you where to go. Fanny Slater hasn't missed a week without her "Friday Special," and Katie Lee heads to a small shop in New York to get the best Italian hoagie she's ever eaten. And Southerners don't have to travel to Philadelphia for the best cheesesteak, as Alton Brown reveals a hidden gem in Atlanta.
More Than I Can Count!
Some special dishes are so good you can enjoy them over and over again. Andrew Zimmern has lost count of how many times he's indulged in the infamous barbecue chicken from Miss Myra's Pit Bar-B-Que in Birmingham, Ala. Aarti Sequeira can't stop ordering her favorite handmade ice cream at Salt and Straw in Los Angeles, and Duff Goldman can't keep track of all the jumbo lump crab cakes he has eaten at Faidley's Seafood in Baltimore.
Sandwich Hall of Fame
We're honoring the all-time favorite sandwiches in the Sandwich Hall of Fame because it's all about the bread and what's in between! If you've never had a BL"G"T, Eddie Jackson will tell you where to go. Fanny Slater hasn't missed a week without her "Friday Special," and Katie Lee heads to a small shop in New York to get the best Italian hoagie she's ever eaten. And Southerners don't have to travel to Philadelphia for the best cheesesteak, as Alton Brown reveals a hidden gem in Atlanta.
NOLA
We're headed to New Orleans for some seriously delicious, world-renown food. From Po' Boys at Johnny's to Drago's amazing oysters, the Big Easy charms us with its distinct culinary style. It's not a trip to NOLA without having a Muffaletta at Domilises. The gumbo at Dooky Chase's is not to be missed, but the best way to start the day is with the namesake pastries from local favorite, Café Beignet.
