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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The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Top 5 Highlights 7 Videos
Behold the best pizzas, burgers and more top food picks from the show.
Take a Bite Out of These Best Things 26 Photos
Find your favorite flavors with the most-popular recipes from CookingChannelTV.com.
The Best Of The Best Thing
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Best Savory Flavors
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The Sweetest Things
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Episodes
See Episode GuideThe Closers
There's no better way to end a meal than with these delicious dishes. In New York City, Martha Stewart gushes over the most irresistible piece of lemon meringue she's ever had. Simon Majumdar travels all the way to Kentucky for a world-famous avocado dessert. And Chef Antonia Lofaso goes all out with a perfect puffy pastry known as the Napoleon.
High Steaks
We're paying tribute to the best styles, cuts and steakhouses serving up the best steaks. Chef Jonathon Sawyer takes us on a trip to Dayton for a ribeye cut so incredibly, it's fit for a king. Jaynard Wells travels down to Atlanta for the best of both worlds -- the sea and land -- in a surf-and-turf combo of steak and shrimp. And Duff Goldman drools over a butter steak that melts in your mouth ... like butter!
Layers of Goodness
Get ready to pile it on thick as we're talking layers of goodness that are stacked to the ceiling. We take a trip to Chicago where we meet up with Jeff Mauro to discover all the magic colors hidden inside the Rainbow Cake. We find Monti Carlo over in Seattle cutting right to the middle of a plantain lasagna. And we indulge in every delectable layer of Geoffrey Zakarian's grasshopper dessert.
On Wheels
Ditch the four walls, head outside, and get your fill of those portable powerhouses known as food trucks. Jeff Mauro gets happy about an angry lobster sandwich from the Happy Lobster Truck in Chicago. Sabin Lomac puts the pedal to the metal for The Bacon Truck's bacon mac and cheese bites in Boston, and nothing is going to slow down Ali Khan as he speeds towards the best food on wheels at LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue in Austin, Texas.
Kids' Menu
From macaroni and cheese to milkshakes to pizza, these are the greatest dishes found on -- and inspired by -- the kids' menu. Alex Guarnaschelli shares her comfort food lunch favorite from Ted's Bulletin in Washington, D.C., while Claudia Sandoval shows how fun it is to play with your food at CUCINA urbana in San Diego. No kid could forget about dessert, so Jet Tila has it covered at the Legendairy Milkshake Bar in Nashville.
Low and Slow
Patience is a virtue, and the greatest mouthwatering dishes can't be rushed. Wolfgang Puck admires APL Restaurant in Los Angeles for making a sandwich that's well worth the wait. On the opposite coast, Antonia Lofaso finds the cavatelli truly irresistible at Coppa in Boston, and Geoffrey Zakarian shares his love for the smoked brisket at Hill Country Barbecue Market in New York City.
Borrowed Favorites
Sharing is caring, and the treats that family and friends love become personal favorites too! Robert Irvine takes his wife's advice and discovers the world's greatest omelet at Babystacks Cafe in Las Vegas, Nev. Sabin Lomac is a true believer after a close friend spills the secret of a genuine Philly cheesesteak from Boo's Philly in Los Angeles, and Duff Goldman borrows his brother's favorite spectacular surprise that awaits at the mysterious Magic Castle in Hollywood, Calif.
Decadent Donuts
We're paying respects to a treat that is universally loved and has stood the test of time -- the doughnut! Alton Brown takes us on a trip to Memphis to honor the original glazed doughnut that started it all. Alex Guarnaschelli goes weak in the knees for an apple doughnut from New York City. And we can't contain our taste buds as Scott Conant shows off all the tropical flavors of a coconut cream-filled delight.
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.
Low and Slow
Patience is a virtue, and the greatest mouthwatering dishes can't be rushed. Wolfgang Puck admires APL Restaurant in Los Angeles for making a sandwich that's well worth the wait. On the opposite coast, Antonia Lofaso finds the cavatelli truly irresistible at Coppa in Boston, and Geoffrey Zakarian shares his love for the smoked brisket at Hill Country Barbecue Market in New York City.
Stacked
With layers upon layers stacked with flavor and ingredients, these favorite dishes seem too good to be true. Wolfgang Puck gushes about an unimaginable seafood platter at Cassia in Los Angeles. Down south in New Orleans, monstrous pulled pork nachos from Kingfish have Marc Murphy stunned, and Katie Lee unveils a massive sandwich that will overload your taste buds at Anna's Deli in Sarasota, Fla.
Thanksgiving
Chefs and food experts share their picks for a Thanksgiving to remember. Anne Burrell devours a turkey leg sandwich at Henry Public in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Jonathon Sawyer gives thanks for the mind-blowing Thanksgiving buffet at Adele's in Nashville. Be sure to save room for dessert as Andrew Zimmern shares a picture-perfect pie from Turtle Bread Company in Minneapolis, Minn.
Trigger Foods
We're losing all control and giving in to ultimate food cravings. Geoffrey Zakarian starts things off like never before with the most juicy and succulent roast chicken from New York City. Jonathon Sawyer takes it to the next level with a cheesy, crunchy, gravy-drenched delight known as poutine. And nothing can compare to the excitement in Duff Goldman's eyes when he's back in Baltimore slinging back some single-fry oysters.
On the Waterfront
Head outside for the best of both worlds: breathtaking scenery with fresh air, clear skies and the most-incredible waterfront dining in the U.S. Anne Burrell adores the sights with a meaty pasta from Cecconi's Dumbo in Brooklyn, N.Y., while Jeff Mauro treats himself to a delectable roast chicken from Chicago's River Roast. At Seafood Sam's in Sandwich, Mass., Duff Goldman enjoys a view of paradise with a fried lobster platter fit for a king.
Stacked
With layers upon layers stacked with flavor and ingredients, these favorite dishes seem too good to be true. Wolfgang Puck gushes about an unimaginable seafood platter at Cassia in Los Angeles. Down south in New Orleans, monstrous pulled pork nachos from Kingfish have Marc Murphy stunned, and Katie Lee unveils a massive sandwich that will overload your taste buds at Anna's Deli in Sarasota, Fla.
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.
Kids' Menu
From macaroni and cheese to milkshakes to pizza, these are the greatest dishes found on -- and inspired by -- the kids' menu. Alex Guarnaschelli shares her comfort food lunch favorite from Ted's Bulletin in Washington, D.C., while Claudia Sandoval shows how fun it is to play with your food at CUCINA urbana in San Diego. No kid could forget about dessert, so Jet Tila has it covered at the Legendairy Milkshake Bar in Nashville.
On the Waterfront
Head outside for the best of both worlds: breathtaking scenery with fresh air, clear skies and the most-incredible waterfront dining in the U.S. Anne Burrell adores the sights with a meaty pasta from Cecconi's Dumbo in Brooklyn, N.Y., while Jeff Mauro treats himself to a delectable roast chicken from Chicago's River Roast. At Seafood Sam's in Sandwich, Mass., Duff Goldman enjoys a view of paradise with a fried lobster platter fit for a king.
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.
Holiday Delights
Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like having all your favorite festive foods in one place. Brad Miller finds the Yuletide spirit with his favorite holiday steak from Harry's Savoy Grill in Wilmington, Del. Andrew Zimmern delivers a dim sum favorite from New York City's Nom Wah Tea Parlor, and no holiday is complete without Geoffrey Zakarian, who stops by with a sack full of goodies from Sift Bake Shop in Mystic, Conn.
Chocolate Bliss
When it comes to chocolate, the possibilities for sweet treats are endless. On the ultimate list of the best chocolate treats in America, Ali Khan devours an unbelievable Dark Truffle Cake from San Antonio, Texas, and Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski indulge in an explosion of different chocolates in one luscious dessert in New York City. Finally, Scott Conant travels to Sin City to bet on a chocolate mashup that's crazy delicious.
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.
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.
Fried and Gone to Heaven
Some fried food is so crispy, so crunchy and so incredible that you feel like you've died and gone to heaven. Jeff Mauro heads to Proxi in Chicago for a food frenzy with the most-unique version of street corn ever imagined. Simon Majumdar takes his taste buds to the next level with a crispy pork shank at Salo-Salo Grill in West Covina, Calif., and Ali Khan keeps it old-school with a phenomenal fried hot chicken sammy from Tumble 22 in Austin, Texas.
Buttered Up
It's official: Everything is better with butter! Chefs and food experts are revealing the richest, creamiest buttery dishes out there. Alex Guarnaschelli brings on the butter with a one-of-a-kind shrimp-and-grits combo from Tillie's in Short Hills, New Jersey. Jeff Mauro hits the streets of Chicago to satisfy his butter craving with an amazing honey butter chicken sandwich from the aptly named restaurant Honey Butter Fried Chicken. Then Marc Murphy travels north to Eventide Oyster Co. in Portland, Maine, for a signature buttered delight.
Fried and Gone to Heaven
Some fried food is so crispy, so crunchy and so incredible that you feel like you've died and gone to heaven. Jeff Mauro heads to Proxi in Chicago for a food frenzy with the most-unique version of street corn ever imagined. Simon Majumdar takes his taste buds to the next level with a crispy pork shank at Salo-Salo Grill in West Covina, Calif., and Ali Khan keeps it old-school with a phenomenal fried hot chicken sammy from Tumble 22 in Austin, Texas.
