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 GuideAtlanta
We're headed to Atlanta, one of the largest cities in the South, for some of the best things we ever ate. From barbecued rib tips and top-secret burgers, to "angry" mussels that will make your day, we've got the guide to some of Atlanta's most popular places. And what's better than having a local show you around? Atlanta native Alton Brown takes us to some of his favorite spots and lets us in on locals-only secrets.
Dallas
We're in Dallas to show you some of the hottest spots in town. Barbecue is big in Texas, and the brisket at North Main BBQ bowls us over with its world-famous brisket. Fried chicken is one of our favorite foods so you bet we went to Babe's to satisfy our crunchy cravings. And for those of you with a sweet tooth, we find some of the best desserts in Dallas, from the Pecan Ball at Café Pacific to the classic fruitcake at Collins bakery. It's time to dig in to Dallas!
Best I Ever Drank
Shakers are shakin', ice is clinkin', and soda is flowin' as bartenders across the country serve Michael Symon, Claire Robinson, Duff, Ted, Tyler and others their favorite drinks in this special episode. From Gin Blossoms to Chocolate Sodas, Grapefruit Margaritas to Herbacious Mojitos, these are just a few of the things that Food Network stars say are "The Best Thing I Ever ... Drank!
Eggstraordinary
Truffled egg toast, Reuben Egg Rolls, Foot High Lemon Meringue Pie and Strawberry Souffle are just a few of the EGGstraordinary dishes Gail Simmons, Alton Brown, Robert Irvine and others are EGGcited to talk about in this EGGceptional episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate!
Burgers
What do Bobby, Claire, Tyler, and Duff have in common? Their love of burgers! From lamb burgers to crunchified burgers to the original burger -- find out where your favorite Food Network stars go for their best ever version of an American Classic.
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.
Hamburger Heaven
It's burger time, and your favorite food personalities are pointing you in the right direction. Carla Hall unveils an unbelievable burger masterpiece, while Tregaye Fraser will have you traveling to New York to grab the ultimate cheeseburger and fries. Ali Khan showcases a traditional burger, but Eddie Jackson's favorite is decidedly nontraditional.
#Throwback
We're talking about throwback dishes that are better now than ever before! Alton Brown takes a field trip to Richmond, Va., to get his favorite boxed lunch, while Chef Tregaye Fraser pulls up to a memorable drive-in for a slice of cake. Jeff Mauro shares the oldest pedigree of Chicagoan cuisine, and Alex Guarnaschelli slips into a food coma over her pigs in a blanket.
Frightfully Good
Fried Brains, Duck Tongue Tacos, a Spleen Sandwich, and BBQ Pig Tails might sound scary to some, but not to Curtis Stone, Michael Symon, Ming Tsai and others. These dishes and more are so frightfully good, they'll haunt you forever.
Vegas
In Las Vegas better bet it all on find some amazing food. From the double ribeye at SW Steakhouse, to the langoustine at L'Atelier Joel Robechon, Vegas doubles down on dining out. And what's better for a late-night snack than a bowl of drunken noodles from Wazuzu. Or go for broke with the Gambler's Special surf and turf for a song at Mr. Lucky's 24/7. Who said everything that happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? It's just too good to keep secret.
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.
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.
Let's Do Lunch
The best lunchtime hot spots are sure to fill any craving, satisfy any hunger and generally just make you happy. Ali Khan makes a beeline for an over-the-top pistachio chicken salad creation in Austin, Texas. In Atlanta, Jernard Wells gets bad to the bone with finger lickin' good ribs, while in New York City, Martha Stewart has a lunchtime special you won't want to miss.
Snack Attack
It's just past lunch and not quite dinner ... hmmmm, must be time for a snack! From pickles to tacos, nachos to nuts, we reveal the snackalicious snacks craved by Giada, Ted Allen, Alex Guarnaschelli, Curtis Stone and more! These bite sized treats are perfect to kick-start the Super Bowl and satisfy any SNACK ATTACK.
Messy
A burger smothered in slaw, a lasagna sandwich, bread oozing with sweet decadent chocolate ... these are just a few of the dishes Andrew Zimmern, Duff, Alton Brown and others say are delicious, gooey, sloppy and best of all ... messy!
New England
We're in New England, the birthplace of the American Revolution, for some of our favorite food. From Bostonian classics like the Boston cream pie, to sticky buns that'll sway your loyalties, we're taking you on a tour of the best that New England has to offer. Whether it's for the Szechuan sliced fish in Chinatown or the ultimate roast chicken in Cambridge, when it comes to revolutionary food, you're going to want to put New England on your bucket list.
Los Angeles
We're headed to Los Angeles, where the weather is warm and the food is fantastic. From the famous French dip at Phillipe's to local favorite Roscoe's for their chicken and waffles, you'll see why we love LA! And, in a city of cars, it's no surprise we found some of the best tacos in a truck, and a crave-worthy chili dog that came straight from a train. Los Angeles is the home to Hollywood, so of course. even the popcorn is perfect. We head to Arclight Cinema where the main attraction isn't always the movie!
Small Plates, Big Taste
Our favorite small plates are bursting with flavor. Chef Beau MacMillan dives into some scallops, while Roger Mooking takes you to Texas for succulent chicken. Don't miss out when food blogger Molly Yeh reveals the secret to her favorite fried pickles. And if you drink wine, save the cork as Monti Carlo unleashes the truth behind an old brining wives tale.
Combos
On their own they're delicious, but put 'em together and they're irresistible. Spaghetti and Meatballs, Biscuits and Gravy, Fish and Chips, Chicken and Waffles. These are just a few of the classic food pairings Michael Symon, Ted Allen, Duff Goldman and others say are The Best Thing I Ever Ate ... COMBOS.
Atlanta
We're headed to Atlanta, one of the largest cities in the South, for some of the best things we ever ate. From barbecued rib tips and top-secret burgers, to "angry" mussels that will make your day, we've got the guide to some of Atlanta's most popular places. And what's better than having a local show you around? Atlanta native Alton Brown takes us to some of his favorite spots and lets us in on locals-only secrets.
Finger Food
Alton Brown, Gail Simmons, Alex Guarnaschelli and others are throwin' down the cutlery and reaching for their best ever finger foods -- from roasted toasted ravioli and crispy fried pickles to sacrilegious but oh so delicious bacon wrapped Matzo Balls!
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.
Brilliantly Baked
It's time to indulge in some of the best baked goods imaginable as Martha Stewart shows off a beautifully perfect brioche she can't get enough of in New York City. Then, find out why Alex Guarnaschelli's favorite lemon bars are simply off-the-charts brilliant! Finally, Tregaye Fraser has a new take on an old classic in Atlanta.
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.
Bird Is the Word
Everybody's heard about the bird, but Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, Claire Robinson and other Food Network stars spread the word about their best ever bird dishes -- from Crispy, flavorful Peking Duck, and succulent Roasted Quail, to a Turkey stuffed with a Duck and a Chicken!
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.
