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.
Web-Exclusive Videos
See All Videos
Now Playing
The Craziest Thing I Ever Ate 01:23
Now Playing
The Best Road Trip Food 01:40
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
See All Videos
Now Playing
Shrimp Po-Boy 02:17
Now Playing
Lasagna Verde With Giada 02:42
Now Playing
The Best Fried Thing Alex Guarnaschelli Ever Ate: Deep-Fried Hot Dog 02:27
Now Playing
Ted Allen on Bacon Tempura 02:14
Now Playing
Alex G: Dark Chocolate Dixies 02:18
Now Playing
Chef Symon on Spicy Pork Rinds 02:14
Now Playing
The Best Fried Thing Aaron Sanchez Ever Ate: Deep-Fried Brussels Sprouts 01:36
Now Playing
Guy Fieri Talks About Mofongo 03:07
Now Playing
Ted Allen on BBQ Beef Brisket 02:47
Now Playing
Adam Gertler on BBQ Chicken 02:24
Now Playing
BBQ Shrimp 01:58
Now Playing
Tyler Florence on BBQ Pork 02:20
Now Playing
Delilah Winder on Pork Ribs 01:30
Now Playing
BBQ Beef Ribs 02:47
Now Playing
Chris Cosentino on Pork Buns 02:02
Now Playing
Duff Goldman on Combo Plate 02:32
Now Playing
Bobby Flay on BBQ Beef Ribs 01:01
Now Playing
Tyler Florence on BBQ Pork 02:20
Now Playing
Duff on Fried Shrimp Heads 02:21
Now Playing
Bobby Flay on French Fries 03:00
Now Playing
Duff on Fried Shrimp Heads 02:21
Now Playing
The Best Pizza 03:28
Now Playing
The Best Sugar Rush 03:28
Now Playing
French Onion Soup Dumplings 02:25
Now Playing
Large Format Feast 02:28
Now Playing
Pastry With Alex 02:29
Now Playing
Coconut Cake With Anne Burrell 02:20
Now Playing
Guy Fieri: French Onion Soup 02:48
Now Playing
Ted on Red Velvet Cake 02:33
Now Playing
Morimoto's Toro Tartare 02:40
Now Playing
The Best Breakfast Treat 03:28
Now Playing
Roasted Mushroom Pizza 02:00
Now Playing
The Best Sandwich 03:14
Now Playing
The Best Pecan Pie I Ever Ate 01:37
Now Playing
Sweet Potato Fries 02:03
Now Playing
Caesar Salad 02:22
Now Playing
Fried Chicken With Simon 02:21
Best Savory Flavors
See All Videos
Now Playing
Gratin de Macaroni 02:07
Now Playing
Jake's Sloppy Slaw Burger 02:54
Now Playing
The Best Duck Tongue Taco 02:09
Now Playing
Bacon-Wrapped Lamb Chops 02:32
Now Playing
Drunken Noodles with Giada 02:02
Now Playing
Mexican Grilled Corn 02:12
Now Playing
Lobster Pot Pie 01:59
Now Playing
Tony Luke's Pizza Cheesesteak 02:02
Now Playing
Original Burger With Geoffrey 02:32
Now Playing
Alligator Sausage Cheesecake 02:32
Now Playing
Lobster Scallion Shooter 02:02
Now Playing
John Besh: Crabmeat Au Gratin 02:32
Now Playing
Anne Burrell: Spareribs 02:02
Now Playing
Danny Boome: Seafood Linguini 02:32
Now Playing
Delilah Winder on Pork Ribs 01:30
Now Playing
Ina Garten: Grilled Cheese 02:02
The Sweetest Things
See All Videos
Now Playing
Sauced: Sticky Toffee Pudding 02:32
Now Playing
Caramel Apple Pie With Bobby 02:22
Now Playing
Chocolate Caramel Salted Tart 02:12
Now Playing
Sugar on Snow 02:48
Now Playing
Chocolate French Toast 02:26
Now Playing
Beau's Best Boston Cream Pie 02:41
Now Playing
Tyler Florence: S'more Pie 02:02
Now Playing
Sunny Anderson: Bread Pudding 02:02
Now Playing
Strip House Chocolate Cake 02:02
Now Playing
Baltimore Bomb Pie 02:32
Now Playing
Aida Mollenkamp: Sam's Sundae 02:02
Now Playing
Chocolate Pizza With Aaron 02:23
Now Playing
Giada De Laurentiis: Hot Cocoa 02:32
Now Playing
Coconut Cake With Anne Burrell 02:20
Now Playing
French Favorites With Ted 02:23
Now Playing
Passion Fruit Creme Brulee 02:32
Episodes
See Episode GuideAs 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.
New York
We're in New York City for a tour of the town's best eats. From Velselka's borscht in the East Village to smoked herring on the Upper West Side, we're criss-crossing the city in search of delicious food. We'll try some Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles in Chinatown and Cuban grilled corn at Café Habana in SoHo. It's not New York without Pizza, and Motorino's special round slice is the best of the best.
#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.
Voted '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.
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.
The 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.
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.
Rise and Dine
Wake up and get ready to dine on some of the country's best breakfast dishes starting with Martha Stewart's favorite biscuits and country ham found in Nashville. Scott Conant then brings a new take on French toast to the table and Jeff Mauro explains why beloved blueberry ricotta pancakes will change the breakfast game as we know it.
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.
Serious Spice
Good food is the spice of life, and we're adding a little kick with our flavor-filled favorites! Jeff Mauro takes us to Chicago for 23 mole sauces, and Donal Skehan will have you sweating as he attacks the hottest taco in Los Angeles. Aaron Sanchez talks about his beloved barbecue with a surprise twist, while Duff Goldman's intricate 16-spice favorite is a can't-miss dish in New York.
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.
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.
