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 GuideIn the Last Place You'd Expect
Sometimes the best dishes are in the last place you'd ever expect to find them. We've scoured the globe, searched far and wide, and the hunt stops here. Alex Guarnaschelli ends the debate over where to find the best bagel -- it's in North Yarmouth, Maine! Jeff Mauro finds a game-changing falafel in the back of a jewelry store, and Geoffrey Zakarian unearths hidden Mexican treasure in Buffalo, New York.
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.
Culinary Revolutions
There's no denying that some foods have revolutionized the culinary game while making stomachs happy. Scott Conant gives new meaning to an old favorite with an updated take on classic potato tots. Jernard Wells devours a delectable dish of salt and pepper calamari in Atlanta, while Tregaye Fraser changes the game forever with the Belly Benedict.
In the Last Place You'd Expect
Sometimes the best dishes are in the last place you'd ever expect to find them. We've scoured the globe, searched far and wide, and the hunt stops here. Alex Guarnaschelli ends the debate over where to find the best bagel -- it's in North Yarmouth, Maine! Jeff Mauro finds a game-changing falafel in the back of a jewelry store, and Geoffrey Zakarian unearths hidden Mexican treasure in Buffalo, New York.
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.
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!
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!
Ooey Gooey Goodness
These favorite dishes are literally oozing with cheesy and creamy goodness. Andrew Zimmern pulls apart a melty meatball parmigiana hero in Portland, Ore. Antonia Lofaso finds a super-soft creme brulee doughnut in Washington, D.C., while Anne Burell heads to the city of sin for a breakfast sandwich packed with ooey, gooey deliciousness.
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.
Pasta Perfection
Anyone can cook pasta, but the perfect pasta dish can take years of practice and dedication. Andrew Zimmern has nothing but praise for a pristine fusilli pasta in New York. Marc Murphy is in love with legendary lasagna in Scottsdale, Ariz., while Geoffrey Zakarian finds perfection in an unbelievable combination of pasta, pears and cheese.
Sensational Surprises
These unexpected and delicious food finds are no longer a secret. Robert Irvine is in for the surprise of his life with one-of-a-kind dumplings in Philadelphia. Geoffrey Zakarian is left stunned and speechless by a tropical sundae in New York while Ali Khan uncovers marvelous Mexican food in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Best Meal Deal
You don't have to sacrifice incredible food experiences in order to save a buck! Antonia Lofaso keeps her wallet full with irresistible Mexican munchies in Venice Beach, Calif., Duff Goldman saves a ton as he takes on the enormous Orca Platter in Washington, D.C., and Ali Khan gets incredible bang for his buck with a one-of-a-kind meal in Des Moines, Iowa, that you have to see to believe.
Special Occasion
Nothing makes a special occasion more memorable than having the best food! We're counting down the best meals for any special occasion, starting with Beau MacMillan's unforgettable gnocchi in San Diego. Tregaye Fraser casts her vote for a one-of-a-kind gourmet burger in Atlanta, and Martha Stewart celebrates with the most exquisite salmon in New York.
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.
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.
Asian Sensations
Take your taste buds on a trip to the Far East with a list of America's best Asian dishes. Martha Stewart shares a perfect meaty powerhouse in New York City. Alex Guarnaschelli uncovers a heavy-hitting pork bun in Minneapolis, and Wolfgang Puck reveals where he gets his favorite crispy Asian dish.
Feast of the Middle East
Middle Eastern cuisine comes from more than ten countries, making it some of the most diverse and popular food on the planet. Alton Brown loses control over a jewel of deliciousness in Los Angeles. Alex Guarnaschelli raves about a classic Middle Eastern delight in New Orleans, and Monti Carlo finds meat-pie perfection in Phoenix.
Genuine Legends
We're celebrating eats and eateries that have withstood the test of time. From America's best pancakes to the ultimate doughnuts, find out which dishes make the cut and go down in history as true legends. Legendary chef Wolfgang Puck writes history with the world's most perfect seafood dish ever, Geoffrey Zakarian tells the tale of the infamous Caesar salad and more.
