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 GuideFeast 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.
Worth the Wait
Some things in life are worth standing in line for, and we're sharing the foods we think are worth the wait. Alton Brown talks up his favorite beef Wellington, while Jamika Pessoa melts over buttery biscuits. Chef Beau MacMillan says there's nothing worth waiting for more than Tratto's pasta in Phoenix, and Duff Goldman is okay with waiting in line for hours at this special hot chicken joint.
Feats of Meat
Who doesn't love a juicy hunk of meat? Our favorite carnivores are sharing the most mouth-watering meat dishes they've ever eaten. Chef and butcher Justin Brunson shares where gets his favorite meatballs, while Monti Carlo digs into her heritage and discovers the best chicharron in Los Angeles. Chef Bobby Flay doesn't joke around when it comes to meat, so he reveals the steak he says is the best around.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Key Ingredient
What's the one thing that can turn a good dish into a great dish? It's that special key ingredient that makes all the difference. Alton Brown reveals the surprise ingredient that goes into the best cinnamon roll ever, Alex Guarnaschelli loves sourdough bread made with pickle juice, and Monti Carlo heads to New Orleans for the most unique, irresistible oysters ever.
New Deli Done Right
America's best delicatessens are serving everything from perfected tried-and-true classics to inventive new spins on old favorites. Wolfgang Puck shares the best hot smoked salmon in the country, the "Sandwich King" himself, Jeff Mauro, heads to Chicago for the ultimate cold cut combo, and Ali Khan uncovers the ultimate bagel delight in South Carolina.
Key Ingredient
What's the one thing that can turn a good dish into a great dish? It's that special key ingredient that makes all the difference. Alton Brown reveals the surprise ingredient that goes into the best cinnamon roll ever, Alex Guarnaschelli loves sourdough bread made with pickle juice, and Monti Carlo heads to New Orleans for the most unique, irresistible oysters ever.
New Deli Done Right
America's best delicatessens are serving everything from perfected tried-and-true classics to inventive new spins on old favorites. Wolfgang Puck shares the best hot smoked salmon in the country, the "Sandwich King" himself, Jeff Mauro, heads to Chicago for the ultimate cold cut combo, and Ali Khan uncovers the ultimate bagel delight in South Carolina.
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.
#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.
Back to School
We're going back to school to learn once and for all what the ultimate nostalgic dish is. We're joining Chef Beau MacMillan in the cafeteria with his Supreme Boffa super-sub sandwich and heading down to homeroom where Jeff Mauro teaches us all about the best pepperoni pizza creation on the planet. And we're sticking around after class with Tregaye Fraser to learn about her irresistible ricotta cannoli.
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.
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.
I'll Have What They're Having
Word of mouth is strong and we're urged to have what the people are having! Antonia Lofaso listens to what the people and immediately falls in love with a sourdough cinnamon roll in Los Angeles. Geoffrey Zakarian can barely contain himself as he gushes over the famous meatball and salad -- a dish that truly everyone is having. And Monti Carlo listens to the crowd and indulges in pork belly pastrami.
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.
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.
