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 GuideI'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mess Hall
Grab some napkins because things are about to get messy in the best way possible. Alex Guarnaschelli travels to Washington, D.C., for a beer-battered burger sure to leave a mark. Then Antonia Lofaso visits Los Angeles to let loose on the fattest sub sandwich ever imagined while Duff Goldman heads to Arkansas for a deliciously sloppy mess that can't be missed.
All Fired Up
Nothing quite matches the incredible taste and aroma of fresh food cooked with an open flame. Marc Murphy chows down on some irresistible charred wings in Rochester, N.Y., while Brad Miller brings the fire with a cognac flambeed pasta in Los Angeles. Plus, Duff Goldman heads to Tulsa for the best grilled steak he's ever eaten.
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.
On A Date
Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, bellies are full and love is in the air as we celebrate the best meals for any romantic occasion. Alex Guarnaschelli wines and dines with the most amazing gnocchi ever made in New York City. Jeff Mauro is dressed to impress and ready to swoon over a mouthwatering, 14-karat gold cake in Chicago, and get ready for a date with Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski as they light the night on fire with simply perfect pasta.
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.
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.
Crazy Creations
Don't be fooled, these one-of-a-kind concoctions and zany mashups are real-deal delicious. Jeff Mauro enjoys a unique caramel-corn pastry treat in Chicago, and Ali Khan gives the low-down on jambalaya served on a stick in Austin, Texas. Plus, Alex Guarnaschelli heads to California for an unforgettable sandwich experience.
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.
Livin' Large
Size does matter on these colossal portions that are sure to break the plate. Geoffrey Zakarian visits the heart of New York City for chocolate bread pudding too gigantic to comprehend. Simon Majumdar conquers a behemoth burger in sunny Southern California while Beau MacMillan visits Charleston, S.C., for a life-changing fried chicken platter.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
