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101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown

  (105 restaurants)    
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
Restaurant Restaurants in ascending order What to Get Show / Episode /
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Rating
Restaurant Notes
Grimaldi'sSee Grimaldi's Video ($$)
(4986 ratings)

1 Front St Map It!
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 858-4300
www.grimaldis.com
  • Pizza
    thin crust pizza; recommend classic Margherita; sauce on top of cheese topped w/ olive oil, grated cheese, oregano, pepper and basil
3.5 out of 5
4986 ratings
#39 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown);
Food War: Grimaldi's vs. John's Pizzeria... Grimaldi's won (2-votes-to-1); opened in 1990; long lines; no reservations; no credit cards; no slices; use San Marzano tomatoes imported from Naples, Italy
Gus's World Famous Fried ChickenSee Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken Video ($)
(3340 ratings)

310 S Front St Map It!
Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 527-4877
  • Fried Chicken
    looks good; get the original (hot & spicy); classified recipe has been w/ family since 1953 (not even wife knows!); secret is liquid batter; looks good; suggest dipping in ranch dressing; looks good; spicy chicken
4.5 out of 5
3340 ratings
#12 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown)
Heart Attack Grill [CLOSED]See Heart Attack Grill Video ($$)
(105 ratings)

6185 W Chandler Blvd Map It!
Chandler, AZ 85226
(480) 705-9870
  • Quadruple Burger
    4 stacked-high cheeseburger; buns buttered in lard; 4 stacked-high cheeseburger; buns buttered in lard
3.0 out of 5
105 ratings
[CLOSED]; moved to Las Vegas; #27 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); waitresses dressed in scantily-dressed nurse uniforms; those who finish triple or quadruple burger gets wheeled in wheelchair to car; french fry bar (free); if you weigh more than 350-lbs, you eat for free
Helena's Hawaiian FoodSee Helena's Hawaiian Food Video ($$)
(4076 ratings)

1240 N School St Map It!
Honolulu, HI 96817
(808) 845-8044
www.helenashawaiianfood.c...
  • Kalua Pig
    short rib
  • Laulau
    popular; pork wrapped in taro leaf; looks good
  • Short Ribs pipikaula style
    popular; looks good
4.5 out of 5
4076 ratings
#31 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); James Beard Award Recipient 2000
Hillbilly Hot DogsSee Hillbilly Hot Dogs Video ($)
(415 ratings)

6951 Ohio River Rd Map It!
Lesage, WV 25537
(304) 762-2458
www.hillbillyhotdogs.com
  • Home Wrecker
    1-lb hot dog w/ mega toppings; 15-inch all-beef hot dog, deep-fried, jalapeno peppers, habanero sauce, coleslaw, and sauerkraut; eat in 12 min and win a T-shirt; looks good
  • Single Wide Burger
    3.5-lb all-beef burger; size of man-hole cover
  • Hot Dog
    Guy got it w/ pickled jalapeno peppers, nacho cheese, BBQ sauce, mustard, mayo, ketchup, chili sauce, chopped onions, coleslaw, relish and sauerkraut; looks good
  • Rahall Redhot Wiennie
    named after Congressman Nick Rahall; hot dog w/ ketchup, hot mustard, fried onions, jalapeno & habanero peppers and sauerkraut
4.5 out of 5
415 ratings
#15 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); total dive...yard-sale junk creates fun atmosphere; dining area inside abandoned school buses...looks fun; where Roger & Jane Holme (DDD fans) celebrated their 100th DDD restaurant at (they got 1 Home Wrecker & 2 Wide Burgers...to spell out '100')
Hominy Grill [CLOSED]See Hominy Grill Video ($$)
(2388 ratings)

207 Rutledge Ave Map It!
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 937-0930
  • Big Nasty
    biscuit w/ fried chicken breast, cheddar and sausage gravy; looks good; biscuit w/ fried chicken breast, cheddar and sausage gravy; looks good
  • Shrimp & Grits
    signature dish; signature dish; signature dish
  • Chocolate Pudding
4.0 out of 5
2388 ratings
[CLOSED]; #87 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown);
#8 (America's Best: American Classics); opened in 1996; outdoor seating available; in historic Charleston; country-style institution; Other Recipes: Sausage Gravy
Iguanas ($)
(1795 ratings)

330 S 3rd St Map It!
San Jose, CA 95112
(669) 255-0600
www.burritozilla.com
  • Burritozilla
    5-lb burrito; 5-lb, 18-inch burrito using 5 tortillas
3.5 out of 5
1795 ratings
#67 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); established in 1994
Jack-n-Grill [CLOSED]See Jack-n-Grill Video ($$)
(362 ratings)

2524 Federal Blvd Map It!
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 964-9544
  • 7-lb Breakfast Burrito
    if guys eat it, it's free; if girl eats it, it's free and girl gets to eat at Jack-n-Grill "for life"; challenge: if guys eat it, it's free; if girl eats it, it's free and girl gets to eat at Jack-n-Grill "for life"; Adam lost
3.0 out of 5
362 ratings
[CLOSED]; #13 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); huge portions
Jim Neely's Interstate BBQ ($$)
(400 ratings)

2265 S 3rd St Map It!
Memphis, TN 38109
(901) 775-2304
www.interstatebarbecue.co...
  • BBQ Spaghetti
  • Pork Ribs
  • Barbecue Spaghetti
  • Brisket
  • Pulled Pork
3.0 out of 5
400 ratings
#55 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); opened in 1979 first as a grocery store to provide his disabled son with a job; recognized as one of the best BBQ (People Magazine, Vogue, USA Today)
Jimmy Buff's [CLOSED] ($)
(22 ratings)

354 Rt 10 Map It!
East Hanover, NJ 07936
(973) 463-0099
  • Italian Hot Dog
    Potatoes, grilled peppers, onions and hot dog stuffed in a pita; Potatoes, grilled peppers, onions and hot dog on a pita
2.5 out of 5
22 ratings
[CLOSED]; 2 other locations open...check website; #93 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); deep fried hot dog;
Food War: Jimmy Buff's vs. Charlie's... Charlie's won (3-votes-to-0)
Juan In A MillionSee Juan In A Million Video ($)
(2238 ratings)

2300 E Cesar Chavez St Map It!
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 472-3872
www.juaninamillion.com
  • Don Juan Breakfast Taco
  • Don Juan Breakfast Taco Challenge
    challenge: eat as many tacos, no time limit, beat record of 7 (at time of airing); Adam lost
4.0 out of 5
2238 ratings
#53 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); est. 1980
Junior'sSee Junior's Video ($$)
(1981 ratings)

386 Flatbush Ave Map It!
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(718) 852-5257
orderjuniorsbrooklyn.com
  • Cheesecake
    New York style cheesecake; sponge cake crust (rather than graham cracker); "I literally never tasted a cheesecake quite as good as Junior's"-Rocco Dispirito
  • Strawberry Shortcake
    multi-layered tall cake
3.5 out of 5
1981 ratings
#34 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); opened in 1950
Katz's DelicatessenSee Katz's Delicatessen Video ($$)
(15370 ratings)

205 E Houston St Map It!
New York, NY 10002
(212) 254-2246
katzsdelicatessen.com
  • Corned Beef Sandwich
    2nd top seller; looks good; looks good; 2nd top seller; looks good
  • Pastrami Sandwich
    top seller; looks good; Adam adds corned beef, Russian dressing & slaw; brined for 30 days; hand-carved, hence thicker-sliced; looks good; top seller; looks good
  • Knoblewurst (garlic beef sausage)
  • Rueben
    looks good
4.0 out of 5
15370 ratings
#5 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown);
Food War: Katz's vs. 2nd Ave... Katz's won (3-votes-to-2); oldest deli in America (1888); where "Harry Met Sally" was filmed (orgasm scene); don't lose your ticket to order or it will cost you $50 (and they have a cop guarding the door)
Kopp's Frozen Custard ($)
(797 ratings)

7631 W Layton Ave Map It!
Greenfield, WI 53220
(414) 282-4312
www.kopps.com
  • Frozen Custard
4.5 out of 5
797 ratings
#78 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); multiple locations; moved from original airing location (7631 W Layton Ave, Milwaukee)
Lafayette Coney IslandSee Lafayette Coney Island Video ($)
(1033 ratings)

118 W Lafayette Blvd Map It!
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 964-8198
  • Coney Island Hot Dog
    hot dog topped w/ chili, mustard and chopped sweet Spanish onions; chunkier chili; topped w/ chili, mustard and chopped onions
4.0 out of 5
1033 ratings
Tie for #22 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown): Lafayette vs. American;
Food War: Lafayette vs. American... American won (3-votes-to-2); Lafayette opened by nephew of American Coney Island's owner; they compete next door to each other; difference is in the chili
Lambert's CafeSee Lambert's Cafe Video ($$)
(765 ratings)

2305 E Malone Ave Map It!
Sikeston, MO 63801
(573) 471-4261
www.throwedrolls.com
  • All-You-Can-Eat Sides
4.0 out of 5
765 ratings
#19 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown);
#1 (World's Best Places to Pig Out); HUGE portions; "throw rolls" they throw the rolls to you from across the room
Louis' LunchSee Louis' Lunch Video ($)
(1172 ratings)

261 Crown St Map It!
New Haven, CT 06511
(203) 562-5507
www.louislunch.com
  • The Original Burger
    The Original Burger; served on toast; no ketchup, no fries; served on toast; no ketchup, no fries; blend of 5 ground meats; served on toast; only available toppings are cheese, tomato and onion, no ketchup; no fries, just potato salad
3.5 out of 5
1172 ratings
#1 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); est. 1895; birthplace of the hamburger (since 1900)
Lulu's Bakery & Cafe [CLOSED]See Lulu's Bakery & Cafe Video ($)
(1576 ratings)

918 N Main Ave Map It!
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 222-9422
  • Chicken Fried Steak
    plate-sized; looks good; plate-sized
  • Cinnamon Roll
    3.5-lb cinnamon roll; plate-sized; 3.5-lb cinnamon roll
  • Cinnamon Roll Challenge
    3-lb cinnamon roll covered in butter & homemade icing; finish in under 30 minutes to win a t-shirt; Casey won
2.5 out of 5
1576 ratings
[CLOSED]; #9 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown)
Lynn's Paradise Cafe [CLOSED] ($$)
(265 ratings)

984 Barret Ave Map It!
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 583-3447
  • French Toast
  • Paradise Hot Brown
    hot open-faced sandwich w/ home roasted turkey breast baked on sourdough bread, with Mornay sauce, bacon, tomato, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses...broiled w/ a flame torch (or maybe a broiler); "I've certainly not had a sandwich to beat that hot brown anywhere...not even in New York"-Alton Brown; looks good
  • Quadruple B French Toast
    homemade Buttermilk-Black-walnut bread topped w/ Blackberry sauce & Bourbon meringue that is blowtorched for added color and flavor
3.5 out of 5
265 ratings
[CLOSED]; #77 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); wackiest, campiest (fun!) décor that continually changes; opened in 1991; Other Recipes: Bourbon Ball French Toast | Kentucky Farmhouse Scramble
Markey's Lobster Pool ($$)
(405 ratings)

420 New Hampshire 286 Map It!
Seabrook, NH 03874
(603) 474-2851
  • Lobster Roll
3.0 out of 5
405 ratings
Tie for #36 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown): Markey's vs. Brown's
Matt's Bar ($)
(1916 ratings)

3500 Cedar Ave S Map It!
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 722-7072
mattsbar.com
  • Jucy Lucy
    Hamburger stuffed w/ cheese; looks good; Hamburger stuffed w/ cheese; purposely spelled wrong; looks good
4.0 out of 5
1916 ratings
#47 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown)
Food War: Matt's Bar's vs. 5-8 Club's... Matt's Bar won (3-votes-to-2)
Max & Mina's ($)
(289 ratings)

7126 Main St Map It!
Flushing, NY 11367
(718) 793-8629
www.maxandminasicecream.c...
  • Ice Cream
    funky flavor ice creams such as Lox, Doughnut, Corn on the Cob, Cotton Candy, Chocolate Cupcake, Beer & Nuts
4.5 out of 5
289 ratings
#51 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); Rosie O'Donnell & Kevin James have visited
Munchies 420 Cafe ($$)
(318 ratings)

6639 Superior Ave Map It!
Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 929-9893
www.munchies420cafe.com
  • Fat Daddy
    2-foot long of 6 burgers, 3 Philly cheesesteaks, 22 slices of cheese, 6 chicken fingers, 6 mozzarella sticks, 6 onion rings and mountain of spuds (fries); cheeseburger, philly works, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, spuds; looks good
  • Fat Sandy
    2 cheeseburgers, mac-n-cheese, chicken fingers, onion hoops, spuds; looks good
  • Mystery Challenge
    challenge varies; "Fire in your hole" wings; Adam lost (didn't even finish one)
3.0 out of 5
318 ratings
#59 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); stuffed "fat" sandwiches look good
Nick Tahou Hots ($)
(228 ratings)

320 W Main St Map It!
Rochester, NY 14608
(585) 436-0184
www.garbageplate.com
  • Garbage Plate
    mish-mosh of home fries, cheeseburgers (or hot dogs), mac salad, and a slice of bread all covered in a thick spicy meaty gravy hot sauce; 2-lbs of whatever you want; Adam got cheeseburger, red hots (hot dogs), baked beans, macaroni salad, french fries, home fries and topped w/ "hot sauce" (meat sauce); looks good
4.0 out of 5
228 ratings
#81 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); est.1918; NY landmark restaurant; has trademark for "Garbage Plate"
Obrycki's Crab House & Seafood Restaurant [CLOSED]See Obrycki's Crab House & Seafood Restaurant Video ($$$)
(204 ratings)

1727 E Pratt St Map It!
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 732-6399
  • Crabs
  • Crab Cakes
  • Steamed Crabs
4.0 out of 5
204 ratings
[CLOSED]; #38 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown)
101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown   (105 restaurants)    
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5