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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
Olde San Francisco CreamerySee Olde San Francisco Creamery Video ($$)
(1328 ratings)

1370 Locust St Map It!
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925) 926-0228
www.sanfranciscocreameryc...
  • Kitchen Sink
    ice cream sundae with 8 scoops of ice cream; finish in 1 hour and get ice cream for 1 year free
  • Kitchen Sink Sundae Challenge
    2-gallon sundae; Adam won
4.0 out of 5
1328 ratings
#76 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown)
Original New York Systems Restaurant ($)
(61 ratings)

424 Smith St Map It!
Providence, RI 02908
(401) 331-5349
  • Hot Dog
4.0 out of 5
61 ratings
#74 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown)
Pappy's SmokehouseSee Pappy's Smokehouse Video ($$)
(4453 ratings)

3106 Olive St Map It!
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 535-4340
pappyssmokehouse.com
  • Big Ben (BBQ)
    6-lbs total: full slab of ribs, beef brisket sandwich, pulled pork sandwich, quarter chicken, fries and sides; looks good; 6-lbs total: full slab of Ribs, a Beef Brisket and a Pork sandwich, 1/4 Chicken and 4 sides; looks good
  • BBQ
    brisket, pulled pork, smoked turkey
  • Frito Pie
    Fritos topped with your choice of meat, baked beans, cheddar cheese and onion
  • Sweet Potato Fries
    "off-the-chart amazing!"-Danielle Dimovski
  • Ribs
    house specialty; baby back ribs dry-rubbed & slow smoked over apple & cherry wood; looks good
4.5 out of 5
4453 ratings
#1 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Ribs); #48 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); opened in 2008; "voted #1 in city"; close when they sell out; cooked in floor-to-ceiling smoker "Walter" ("you're really not a true redneck unless you name your smoker"); created new menu item "Adam" Bomb (for Adam Richman) - A Big Ben with a Hot Link Frito Pie
Paseo ($)
(5528 ratings)

4225 Fremont Ave N Map It!
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 545-7440
www.paseoseattle.com
  • Cuban Sandwich
    looks good
4.5 out of 5
5528 ratings
#33 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); "The Best Sandwiches in America" (Cuban Meat Sandwich)-Esquire Magazine (2008)
Pat's King of SteaksSee Pat's King of Steaks Video ($)
(4614 ratings)

1237 E Passyunk Ave Map It!
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 468-1546
www.patskingofsteaks.com
  • Cheesesteak
    most popular w/ cheese whiz; cooked in high heat: 550-degree flat-top grill; cheese wiz on top of steak; to eat, alternate 1 bite cherry pepper (side item), 1 bite cheesesteak; looks good; most popular w/ cheese whiz
3.0 out of 5
4614 ratings
Tie for #6 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown): Pat's vs. Geno's (across the street from each other);
Food War: Pat's vs. Tony Luke's...Pat's won (2-votes-to-1); original cheesesteak since 1930; long lines; cash only
Philippe the OriginalSee Philippe the Original Video ($)
(7112 ratings)

1001 N Alameda St Map It!
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-3781
www.philippes.com
  • Philippe French Dipped Sandwich
    top seller; French rolled dipped in au jus; recommend double-dipped; looks good
  • Roast Beef French Dipped Sandwich
    $5.75 at airtime; ask for double-dip; looks good; Wolfgang recommends adding horseradish mustard; roll dipped in au jus; ask for double-dip; looks good
  • Lamb Sandwich
    2nd top seller
4.0 out of 5
7112 ratings
#96 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); birthplace of French dipped sandwich; long lines; Los Angeles' oldest sandwich shop; cash only; "my favorite fast food restaurant"-Wolfgang Puck
Primanti BrothersSee Primanti Brothers Video ($)
(1678 ratings)

46 18th St Map It!
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 263-2142
www.primantibros.com
  • Sandwich
    sandwiches piled-high topped with french fries, cole slaw and tomatoes; sandwiches topped with french fries, cole slaw and tomatoes
  • Capicola & Cheese Sandwich
    5 slices of capicola, cheese, coleslaw & fries stuffed between 2 thick slices of Italian bread; Adam likes to add a runny egg; sponsored by Kevin Pollak; looks good
  • Cap & Egg Sandwich
    capicola, egg & cheese w/ fries, slaw & tomatoes in sandwich
  • Pitts-Burgher Cheesesteak
    cheesesteak sandwich stuffed choice of meat and cheese with french fries, cole slaw and tomatoes
  • Corned Beef Sandwich
    sandwiches topped with french fries, cole slaw and tomatoes
3.5 out of 5
1678 ratings
#3 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown);
#7 (World's Best Places to Pig Out); since 1933; multiple locations
R U HungrySee R U Hungry Video ($)
(190 ratings)

95 Hamilton St Map It!
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 246-2177
www.ruhungrynj.net
  • Fat Darrel
    most popular sandwich; MAXIM named it best sandwich in America (2004); chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, fries, marinara sauce
  • Fat Sandwich Challenge
    challenge: 5 sandwiches in 45 minutes; Adam loses
3.5 out of 5
190 ratings
#32 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); food truck; off campus of Rutgers Univerisity; contest: eat 5 sandwiches in 40 minutes, get a sandwich named after you
Roscoe's House of Chicken & WafflesSee Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles Video ($$)
(4496 ratings)

1514 N Gower St Map It!
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 466-7453
www.roscoeschickenandwaff...
  • Waffles and fried chicken
    recommend eating both together at same time; Duff adds hot sauce also
  • Herb's Special
    top seller; 4 pieces of chicken smothered w/ gravy & onions; side of 2 waffles; chicken pan-fried for 30 min; looks good
  • "The Oscar"
    3 Chicken wings, grits, one egg & fluffy hot biscuit
4.0 out of 5
4496 ratings
#2 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); opened in 1975; celebrities who have eaten here: Snoop Dogg, CNN's Larry King & David Beckham; multiple locations
Round Rock Donuts ($)
(3170 ratings)

106 W Liberty Ave Map It!
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 255-3629
www.roundrockdonuts.com
  • Texas Sized Round Rock Donut
    size of a tire
  • "World Famous" Glazed Round Rock Donut
  • Texas Donut
    2-lb, 14-inch donut
4.5 out of 5
3170 ratings
#64 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); long lines
Sally's ApizzaSee Sally's Apizza Video ($$)
(1311 ratings)

237 Wooster St Map It!
New Haven, CT 06511
(203) 624-5271
  • Pizza
    thin crust pizza; Thin crust
4.0 out of 5
1311 ratings
Tie for #73 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown): Pepe's vs. Sally's; Frank Sinatra ate here
Salt Lick BBQSee Salt Lick BBQ Video ($$)
(5437 ratings)

18300 Fm 1826 Map It!
Driftwood, TX 78619
(512) 858-4959
www.saltlickbbq.com
  • BBQ
  • Brisket Jalapeno Sandwich
    smoked 4-6 hrs in oakwood & wet pecan shells; recommended w/ housemade pickled jalapenos & spicy habanero BBQ sauce by Bobby Flay; looks good
  • BBQ Beef Ribs
    available only on Sunday afternoons; looks good
  • Beef Brisket
    smoked 20 hrs & regularly basted; looks good; looks good; top seller
  • Peach Cobbler
  • Family Style Plate
    heaping helpings of beef, sausage, and pork ribs, served with potato salad, cole slaw, beans, bread, pickles, and onions; sold per person; "some of the best BBQ I've ever tasted"; looks good
4.0 out of 5
5437 ratings
#7 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); opened in 1967; institution BBQ restaurant; large open pit BBQ
Schmidt's Sausage Haus ($$)
(1810 ratings)

240 E Kossuth St Map It!
Columbus, OH 43206
(614) 444-6808
www.schmidthaus.com
  • Sausage
    Sausage buffet
  • Bahama Mama "The Original"
  • German Autobaun Buffet
    Sausage buffet
  • Jumbo Cream Puff
4.5 out of 5
1810 ratings
#83 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown)
Slows Bar BQSee Slows Bar BQ Video ($$)
(2290 ratings)

2138 Michigan Ave Map It!
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 962-9828
www.slowsbarbq.com
  • Beef Brisket Enchilada
  • Yardbird Sandwich
    pulled smoked Amish chicken breast drenched in housemade mustard BBQ sauce, tossed w/ sauteed mushrooms & cheddar & topped w/ applewood bacon; winner of Best Sandwich (Great Lakes); looks good!
  • Triple Threat Pork Sandwich
    signature sandwich; Applewood bacon, pulled pork and ham stacked high; choice of 7 BBQ sauces (Adam used Orange Pop BBQ); looks good
4.0 out of 5
2290 ratings
Best Sandwich in America (Runer-Up); #40 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); opened in 2005
Smitty's MarketSee Smitty's Market Video ($$)
(976 ratings)

208 S Commerce St Map It!
Lockhart, TX 78644
(512) 398-9344
www.smittysmarket.com
  • Sausage
    served on butcher paper; signature dish
  • Beef Brisket
3.5 out of 5
976 ratings
#92 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown);
Food War: Kreuz's vs. Smitty's... Kreuz won (3-votes-to-2); opened in 1999; located where the original Kreuz Market stood; brother owns rival Kreuz Market across town; served on butcher paper; no BBQ sauce
Sodolak's Original Country Inn ($$)
(63 ratings)

9711 Fm 60 Rd E Map It!
Snook, TX 77878
(979) 272-6002
  • Chicken-Fried Bacon
4.0 out of 5
63 ratings
#42 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown)
Steak & Main ($$)
(251 ratings)

107 S Main St Map It!
North East, MD 21901
(410) 287-3512
www.mysteakandmain.com
  • Great Steak Challenge
    74-oz of steaks (5 types) plus string fries and veges in 1 hour; challenge: 5 steaks (74 oz) + sides in 1 hour; Adam lost
3.5 out of 5
251 ratings
#54 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown)
Superdawg Drive-InSee Superdawg Drive-In Video ($)
(1922 ratings)

6363 N Milwaukee Ave Map It!
Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 763-0660
www.superdawg.com
  • Superdawg
    hot dogs
  • Hot Dog
    "Superdawg"; toppings: mustard, relish, onion, pickle, green-pickled tomato
4.0 out of 5
1922 ratings
#46 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); started as a hot dog stand in 1948; a Chicago institution, internationally known; where the hot dog statues are on top of rooftop; have car hop service
Sylvia's RestaurantSee Sylvia's Restaurant Video ($$)
(2188 ratings)

328 Malcolm X Blvd Map It!
New York, NY 10027
(212) 996-0660
www.sylviasrestaurant.com
  • Fried Chicken
    2nd top seller; option of regular home fried or "smothered" (topped w/ gravy); looks good
  • Banana Pudding
    Southern-style
  • Fried Chicken w/ Waffles
  • Spicy BBQ Ribs
  • BBQ Ribs
    top seller; "sweet & sassy"; marinated in spices for 24 hrs & braised in vinegar
3.5 out of 5
2188 ratings
#60 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); since 1962; self-proclaimed "Queen of Soul Food"; Liza Minnelli, Beyonce, Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama have visited; long lines
Talkeetna Roadhouse [CLOSED]See Talkeetna Roadhouse Video ($$)
(289 ratings)

13550 E Main St Map It!
Talkeetna, AK 99676
(907) 733-1351
  • Reindeer pig-in-a-blanket
    signature dish; reindeer sausage link stuffed w/ cheddar & monterey pepper jack cheese & wrapped in homemade potato dough; looks good
  • Roadhouse Standard
    scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, toast
4.0 out of 5
289 ratings
[CLOSED]; #66 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); est. 1917; used to be a lodging for gold prospectors; rating might be for lodging
Taqueria La CumbreSee Taqueria La Cumbre Video ($)
(940 ratings)

515 Valencia St Map It!
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 863-8205
www.taquerialacumbre.com
  • Mission Burrito
    5-lb burrito; flank steak, beans, rice, salsa, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce & tomatoes
  • Super Meat Burrito
3.0 out of 5
940 ratings
#58 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); est. 1967; birthplace of the mission-style burrito; large portions
Ted Drewes Frozen CustardSee Ted Drewes Frozen Custard Video ($)
(1677 ratings)

6726 Chippewa St Map It!
St. Louis, MO 63109
(314) 481-2652
www.teddrewes.com
  • Frozen Custard
  • "Concrete"
    frozen vanilla custard w/ toppings blended in; Bobby got heath bar, caramel and Oreo; looks good; vanilla custard and a choice of over 30 toppings that is mixed in; Adam's concrete includes oatmeal cookies, caramel and macadamia nuts; can be served upside-down (it's that thick); looks good
4.5 out of 5
1677 ratings
#37 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); est. in 1929; long lines
Thurman Cafe ($$)
(1149 ratings)

183 Thurman Ave Map It!
Columbus, OH 43206
(614) 443-1570
www.thethurmancafe.com
  • Thurman Burger
    burger overloaded with ham, mozzarella, american cheese, lettuce, tomato, mushrooms, sauteed onions, pickle, peppers, and mayo with chips and a pickle spear; large burger; looks good
  • Thurmanator
    2 12-oz burgers; looks good
4.0 out of 5
1149 ratings
#35 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown)
Time-Out RestaurantSee Time-Out Restaurant Video ($)
(148 ratings)

201 E Franklin St Map It!
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 929-2425
www.time-outrestaurants.c...
  • Chicken and Cheddar Biscuit
    de-boned fried chicken topped w/ melted cheddar in homemade biscuit
3.5 out of 5
148 ratings
#95 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); moved from original location (at 133 W Franklin St); college hangout
Tommy DiNic'sSee Tommy DiNic's Video ($)
(2365 ratings)

1136 Arch St Map It!
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 923-6175
www.tommydinics.com
  • Roast Pork Sandwich
    looks good; winner of Best Sandwich (Northeast & America); get w/ sharp provolone & sauted broccoli rabe; looks good
4.0 out of 5
2365 ratings
Best Sandwich in America (#1 Winner) ; #50 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown); at Reading Terminal Market; started as a butcher shop in South Philly in 1918
101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown   (105 restaurants)    
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5