Man v. Food Nation Season 4 Episode 14: Route 66
Adam is driving down the famous Midwestern road Route 66, traveling to Elote Cafe & Catering for their Puffy Taco Challenge. Former US Navy Second Class officer Manny Groll is set to take the Puffy Taco Challenge with help, of course, from Adam. The previous record of tacos is 22 eaten in 90 minutes. Manny is aiming at taking out 23 tacos in 90 minutes to take down the old record. If Manny wins the challenge his name and photo will be placed on top of the leader board as the current challenge champion.
Adam’s first stop is at the Route 66 landmark Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. Adam can’t wait to try their famous custard ice cream, smoother and richer than regular ice cream due to the copious amount of eggs they use to make the custard. Adam has heard of Ted Drewes concrete ice cream, a mixture made up of as many toppings and custard as you can fit in the cup. Adam chooses homemade oatmeal cookies, macadamia nuts, and homemade caramel sauce. Adam’s custom concrete is mixed, so thick you can hang it upside down and it will not come out of the cup. Adam digs into his concrete ice cream and melts with happiness at the fantastic flavor of his ingenious concoction.
Adam stops by Idle Spurs Steakhouse, where they specialize in juicy steaks. Adam goes back to the kitchen to see these prime steaks grilled up. Adam is impressed with the quality of the meats Idle Spurs Steakhouse uses for their meals. The chef brings out Adam’s favorite steak, a porterhouse, and cooks it medium rare just how he likes it. Adam sits down to this mouthwatering porterhouse steak, taking a cut right next to the bone and digs in. Adam proclaims the Porterhouse amazing and his face says it all, he is in steak heaven.
Adam arrives at Elote Cafe & Catering to meet Manny for his Puffy Taco Challenge. Adam checks out the kitchen to see how they put together this tasty taco. The taco shells are homemade, rolled out and fried, with the consistency of a flat bread, making these tacos more dense and harder to get down. Shredded chicken in sauce is added to the taco, topped with shredded cheese and sour cream. Adam tries two of the Puffy Tacos and realizes Manny has quite a challenge to face, although they are delicious they are far from light fare.
Manny is seated and Adam gets the crowd revved up as they countdown to the start of the Puffy Taco Challenge. Manny begins the challenge by chomping down a few tacos in record time without batting an eye. Adam is impressed, and reminds Manny to use salsa whenever he can to help the tacos go down easier.
Manny is taking down the tacos in record time until he reaches the last few tacos and hits the taco wall, leaving 5 tacos between him and victory. Manny is having a hard time imagining eating the last tacos so he takes time to stand and try to breathe as he hopes to make more room. Adam suggests Manny use an avocado salsa on the tacos to change the flavor up. Manny sits, remembers he is doing this for his young son, and sets out to complete the challenge by eating two more tacos. Manny struggles as he starts chewing the next taco, then the next, covering them in the avocado sauce, and reaching the final taco. Adam and the crowd cheer him on as they count down to the last few minutes. Manny manages to devour the final taco in time to finish the challenge!
Manny has succeeded in eating 23 tacos and creating a new record for the Puffy Taco Challenge! Adam is totally impressed with Manny’s smack down of the taco challenge. Manny’s young son watches as his dad gladly accept Adam’s congratulations. Adam presents Manny with an official Man V. Food Nation title belt, which Manny proudly accepts.
