TV Recaps Reviews

Adam heads to the famed Pacific Coast Highway to sample various eateries. Adam is teaming up with high school history teacher Naader Reda to take on the Brahma Bull Challenge at local eatery Rib Line in San Luis Obispo. The Brahma Bull Challenge is a gigantic 4 pound tri-tip steak sandwich that must be taken down within the 42 minute record of the past winner, or sooner, thereby breaking the current record. Adam discovers only two people out of 50 have won the challenge. If Adam can coach Naader successfully Naader will win a trophy and free lunch every Friday at Rib Line until the challenge record is broken.

Adam’s first stop is at The Reel Inn in Malibu, known for their fresh seafood tacos. Adam checks in with the kitchen to see how they cook up their fish dishes. The chef creates a breaded halibut that is gently fried, then doused in a sumptuous sauce of garlic, wine, tomatoes and capers, then served with fries and cole slaw. Adam and the restaurant owner sit down to savor a plate of halibut together. As Adam places the fish in his mouth he compliments the restaurant owner on the freshness of the fish and how he can taste each and every ingredient.

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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.

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Adam is headed to Dallas, Texas where he will help coach financial analyst and member of Man v. Food Nation Pete MacGillis in the Super Pho Challenge at Sprouts Spring Roll & Pho. Pete must take down 5 pounds of hot Vietnamese noodle and meat soup in 30 minutes to win the challenge.

First Adam heads to Kuby’s Sausage House where they have a huge choice of homemade sausages on the menu. Adam wants to try Kuby’s authentic German sausages. Adam checks in with the chef in the kitchen. The chef boils the sausages first to keep their flavor, then grills up a variety of German sausages for Adam to try. Adam cuts into the meat, chews and sighs, proclaiming the sausages absolutely delectable.

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Adam heads to Providence, Rhode Island to coach Man v. Food Nation challenger and rugby champ Connor McQuade who is taking on the Olneyville NY System Hot Weiner Challenge. Conner must down 15 fully loaded hot wieners in 45 minutes. Only one person has defeated the Hot Weiner Challenge, and Conner is convinced he’s ready to face the mammoth platter of hot dogs.

First stop for Adam is Bob & Timmy’s Grilled Pizza, where the specialty is pizza on the grill. These pizzas have with all sorts of delicious toppings, the variety of pizzas available is endless. Adam finds out the locals who eat at Bob & Timmy’s love the texture and flavor of the grilled pizza dough. Adam wants to try their famed margherita pizza. Adam watches as the owner cooks up the pizza dough on the grill, acheiving toasty grill marks on the crusty dough. The owner loads up the traditional margherita pizza toppings of red sauce, mozzerella, and basil, the colors of Italy. Adam is amazed that the toppings go right on the pizza dough on the grill. Once the cheese is melted the pizza comes off the grill and Adam takes a taste, smiling and marveling at the freshness of the ingredients and the crispiness of the pizza dough.

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Adam visits Milwaukee, Wisconsin to help mentor MvFN member Jeremy Wheeler, who has been unbeaten by food at 14 different food challenges. Jeremy plans to take on the Red Rock Saloon’s Unforgiven Challenge. Jeremy must down a huge burger, fries, and searing hot wings in 23 minutes in order to earn a t-shirt and a spot on Red Rock Saloon’s Wall of Fame. Adam is concerned over the limited time given for this burger challenge.

Adam stops by Martinos first, known for their Italian sandwiches. Adam is eyeing their famed Italian Combo. Adam checks out the kitchen where he learns how their Italian combo is made. The chef cooks up an Italian sausage, adds sliced beef on the grill to heat, then adds the mozzarella to the two meats and lets the gooey cheese melt to perfection. The cheese topped Italian sausage and beef are loaded up on fresh French bread, topped with a homemade red sauce, spicy fresh giardiniera, then finished off with a dip in a parmesan au jus. Adam takes a bite into the Italian Combo and remarks on the quality of the meats and the amazing, flavorful spice of the giardiniera.

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Adam heads to Louisville, Kentucky to mentor MVF Nation member Burrito Joe Nikolai, who is taking on the Comfy Cow Challenge. Burrito Joe must consume 15 scoops of ice cream, gooey toppings and 1 pound of whipped cream in an hour to beat the Comfy Cow Challenge. If Burrito Joe wins he gets his name up on the wall of fame at the Comfy Cow restaurant.

First stop for Adam is the Brown Hotel, famed for their Hot Brown sandwich. Adam sees a number of guests and locals ordering the Hot Brown sandwich from the menu. Adam heads to the kitchen to see how the Hot Brown is made. The chef cooks roasted turkey and bacon, whips up a delicious Mornay sauce, then assembles the open-faced sandwich of roasted turkey over Texas toast, covered with the rich Mornay sauce, Pecorino-Romano cheese, and topped with crispy bacon. Adam digs into the steaming Hot Brown sandwich and makes yummy sounds as he lets the audience know there is a reason why this sandwich is a legend in Louisville.

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Adam visits Portsmouth, New Hampshire to help Man V. Food Nation member Paul “Chappy” Chapman take on JP’s Eatery’s Slapshot Challenge. The Slapshot Challenge consists of 15 sliders, a 1/2-pound of French fries and a 14-oz. milkshake. The massive plate of sliders, fries, and shake must be taken down in 30 minutes. JP’s Eatery’s Slapshot Challenge has had more than 200 challengers before Chapman take on this 4 pound challenge. Of the challengers 90% of them have failed, not good odds for Adam and his protege. If Chappy wins he receives a t-shirt and become one of the few people who took down the Slapshot Challenge.

The first stop for Adam is Gilley’s PM Lunch, famed for their hot dogs. Adam decides to taste their chili dog with “the Works”. Adam heads back to the kitchen to see how they put this famous dog together. The Works consists of chopped onions, relish, and mustard, along with that most delicious side dish poutine, a tasty concoction of fries covered in fresh cheese curds and thick gravy. Adam bites into the dog and smiles at the flavor of this delicious local favorite hot dog.

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Adam heads to the Gulf Coast to Calypso Beach Cafe to mentor local musician, Navy rescue swimmer, and Blue Angel crew chief A.J. Fratto as he takes on the Muffaletta Sandwich Challenge. Adam discovers hundreds of people have tried the Muffaletta Sandwich Challenge but none have succeeded. The chef at the restaurant tells Adam he’s seen one person finish half of the platter, as far as anyone has gone to demolish this massive muffaletta sandwich.

First Adam travels to Mississippi to visit The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint, known for their awesome BBQ. The Shed specializes in pork BBQ, and are famous for their lip smacking ribs. The chef/owner takes Adam back to his custom smoker made of a vintage jeep, surprising Adam. The owner has a whole pig roasting in the smoker. The chef and Adam try every piece of the pig, including the cheeks, which Adam loves, and the bacon area of the belly. Adam is blown away with the flavor of the roasted pig. Adam heads back into the kitchen to see how the famed ribs are made. The senior pittmaster rubs down the ribs with The Shed’s house BBQ spice rub, then they are marinated in the spice rub for 24 hours. The ribs are brought back out and given another coating of the sweet and savory spice rub, then the ribs are wrapped in foil and set them in the smoker to cook for 2 hours. When the ribs come out of the smoker Adam takes a taste and says “Oh, man!” Adam comments that the rib rub has very complex flavors of the level you’d find in a fine dining restaurant, he’s impressed.

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The Emmy nominations produced some surprises, snubs, and expected results. Friday Night Lights, a fan favorite show, and newcomer Game of Thrones were nominated for Best Drama Series, along with the usual drama nominees. Newcomer Justified made Best Drama, along with talented star Timothy Olyphant (Deadwood) as Best Actor in a Drama, and guest star Margo Martindale, who deserves to win an Emmy for her role as Mags on Justified. It was great to see the ever excellent Walton Goggins (The Shield) receive a well deserved nomination for his role as Boyd in Justified. Although I have not had a chance to watch Game of Thrones yet I was thrilled to see Peter Dinklage nominated for his work in that show. I was glad to see Kathy Bates from Harry’s Law grab a spot for Best Actress in a Drama, as well as Laura Linney for her fine work in The Big C. Louie C.K. was nominated for FX’s Louie, a surprise and a welcome one for this hilarious show and talented comic. The Modern Family parent ensemble were all nominated for their sterling work on this excellent comedy show.

Missing in nominations were the actors from Sons Of Anarchy, really a shame since this is one of the better shows out there. Treme has some excellent cast members, none of whom were represented here. There were no nominations for Community, again, one of the best comedy shows out there and a fine ensemble of comic actors. No nomination for Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation? That’s just crazy, he deserves it.

Emmy Nominations 2011

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Adam heads to the Florida Keys to Key Largo Conch House for the Conch Republic Fritter Challenge. Adam has chosen to mentor a petite 5-feet-tall sorority member named Cassie Glenn. Cassie tells Adam because of her size people underestimate her ability to chow down. Cassie must eat as many fried conch fritters as she can within 15 minutes. The previous record holder ate 25 fritters. Cassie and the other challenge contestants must eat at least 26 to break the record.

Adam’s first stop off is the Hogfish Bar & Grill, where they feature their popular Killer Hogfish sandwich. Adam heads back to the kitchen to see them put together this tasty dish. The fish is fried crispy, then paired with melted Swiss cheese, sauteed mushrooms and onions on grilled Cuban bread. Adam digs into the sandwich and smiles at the yummy goodness of this fried fish sandwich.

Next Adam visits Blue Heaven, known for their mile high key lime pie. Adam learns from restaurant locals that if key lime pie is green it’s not authentic. Adam heads to the kitchen where the chef squeezes the juice from the key limes, then whips up the eggs and condensed milk, and combines them together to form the pie filling. The crust is made and pie filling poured in, then the pie is topped with meringue and baked until the meringue turns a deep brown. Rapper Vanilla Ice shows up at the restaurant and sits down with Adam to enjoy Blue Heaven’s famed Key Lime pie. Vanilla Ice tells Adam the freshness of the key limes is what makes this pie so good. Adam takes a bite of the pie and says “Delicious!…it’s got a consistency somewhere between pudding, cheesecake, mousse, and an angel’s tears dipped in happiness.” Adam proclaims the pie delish!

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