This Mafia-themed Italian-American joint earned its name from head chef Angelo Lutz, who was once known more for his mob ties than his cooking skills. The dishes he serves are adaptations of old family recipes, including the indulgent eggplant Parmesan. This lasagna-like take on the dish layers crisp fried eggplant with a creamy blend of ricotta, Romano and mozzarella cheeses and generous ladlefuls of Lutz’s housemade tomato sauce.

Indulge your sweet tooth with tasty jumbo treats from Simona’s Bakery in Sea Girt, N.J. A must-try is the Blueberry White Chocolate Cupcake with blueberry preserve filling. Another standout is the Chocolate Mousse & Raspberry Cupcake featuring three kinds of chocolate and a raspberry surprise.

When he needs a comfort food fix, Buddy Valastro heads to this charming restaurant for the Sweet Italian Sausage platter. This addictive dish features potato chips that are fried until crisp, then heaped with Italian sausages that have been sauteed with white wine and onions. A topping of fried hot peppers adds some kick.

This eatery serves traditional Southern dishes with a modern twist, like its tasty take on the Mississippi Hot Brown. This open-faced sandwich comes piled high with buttermilk fried chicken, smoked ham, onions, pickles and roasted tomato. A rich Gruyère sauce and fried egg take it to the next level.

At this joint, tantalizing smells of barbecue waft through the air while massive ribs and other delights sizzle on a smoker outside. Try the Flintstones Beef Ribs, named for their enormous size, which are simply seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder, then smoked in a water bath to such tender perfection that the meat pulls right off the bone.

When Mardi Gras rolls around, Aarón Sánchez makes a beeline for this bakery that serves an over-the-top version of that seasonal staple known as the king cake. The dough is slathered with a sweet coating made from brown sugar and cinnamon, baked until golden brown and then sliced in two. Sandwiched between the halves of the cake are rich layers of salted caramel, dulce de leche, sliced bananas, mascarpone cheese and chopped pecans. There are also plenty of savory options that are worth trying; the artichoke dip is one of them. 

Don’t let the tiny size of this eatery fool you. It delivers a mighty wallop of meaty goodness with its Mega Threat sandwich. This super-stuffed beauty features American cheese and numerous meats (including slow-roasted beef, turkey, ham and sausage), which come piled high on a tasty roll.

This homey restaurant has put itself on the map with The Showstopper, a Maryland take on traditional surf-n-turf. Duff can’t get enough of this craveworthy dish, which features a half-pound crab cake composed of jumbo lump crab. The crabmeat is dipped in a creamy egg mixture laced with Old Bay seafood seasoning, then baked until golden brown. Adding to the decadence is a full rack of smoky, tender baby back ribs.

The starter for the dough from this pizza shop is from an Italian island and is 200 years old. The "crazy good" Bacon and Clam Pizza impressed Guy with its generous amounts of toppings, great texture and chew. He also appreciated the salami and beef filled fried ravioli with marinara dipping sauce.

The most-famous dish at the Blue Moon Cafe in Baltimore is the Cap'n Crunch-encrusted French toast — two breakfast classics that taste great together. Guy loves owner Sarah Simington's homestyle dishes, calling them the definition of comfort food. Duff favors the Sweet Baby Jesus with Scrapple — layers of fried hash browns, crabmeat, cheese, tomatoes and eggs, smothered in housemade hollandaise.

Aarón Sánchez began his career here, and he still raves about this spot’s blackened redfish: a flaky fish with a delectably seasoned crust. Aarón also loves the Turducken: an over-the-top turkey stuffed with a duck and a chicken. Cornbread, andouille and oyster dressings add to the decadence.

A go-to indulgence for both Rachael Ray and Alex Guarnaschelli is the muffuletta, a 2-pound sandwich that originated at this store. A sesame seed-studded loaf is layered with Swiss cheese, provolone and slice upon slice of imported cold cuts (think mortadella and capicola), then finished with a briny olive salad.

For a meal to remember, head to Dudley’s and order the Tournedos Maxwell. This luscious dish delivers a pair of tender filet mignons with a delectable twist. The beef is nicely seared and then served with a hefty helping of tender crabmeat and an herby bearnaise brimming with butter.

This former cottage is the home of indulgent baked creations like the Earl’s Court Chocolate Cake. Three layers of coffee-laced chocolate cake are covered with ganache and malted cream, then stacked together to form this towering masterpiece. Hot fudge frosting and sea salt add to the decadence.

This trendy European-inspired eatery replicates all the best comfort foods of the countries of the historical region of Bohemia — Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany and Austria. Jeff Mauro recommends the Open-Faced Schnitzel Sandwich: Rye toast is slathered with caramelized onion and horseradish sauce, then layered with fried pork, Swiss cheese, pork-infused sauerkraut, a sunny-side-up egg and housemade mustard. A drizzle of ham-hock gravy ties the irresistible sandwich together.