Adam Gertler swings by Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and devours the half-chicken dinner. Now boasting nearly 10 locales, the eatery began in 1983 when owner John Stage cut a 55-gallon drum in half. With juicy hickory-smoked meats slathered in an addictive secret sauce, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is anything but extinct.
This Puerto Rican restaurant is the birthplace of the "jibarito," a combination of savory steak or pork, melted cheese, crisp romaine lettuce, tomatoes, mayo and garlic all sandwiched between two flattened, deep-fried plantains (or as Jeff Mauro called it, "the world’s most interesting bun").
How does a restaurant stay in business for more than 160 years? Ask Tadich Grill, which made Tyler Florence's Best Thing I Ever Ate list with the classic French dish sand dabs fish filet with white wine butter sauce. Like the sand dabs, the Tadich Platter for two is a real seafood feast.
As a pioneer of the urban barbecue scene, Chef Kenny Callaghan has created the most finger-licking barbecue right in a potato chip. On The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Susan Feniger raves about his chips, perfectly matched with blue cheese and bacon dip. It's a great start to scrumptious pit barbecue.
If the decor doesn't evoke memories of yesteryear, maybe the signature Icebox Cake with whipped cream and chocolate wafer cookies will. Or, like Bobby on Boy Meets Grill, snag a vanilla cupcake after buying a pecan pie. Who could blame you? Billy's has become one of New York's sweetest sensations.
When Bobby heard about A Salt & Battery's award-winning fish and chips, he immediately called for a throwdown. But chef Mat Arnfield had his British roots to guide him. Today they're using a sustainable Pollock with their classic light batter. Ultimately, these chips were the best catch of the day.
Marc Murphy had never heard of a pizza pot pie. But after one bite of the pizza pot pie at this spot, he instantly knew it was deserving of the title The Best Thing I Ever Ate. The pie layers cheese and a special sauce inside a fluffy Sicilian crust. Flip the behemoth over and then devour.
Ming Tsai's passion for spicy foods took him off the Las Vegas strip to Lotus of Siam. The Nam Prik Ong dish made with a blend of spices, herbs and ground pork quickly made the list for The Best Thing I Ever Ate. No wonder, as Chef Saipin Chutima is also a James Beard Award winner.
In a "twist of fate" Eleni turned her side baking business into a million-dollar New York success. Her hand-iced cookies have been called "conversation cookies" for their level of detail, whimsical shape and pop-culture decals. Not a cookie fan? Her towering cupcakes are just as sweet.
This old-fashioned candy shop has been serving up 29 flavors of popcorn, including Cheddar Ranch, Cookies & Dream, and Jalapeno, for 15 years. If you can't visit their Chicago-area store, order your favorite flavor online. Rachael recommends Macadamia Magic, which she calls "buttery and delicious."
Known for his inventive menus, David Burke has consistently wowed diners with his "Willy Wonka" confections. On The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Scott Conant did a double-take when dipping his cheesecake lollipops in bubblegum-flavored whipped cream. No blowing bubbles!
Rice to Riches has converted many people over the years, including Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien, who called their rice puddings chilled perfection. Here, plain rice is welcome, but is only one of 20 flavors, including French Toast and Rocky Road. Choose from a dozen toppings like Cloud 9 Whipped Cream.
Ted Allen indulges his sweet tooth with Southern Red Velvet Cake from Cake Man Raven in Brooklyn, NY, on Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate.
Get a one of a kind masterpiece from the Ace of Cakes, Duff Goldman, at Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, MD.
New York City's El Barrio in East Harlem has been home to Puerto Ricans since World War II. Here, Fonda Boricua fills a void by serving home-style Puerto Rican fare. When Bobby paid a visit, he zeroed in on the Arroz con Pollo, but the stews, pernil (roast pork), and rice and beans are popular, too.
Make restaurant favorites at home with copycat recipes from FN Magazine.
Let Guy take you on a coast-to-coast tour Friday at 9|8c.