In Memphis, Michael Symon sits down with four generations of barbecue royalty for the scoop on their most delicious family secrets, with a side of smoked turkey and sweet potato fried pie. In Portland, Ore., an insane burger is stacked over a foot tall with three beef patties, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, onion rings, bacon, ham, eggs and more! And finally, in Atlanta, chile-rubbed duck breast gets top billing as some of the best Latin food north of the border.
Michael Symon heads to Providence, where a traditional Rhode Island hot wiener in a crepe topped with chili is the ultimate local comfort food. In Indianapolis, a steak patty topped with Chinese char siu slaw and nestled inside a soft steamed bao bun is a delicious burger fusion. Finally, a smokehouse in Columbus, Ohio, serves their cold-smoked baby back ribs on a bed of flaming hay for total smoke saturation, and their 18-ounce bacon steak is pork belly perfection.
Alex Guarnaschelli joins Michael at one of his favorite Manhattan spots, where they combine a bottomless beer selection with the most high-octane hot dog known to man. Next, he shoots down to Nashville where his culinary father figure created a restaurant in his own mother’s honor, the woman who first taught him to appreciate the purest burgers and ingredients on earth. Finally, in rural Ohio, he discovers a husband and wife team who use chorizo to give their smoked meatloaf a crazy kick.
In Queens, N.Y., Michael Symon gets in touch with his Greek heritage with a classic lamb and feta cheeseburger, and then he sinks his teeth into an Italian-style burger stuffed with smoky mozzarella and prosciutto. In Houston, Texas, he finds a rabbit-meat hot dog with chile pepper toppings so spicy there's a release waiver to sign when ordering it. And finally, in Phoenix, Ariz., Michael places an order at a food truck that hitches up a custom smoker to deliver hot smoked meats inside inventive grilled cheese sandwiches across the Arizona desert.
Cooking Channel's Haylie Duff joins Michael Symon at one of his most treasured New Orleans spots, where they use the city's Cajun flavors in new and unique ways in crunchy po' boys and spicy barbecue shrimp. Next, he heads to a husband- and wife-owned pizza place in Brooklyn where the chef whips up a burger so delicious, he put it on the menu and named it after his bride. Finally, in Kansas City, Mo., Michael meets a team that smokes some of the best burnt ends around!
Michael Symon heads to Charleston, S.C., where he smokes a whole hog on a supersized indoor smoke pit and devours a slow-smoked rib-eye steak sandwich complete with melted cheddar and caramelized onions. Then, in Houston, Texas, he tries a double beef patty burger that gets the royal treatment with two bacon grilled cheese sandwiches for buns. And finally, in Phoenix, Michael finds that a coffee-braised beef taco with mango relish and a duck taco with fried brie and fire-roasted apricot compote are the perfect pairing with a crisp and refreshing local brew.