The seven remaining teams head to Portland, Ore., where they're challenged to make the most with what they've got: In their first Speed Bump, they have to go the entire first day without restocking their supplies. On day two, they're given geoduck, which must be the main ingredient in all menu items. After selling $200 with their geoduck menus, they race to a local lumber mill, for a chance to win a reward, which might be enough to save them from this week's elimination.
The final two teams head back to Los Angeles, where Tyler Florence welcomes them to the historic Pueblo de Los Angeles, the epicenter of LA's Mexican heritage and culture. He introduces Bricia Lopez, co-owner of James Beard-award winning restaurant Guelaguetza, and they explain the Mexican ingredients and flavors the trucks will be using in their final challenge: chayote and habanero peppers. Both trucks pull out all the stops for the win, but only one team is awarded the $50,000 grand prize.
The remaining five trucks arrive in Tuscaloosa, Ala. to find Tyler Florence and pastry chef Jan Moon waiting for them with a challenge: to crack the most pecans in just 15 minutes. The teams must then use their pecans in a dessert dish to sell on their trucks, with the winner receiving valuable mentoring time with Jan and the team that makes the most profits winning $200. On the second day in Tuscaloosa, Tyler challenges the cooks to a happy hour: for one hour, the pecan dishes will be sold for $1 only, and the team with the overall lowest sales will be out of the competition.
The five remaining teams meet Tyler at the Crazy Horse Memorial, where they’re given their seed money before heading out to shop in Rapid City, S.D. How will they manage when their follow car is taken during the Speed Bump? On day two, they race to the Wild Idea Buffalo Co., where they find a side of bison that they must butcher for use in all menu items. After selling $1,500 worth of their bison menu, they rush to be one of the first three teams to reach a vista and win a reward, and the next day the losing team is eliminated.
The five remaining teams roll into Fort Worth, Texas, the beef capital of the world, and assemble in front of the courthouse. After the weekend’s competition gets underway, Tyler calls the teams with their Truck Stop challenge: butcher a side of beef and incorporate into a special dish. Unaware of the challenge’s steep odds and secret judge “King of Fort Worth” Tim Love (Lonesome Dove), the challenge winner earns $1,000 towards its final tally, an amount equivalent to immunity.
The three remaining teams roll into Mobile, Ala., where Tyler challenges them to cook locally. After enduring sub-zero temperatures, one team walks away with nearly 100 pounds of fresh gulf shrimp free of charge from a local wholesaler. Once they hit the streets of Mobile, Tyler challenges them to add a brunch dish to their menu, and local chef Pete Bloeme is on hand to help Tyler determine the winner of the Truck Stop Cooking Challenge. One team is eliminated on the deck of the USS Alabama, leaving the final two teams primed for the grand finale.
In Amarillo, Texas, the final four teams are in for a steak-filled day: The seed money is determined by a steak-eating contest, and all the teams must add a steak dish to their menu. The team to sell the most of their steak dishes earns $500, as will the team with the best tasting dish. Prior to elimination, Tyler Florence makes each team send two members to pick up essentials, leaving their chances at the top three in the hands of their remaining teammate.