Man vs. Food: America

As one of the biggest television phenomenons in recent years, Man vs. Food incorporates one of the most fascinating aspects of travel: the food you get to eat along the way.

The fact that the programme airs on both the Travel Channel in the US and the Food Network in the UK is evidence of its wide appeal. With this is mind, we thought we’d take a quick look at a few of the biggest and most bonkers food challenges that the programme has showcased, as well as the type of food each American town is famous for.

Salvador Molly’s – Portland, Oregon

With its home-grown berries, Tillimook cheese and hazelnuts – Oregon is somewhat of a mixed bag in terms of food. As always seems to be the way, Adam shunned any particular local delicacies and instead went straight for the shock factor; here he took on the Great Balls of Fire challenge, consisting of five habanero chili cheese fritters drowned in an even fierier habanero sauce. In a victory against spice, Adam trounced this particular one, winning his photo on the Wall of Flame and cementing himself as a true food hero. If you’re visiting this part of the world any time soon, we’d suggest taking with you a gallon of milk (and perhaps a change of clothes).

Crown Candy Kitchen – St. Louis, Missouri

In one of his most memorable challenges ever, Adam swapped solids for the deliciously gloopy world of milkshakes. Although five milkshakes doesn’t sound all that bad, the 24 ounce malt shakes – which, to give you an idea of volume, was split into fifteen separate glasses – eventually took the big man down: with just two to go, he had to go for the dreaded bucket. Whether or not St. Louis is famous for milkshakes is arguable, but amid its legendary thin crust pizzas and gooey butter cakes – it fits in pretty nicely.

Brick Lane Curry House - New York City, New York

With some of the most varied restaurants in the entire world, you can pretty much eat the cuisine from any country, all within one city. However, in his trip back to his home state, Adam declined any hot dogs or classic burgers for a trip to Brick Lane Curry House, and instead took on the mighty phaal challenge. Known as the hottest curry in the world (and if you’re in any doubt, note that the hottest pepper in the dish is 500 times the strength of tabasco sauce) – phaal is enough to bring most men down. However, Adam managed to power through, winning the frankly disappointing end reward of a free beer… And of course, pride.

Juan in a Million – Austin, Texas

It’s difficult to narrow down the diet in Texas to one specific food group. However, alongside being famous for super-sized-everything, Texas is of course also synonymous with the ‘Tex-Mex’ cuisine: a fusion of local food combined with traditional Mexican flavours. During one of his trips to the Lone Star State, Adam attempted the Breakfast Taco Challenge at Juan in a Million; a test for any breakfast enthusiast, this challenge consisted of eating 8 Don Juan El Grande taco’s, with each tortilla wrap consisting of potato, bacon, cheese & egg. In a valiant attempt, Adam finished just four tacos in total, meaning it became a landslide victory for food.