A new show, Man v Food , debuted this week on the Travel Channel. The format goes something like this: lifelong culinarian and Brooklynite Adam Richman travels to selected cities, seeks out the local specialties, zeroes in on one "iconic dish" and proceeds to do "some serious indulging." (Interpretation: he attempts to consume the biggest item he can find.) The premise sounds gluttonous and unappealing, but as I missed the premiere, I'll withhold judgement.
On Dec 18, Richman will visit Pappy's Smokehouse in Midtown (arguably the current king of local BBQ), where he will attempt to consume the Big Ben, a $35 meal deal capable of sating two NFL linemen: a full slab of ribs, 2 sandwiches, a quarter-chicken, and 4 side dishes. Perhaps not adequately challenged, he has decided to top it all off with...Pappy's Frito Pie.
Indulgence? Gluttony? Train wreck?
Man v Food airs on Wednesdays at 9 PM CST. Airdate for the Pappy's show TBD. — George Mahe
