Travel Channel’s Adam Richman digs into ‘Man v. Food’

During a time when travel is down and dieting is up, Adam Richman offers a form of voyeurism television.

The burly, gregarious host uses his new half-hour Travel Channel program, “Man v. Food,” to take us on a culinary tour of some of the most sinfully delicious eateries. Managing to keep us alternately intrigued and gagging at the food intake of the seasoned restaurant worker and Yale School of Drama grad, the show culminates in a no-holds-barred eating challenge. Although the thought of most of these would send most stomachs reeling, Richman seems to strive to leave his picture as a road map on the walls of diners and truck stops across the country.

These contests —  an 11-pound, 30-inch meat-covered pizza at Big Pie in the Sky in Atlanta (pictured above, the other images are stills shot in New York); the 7.5-pound Sasquatch hamburger at Big Foot Lodge in Memphis, Tennessee; the 72-ounce Big Texas at Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo — are certainly the signature, but it’s the trips to neighborhood eateries leading up to them that give viewers a taste of a city they might not otherwise have explored.

“People think that on this show, that I’m just gonna eat like a Roman senator,” Richman said while he was filming a Los Angeles episode, set to air at the end of February. “With the challenges, I’m never seeking to embarrass myself. I think there’s a distinct difference between indulging and abject gluttony. This show is not espousing to eat what I eat as a lifestyle choice. Travel in and of itself is an indulgence, and I think that travel gives us license to set aside a strict dietary regimen and indulge in the best of what that city has to offer.”

The show, which had its debut in December, came together after the network saw success from an episode of its “Food Paradise” program,  dedicated to the best pig-out spots. A team of researchers culls foodie websites and publications for the meals that make each city unique.

“In L.A., people are fiercely proud of their Mexican food,” Richman said during a break from filming and visiting with locals diving into the Goliath Manuel’s Special and machaca burritos at El Tepeyac Café in East L.A., where Manuel met the crew that morning, bottle of tequila in hand.  His show, Richman said, is about finding the places that set each city apart.

Aside from this breakfast of champions, the Los Angeles episode will showcase French dip sandwiches at Philippe the Original near Union Station and the hot ramen challenge at Orochon Ramen in Little Tokyo. Richman takes on the Special No. 2: a spicy soup featuring 10 kinds of chilis. Those who finish are awarded a place on the Wall of Bravery. (But Richman, who used to live here, wishes he’d had time to pop over to Pink’s for a hot dog or to Zankou Chicken. Ah, the drawbacks of business trips.)

Although he acknowledges that he is taking one for the team, Richman emphasizes that these gluttonous adventures are met with a good deal of health monitoring. Like an athlete prepping for the big game, he exercises twice a day while he’s on the road.

The show does not intend to spark debates on obesity epidemics or professional eating contests.  It is just about giving us a taste of good food. And yes, Richman said he still wears the same pants size as when he auditioned.

“Man v. Food” airs new episodes at 10 p.m. Wednesdays, with reruns showing throughout the week. This week’s destination is New York City.

Where are your favorite pig-out spots here or on the road? Share with us in the Comments section below.

— Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times staff writer

Related:

Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern on his life of bugs & beasts

Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern takes on Los Angeles in ‘Bizarre Foods’

Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown advises how to enjoy your weekend

Four edgy L.A. alternatives to a burger & fries

Philippe the Original turns 100, French dips to be sold for a dime

[Photos: Travel Channel]

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 2:02 pm by Whitney and is filed under California, Celebrity, Gourmet, Los Angeles, Restaurants, Weekend Getaways. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.