THE GREASY FOODIE

The Greasy Foodie

The story begins blustry day Friday after Thanksgiving in 2008 in a cramped booth at a fake NYC deli in Nashville called Noshville. In between my wife, Rachel, and my brother, Michael, I sat across from my "cooler than me" cousins Mark and Sarah, and Sarah's just as cool husband, Danny. Mark, who lives the awesome life being a lawyer living in San Francisco working for Facebook, with his only downfall being his SEVERE lactardation..which has never been medically or scientifically proven to exist in Mark.. Sarah and Danny are foodies from NYC who have tried every dive "chicken finger" hut and "curry on a stick" in the big city. Danny and Sarah had discussed that they were trying to go to as many places from Bobby Flay's 'Throwdown' show as they could, and that there was one in Nashville we had to try.....a place that I had never heard of in my 13 years of living there..I will get to that adventure later.

I got an idea from my cool cousins idea. An idea became a hobby. And the hobby became an obsession. And thus produced the list.....a world-famous spreadsheet...of every restaurant that has ever been featured on Food Network and Travel Channel....every restaurant from the famous shows like "Throwdown", "Man V. Food", "Man v. Food Nation", "Food Feuds", "Food Wars", "Best Thing I Ever Ate", "Food Paradise" and "Diners Drive-Ins and Dives" to the obscure "Best Food Ever", "Meat and Potatoes", and "101 Best Places to Chowdown", plus my additions of the restaurants of famous chefs, favorite catergories (burgers, wings, pizza, bbq, and sandwiches) and local places of legend. Names, cities, food they are famous for, and addresses. It was and still is an obsession. As of 11:31am on November 27, 2018, THE LIST HAS 4,660 RESTAURANTS ON IT...WITH A FEW OVERLAPS HERE AND THERE. And then over Pastrami Eggs Benedict at Nate N' Al's Deli in Beverly Hills, Hannah and Andrew, our good friends, gave me the idea of the blog. Document every place I went. And thus, "The Greasy Foodie" was born. I will log the places, the shows they are from, and what I had. So far, every place I have been has been amazing, except two, one being mediocre, and another being down right awful.

If there is a city you have been to, or are going to, or are from and want to know what from my list is in the city, send me a email at agmarks@gmail.com

Monday, November 19, 2012

PHILLIPE'S

LOS ANGELES

FROM SANDWICH PARADISE, MAN VS. FOOD and BEST THING I EVER ATE!

1001 North Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

http://www.philippes.com/

"French dip sandwiches (roast beef, lamb, pork, & turkey with au jus & spicy mustard)"

LOS ANGELES IS THE LAND OF CRUSHED HOPES AND DREAM AND INFLATED LIPS, BUTTS, AND BOOBS.....AND THERE ARE VERY FEW HISTORIC LANDMARKS THAT THE CITY OF ANGELS CAN LAY CLAIM TO...AS THIS CITY IS MUCH YOUNGER THAN OUR EAST COAST CONSTITUENTS

HOWEVER...LA HAS DISNEY LAND, THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN...AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANT...PHILLIPPE'S....BIRTHPLACE OF THE FRENCH DIP

WHEN I CAME OUT TO LA TO INTERVIEW FOR A JOB, THE FIRST PLACE I WANTED TO GO WAS PHILLIPPE'S.....SO ANDREW AND OUR GOOD FRIEND TODD OBLIGED AND DROVE TO THE MIDDLE OF CHINATOWN TO INDULGE ON THIS AMERICAN LANDMARK.....TODD WILL SOMETIMES COME AL THE WAY ACROSS TOWN FOR THIS SANDWICH DURING HIS HOUR LUNCH BREAK....TODD'S LEGENDARY LUNCH BREAKS HAVE LEAD TO SOME INCREDIBLE EATS (SEE GLORIA'S AND PAPA CRISTO'S)

STEPPING INTO PHILLPES IS LIKE STEPPING BACK IN TIME...ITS CLASSIC AND LOOKS AND ACTS LIKE IT....SANDWICHES ARE CHEAP...THE COFFEE AND LEMONADE IS STILL LIKE 9 CENTS...

THEY BAKE THE BREAD FRESH.....SLICE THE MEAT FRESH...AND DIP IT RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.....

AND THEN THERE IS THE SPICY MUSTARD.....IT IS POWERFUL, PUNGENT, AND MIND NUMBINGLY MIND BLOWING....

AREA ALLERGISTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO PRESCRIBE A TASTE OF THE SPICY MUSTARD TO CURE SINUS INFECTIONS AS IT KNOCKS YOU OUT...

THIS PLACE IS GREAT!!!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

PAPPY'S

ST. LOUIS

MAN VS. FOOD, #49 ON BEST PLACES TO CHOWDOWN, AND FOOD FEUDS

3106 Olive St., Saint Louis, MO 63103

http://www.pappyssmokehouse.com/

"What you're getting: A full slab of ribs and burnt ends combo meal
Mike Emerson's slow smokes his meats over apple and cherry wood for up to 14 hours, but if you don't get there early on the weekend, you won't taste them, as Pappy's sells out faster than its meats cook. But if you do get your chance, opt for the ribs and underrated burnt ends, and keep a little of Pappy's Original sauce on the side for dipping."

HERE IS ALL I NEED TO SAY: VOTED BEST RIBS IN AMERICA BY ALMOST EVERY MAJOR FOOD AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE! BEST RIBS I HAVE EVER HAD......SKIP THE SIDES...GO STRAIGHT FOR THE MEAT....

ALSO THEY OPEN AT 11AM...MEAT GONE BY 2....GET IN LINE EARLY...BE DONE WITH LUNCH AT 11:30AM AND HAVE THE WHOLE DAY AHEAD OF YOU...YOU WON'T NEED TO EAT FOR A WEEK!!

NEXT TIME I HEAR ON THE NEWS "ST.LOUIS IS ONCE AGAIN THE REIGNING MURDER CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES"...I WILL SAY "YAH, BUT THEY HAVE PAPPY'S"

TED DREWE'S

ST. LOUIS

FROM MAN VS. FOOD (x2), #39 ON BEST PLACES TO CHOWDOWN, AND BEST THING I EVER ATE!

6726 Chippewa Street St. Louis, MO 63109

http://www.teddrewes.com/home/default.aspx

WHILE SPENDING THE WEEKEND IN THE LOU FOR ANDREW AND HANNAH'S, THE PEOPLE WHO GAVE ME THE IDEA FOR THIS BLOG, INCREDIBLE WEEKEND, THAT WEEKEND, I HAD THE UNIQUE FORTUNE TO KNOCK THIS AND PAPPY'S OFF MY LIST THANKS TO A HELP FROM THE RUBIN-SCHLANSKY/VREDENBURGH CREW.

THIS PLACE IS CUSTARD HEAVEN! HUNDREDS OF FLAVORS! MIX-INS! FLAVORS ONLY THE LOCALS KNOW ABOUT!! THICK! DELICIOUS! EPICALLY THINK AND DELICIOUS!!!

NEXT TIME ON THE NEWS THEY SAY "ST. LOUIS IS THE 94-TIME RAPE AND MURDER CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES"...I WILL SAY "YAH, BUT THEY HAVE TED DREWES!"

Thursday, November 15, 2012

ACME OYSTER HOUSE

724 Iberville St., New Orleans, LA 70130

http://www.acmeoyster.com/

FROM MAN VS. FOOD AND #27 ON BEST PLACES TO CHOW DOWN

NOW THIS IS A PLACE THAT CANNOT BE MISSED IN NEW ORLEANS!!

I LOVE TREFE.....SHRIMP, MUSSELS, CLAMS, OYSTERS, CALAMARI, LOBSTER...AND THIS PLACE HAS IT ALL....FRIED, GRILLED, BROILED...YOU NAME IT...THEY HAVE IT..AND HOWEVER THEY DO IT...IT IS AMAZING!!!

THIS PLACE IS CAJUN HEAVEN....GUMBO, PO BOYS, ALLIGATOR...HEAVEN

I LOVE OYSTERS!! SLIMEY, SLIPPERY, ODD IN TASTE...BUT WITH SOME COCKTAIL SAUCE AND A SALTINE.....PURE PERFECTION!! OR THE GRILLED OYSTERS WITH FRENCH BREAD...HEAVENLY!!

IF I WERE TO HAVE A LAST MEAL...IT MIGHT BE DOZEN OYSTERS, A MIXED TREFE PO BOY, AND A COLD IBITA AT ACME OYSTER HOUSE!!!

THE CHALLENGE: THIS IS THE PLACE WITH A FOOD CHALLENGE...15 DOZEN OYSTERS...ONE DAY I WILL TRY!!!

PS-FELIX'S ACROSS THE STREET IS BETTER...LESS PEOPLE...SAME AMAZING FOOD..BETTER THAN ACME.....IF THAT'S POSSIBLE!!

CAFE DU MONDE

NEW ORLEANS

FROM MAN VS. FOOD and DONUT PARADISE

French Market, 800 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70116

http://www.cafedumonde.com/

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WILL HAVE ME SHOT, HANGED, AND BEHEADED, BUT IT IS MY OPINON.....CAFE DU MONDE IS GOOD...NOT GREAT...NOT AMAZING...IT'S REPETITIVE.....BUT GOOD DRUNK FOOD...MY TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS WOULD NOT BE WASTED IF I DIDN'T GO THERE....UNLIKE IF I MISSED ACME OR FELIX'S

IT'S AN AMAZING PLACE TO PEOPLE-WATCH AND MAYBE IF I LIKED COFFEE IT WOULD BE BETTER...BUT I DON'T GET THE HYPE....WAIT HOURS FOR SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO SPILL POWDERED SUGAR ALL OVER YOUR SEARSUCKER OR SUN DRESS....

THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO CURE A NEW ORLEANS HANGOVER OF ALCOHOL AND SHELLFISH....WITH MORE ALCOHOL AND SHELLFISH...NOT A DOUHGNUT....

ONCE AGAIN....MY OPINION....NOT A FACT!

KATZ'S DELI

NEW YORK CITY

MAN VS. FOOD, FOOD WARS, BEST THING I EVER ATE, #5 ON BEST PLACES TO CHOWDOWN, SANDWICH PARADISE, MANLIEST RESTAURANT, BEST SANDWICH IN AMERICA

205 East Houston St., New York, NY 10002

https://katzsdelicatessen.com/

"Pastrami on rye with mustard & Beef salami sandwich"

"Hand-carved pastrami brined and smoked for three days in a salt, pepper, garlic & onion powder and coriander rub. "pastrami on rye" with mustard and corned beef sandwich served with half-sour pickles, matzo ball soup, grilled hot dogs and knishes"

"If you’re visiting New York City, Katz’s Deli is definitely a spot you need to hit. This famous deli is known for its legendary corned beef sandwich and pastrami on rye. Meg Ryan really enjoyed eating at Katz’s in When Harry Met Sally."

BEST DELI EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!!! SO THAT'S ALL I NEED TO SAY ABOUT THAT!!

MY TCB (TITANS CULINARY BROTHER) MATT FLEISCHER ONCE SAID "THIS IS NOT A MEAL, NOT A GOOD MEAL, GREAT MEAL, INCREDIBLE, MEAL, AMAZING MEAL, THE BEST MEAL. THIS IS A TRULY OUT OF BODY CULINARY EXPERIENCE"

FAMOUS FOR TWO THINGS....1. SINCE WORLD WAR II THIS PLACE HAS HAD SALAMIS HANG FROM THE CEILING WITH THE SLOGAN “Send a salami to your boy in the Army.” MY BROTHER MICHAEL DECIDED TO BUY ONE AND SEND HOME TO OUR DOG, GINGER, FOR HER BIRTHDAY...WHICH WAS A DELIGHT FOR GINGER, A DISASTER FOR MY PARENTS. 2. THIS PLACE IS THE SCENE OF WHEN HARRY MET SALLY AND MEG RYAN FAKED HER ORGASM AND THE DIRECTOR, ROB REINER, MOTHER SAID "I'LL HAVE WHAT SHE IS HAVING"

SERIOUSLY THOUGH...GREAT JEWISH DELI! GREAT FOOD! GREAT EXPERIENCE!

AL'S BEEF

1079 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL

http://www.alsbeef.com/

CHICAGO, IL

FROM MAN VS. FOOD, #12 ON BEST PLACES TO CHOWDOWN, AND FOOD WARS FOR THE ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH

LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING THIS PLACE WAS RANKED ONE OF THE TOP 10 BEST SANDWICHES IN AMERICA

WHEN IT COMES TO CHICAGO, THERE ARE TWO FAMOUS FOOD SPECIALITY AND ONE SECRET FOOD SPECIAL....DEEP DISH PIZZA, ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH, AND CARMEL CORN (THAT'S THE SECRET)

THE WINDY CITY IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE "CITY OF BROAD SHOULDERS" AND A CITY OF BROAD SHOULDERS WORKS HARD, PLAYS HARD, AND EAT'S WELL AND THE ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF THIS

ROAST BEEF SLICED THIN, JARDINAIRE (A CLASSIC CHICAGO MIXTURE OF PEPPERS), HOT PEPPERS, AND AU JUS.....ON PERFECT ROLL TO SOAK UP THE AU JUS! AND MR. BEEF DOES IT RIGHT!!

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO EAT THIS, STANDING UP, LEANING FORWARD, ELBOWS ON THE TABLE! IT IS A MESS....AS EVIDENCE IN THE LEGENDARY NIGHT BEFORE MY WEDDING ADVENTURE!

THE NIGHT BEFORE I GOT MARRIED TO MY BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFULLY INCREDIBLE WIFE, A FEW (A BUNCH) OF US WENT OUT AND HAD SOME DRINKS AND DECIDED TO INDULGE IN A LATE NIGHT SNACK....I HAD HEARD ABOUT THE ITALIAN BEEF CHALLENGE, BUT NEVER EXPERIENCED IT, AND DECIDED ON MY LAST NIGHT OF BEING SINGLE, I WOULD GO....AND GO DID WE.

THE ITALIAN BEEF CHALLENGE IS SIMPLE....ONE SANDWICH AT AL'S....ONE AT THEIR RIVAL MR. BEEF, WHICH WILL BE FEAUTRED LATER IN THIS BLOG......CHALLENGE COMPLETED...NOT WITHOUT CAUSING $125 IN DRY CLEANING DAMAGE TO MY NEW SUIT...

AL'S BEEF IS AMAZING...AS A MEAL OR AS A FAT BOY SNACK!!