Things really are bigger in Texas. At least, that’s certainly the case at The Big Texan, a saloon-style steakhouse famed for its enormous 72oz steak–eating challenge. Complete with a bright yellow exterior and zany cowboy mascot, the eatery has featured on multiple TV shows over the years, including Man v. Food, when Adam Richman took on the gargantuan task himself. It’s not for the faint of heart; the fully loaded plate is piled with a shrimp cocktail, a baked potato, salad, and a buttered roll, as well as that huge steak. Regardless of whether you feel like competing, this is a kitschy spot everyone should visit once.

Ted’s Restaurant has been a Meriden hotspot since opening in 1959, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. Customers love that it's a no-frills, family-run affair – and they say it serves some of the tastiest burgers around. The spot is so renowned for its steamed burgers that it featured on season two of Man v. Food, when Adam Richman sampled the signature dish for himself. The home fries, loaded with a choice of melty cheese, bacon, or chili, also come highly recommended. 

Loved for its vast array of hoppy ales, friendly staff, and hearty Alaskan-style dishes, this Anchorage joint is where you’ll find all the locals hanging out. The spot has also become renowned thanks to an appearance on season two of Man v. Food, when Adam Richman took on the Kodiak Arrest Challenge. Complete with piles of reindeer sausage, Alaskan king crab, crab nuggets, side dishes, the restaurant’s famous Wild Berry Crisp, and ice cream, it’s a feast that must be consumed in an hour. Your reward for doing so? A place on the joint’s wall of fame and a free T-shirt.

No trip to Maine is complete without a lobster roll or two, so it was only natural that Adam Richman highlighted this local favorite when he visited. The joint he dined at was The Lobster Shack at Two Lights, a restaurant that's famed for its fresh seafood and ocean views. A Cape Elizabeth hotspot since the 1920s, it serves an array of seafood specials – expect giant plates piled high with clams, scallops, and shrimp, as well as the Richman-approved lobster roll.

This cozy, family-run establishment has garnered a loyal following and, as the name suggests, is loved for its hearty bowls of chili. Customers say it’s the best in the neighborhood, and they like that you can choose how spicy you want your chili to be. Adam Richman was especially intrigued by the Firebrand, a fiery bowl that leaves your tongue scalded and mouth tingling for hours. If you’ve got a stomach of steel, you can try matching Richman and tackle five bowls.

Mac 24/7, located inside the Hilton Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, is a classic American diner that's renowned for its attentive service and hearty serving sizes. It was the restaurant’s M.A.C. Daddy Pancake Challenge, which sees individuals tasked with consuming three 14-inch pancakes, piled with toppings of their choice, within 90 minutes, that piqued Adam Richman’s interest. Weighing in at 5lbs, this is no mean feat, with even Richman tapping out before the challenge was over.

Founded in 1954, Beth’s Cafe is a self-confessed greasy spoon. This no-frills joint is home to classic diner fare, with everything from breakfast burritos to patty melts leaving customers full and satisfied. The spot is perhaps best known, though, for its epic omelets, and it was the Southwestern Exposure, a giant 12-egg option loaded with house-made three-bean chili, salsa, sour cream, and Cheddar cheese, that Adam Richman tried (and failed) to take on. We’d recommend paying the extra sharing charge so you can tuck into this beast of a meal with a friend.

Famed for its rib-sticking Cuban sandwiches, this small Miami-based chain boasts a dish that Adam Richman couldn’t get enough of. The Sarussi Original sees layers of smoky ham and roasted pork leg topped with melted mozzarella, pickles, and Sarussi’s signature house sauce, then stuffed inside a bouncy house-made sub and toasted with a touch of garlic butter. The result is a colossal feast that's sure to impress every meat lover.

Renowned for its tender meat and epic serving sizes, Mean Pig BBQ is a Cabot institution, with fans saying it’s the best barbecue restaurant in the area. Its customer base exploded when it made an appearance on season two of Man v. Food, and a steady stream of challenge-loving foodies still turns up to take on the Shut Up Juice to this day. Demolished by Adam Richman, it’s a giant pulled pork sandwich that’s drenched in habanero-based barbecue sauce. There’s no time limit, but every crumb must be eaten and kept down for at least five minutes if you want to earn your place in Mean Pig BBQ history.

An upscale joint serving tavern fare, The Boiler Room perhaps isn’t where you’d expect to find a food challenge, yet the restaurant featured on season eight of Man v. Food. Casey Webb took on Marge’s Famous Hot-Dish, a 3lb casserole made up of ground bison meat simmered with vegetables, sprinkled with Cheddar, and topped with 15 giant, deep-fried tater tots. The menu item would usually feed a family of four, but Webb had just 30 minutes to finish it – and finish it, he did! This feast isn’t available anymore, but fans can still stop by to sample classic dishes such as shrimp cocktail, meatloaf, and pot pie.

In a state as renowned for its over-the-top restaurants as Nevada, it’s only natural that plenty of gigantic meaty challenges can be found here. Casual spot Fox & Hound's challenge comes in the form of a toweringly tall burger. Known as the Menu Burger, it features all of the restaurant’s popular items. The dish begins with a personal pepperoni pizza, barbecue pulled pork, a couple of fried eggs, a bacon cheeseburger, chili-cheese garlic fries, and a bun, then it’s stacked with a Philly cheesesteak and a teriyaki chicken sandwich – and it's served with six hot wings and a side salad. Weighing in at 4lbs, it’s a hefty plateful, and one that even Casey Webb couldn’t finish. 

Featured on season four of Man v. Food, The Shed Barbecue & Blues Joint is an Ocean Springs must-visit that's loved by locals and tourists alike. While you may not be able to sample the whole hog here (like Adam Richman did), customers return again and again for the pecan wood–smoked baby back ribs, brisket, and turkey breast, paired with sides like sweet potato casserole, fried okra, and hush puppies. With such satisfying food on offer, it's easy to see why this place is so popular. 

A battered, deep-fried hot dog topped with sauerkraut, bacon, grilled onions, mushrooms, and four kinds of cheese (American, Cheddar, Swiss, and pepper Jack) may not be traditional, but the Fully Loaded Salty Dog seriously impressed Adam Richman when he visited Florida favorite The Old Salty Dog for an episode of Man v. Food. The joint, with locations in City Island, Siesta Key, and Venice Island, still continues to attract fans of the show years later.

Celebrated Japanese restaurant Kobe Sushi serves some of the best ramen bowls and the freshest sushi in Utah. Customers love the expansive menu, ranging from maki rolls to sashimi plates. The eatery featured on season three of Man v. Food, when Adam Richman took part in the Hell Fire Challenge, a fiery feat that saw him tasked with eating ultra-spicy sushi. While this experience is no longer available, fans can still get a taste of it by ordering the Hell Fire, a style of sushi filled with spicy tuna, jalapeños, kaiware (daikon radish sprouts), and a spice-studded secret sauce.

Expect jumbo portions and plates piled high at this popular breakfast spot. It's Stepping Stone Cafe’s pancakes that keep customers lining up around the block, though; known as ‘mancakes,’ each one of these Man v. Food–approved beauties is the size of a dinner plate, and diners can choose between a single, short stack, or full stack (Adam Richman’s favorite). They can be topped with a choice of blueberries, strawberries, bananas, whipped cream, or maple syrup.

With a menu as meaty and flavorful as Buz and Ned’s, it’s little wonder this barbecue restaurant is always buzzing with happy customers. The space, complete with rustic furnishings and a gift shop, has been serving finger-licking barbecue since 1992. The eatery got the seal of approval from Adam Richman, who sampled its tender pork spare ribs in season three of Man v. Food. Other menu highlights include the sliced brisket sandwich, hush puppies, and barbecue sliders.

A popular Annapolis spot since 1965, Chick and Ruth’s is known for its all-day breakfasts, old-fashioned milkshakes, and giant challenges. In season two of Man v. Food, Adam Richman completed the joint's largest – and most iconic – feast of them all. It’s become so legendary that it’s been renamed the Man v. Food Challenge, and it sees eager participants tackle a 6lb Colossal Shake and either a 1.5lb sandwich, Reuben, or cheeseburger in under an hour. The reward? Victors will feature on the restaurant’s social media and get a T-shirt and the meal for free. 

This Albuquerque joint has a wonderfully retro vibe about it; the space is filled with old-school décor, red-and-white checkered tablecloths, frame-covered walls, and wooden beamed ceilings. It also happens to be home to a legendary food tournament, known as the Travis on a Silver Platter Challenge, which consists of a beef and bean–stuffed burrito topped with cheese and green chili, buried under a mound of fries. Tried and tested on Man v. Food, it weighs in at 8lb, and it's a task many have tried but failed to complete. Can’t stomach that? Enjoy smothered burritos, biscuits and gravy, or loaded nachos (pictured) instead.

Slows Bar BQ is a Detroit-based barbecue joint that’s famed for its epic portions and meaty offerings, and it's appeared on both Man v. Food and Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in America series. It was the Yardbird, a mountain-sized sandwich stuffed with smoked chicken, sautéed mushrooms, Cheddar, applewood-smoked bacon, and wholegrain honey mustard barbecue sauce, that really won the host over.

Firing up the grill since 2003, Big Billy’s Burger Joint is famous for its tempting array of patties, made from elk, wild boar, gator, and bison meat. While these are all exceptional, it’s the Belt Buster Challenge that landed itself a spot on the hit TV show. This monster-sized feast features a melty grilled cheese sandwiched inside a double cheeseburger, served alongside loaded nachos, tater tots, and a 12oz thick shake. The hard part? It must be finished within 20 minutes. Sadly, the food defeated Casey Webb when he took on the challenge, but this joint is still worth seeking out for its brilliant burgers.

Serving old-school burgers and scoops of ice cream since 2003, Bub’s Burgers is a Carmel must-visit. The fast food favorite is famous for the Big Ugly, a mighty burger made with a 1lb patty and served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. Over 100,000 diners have tried tackling the dish, including Adam Richman, who attempted to eat four Big Ugly burgers – but tapped out at just over two.

Mac ’n’ cheese may be a menu staple at restaurants across America, but none are quite as creamy – or indulgent – as the version served at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats. This Rehoboth Beach spot blew Casey Webb away in season nine with its signature McLaine Mac & Cheese. Featuring a house-made cheese sauce speckled with Frank’s RedHot sauce, it’s loaded up with pulled chicken and crumbled blue cheese, then topped with five crispy Buffalo wings.

This Pittsburgh joint has been serving home-style diner fare since 1950. Thanks to its enormous breakfast plates, it’s a hit with locals and tourists alike, with customers saying it’s the best spot in the city for a morning meal. Adam Richman’s favorite? Deluca’s Mixed Grill, a delicious combination of eggs, veggies, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, home fries, and your choice of meat. Served with a side of toast, it’s hearty, comforting, and guaranteed to satisfy all your savory breakfast cravings.

With a name like R U Hungry?, it may come as little surprise that this food truck is famed for its mighty meals. It featured in season two of Man v. Food, when Adam Richman was tasked with consuming five giant sandwiches in 45 minutes. While the host was beaten by the food, those keen to try the challenge can still attempt it. Alternatively, why not order a few options to share with friends instead? The Fat Cat, a sub featuring a double cheeseburger, lettuce, tomato, French fries, mayonnaise, and ketchup, is the crowd favorite. 

Barbecue joints often feature on Man v. Food, but perhaps none are quite as noteworthy as this Iowa hotspot. Founded in 2008, Jethro’s has gone on to open multiple locations across the state, including in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Ames. It attracts both locals and tourists, and they all largely come to get their hands on The Jethro. Featured on the show, this tower of a sandwich includes the joint’s famous giant pork tenderloin, Carolina-style pulled pork, smoked pit ham, and a double order of thick bacon. Pictured is a smaller version of the challenge, which is sometimes offered as a menu special. 

With a paper-thin pastry casing and a sweet or savory filling, lumpia are Filipino-style spring rolls. They're crispy on the outside but tender in the center, and they happen to be the specialty at The Lumpia Company in Oakland. The spot featured in season 10 of Man v. Food, when Casey Webb undertook the epic challenge of finishing a 3.5lb platter piled with 28 lumpia rolls and sauces in just 30 minutes. This feast isn’t for the faint of heart, so instead, we’d recommend ordering a selection of lumpia to share; the Baco Cheeseburger rolls, with ground beef, smoked bacon, Cheddar, and onions are highly recommended.

Founded in 1938, Wintzell’s Oyster House has been fueling the local community with incredible fresh seafood for over eight decades, and it's showing no signs of slowing down. While many locals come here for the award-winning seafood gumbo and warm hospitality, an appearance on season four of Man v. Food, when Adam Richman enlisted a fellow foodie to attempt to break the record for the most oysters eaten in an hour, put it on the map. Even if oysters aren’t your thing, the rest of the fish-focused menu is well worth sampling.

Old-school eatery Al’s Hamburgers has been slinging burgers and shakes for over nine decades, and it continues to impress with its classic American fare. We’d recommend ordering Casey Webb’s favorite, the Tailgate Burger, which sees an 8oz patty topped with cheese curds and jalapeños, then finished with a bratwurst, sautéed onions, and German brown mustard. Served on a ciabatta bun and accompanied by a side of French fries or tater tots, it’s a rib-sticking meal worthy of its appearance on Man v. Food.

Cheyenne Crossing Store dishes up frybread – South Dakota's official bread – with a twist. Frybread is essentially a type of flatbread that’s fried until it's golden and crispy on the outside and doughy in the center. At Cheyenne Crossing, it’s served taco-style and comes loaded up with toppings (think meaty pinto bean sauce, shredded cheese, salsa, diced tomatoes, black olives, red onion, and sour cream). Having been given the seal of approval from Casey Webb, it's a must-order.

If you feel like diving into the monster-sized pizza pictured, you’ll need to visit Beau Jo’s. The restaurant created its now-famous Colorado mountain pizza in 1973, and it hasn’t looked back since. Taking inspiration from the state’s mountainous terrain, it features a peaked, braided crust and a variety of toppings. The dish is served with a bottle of honey, which diners are encouraged to drizzle over the top. Adam Richman adored the unique flavors and boulder-like nature of the base.

Set up in 1938, Brennan and Carr is a world-renowned sandwich shop. The menu may be small but, as Adam Richman can attest, the item that foodies travel across the country to get their hands on is the team’s legendary roast beef sandwich. Melt-in-your-mouth tender and outrageously messy, layers of roast beef are dipped in the joint’s signature beef broth and sandwiched inside a fluffy bun. For those who want extra flavor, Richman recommends asking for the ‘double dip,’ which sees the sandwich fully submerged in the broth, resulting in a soft, slightly soggy creation that’s unbelievably good. 

Serving ranchers, cowboys, and cattle haulers for over a century, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse is the Oklahoma City joint you need on your radar. Complete with a classic steakhouse-style wooden interior, the restaurant was the known stomping ground of former president George Bush whenever he visited the city, and the joint honors him with its Presidential Choice T-Bone. Adored by Adam Richman in a season three episode of Man v. Food, it’s essentially two steaks in one; it combines the rich flavor of strip sirloin and the tenderness of a filet, and it comes finished with secret seasonings and a delicious jus.

Philippe The Original isn’t just a Los Angeles institution, it’s a national treasure. Founded in 1908 by Philippe Mathieu, who claims to have created the French dip sandwich, the joint continues to impress with its meat-loaded fare over a century later. Adam Richman visited in season one of Man v. Food and was blown away by the spot's mouthwatering creations. There’s a host of meats to choose from, but you really can’t beat the Beef Dip, which sees a fluffy French roll stuffed with sliced roast beef, then dipped in gravy from the roast.

This small fast food chain is known for its epic portions and mighty burgers, one of which Adam Richman tackled in Man v. Food season two. Originally named the Double Big Judd (before being renamed the Man V. Food Burger), this enormous stack features two 1lb patties, 10 pieces of bacon, two heaps of mushroom, two layers of blue and Swiss cheese, mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato, all packaged inside a bun. It’s then served with large fries and a drink. Due to its mega size, it’s worth tackling this one with a friend.

If there’s one thing Minneapolis is famous for, it’s the Juicy Lucy (or Jucy Lucy). It's essentially an inside-out cheeseburger; the cheese is crammed inside the patty, creating a melty, molten mouthful. Its invention, however, is hotly contested between two joints. In one episode of Man v. Food, Adam Richman embarked on a quest to find out who really invented the dish. Local haunt Matt's Bar and Grill says it's been frying its Jucy Lucy burger since the 1950s, explaining that it was added to the menu after a customer requested a patty with cheese in the middle. The other restaurant, 5-8 Club, contests this and sells the Juicy Lucy. Richman’s favorite? He doesn’t say, leaving it up to diners to decide. 

How long would it take you to work your way through 15 dozen oysters (180, to be exact)? At Acme Oyster House in New Orleans, diners are tasked with consuming the lot in one hour. Adam Richman took on the extreme challenge in season one of Man v. Food and won his place on the leader board. The restaurant, which now boasts five locations (including one in Alabama and another in Florida), also offers regular-sized oyster servings, as well as Louisiana specialties like seafood gumbo, jambalaya, and po’ boys.

Offering hefty sandwiches filled with melt-in-your-mouth meats, Katz’s Delicatessen is legendary for a reason. Not only has it featured in Hollywood movies like When Harry Met Sally and received multiple accolades, but it also proved its worth when Adam Richman visited for Man v. Food. Choose between the iconic pastrami and corned beef sandwich – or go for Richman’s favorite, the Reuben, complete with melty Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and a pickle-studded dressing.

Home to mammoth ice cream sundaes and stupendous shakes, Crown Candy Kitchen has built a reputation around its giant portions. It's been a St. Louis must-visit since 1913, and the team's 5 Malt Challenge has been going strong for over a century. Participants must finish five 24oz malts or shakes in 30 minutes to win (and get their order for free). Unfortunately, Adam Richman fell at the last hurdle, but that hasn’t stopped hundreds of others taking on the feat.  

Love nothing more than a plate of oozy mac ’n’ cheese? You’ll adore Mr. Mac’s, a Manchester favorite dedicated to America’s greatest comfort food. It's home to over 20 mac ’n’ cheese–focused entrées, and customers rave about how mouthwateringly good the meals are here. Casey Webb was equally impressed when he visited, sampling the Cheeseburger Mac, which comes loaded with seasoned ground beef, Cheddar, American cheese, pickles, and Thousand Island dressing.

Slinging award-winning burgers since 2011, Paradise Valley Burger has quite a reputation for its signature patties, which have featured on both Man v. Food and Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It's far from your average burger joint; here, you’ll find the team whizzing up seriously innovative creations. While the Relleno Burger sampled by Casey Webb has been discontinued, you can still expect to sample the likes of beer-battered patties, burnt sugar–scorched buns, and cheese-slathered fries.

This Honolulu spot has been serving the local community award-winning Hawaiian cuisine since 1946, and it continues to excite with its nourishing, no-fuss eats. Helena’s Hawaiian Food featured on a season two episode of Man v. Food; Adam Richman was amazed at the quality and flavors coming from the pipikaula short ribs, a regional specialty that sees marinated meat cooked low and slow. The restaurant also received a James Beard Award in 2000.

This Worcester favorite is an old-school cart diner complete with red booths, twisty stools lining the counter, and old-school signs hanging on the walls. It’s become hugely popular, not just with locals, but also with tourists, thanks to its appearance on Man v. Food. Casey Webb was amazed by its rustic charm and expansive French toast menu, which he 'loved, loved, loved.' Popular toast choices include banana bread, peaches and cream, and King Kong French Toast, featuring bananas, walnuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, coconut, vanilla, and a caramel and chocolate sauce swirl.

Expect breathtaking views across the water and the freshest wild-caught seafood when you dine at Mantunuck Oyster Bar. This popular spot was founded by Perry Raso, who purchased an oyster farm in the early 2000s and transformed the space into a thriving business. The water-to-table eatery became so famous that it caught the attention of Casey Webb; for an episode of Man v. Food, the host sampled the legendary Oyster Trio, a flavor-packed platter featuring two grilled, two Bourbon, and two Rockefeller-style oyster bites.

Taking the award for 'best burger' at the World Food Championships in 2016, The Burger Dive has a global reputation, attracting hungry diners from far and wide. Among them was Casey Webb, who featured the joint on Man v. Food to highlight its 'I’m Your Huckleberry' Burger. Coated in the joint's signature Huckleberry Hatch chili barbecue sauce, it’s finished with crispy bacon, goats’ cheese, arugula, and roasted red pepper mayonnaise. Webb went as far as saying it was 'phenomenal.'

Founded in 1945, Handy’s Lunch has established itself as the Burlington spot for home-style breakfasts and hearty lunches. Those feeling ultra-hungry should order the Casey Webb–approved Chuck Norris. This towering breakfast sandwich features four eggs, cheese, bacon, ham, sausage, a burger patty, and corned beef, all squashed between five pieces of French toast. Whether you tackle this with a knife and fork, break it down into two sandwiches, or pick up the colossal meal with your hands is entirely up to you.