Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 20,21 (click to see context) from:
After three seasons, the show was retooled as ''Man v. Food Nation'' and ran for one additional season. In the retool, volunteers take on the challenges rather than Adam, as the large amounts of food and spice were beginning to to take their toll.
to:
After three seasons, the show was retooled as ''Man v. Food Nation'' and ran for one additional season. In the retool, volunteers take on the challenges rather than Adam, as the large amounts of food and spice were beginning to to take their toll.toll on his health.
Changed line(s) 24,25 (click to see context) from:
Adam was supposed to have a second food related show, titled ''Man Finds Food'' as a SpiritualSuccessor to this series, but it was indefinitely put on hold after [[RoleEndingMisdemeanor he went on an instagram tirade against an anonymous user]].
to:
Adam was supposed to have a second food related show, titled ''Man Finds Food'' as a SpiritualSuccessor to this series, but it was indefinitely put on hold after [[RoleEndingMisdemeanor he went on an instagram tirade against an anonymous user]].
user]] and ultimately ran for only one season.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 20,23 (click to see context) from:
After 4 seasons, Adam has retired from the show, but has a new show called ''Best Sandwich in America'', where he travels to various regions of the US to determine which of 30 sandwiches is the best in the country. As of August 8, 2012, all of the regional champions have been declared, and the finale to determine the best sandwich aired on August 15th. [[spoiler:The winner was the roast pork sandwich from Tommy [=DiNic=]'s Beef and Pork from Philadelphia]].
Adam is supposed to have a second food related show, titled ''Man Finds Food'' as a SpiritualSuccessor to this series, but it got delayed after [[RoleEndingMisdemeanor he went on an instagram tirade against an anonymous user]].
Adam is supposed to have a second food related show, titled ''Man Finds Food'' as a SpiritualSuccessor to this series, but it got delayed after [[RoleEndingMisdemeanor he went on an instagram tirade against an anonymous user]].
to:
After 4 three seasons, the show was retooled as ''Man v. Food Nation'' and ran for one additional season. In the retool, volunteers take on the challenges rather than Adam, as the large amounts of food and spice were beginning to to take their toll.
Adam has retired from the show, but has a new show called ''Best Sandwich in America'', where he travels to various regions of the US to determine which of 30 sandwiches is the best in the country. As of August 8, 2012, all of the regional champions have been declared, and the finale to determine the best sandwich aired on August 15th. [[spoiler:The winner was the roast pork sandwich from Tommy [=DiNic=]'s Beef and Pork from Philadelphia]].
Adamis was supposed to have a second food related show, titled ''Man Finds Food'' as a SpiritualSuccessor to this series, but it got delayed was indefinitely put on hold after [[RoleEndingMisdemeanor he went on an instagram tirade against an anonymous user]].
Adam has retired from the show, but has a new show called ''Best Sandwich in America'', where he travels to various regions of the US to determine which of 30 sandwiches is the best in the country. As of August 8, 2012, all of the regional champions have been declared, and the finale to determine the best sandwich aired on August 15th. [[spoiler:The winner was the roast pork sandwich from Tommy [=DiNic=]'s Beef and Pork from Philadelphia]].
Adam
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 3 (click to see context) from:
->''"I'm Adam Richman- a food fanatic who's held just about every job in the restaurant business. But now, I'm on a mouth-watering mission to find America's greatest pig-out spots, and take on its most legendary eating challenges. I'm no competitive eater- [[BigEater just a regular guy with a serious appetite!]] This is my ultimate hunger quest. This, is Man vs. Food!"''
to:
->''"I'm Adam Richman- a food fanatic who's held just about every job in the restaurant business. But now, I'm on a mouth-watering mission to find [[FoodPorn America's greatest pig-out spots, spots]], and take on its most legendary eating challenges. I'm challenges.''
->''I'm no competitive eater- [[BigEater just a regular guy with a serious appetite!]] This is my ultimate hunger quest. This, is Man vs. Food!"''
->''I'm no competitive eater- [[BigEater just a regular guy with a serious appetite!]] This is my ultimate hunger quest. This, is Man vs. Food!"''
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 3 (click to see context) from:
to:
->''"I'm Adam Richman- a food fanatic who's held just about every job in the restaurant business. But now, I'm on a mouth-watering mission to find America's greatest pig-out spots, and take on its most legendary eating challenges. I'm no competitive eater- [[BigEater just a regular guy with a serious appetite!]] This is my ultimate hunger quest. This, is Man vs. Food!"''
-->--'''Adam Richman''', in the show's intro.
-->--'''Adam Richman''', in the show's intro.
Changed line(s) 27 (click to see context) from:
* BittersweetEnding: The Ugly Burger challenge. Food techincally wins as Adam couldn't finish 4 of the 1.5 pound burgers, but he finished enough to earn a 4 by 8 poster on the wall of fame.
to:
* BittersweetEnding: The Ugly Burger challenge. Food techincally technically wins as Adam couldn't finish 4 of the 1.5 pound burgers, but he finished enough to earn a 4 by 8 poster on the wall Wall of fame.Fame.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 110,111 (click to see context) from:
** Kevin Youkilis of the [[{{Baseball}} Boston Red Sox]] appeared and jokingly called Yankee fan Adam a bum. He was not there specifically to be a special guest, just stopped by the restaurant for lunch.
*** In a way, the New York episode where Adam did the "Suicide Six Wings" rematch having then-[[{{Baseball}} New York Yankees]] pitcher Joba Chamberlain giving him advice involving how to beat the challenge -- "Basically, [[StealthPun you wing it.]]" -- is kind of a counterpoint to the Boston episode. Which would kind of give this an example of FridgeBrilliance here.
*** In a way, the New York episode where Adam did the "Suicide Six Wings" rematch having then-[[{{Baseball}} New York Yankees]] pitcher Joba Chamberlain giving him advice involving how to beat the challenge -- "Basically, [[StealthPun you wing it.]]" -- is kind of a counterpoint to the Boston episode. Which would kind of give this an example of FridgeBrilliance here.
to:
** Kevin Youkilis of the [[{{Baseball}} [[UsefulNotes/MLBTeams Boston Red Sox]] appeared and jokingly called Yankee fan Adam a bum. He was not there specifically to be a special guest, just stopped by the restaurant for lunch.
*** In a way, the New York episode where Adam did the "Suicide Six Wings" rematch havingthen-[[{{Baseball}} then-[[UsefulNotes/MLBTeams New York Yankees]] pitcher Joba Chamberlain giving him advice involving how to beat the challenge -- "Basically, [[StealthPun you wing it.]]" -- is kind of a counterpoint to the Boston episode. Which would kind of give this an example of FridgeBrilliance here.
*** In a way, the New York episode where Adam did the "Suicide Six Wings" rematch having
Changed line(s) 116 (click to see context) from:
** A Man V. Food Nation episode had three members of the [[{{Basketball}} Harlem Globetrotters]] (Bull Bullard, Hammer Harrison, and "Slick" Willie Shaw) participating in Harlem's "Squealer Challenge". For this episode, '''all three''' of the participating members have to beat the [[BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce spicy-capsaicin extract BBQ]] two-pound challenge in 15 minutes and then endure a 5 minute waiting period, or else the challenge would count as a loss. [[spoiler:Two of the Harlem Globetrotters finished with over a minute left to go, while the last one (Bull) finished it at the very last second. All three of them ended up succeeding the 5 minute waiting period, with two of the three enduring an extra minute's worth of pain since they had to wait for Bull to finish. Afterwords, they get honored with the Man V. Food Nation belt, [[AscendedFanboy while the Harlem Globetrotters end up honoring him with an honorary one-of-a-kind #1 Richman jersey for helping them out.]]]]
to:
** A Man V. Food Nation episode had three members of the [[{{Basketball}} [[UsefulNotes/{{Basketball}} Harlem Globetrotters]] (Bull Bullard, Hammer Harrison, and "Slick" Willie Shaw) participating in Harlem's "Squealer Challenge". For this episode, '''all three''' of the participating members have to beat the [[BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce spicy-capsaicin extract BBQ]] two-pound challenge in 15 minutes and then endure a 5 minute waiting period, or else the challenge would count as a loss. [[spoiler:Two of the Harlem Globetrotters finished with over a minute left to go, while the last one (Bull) finished it at the very last second. All three of them ended up succeeding the 5 minute waiting period, with two of the three enduring an extra minute's worth of pain since they had to wait for Bull to finish. Afterwords, they get honored with the Man V. Food Nation belt, [[AscendedFanboy while the Harlem Globetrotters end up honoring him with an honorary one-of-a-kind #1 Richman jersey for helping them out.]]]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 99 (click to see context) from:
** Before his mystery challenge in Sarasota: "My challenge is a mystery... but sometimes--" *GlassesPull* "--the mystery... is what makes it a challenge." [[CSIMiami YEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH]]
to:
** Before his mystery challenge in Sarasota: "My challenge is a mystery... but sometimes--" *GlassesPull* "--the mystery... is what makes it a challenge." [[CSIMiami [[Series/CSIMiami YEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
**The Boise, Idaho challenge, involving a huge burger, milkshake, and chili cheese fries, had a guitar as a prize.
**The Las Vegas burrito challenge had a lifetime of unlimited rides on a nearby NASCAR-themed roller coaster as a prize component.
**The Las Vegas burrito challenge had a lifetime of unlimited rides on a nearby NASCAR-themed roller coaster as a prize component.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* SandInMyEyes: Inverted when Adam tries some pasta made with ''three'' ghost peppers. He tries to play off his crying as having recently seen a sad movie.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* MegaMealChallenge: Most of the food challenges.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** In the Baltimore episode, Adam wears a [[TheWire "Carcetti for Mayor"]] t-shirt in several scenes.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 46 (click to see context) from:
** Also the "Fire in Your Hole" wing challenge (which featured the Ghost Chili as one of its ingredients) in Sarasota, FL. He only took two bites but couldn't continue because the damn thing were ''that'' hot. It was Adam his only loss in spicy challenges.
to:
** Also the "Fire in Your Hole" wing challenge (which featured the Ghost Chili as one of its ingredients) in Sarasota, FL. He only took two bites bites, but couldn't continue because the damn thing were was ''that'' hot. It was Adam his Adam's only loss in spicy challenges.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Adam is supposed to have a second food related show, titled ''Man Finds Food'' as a SpiritualSuccessor to this series, but it got delayed after [[RoleEndingMisdemeanor he went on an instagram tirade against an anonymous user]].
Changed line(s) 104 (click to see context) from:
*** In a way, the New York episode where Adam did the "Suicide Six Wings" rematch having current [[{{Baseball}} New York Yankees]] pitcher Joba Chamberlain giving him advice involving how to beat the challenge -- "Basically, [[StealthPun you wing it.]]" -- is kind of a counterpoint to the Boston episode. Which would kind of give this an example of FridgeBrilliance here.
to:
*** In a way, the New York episode where Adam did the "Suicide Six Wings" rematch having current [[{{Baseball}} then-[[{{Baseball}} New York Yankees]] pitcher Joba Chamberlain giving him advice involving how to beat the challenge -- "Basically, [[StealthPun you wing it.]]" -- is kind of a counterpoint to the Boston episode. Which would kind of give this an example of FridgeBrilliance here.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 114 (click to see context) from:
** Blimpie's in Ann Arbor, Michigan has burger menu consisting of over a dozen different ingredients, of which three are used per burger. The local university calculated that there are over 2.1 '''BILLION''' possible burger combinations.
to:
** Blimpie's in Ann Arbor, Michigan has burger menu consisting of over a dozen different ingredients, of which three are used per burger. [[UsefulNotes/UniversityOfMichigan The local university university]] calculated that there are over 2.1 '''BILLION''' possible burger combinations.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
going to the chippie - in Florida.
Added DiffLines:
** Adam visits a British-style fish and chip shop in Florida [[note]]Many Brits go to Florida as a holday destination: a British chippie would flourish here[[/note]]. To British viewers, even the standard portion is insanely large: we consider ''one'' piece of battered fried cod to be a sufficiency. It's our cuisine; we know what we're doing. But '''eight'''? ''On the same plate?''
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
I live in Louisville. The Comfy Cow is the name of a local ice cream parlor chain that has a challenge.
Changed line(s) 120 (click to see context) from:
*** The Louisville episode of Man V. Food Nation had "Burrito Joe" vomit in the 7-and-a-half pound "Comfy Cow" ice cream challenge.
to:
*** The Louisville episode of Man V. ''Man v. Food Nation Nation'' had "Burrito Joe" vomit in the 7-and-a-half pound "Comfy Cow" ice cream challenge.challenge at local chain The Comfy Cow.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Decided to add details on the Emmenecker sandwich.
Changed line(s) 102 (click to see context) from:
** In Des Moines, during Adam's unsuccessful attempt at the Adam Emmenecker[[note]] a former basketball player at the local Drake University, best known for being a three-year walk-on—in other words, not on scholarship—who became the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year as a senior[[/note]] Challenge, the sandwich's namesake stopped by to cheer him on.
to:
** In Des Moines, during Adam's unsuccessful attempt at the Adam Emmenecker[[note]] a former basketball player at the local Drake University, best known for being a three-year walk-on—in other words, not on scholarship—who became the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year as a senior[[/note]] Challenge, Challenge—a gigantic pork tenderloin, bacon cheeseburger, beef brisket, and buffalo chicken sandwich with a one-pound order of fries on the sandwich's namesake side—Emmenecker himself stopped by to cheer him Richman on.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Decided to put the Emmenecker item in a note.
Changed line(s) 102 (click to see context) from:
** In Des Moines, during Adam's unsuccessful attempt at the Adam Emmenecker Challenge (named after a former basketball player at the local Drake University, best known for being a three-year walk-on who became the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year as a senior), the sandwich's namesake stopped by to cheer him on.
to:
** In Des Moines, during Adam's unsuccessful attempt at the Adam Emmenecker Challenge (named after Emmenecker[[note]] a former basketball player at the local Drake University, best known for being a three-year walk-on who walk-on—in other words, not on scholarship—who became the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year as a senior), senior[[/note]] Challenge, the sandwich's namesake stopped by to cheer him on.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
** An example of TruthInTelevison as many actual competitive eaters are not very big. Particularly Takeru Kobiyashi, who is a legend in the sport.
to:
** An example of TruthInTelevison TruthInTelevision as many actual competitive eaters are not very big. Particularly Takeru Kobiyashi, who is a legend in the sport.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** An example of TruthInTelevison as many actual competitive eaters are not very big. Particularly Takeru Kobiyashi, who is a legend in the sport.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Another Special Guest: the namesake of one of the challenges he was trying.
Added DiffLines:
** In Des Moines, during Adam's unsuccessful attempt at the Adam Emmenecker Challenge (named after a former basketball player at the local Drake University, best known for being a three-year walk-on who became the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year as a senior), the sandwich's namesake stopped by to cheer him on.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 106 (click to see context) from:
** A Man V. Food Nation episode featured Jerry Sags, one half of the legendary tag team TheNastyBoys taking down a spicy ten wing challenge in Tampa, Fl. He had 30 minutes to complete the challenge + enduring 5 minutes of afterburn. [[spoiler: He took the wings down in 6 minutes and completed the afterburn like a boss!]]
to:
** A Man V. Food Nation episode featured Jerry Sags, one half of the legendary tag team TheNastyBoys Wrestling/TheNastyBoys taking down a spicy ten wing challenge in Tampa, Fl. He had 30 minutes to complete the challenge + enduring 5 minutes of afterburn. [[spoiler: He took the wings down in 6 minutes and completed the afterburn like a boss!]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
**The phall that required a gas mask to simply ''cook'' it comes to mind.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
**In one episode, which took place in Texas, Adam visits Round Rock, a city known for its doughnuts. He watches a male cook construct a huge cinnamon roll and makes a wink-wink reference to his "nice buns."
**Sometimes, Adam will engage in LampshadeHanging when another person does this, by saying, "Hey, watch it, this is a family show."
**Sometimes, Adam will engage in LampshadeHanging when another person does this, by saying, "Hey, watch it, this is a family show."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
*** Same goes for "This [food item] is so big, it has its own gravitational pull."
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Deleted line(s) 25 (click to see context) :
* BigFatFuture: If America keeps eating like this...
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** A Man V. Food Nation episode featured Jerry Sags, one half of the legendary tag team TheNastyBoys taking down a spicy ten wing challenge in Tampa, Fl. He had 30 minutes to complete the challenge + enduring 5 minutes of afterburn. [[spoiler: He took the wings down in 6 minutes and completed the afterburn like a boss!]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
*** None of this seems to stop him from [[ChickMagnet being surrounded by adoring female fans.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
*** Adam earned redemption on a later episode, taking down an even larger omelette.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Not the hottest anymore, now that the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion is a thing.
Changed line(s) 9 (click to see context) from:
# Spicy Challenges: almost always includes the Habenero chili. Or occasionally the even hotter Bhut Jolokia (AKA "Ghost Chili", the hottest chili in the world).
to:
# Spicy Challenges: almost always includes the Habenero chili. Or occasionally the even hotter Bhut Jolokia (AKA "Ghost Chili", one of the hottest chili chilis in the world).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:244:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/manvfood_2646.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:244:This is actually tame compared to the actual challenges.]]
''Man v Food'' Is an American travelogue show on the Travel Channel.
Adam Richman, the host, visits a "City of The Week" and takes on that city's most famous "Food Challenge", often involving a food native to that city. These challenges typically involve one of the following:
# Quantity Challenge: Simply the consumption of '''extreme''' quantities of a particular food or, in some challenges, a platter of several kinds of food.
# Spicy Challenges: almost always includes the Habenero chili. Or occasionally the even hotter Bhut Jolokia (AKA "Ghost Chili", the hottest chili in the world).
# Rematch Challenge : Grudge Match Challenge, wherein the host attempts challenges very similar to ones that he had previously lost.
And of course since this is a travelogue show, Act I and, usually, most of Act II are composed of the host visiting other restaurants in the City of the Week. This is done to encourage travel to the City of the Week. Adam goes more in depth on the "travel" side on the show's companion web series, ''[[http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Man_V_Food/Video/ci.Webseries_A_Side_Of_City.series A Side Of City.]]''
Note that the correct name of the show is "Man '''v''' Food", and not "Man ''vs.'' Food".
After 4 seasons, Adam has retired from the show, but has a new show called ''Best Sandwich in America'', where he travels to various regions of the US to determine which of 30 sandwiches is the best in the country. As of August 8, 2012, all of the regional champions have been declared, and the finale to determine the best sandwich aired on August 15th. [[spoiler:The winner was the roast pork sandwich from Tommy [=DiNic=]'s Beef and Pork from Philadelphia]].
!!'''Tropes in this show:'''
* {{Adorkable}}: Oh, Adam...
* ArchEnemy - The ghost chili pepper to Adam.
** Referenced when Adam went to San Antonio and took on the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" burger challenge at Chunky's Burgers -- this involved a 1/2 pound burger that contained ALL of the hot peppers of the world, from jalapeno to the ghost chili pepper that he had to eat in 25 minutes (with a 5 minute "afterburn" waiting period). Up until that point, he had never won a spicy foods challenge containing the ghost chili pepper, and he was very close to giving up on the "Four Horsemen" challenge after just one bite, but once he took the second bite he was able to complete the burger. This was the very first time he defeated his greatest foe and he celebrated accordingly.
* AscendedFanboy - Adam ends up coaching three members of the [[{{Basketball}} Harlem Globetrotters]] for a two pound spicy BBQ sandwich challenge. The ending of the Harlem episode of Man V. Food Nation had Adam receiving [[spoiler:a one-of-a-kind #1 [[{{Basketball}} Harlem Globetrotters]] jersey after Adam presented three of its members the Man V. Food Nation belt that they won in their spicy challenge.]]
* BigEater: Adam, even under normal circumstances. Regular exercise keeps his figure just north of average.
* BigFatFuture: If America keeps eating like this...
* BittersweetEnding: The Ugly Burger challenge. Food techincally wins as Adam couldn't finish 4 of the 1.5 pound burgers, but he finished enough to earn a 4 by 8 poster on the wall of fame.
* BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce: WILL be involved during the Spicy Challenges.
** The broth in a ramen noodle soup challenge is so spicy, not even the owner, who cooked it for Adam, has ever tried it.
** The "Stupid Wings" challenge: In addition to the employees being instructed to actively discourage people from doing it, Adam was required to sign a waiver before starting.
** Then there was the sushi challenge which had qualifying rounds just to see if the challenger had any hope of being able to eat the actual challenge roll.
** At least one hot wings challenge and one BBQ sandwich had ''capsaicin extract'' as an ingredient. Capsaicin being the chemical that makes hot peppers hot, the extract is nothing more than a (forebodingly) dark liquid that has no taste. It's basically nothing more than pure, liquified pain in a bottle.
* BraggingRightsReward: The prizes for the challenges are rarely greater than a photo on the wall and/or [[AndYourRewardIsClothes a t-shirt.]]
** Sometimes the meal is also free.
** One of Adam's more unusual rewards was a bumper sticker.
** On the other hand, there have been challenges that rewards Adam with a [[{{Zonk}} prize that displays to the world that he lost]].
* CatchPhrase: "Today, in the battle of [challenge name] at [challenge location]... Today: Man/Food won!"
** While the above example is his actual catchphrase, Adam says "This is the one of the best _____(whatever food he's eating) I've ever eaten!" so frequently that it might as well be his catch phrase as well.
** On ''Man v. Food Nation'', whenever that episode's challenger fails his/her attempt: "We salute the victorious food."
* ConsolationWorldRecord: When Adam failed to break the Men's world record in the "Don Juan Taco" challenge, Juan created a new Celebrity record category with Adam as the first record holder.
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: You wouldn't know it by looking, but the show has documented quite a few people who ''look'' like they could simply not be able to pull off any of these challenges, yet they do.
* CurbstompBattle: Adam's first encounter with the "Suicide Wings." He took ''one bite'', and had to stop. He later came back and won though. Keep in mind that the first attempt was performed before the series started.
** Also the "Fire in Your Hole" wing challenge (which featured the Ghost Chili as one of its ingredients) in Sarasota, FL. He only took two bites but couldn't continue because the damn thing were ''that'' hot. It was Adam his only loss in spicy challenges.
* {{Determinator}}: During the Doughman relay in Durham, North Carolina, Adam twists his ankle while running in his part of the relay. He initially slows to a walk, but later continues running to the tag off the last leg of the race. His team placed 19th out of 59 overall, a respectable position.
* DiabolusExMachina: Adam managed to finish off five giant milkshakes with in the set time, only to lose the challenge when he couldn't keep the shakes down. He had ordered several different milkshakes, which he admitted was what did him in at the end. The challenge gets a ContinuityNod in a later one wherein he has to drink a 6-lb. shake and eat a 1-lb. sandwich, as he decides to just order a giant vanilla shake.
* DownerEnding: Food winning - especially when Adam falls ''just'' short.
** One that stands out is Memphis' "Sasquatch Burger", which was about the size of a spare tire. He got about halfway through it before throwing in the towel.
** The "Don Juan Taco" challenge: Adam can set a new record by eating 8 breakfast tacos and there's no time limit. He eats four with no problem, then decides to take a break, taking advantage of the unlimited time. But when he's ready to eat the fifth taco, he can't because he's still full. Realizing that it will be hours before he can finish, he throws in the towel because he doesn't want to take up anyone else's time.
** The Great Steak Challenge: Adam had to eat '''74 ounces''' of Steak (5 different varieties) in under an hour. Adam fell short by 2 bites, but the real downer was ''he ran out of time'' (he had enough room to eat the remaining meat).
** The "Southwestern Exposure" 12-egg omelet: Adam was able to defeat "West Coast Adam" by eating more of the 5 pound, pizza platter-sized feast, but lost the challenge ''by 2 bites.''
* FoodPorn: Invoked and parodied.
** Adam even [[LampshadeHanging pointed it out]] in one episode of Carnivore Chronicles.
* FreezeFrameBonus: During the "Kodiak Arrest" challenge, a list is shown of ingredients that comprise the challenge as well as the two segments shown prior. Throughout the list are a few of Santa's reindeer.
* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: During the "Manimal Challenge" Episode, Adam was having a field day with the name Futcher.
** Man V. Food Nation: "Shedhead".
* HarderThanHard: Many of the challenges have a single-digit win total (with a few at ''no one''). None of the contests Adam has faced have a win percentage of over 20%.
** New York's Curry challenge plays this trope straight and seemingly subverts it, over 100 people have won the challenge, but thousands have tried and failed.
* HiddenDepths: If you saw Adam outside of ''Man v. Food'', you'd think he's the fun-loving guy who loves to take on food challenges. However, he IS a [[GeniusBruiser Yale graduate]].
** Taken UpToEleven on his knowledge of food. Just watch him on his guest appearance as a judge on ''IronChefAmerica''. Still the same {{Adorkable}} guy, but he does know his food, high-end or not.
* ItTastesLikeFeet: "[[TheSimpsons It tastes like burning]]'' has been invoked by name more than once.
* MundaneMadeAwesome: For the 190 pound burger challenge (no that's not a typo) in Detroit, Adam recruited help from an entire local football and hockey team's lineups, a local firefighter precinct, a roller derby squad, Mexican lucha libre wrestlers, and a {{KISS}} cover band in full makeup
-->'''Masked Wrestler''': [Standing up and brandishing a whole pickle] ''[[CrowningMomentOfFunny I GOT PICKLEEEEEEES!]]'' '''''YEAAAAAH!!!'''''
* NationalStereotypes: To people outside the USA, this show tends to reinforce the idea that a goodly proportion of Americans are morbidly obese waddling gutbuckets. Given that the ''normal'' food serving is several times larger than comparable eateries in Europe - even ''before'' Adam gets onto the food challenge super-dupa-mega American Excess-style serving, this is not unreasonable. Those Americans trying to challenge the stereotype that most citizens are visibly obese have an extra hill to climb, now that this show is seen widely in Europe.
** Over the course of four series, not very surprisingly, Adam visibly porks out. A lot. Just watch a distinctly obese Adam Richman cheerleading in the Brick Lane Curry house (a little bit of Indian Britain exported to the USA?)
* NoIndoorVoice: Adam tends to shout at times whenever doing his voiceovers.
* PrecisionFStrike: The "Kitchen Sink" Challenge
-->Hostess: "Alright Adam, now all you have to do is finish the tray!"
-->Adam (Narrating): "I forgot about the F'-- tray!"
** And again during the Oyster Bar challenge.
-->'''Crowd:''' ''TWO DOZEN MORE! TWO DOZEN MORE!''
-->'''Adam:''' ''NO F#&$ING WAY! NO F#&$ING WAY!''
** The first time we meet capsaicin extract:
-->'''Cook:''' We add five drops of this. ''(gives Adam a small vial)''
-->'''Adam:''' What's this?
-->'''Cook:''' Pure capsaicin extract.
-->'''Adam:''' ...YOU'RE A D!@K.
** The return of the Suicide Six-Wing Challenge:
-->''*Adam takes a taste of the wing sauce*''
-->''*{{beat}}*''
-->'''Adam:''' ''OH, HOLY SH!T!''
* PungeonMaster: Adam
* RaceAgainstTheClock: Most challenges Adam goes up against are of this variety. Interestingly enough, most challenges he fails to are typically due to running out of time, instead of other factors.
** One challenge in particular involved a giant burger sold at a minor-league {{baseball}} park that had to be eaten between the seventh-inning stretch and the game's final out (between 12 and 15 outs, depending on if the home team needed to bat in the bottom of the ninth). This meant that Adam didn't know ''exactly'' how long he had to finish it since it was ''how quickly the outs were recorded'' that determined how much time he had, rather than a clock. He managed to finish it off only because the final batter fouled off an 0-2 pitch.
* SchmuckBait: The spicy challenges. Some have disclaimers warning challengers what a bad idea trying them is.
* SelfDeprecatingHumor
* ShapedLikeItself: Somewhat literally, in the Richmond, VA "Stupid Wing Challenge", the secret ingredient in the "Container of Poor Judgement" is the Stupid Wing sauce left over from all the batches made over the course of the sauce's first day, and left to marinate with the leftovers from each consecutive day afterwards.
* ShoutOut: In one challege when the crowd starts chanting "Half-way there!", Adam responds "and I'm [[BonJovi livin' on a prayer.]]"
** Before his mystery challenge in Sarasota: "My challenge is a mystery... but sometimes--" *GlassesPull* "--the mystery... is what makes it a challenge." [[CSIMiami YEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH]]
* SophisticatedAsHell: During San Francisco's "Kitchen Sink Challenge":
--> '''Adam''': In the words of Creator/WilliamShakespeare; "This totally sucks."
* SpecialGuest: ''BizarreFoods' '' Andrew Zimmern appeared in the Minneapolis episode to introduce Adam to the "wonders" of [[ForeignQueasine lutefisk]].
** Syracuse University head men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim appeared in the Syracuse episode to help Adam sample some food at his favorite restaurant.
** When Phoenix restaurant owner of [=CoopersTown=] Music/AliceCooper appears, Adam responds by bowing and saying [[WaynesWorld "We're not worthy!"]].
*** Also in Phoenix, Sam Moore of the soul and R&B duo "Sam & Dave" (best known for the song "Soul Man") appeared before Adam took his "Ultimate Sliders Challenge" at Chompie's Deli.
** In Atlanta, while stopping by Gladys Knight's soul food restaurant, the lady herself was in, and personally cooked up some chicken and waffles for Adam.
** In the "Don Shula 48-oz. Steak Challenge", the man himself appeared in Adam's training segment.
** Kevin Youkilis of the [[{{Baseball}} Boston Red Sox]] appeared and jokingly called Yankee fan Adam a bum. He was not there specifically to be a special guest, just stopped by the restaurant for lunch.
*** In a way, the New York episode where Adam did the "Suicide Six Wings" rematch having current [[{{Baseball}} New York Yankees]] pitcher Joba Chamberlain giving him advice involving how to beat the challenge -- "Basically, [[StealthPun you wing it.]]" -- is kind of a counterpoint to the Boston episode. Which would kind of give this an example of FridgeBrilliance here.
** Well-known competitive eater and San Jose native Joey Chestnut participated in the Iguana's Taqueira's "[=BurritoZilla=]" challenge when Adam announced that he had a different challenge to cover and asked who amongst the crowd was going to participate in this challenge. Joey ended up beating the 5 pound challenge in ''3 minutes and 10 seconds''!
** A Man V. Food Nation episode had the Lo Cash Cowboys particapting in Nashville's undefeated "Big Roost Challenge". [[spoiler:The challenge is still undefeated.]]
** A Man V. Food Nation episode filmed in Key West had Music/VanillaIce talking about his enjoyment for the Blue Heaven's key lime pie.
** A Man V. Food Nation episode had three members of the [[{{Basketball}} Harlem Globetrotters]] (Bull Bullard, Hammer Harrison, and "Slick" Willie Shaw) participating in Harlem's "Squealer Challenge". For this episode, '''all three''' of the participating members have to beat the [[BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce spicy-capsaicin extract BBQ]] two-pound challenge in 15 minutes and then endure a 5 minute waiting period, or else the challenge would count as a loss. [[spoiler:Two of the Harlem Globetrotters finished with over a minute left to go, while the last one (Bull) finished it at the very last second. All three of them ended up succeeding the 5 minute waiting period, with two of the three enduring an extra minute's worth of pain since they had to wait for Bull to finish. Afterwords, they get honored with the Man V. Food Nation belt, [[AscendedFanboy while the Harlem Globetrotters end up honoring him with an honorary one-of-a-kind #1 Richman jersey for helping them out.]]]]
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Every chance he gets, Adam gets a burger with bacon and bleu cheese.
** He also tends to like chili a lot.
* TheUnreveal: In some of Adam's visits, before he takes the challenge, he participates in city-famous food debates such as the 'Ju(i)cy Lucy' in the Twin Cities. After trying both foods, he stands in front of one of the restaurants, and says that his favorite is (cue the noisy truck). He pulls off a similar stunt with regards to the Coney Island hot dog between American and Lafayette.
* UpToEleven: How insane can the ''non-challenge'' foods get? Let's see: the "Fried Chicken Eggs-Benedict"? Everything at the California State Fair (including a potato spiral with a hot dog in the middle, and a deep-fried ''three''-Twinkie-on-a-stick)? Cinnamon rolls with their own gravitational pull?
** Blimpie's in Ann Arbor, Michigan has burger menu consisting of over a dozen different ingredients, of which three are used per burger. The local university calculated that there are over 2.1 '''BILLION''' possible burger combinations.
** The Texas-sized donut made at Round Rock Donuts. What do they use to cut those out of the dough? ''A bucket!''
** Detroit's Mega Burger restaurant often requires the chefs to cook the burgers in a giant stew pot (Just to keep the shape), and the cooking process for the meat itself takes hours.
** From the San Antonio episode, Lulu's Restaurant and Bakery had their chicken fried steak that was bigger than the plate it was served on and a 3-pound cinnamon roll that one frequent customer, not a thin wisp of a man, said would probably constitute four breakfasts for him and his wife. The second restaurant, Big Lou's Pizza, sold normal-sized pizzas but specialized in an encrmous 30-inch pizza that, when ordered as a supreme pizza, contained a plethora of toppings. Adam ate it with the entire Lujan family (the ones who owned Big Lou's), which added up to at least a dozen people.
* VomitDiscretionShot: Amazingly infrequent.
** The aforementioned milkshake challenge and the "Carnivore Challenge" 11 pound pizza, currently. The latter had it happen to Adam's challenge partner.
*** The Louisville episode of Man V. Food Nation had "Burrito Joe" vomit in the 7-and-a-half pound "Comfy Cow" ice cream challenge.
* WaxingLyrical: One episode of Man v. Food Nation featured a pizza filled to the brim with four different chilis (with the habenero being the spiciest). Adam sampled the pizza, then turns to the chef and started quoting rapper DMX.
-->"Ya'll gonna make me lose my mind. [=*points to his nose*=] Up in here. Up in here.
----
[[caption-width-right:244:This is actually tame compared to the actual challenges.]]
''Man v Food'' Is an American travelogue show on the Travel Channel.
Adam Richman, the host, visits a "City of The Week" and takes on that city's most famous "Food Challenge", often involving a food native to that city. These challenges typically involve one of the following:
# Quantity Challenge: Simply the consumption of '''extreme''' quantities of a particular food or, in some challenges, a platter of several kinds of food.
# Spicy Challenges: almost always includes the Habenero chili. Or occasionally the even hotter Bhut Jolokia (AKA "Ghost Chili", the hottest chili in the world).
# Rematch Challenge : Grudge Match Challenge, wherein the host attempts challenges very similar to ones that he had previously lost.
And of course since this is a travelogue show, Act I and, usually, most of Act II are composed of the host visiting other restaurants in the City of the Week. This is done to encourage travel to the City of the Week. Adam goes more in depth on the "travel" side on the show's companion web series, ''[[http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Man_V_Food/Video/ci.Webseries_A_Side_Of_City.series A Side Of City.]]''
Note that the correct name of the show is "Man '''v''' Food", and not "Man ''vs.'' Food".
After 4 seasons, Adam has retired from the show, but has a new show called ''Best Sandwich in America'', where he travels to various regions of the US to determine which of 30 sandwiches is the best in the country. As of August 8, 2012, all of the regional champions have been declared, and the finale to determine the best sandwich aired on August 15th. [[spoiler:The winner was the roast pork sandwich from Tommy [=DiNic=]'s Beef and Pork from Philadelphia]].
!!'''Tropes in this show:'''
* {{Adorkable}}: Oh, Adam...
* ArchEnemy - The ghost chili pepper to Adam.
** Referenced when Adam went to San Antonio and took on the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" burger challenge at Chunky's Burgers -- this involved a 1/2 pound burger that contained ALL of the hot peppers of the world, from jalapeno to the ghost chili pepper that he had to eat in 25 minutes (with a 5 minute "afterburn" waiting period). Up until that point, he had never won a spicy foods challenge containing the ghost chili pepper, and he was very close to giving up on the "Four Horsemen" challenge after just one bite, but once he took the second bite he was able to complete the burger. This was the very first time he defeated his greatest foe and he celebrated accordingly.
* AscendedFanboy - Adam ends up coaching three members of the [[{{Basketball}} Harlem Globetrotters]] for a two pound spicy BBQ sandwich challenge. The ending of the Harlem episode of Man V. Food Nation had Adam receiving [[spoiler:a one-of-a-kind #1 [[{{Basketball}} Harlem Globetrotters]] jersey after Adam presented three of its members the Man V. Food Nation belt that they won in their spicy challenge.]]
* BigEater: Adam, even under normal circumstances. Regular exercise keeps his figure just north of average.
* BigFatFuture: If America keeps eating like this...
* BittersweetEnding: The Ugly Burger challenge. Food techincally wins as Adam couldn't finish 4 of the 1.5 pound burgers, but he finished enough to earn a 4 by 8 poster on the wall of fame.
* BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce: WILL be involved during the Spicy Challenges.
** The broth in a ramen noodle soup challenge is so spicy, not even the owner, who cooked it for Adam, has ever tried it.
** The "Stupid Wings" challenge: In addition to the employees being instructed to actively discourage people from doing it, Adam was required to sign a waiver before starting.
** Then there was the sushi challenge which had qualifying rounds just to see if the challenger had any hope of being able to eat the actual challenge roll.
** At least one hot wings challenge and one BBQ sandwich had ''capsaicin extract'' as an ingredient. Capsaicin being the chemical that makes hot peppers hot, the extract is nothing more than a (forebodingly) dark liquid that has no taste. It's basically nothing more than pure, liquified pain in a bottle.
* BraggingRightsReward: The prizes for the challenges are rarely greater than a photo on the wall and/or [[AndYourRewardIsClothes a t-shirt.]]
** Sometimes the meal is also free.
** One of Adam's more unusual rewards was a bumper sticker.
** On the other hand, there have been challenges that rewards Adam with a [[{{Zonk}} prize that displays to the world that he lost]].
* CatchPhrase: "Today, in the battle of [challenge name] at [challenge location]... Today: Man/Food won!"
** While the above example is his actual catchphrase, Adam says "This is the one of the best _____(whatever food he's eating) I've ever eaten!" so frequently that it might as well be his catch phrase as well.
** On ''Man v. Food Nation'', whenever that episode's challenger fails his/her attempt: "We salute the victorious food."
* ConsolationWorldRecord: When Adam failed to break the Men's world record in the "Don Juan Taco" challenge, Juan created a new Celebrity record category with Adam as the first record holder.
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: You wouldn't know it by looking, but the show has documented quite a few people who ''look'' like they could simply not be able to pull off any of these challenges, yet they do.
* CurbstompBattle: Adam's first encounter with the "Suicide Wings." He took ''one bite'', and had to stop. He later came back and won though. Keep in mind that the first attempt was performed before the series started.
** Also the "Fire in Your Hole" wing challenge (which featured the Ghost Chili as one of its ingredients) in Sarasota, FL. He only took two bites but couldn't continue because the damn thing were ''that'' hot. It was Adam his only loss in spicy challenges.
* {{Determinator}}: During the Doughman relay in Durham, North Carolina, Adam twists his ankle while running in his part of the relay. He initially slows to a walk, but later continues running to the tag off the last leg of the race. His team placed 19th out of 59 overall, a respectable position.
* DiabolusExMachina: Adam managed to finish off five giant milkshakes with in the set time, only to lose the challenge when he couldn't keep the shakes down. He had ordered several different milkshakes, which he admitted was what did him in at the end. The challenge gets a ContinuityNod in a later one wherein he has to drink a 6-lb. shake and eat a 1-lb. sandwich, as he decides to just order a giant vanilla shake.
* DownerEnding: Food winning - especially when Adam falls ''just'' short.
** One that stands out is Memphis' "Sasquatch Burger", which was about the size of a spare tire. He got about halfway through it before throwing in the towel.
** The "Don Juan Taco" challenge: Adam can set a new record by eating 8 breakfast tacos and there's no time limit. He eats four with no problem, then decides to take a break, taking advantage of the unlimited time. But when he's ready to eat the fifth taco, he can't because he's still full. Realizing that it will be hours before he can finish, he throws in the towel because he doesn't want to take up anyone else's time.
** The Great Steak Challenge: Adam had to eat '''74 ounces''' of Steak (5 different varieties) in under an hour. Adam fell short by 2 bites, but the real downer was ''he ran out of time'' (he had enough room to eat the remaining meat).
** The "Southwestern Exposure" 12-egg omelet: Adam was able to defeat "West Coast Adam" by eating more of the 5 pound, pizza platter-sized feast, but lost the challenge ''by 2 bites.''
* FoodPorn: Invoked and parodied.
** Adam even [[LampshadeHanging pointed it out]] in one episode of Carnivore Chronicles.
* FreezeFrameBonus: During the "Kodiak Arrest" challenge, a list is shown of ingredients that comprise the challenge as well as the two segments shown prior. Throughout the list are a few of Santa's reindeer.
* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: During the "Manimal Challenge" Episode, Adam was having a field day with the name Futcher.
** Man V. Food Nation: "Shedhead".
* HarderThanHard: Many of the challenges have a single-digit win total (with a few at ''no one''). None of the contests Adam has faced have a win percentage of over 20%.
** New York's Curry challenge plays this trope straight and seemingly subverts it, over 100 people have won the challenge, but thousands have tried and failed.
* HiddenDepths: If you saw Adam outside of ''Man v. Food'', you'd think he's the fun-loving guy who loves to take on food challenges. However, he IS a [[GeniusBruiser Yale graduate]].
** Taken UpToEleven on his knowledge of food. Just watch him on his guest appearance as a judge on ''IronChefAmerica''. Still the same {{Adorkable}} guy, but he does know his food, high-end or not.
* ItTastesLikeFeet: "[[TheSimpsons It tastes like burning]]'' has been invoked by name more than once.
* MundaneMadeAwesome: For the 190 pound burger challenge (no that's not a typo) in Detroit, Adam recruited help from an entire local football and hockey team's lineups, a local firefighter precinct, a roller derby squad, Mexican lucha libre wrestlers, and a {{KISS}} cover band in full makeup
-->'''Masked Wrestler''': [Standing up and brandishing a whole pickle] ''[[CrowningMomentOfFunny I GOT PICKLEEEEEEES!]]'' '''''YEAAAAAH!!!'''''
* NationalStereotypes: To people outside the USA, this show tends to reinforce the idea that a goodly proportion of Americans are morbidly obese waddling gutbuckets. Given that the ''normal'' food serving is several times larger than comparable eateries in Europe - even ''before'' Adam gets onto the food challenge super-dupa-mega American Excess-style serving, this is not unreasonable. Those Americans trying to challenge the stereotype that most citizens are visibly obese have an extra hill to climb, now that this show is seen widely in Europe.
** Over the course of four series, not very surprisingly, Adam visibly porks out. A lot. Just watch a distinctly obese Adam Richman cheerleading in the Brick Lane Curry house (a little bit of Indian Britain exported to the USA?)
* NoIndoorVoice: Adam tends to shout at times whenever doing his voiceovers.
* PrecisionFStrike: The "Kitchen Sink" Challenge
-->Hostess: "Alright Adam, now all you have to do is finish the tray!"
-->Adam (Narrating): "I forgot about the F'-- tray!"
** And again during the Oyster Bar challenge.
-->'''Crowd:''' ''TWO DOZEN MORE! TWO DOZEN MORE!''
-->'''Adam:''' ''NO F#&$ING WAY! NO F#&$ING WAY!''
** The first time we meet capsaicin extract:
-->'''Cook:''' We add five drops of this. ''(gives Adam a small vial)''
-->'''Adam:''' What's this?
-->'''Cook:''' Pure capsaicin extract.
-->'''Adam:''' ...YOU'RE A D!@K.
** The return of the Suicide Six-Wing Challenge:
-->''*Adam takes a taste of the wing sauce*''
-->''*{{beat}}*''
-->'''Adam:''' ''OH, HOLY SH!T!''
* PungeonMaster: Adam
* RaceAgainstTheClock: Most challenges Adam goes up against are of this variety. Interestingly enough, most challenges he fails to are typically due to running out of time, instead of other factors.
** One challenge in particular involved a giant burger sold at a minor-league {{baseball}} park that had to be eaten between the seventh-inning stretch and the game's final out (between 12 and 15 outs, depending on if the home team needed to bat in the bottom of the ninth). This meant that Adam didn't know ''exactly'' how long he had to finish it since it was ''how quickly the outs were recorded'' that determined how much time he had, rather than a clock. He managed to finish it off only because the final batter fouled off an 0-2 pitch.
* SchmuckBait: The spicy challenges. Some have disclaimers warning challengers what a bad idea trying them is.
* SelfDeprecatingHumor
* ShapedLikeItself: Somewhat literally, in the Richmond, VA "Stupid Wing Challenge", the secret ingredient in the "Container of Poor Judgement" is the Stupid Wing sauce left over from all the batches made over the course of the sauce's first day, and left to marinate with the leftovers from each consecutive day afterwards.
* ShoutOut: In one challege when the crowd starts chanting "Half-way there!", Adam responds "and I'm [[BonJovi livin' on a prayer.]]"
** Before his mystery challenge in Sarasota: "My challenge is a mystery... but sometimes--" *GlassesPull* "--the mystery... is what makes it a challenge." [[CSIMiami YEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH]]
* SophisticatedAsHell: During San Francisco's "Kitchen Sink Challenge":
--> '''Adam''': In the words of Creator/WilliamShakespeare; "This totally sucks."
* SpecialGuest: ''BizarreFoods' '' Andrew Zimmern appeared in the Minneapolis episode to introduce Adam to the "wonders" of [[ForeignQueasine lutefisk]].
** Syracuse University head men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim appeared in the Syracuse episode to help Adam sample some food at his favorite restaurant.
** When Phoenix restaurant owner of [=CoopersTown=] Music/AliceCooper appears, Adam responds by bowing and saying [[WaynesWorld "We're not worthy!"]].
*** Also in Phoenix, Sam Moore of the soul and R&B duo "Sam & Dave" (best known for the song "Soul Man") appeared before Adam took his "Ultimate Sliders Challenge" at Chompie's Deli.
** In Atlanta, while stopping by Gladys Knight's soul food restaurant, the lady herself was in, and personally cooked up some chicken and waffles for Adam.
** In the "Don Shula 48-oz. Steak Challenge", the man himself appeared in Adam's training segment.
** Kevin Youkilis of the [[{{Baseball}} Boston Red Sox]] appeared and jokingly called Yankee fan Adam a bum. He was not there specifically to be a special guest, just stopped by the restaurant for lunch.
*** In a way, the New York episode where Adam did the "Suicide Six Wings" rematch having current [[{{Baseball}} New York Yankees]] pitcher Joba Chamberlain giving him advice involving how to beat the challenge -- "Basically, [[StealthPun you wing it.]]" -- is kind of a counterpoint to the Boston episode. Which would kind of give this an example of FridgeBrilliance here.
** Well-known competitive eater and San Jose native Joey Chestnut participated in the Iguana's Taqueira's "[=BurritoZilla=]" challenge when Adam announced that he had a different challenge to cover and asked who amongst the crowd was going to participate in this challenge. Joey ended up beating the 5 pound challenge in ''3 minutes and 10 seconds''!
** A Man V. Food Nation episode had the Lo Cash Cowboys particapting in Nashville's undefeated "Big Roost Challenge". [[spoiler:The challenge is still undefeated.]]
** A Man V. Food Nation episode filmed in Key West had Music/VanillaIce talking about his enjoyment for the Blue Heaven's key lime pie.
** A Man V. Food Nation episode had three members of the [[{{Basketball}} Harlem Globetrotters]] (Bull Bullard, Hammer Harrison, and "Slick" Willie Shaw) participating in Harlem's "Squealer Challenge". For this episode, '''all three''' of the participating members have to beat the [[BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce spicy-capsaicin extract BBQ]] two-pound challenge in 15 minutes and then endure a 5 minute waiting period, or else the challenge would count as a loss. [[spoiler:Two of the Harlem Globetrotters finished with over a minute left to go, while the last one (Bull) finished it at the very last second. All three of them ended up succeeding the 5 minute waiting period, with two of the three enduring an extra minute's worth of pain since they had to wait for Bull to finish. Afterwords, they get honored with the Man V. Food Nation belt, [[AscendedFanboy while the Harlem Globetrotters end up honoring him with an honorary one-of-a-kind #1 Richman jersey for helping them out.]]]]
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Every chance he gets, Adam gets a burger with bacon and bleu cheese.
** He also tends to like chili a lot.
* TheUnreveal: In some of Adam's visits, before he takes the challenge, he participates in city-famous food debates such as the 'Ju(i)cy Lucy' in the Twin Cities. After trying both foods, he stands in front of one of the restaurants, and says that his favorite is (cue the noisy truck). He pulls off a similar stunt with regards to the Coney Island hot dog between American and Lafayette.
* UpToEleven: How insane can the ''non-challenge'' foods get? Let's see: the "Fried Chicken Eggs-Benedict"? Everything at the California State Fair (including a potato spiral with a hot dog in the middle, and a deep-fried ''three''-Twinkie-on-a-stick)? Cinnamon rolls with their own gravitational pull?
** Blimpie's in Ann Arbor, Michigan has burger menu consisting of over a dozen different ingredients, of which three are used per burger. The local university calculated that there are over 2.1 '''BILLION''' possible burger combinations.
** The Texas-sized donut made at Round Rock Donuts. What do they use to cut those out of the dough? ''A bucket!''
** Detroit's Mega Burger restaurant often requires the chefs to cook the burgers in a giant stew pot (Just to keep the shape), and the cooking process for the meat itself takes hours.
** From the San Antonio episode, Lulu's Restaurant and Bakery had their chicken fried steak that was bigger than the plate it was served on and a 3-pound cinnamon roll that one frequent customer, not a thin wisp of a man, said would probably constitute four breakfasts for him and his wife. The second restaurant, Big Lou's Pizza, sold normal-sized pizzas but specialized in an encrmous 30-inch pizza that, when ordered as a supreme pizza, contained a plethora of toppings. Adam ate it with the entire Lujan family (the ones who owned Big Lou's), which added up to at least a dozen people.
* VomitDiscretionShot: Amazingly infrequent.
** The aforementioned milkshake challenge and the "Carnivore Challenge" 11 pound pizza, currently. The latter had it happen to Adam's challenge partner.
*** The Louisville episode of Man V. Food Nation had "Burrito Joe" vomit in the 7-and-a-half pound "Comfy Cow" ice cream challenge.
* WaxingLyrical: One episode of Man v. Food Nation featured a pizza filled to the brim with four different chilis (with the habenero being the spiciest). Adam sampled the pizza, then turns to the chef and started quoting rapper DMX.
-->"Ya'll gonna make me lose my mind. [=*points to his nose*=] Up in here. Up in here.
----
