Ep 17. North Carolina

In season 1, episode 17 of Man v Food, host Adam Richman heads to North Carolina to take on some of the state's most delicious and unique food challenges.

The episode begins in Durham, where Adam visits The Federal, a restaurant known for their massive, six-pound burger challenge. Adam meets with the chef and the owner, who give him a rundown of the challenge: six pounds of beef, ten slices of cheese, and all the toppings one can handle. Adam is given one hour to finish the challenge, and if he succeeds, he'll win a t-shirt and his name on the wall of fame. Adam sets to work, piling on the toppings and powering through the massive burger. The challenge proves to be more than he bargained for, but Adam is determined to come out on top.

Next, Adam travels to Chapel Hill to try his hand at the infamous "tar heel" challenge at Time-Out Restaurant. This challenge involves eating a chicken and cheese biscuit sandwich covered in gravy and topped with a fried egg. The twist? It must be eaten using only one's hands, no utensils allowed. Adam meets with the owner, who explains the origins of the challenge and its popularity in the area. Adam digs in, trying to manage the messy sandwich without making a complete mess of himself. Despite the difficulty of the challenge, Adam enjoys the unique flavors and textures of the sandwich.

After conquering the biscuit challenge, Adam heads to Raleigh to try a lesser-known North Carolina specialty: the pork chop sandwich. At The Roast Grill, Adam meets with the owner, who shows off the unique way they cook their hot dogs and pork chops. Adam tries the pork chop sandwich, which features a thin pork chop on a bun with mustard and onions. The sandwich is simple but satisfying, and Adam enjoys the traditional flavors of North Carolina.

Finally, Adam heads to Lexington, the "barbecue capital of the world" to try his hand at a huge barbecue challenge. At Lexington Barbecue, Adam meets with the owner and pit master, who explain the history and traditions of North Carolina barbecue. Adam is faced with a massive platter of barbecue pork, hushpuppies, and slaw, and he has one hour to finish it all. The challenge proves to be one of the most difficult yet, with Adam struggling to finish even a fraction of the massive platter. Despite the challenge, Adam appreciates the rich and smoky flavors of the barbecue, and he leaves with a newfound respect for North Carolina's barbecue traditions.

Overall, this episode of Man v Food showcases the unique and delicious food scene in North Carolina, with challenges ranging from massive burgers to messy biscuits to authentic barbecue. Adam Richman takes on the challenges with his usual enthusiasm and curiosity, and viewers will be left hungry for a taste of North Carolina's diverse food culture.