Man v. Food with Adam Richman Season 1 Episode 2 Memphis
- December 4, 2008
- 21 min
In Season 1, Episode 2 of Man v. Food, host Adam Richman travels to Memphis, Tennessee to take on the city's most iconic food challenges.
The episode begins with Adam visiting the Rendezvous, a famous BBQ joint in Memphis. He meets with owner John Vergos to learn about their secret dry rub recipe and the history of the restaurant. Adam then helps prepare over 200 pounds of ribs for the evening rush and takes on the Rendezvous Challenge - eating 4 pounds of ribs in under an hour. Can Adam handle the heat of some of the best BBQ in the country?
Next, Adam heads to Kooky Canuck, a local diner known for its oversized food portions. He attempts the Kookamonga Challenge - a 6-pound burger with 4 pounds of toppings and a 1-pound side of fries. Adam gets tips from owner Shawn Danko on how to approach the massive burger before taking on the challenge. Can he finish the Kookamonga in under an hour and become a member of the exclusive Kookamonga Club?
Adam also visits the Arcade Restaurant, the oldest diner in Memphis, known for its classic Southern cuisine. He tries their famous sweet potato pancakes and Memphis-style hash before tackling the Arcade Challenge - eating a Gut Buster breakfast consisting of 4 pancakes, 4 eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, and biscuits with gravy in under 45 minutes.
Adam takes a break from the food challenges to visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and learn about the rich musical history of Memphis. He talks with CEO Jeff Konkel about the influence of Stax Records and Memphis on the music industry.
Lastly, Adam heads to Cozy Corner, a small barbecue joint known for its unique BBQ Cornish game hen. Owner Desiree Robinson shows Adam how to prepare the game hens and the secret to their delicious BBQ sauce. Adam then attempts the Cornish Hen Challenge - eating 4 whole BBQ Cornish game hens in under an hour.
Throughout the episode, Adam also explores Memphis's culture and history, including a visit to Beale Street and a tour of the Peabody Hotel's famous duck march. Can Adam handle the heat and become a Memphis food champion? Tune in to find out!