Ep 4. St. Louis, MO

Adam Richman travels to St. Louis, Missouri to take on the city's famous food challenges in the fourth episode of Man v. Food's eighth season. From cheesy toasted ravioli to a giant bacon-wrapped hot dog, the city has no shortage of unique and indulgent dishes for Adam to try.

The first stop on Adam's journey is a local institution, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. The family-owned business has been serving up frozen custard since 1929, and Adam is eager to try their famous "Concrete," a frozen custard sundae so thick that it can be served upside down without spilling. Ted Drewes is also known for their "Campfire," a Concrete loaded with marshmallows, hot fudge, and graham crackers.

Adam then heads to the Hill, St. Louis's Italian neighborhood, to try the city's signature dish – toasted ravioli. At Gioia's Deli, Adam samples their famous "Toasted Ravs," breaded and fried ravioli stuffed with meat and cheese and served with a side of marinara sauce. Adam is impressed with the crispy exterior and savory filling, declaring it "one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth."

Next up is Adam's biggest challenge yet – the "King Kong" sandwich from Papa Ray's Vintage Deli. The sandwich is a behemoth, featuring one pound of roast beef, one pound of turkey, half a pound of bacon, and half a pound of cheese, all topped off with lettuce and tomato and served on a massive hoagie roll. Adam has to use all his culinary expertise to navigate this towering sandwich, trying to keep all the fillings from falling out with each bite.

Adam also visits Gobble Stop Smokehouse, a barbecue joint known for their creative takes on classic dishes. The highlight of their menu is the "Big Popper Smoker" – a giant jalapeño popper with a twist. The pepper is stuffed with cream cheese and pulled pork, wrapped in bacon, and smoked for hours until the pepper is tender and the bacon is crispy. Adam is impressed with the flavor explosion and the perfect balance of spicy, smoky, and creamy.

Adam's last stop in St. Louis is Steve's Hot Dogs, a local favorite for their creative hot dog creations. Adam tries the "Big Elwood," a foot-long hot dog wrapped in bacon and topped with mac and cheese, and the "E.T.," a hot dog topped with peanut butter, bacon, and banana slices. Adam is skeptical of the unusual combinations at first, but after trying them, he's won over by the bold flavors and the fun, casual atmosphere of Steve's.

Throughout the episode, Adam also explores the history and culture of St. Louis, learning about the city's role in the Lewis and Clark expedition and visiting local landmarks like the Gateway Arch and the Cathedral Basilica. Adam's love for food and adventure is on full display in this episode, as he explores the unique and delicious cuisine of St. Louis with his trademark enthusiasm and humor.