With the Super Bowl slowly creeping around the corner, Associated Press food editor J.M. Hirsch set out to find to the top eateries playing host to the big game.
He enlisted the help of Food Network star Guy Fieri and comedian Judy Gold.
When it comes to the Superbowl, Fieri has one rule.
"You can't just order 10 pizzas! That's a throwaway!" he told the AP. "That's an insult to the game. You've got to put some time into it."
The threesome took a tour around Manhattan, to find the best spots to celebrate Super Bowl XLVII, which will be at Met Life Stadium next month. The first stop was what Hirsch predicted, Fieri's Time Square restaurant, Guy's American Kitchen and Bar. Hirsch first-ever visit to the restaurant, he mentioned in the article.
Hirsch said the table was covered with plates of Mongolian chicken wings bathed in a sticky honey-soy sauce, a rack of sashimi tacos filled with ahi tuna, mango jicama salsa and a soy glaze, general Tso's pork shank, and colossal French dip sandwiches
"I don't think everyone will subscribe to this, but I put in as much time and attention when I'm putting together a Super Bowl spread as I do Thanksgiving," Fieri said. "This is the greatest day of the greatest game."
The meal ended with a burger topped with mac and cheese, bowls of beef, sausage and bacon chili and ended with bread pudding bathed with Jack Daniels.
After Fieri's restaurant the friends moved on to Ben's, a kosher deli on 38th Street.
"We're gonna have some pastrami!" Gold yelled, according to the AP.
After downing matzo ball soup, stuffed cabbage, a knish and kreplach also known as dumplings, Hirsch and the gang agreed that a Jewish deli is not the most conventional place to hold die hard fans of the sport.
"Especially this time of year, if you're getting ready to go to the Super Bowl or you're going tailgating, man, I want somebody to bust out matzo ball soup," Fieri said.
For Hirsch, the most amusing moment was when a rabbi, who claimed to be a huge fan of Fieri, excitedly dropped a couple of F-bombs.
As they continued their journey Gold, who co-stars in the new season of "Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off," began to worry about about puking and not being able to consume anymore food.
Next stop was Defonte's of Brooklyn, located on third avenue. The gang ordered four massive subs, a Nicky special that came with ham, salami, fried eggplant, provolone cheese, and marinated mushrooms, a hot roast beef with fresh mozzarella, fried eggplant.
Other orders included a Sinatra special, and a firehouse special which came roast pork, fried eggplant, broccoli raab and provolone cheese. Instead of enjoying their food the traditional way, in front of a table, the guys took the food to go and chowed down in a car,
According to Hirsch, the sandwiches needed no translation. For a Super Bowl party, individuals can order about a dozen sandwiches, slice them and set them up for a perfect feast.
Last and finally stop, was Fred's, a sports bar and restaurant. Covering their table this time around were plates filled with Buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese, a bacon and mushroom cheeseburger, and a Super Bowl salad with beets, goat cheese, oranges, walnuts and pineapple.
As the guys call it an end to their food adventure, Hirsch said Gold put into words what everyone was thinking.
"If I throw up, I'm texting you."
Hirsch said the next day text read: "Puked all night. So sick today. Not kidding, I'm going to KILL you the next time I see you!!"
According to Hirsch, he is ready for the Super bowl.
Thanks for the stomach ache... Four dinners in four hours with @GuyFieri and Judy Gold. pic.twitter.com/oPZgSemeZ4
— J.M. Hirsch (@JM_Hirsch) December 10, 2013
