Burgers, Brew and 'Que
Chef Michael Symon embarks on a summer road trip to taste the best burgers, brews and BBQ the U.S. has to offer.
Genre: Reality-TV
Cast:Michael Symon , Mario Batali , Kendra Wilkinson , Eddie Jackson , Duff Goldman , Scott Conant , John Besh , Bobby Flay , Alex Guarnaschelli , Angel Symon , Dennis Symon , Billy Gardell , Josh Charles , Anthony Anderson , Haylie Duff , Jenni Farley , Nick Lachey , Michael Strahan
S1.E1 ∙ Southern, Spicy and Sweet
In the premiere episode, Bobby Flay makes a surprise appearance at an over-the-top barbecue joint in New York. On the menu: one-of-a-kind brontosaurus beef rib; hot chicken; the brunch burger.
S1.E2 ∙ Whole Hog Heaven
Michael visits a burger joint in Nashville, where diners are encouraged to construct their own custom creations; and meets a pit-master in Brooklyn, who smokes Carolina-style whole hog barbecue. Also: pub food pushing new boundaries in Cleveland.
S1.E3 ∙ Finger-Licking Good
Alex Guarnaschelli joins Michael for beer and hot dogs in Manhattan; in Ohio, Michael learns what inspired a former NFL star's top-secret process for deboning ribs; and in rural Ohio, Michael meets a husband and wife, who use chorizo to give their meatloaf a crazy kick.
S1.E4 ∙ Bring on the Bratwurst
Mario Batali shows Michael his favorite late-night indulgence at a classic burger joint in NYC. Also: smoked meat in Nashville; and pairing bratwurst and pierogi with house-made brews in Cleveland.
S1.E5 ∙ Sweet and Smokey
Michael puts the spotlight on a dessert burger, found in his hometown of Cleveland; and in Brooklyn, he meets a smoked-meat lover, who combines old-school Jewish deli items with traditional Canadian-style dirty fries.
S1.E6 ∙ Hot and Spicy
In the Season 1 finale, Michael travels to Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan for a spicy burger, featuring four different kinds of peppers; and finds Latin flavors in Southern comfort foods, during a trip to Nashville.
S2.E1 ∙ Smoked and Stacked
In the Season 2 premiere, Duff Goldman joins Michael Symon at a favorite smokehouse in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where they share a pork belly hoagie. Also: a big, fat Greek burger in St. Louis; pit-roasted meats and spicy salsa with fresh tortillas in Austin, Texas.
S2.E2 ∙ Sweet and Savory
Chef Scott Conant brings host Michael Symon to his favorite burger and brew bar in an out-of-the-way corner of New Orleans. Also: award-winning smoked meat techniques from two brothers in Kansas City, Kansas; and a lively Austin, Texas joint known for their antisanal sausages and brew-infused cocktails.
S2.E3 ∙ Hot, Charred and Crispy
Crunchy po'boys and spicy barbecue shrimp are among the highlights of a New Orleans restaurant that's memorable for using Cajun flavors in new and unique ways. Also: a chef in Brooklyn names a delicious burger after his wife.
S2.E4 ∙ Spiced, Salty and Succulent
Eddie Jackson of The Next Food Network Star (2005) meets Michael Symon in Austin for a popular barbecue sandwich. Also: Michael travels to Jersey City for a sweet and spicy burger.
S2.E5 ∙ Meat, Meat and More Meat
John Besh shows Michael Symon his most treasured spot for an incredible burger and sides that play on New Orleans staples. Also: a juicy authentic Eastern European pot roast, that takes five days to make, in Hoboken, New Jersey.
S2.E6 ∙ Tastes of the Tropics
Pastry chef Ron Ben-Israel meets Michael in Baton Rouge to feast on a Caribbean-inspired brisket melt. Then, Michael heads up to Kentucky for a chorizo burger in Louisville and a seriously spicy fried chicken sandwich in Lexington.
S2.E7 ∙ Decadent Regional Dishes
Jay Ducote joins Michael Symon in Baton Rouge for a burger with a twist; and in St. Louis, Michael has toasted ravioli stuffed with burnt ends. Also: a peach-glazed pork chop and peanut butter mousse pie are on the menu in Austin.
S2.E8 ∙ Super Chefs' Favorite Foods
Michael and NFL Hall of Famer Earl Campbell eat juicy brisket and warm peach cobbler at a Texas barbecue restaurant. Also: a burger topped with bacon and blue cheese in Cincinnati; and inside-out shepherd's pie and beer-infused donuts in Kansas City.
S2.E9 ∙ Juicy, Crunchy and Tangy
In Lexington, Kentucky, Michael raves about a plump pork burger and smoked chicken wings, smothered in blackberry jalapeno sauce; and in Cleveland, Ohio, spicy fried chicken and waffles are the talk of the food scene. Also: he visits the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana.
S2.E10 ∙ Ooey, Gooey and Cheesy
Michael gets messy in New Orleans with a bacon-onion jam, Brie and brioche brunch burger, that's served with creamy crabmeat mac and cheese. Later, in San Antonio, he devours a massive meatloaf sandwich, wrapped in crispy bacon and drenched with an egg.
S2.E11 ∙ Deep-Fried Comfort Creations
Michael digs into a deep-fried burger in Brooklyn; and a smoked and savory steak-bacon biscuit in Lexington, Kentucky. Also: he tastes Cajun creations, including crawfish and grits and jambalaya, in the New Orleans French Quarter.
S2.E12 ∙ Brisket for Breakfast
Included: a bacon-and-blue cheeseburger gives an old San Antonio, Texas institution new life. Also: host Michael Symon eats a spicy sausage, that's a staple of his home state of Ohio; and starts his day in Austin, Texas with meaty eggs Benedict.
S2.E13 ∙ Meat Fix Four Ways
Host Michael Symon spends time with a family at the forefront of great American barbecue for four generations, when he travels to Lockhart, Texas, in the Season 2 finale. Also: lobster meat and pork belly amp up a traditional BLT in Brooklyn.
S3.E1 ∙ Barbecue in the Big Apple
Michael Symon and his good buddy, Michael Strahan, bounce around New York City dining on juicy burgers, meatball sliders, succulent St. Louis-style ribs, pastrami-topped pizza and authentic Texas barbecue. Also: a lesson in country-western two-step.
S3.E2 ∙ Phenomenal Philly Food Fest
Nick Lachey meets up with Michael in Philadelphia. Their tour of the city's food scene includes Jose Garces over-the-top bourbon burger, German smoked sausages, authentic Italian pizza, and local brews.
S3.E3 ∙ Meat Plus Music Makes Mario's Michigan
Michael learns the local spots to visit in the Traverse City area of Northern Michigan, while spending time with longtime summer resident, Mario Batali. Highlights include smoked fish, delicious brew, olive burgers and a night rocking out to a favorite band.
S3.E4 ∙ Salty and Smoky in the Windy City
Anthony Anderson helps Michael Symon discover some of Chicago's legendary food institutions. Their food tour of the Windy City includes smoked sausages, indulgent burgers, phenomenal pork and rare brews. Later, Michael settles a dispute, with a local chef, with a sumo-style wrestling match.
S3.E5 ∙ Motor City's Mouthwatering Meats
Michael Symon introduces Kendra Wilkinson to Detroit's food and microbrew scene. Highlights include Coney Island hot dogs, spicy Korean sliders, and pulled pork enchiladas. Finally, they end their day with a head-to-head, bee-laden throwing competition.
S3.E6 ∙ Comedy and Cooking in the City of Angels
Laughter fills the air when Billy Gardell accompanies Michael Symon on a food tour of Los Angeles. Included: they compare a famous old-fashioned chili burger with an imaginative contemporary take. Also: table side barbecue in Koreatown; bar games at a downtown brewery.
S3.E7 ∙ Decadent D.C. Dining
Jenni Farley joins Michael in Washington, D.C., where the duo take on the best classic barbecue, freshest farmhouse burgers, and most outrageous microbrews the nation's capital has to offer.
S3.E8 ∙ Beers, Burgers and Bocce in Baltimore
Josh Charles meets up with Michael at his favorite place for crab cakes in town; after a round of bocce ball, Michael introduces Josh to some of Baltimore's best new spots for juicy, inventive burgers and craft brews.
S4.E1 ∙ Stuffed, Spicy, and Cheesy
Michael Symon sinks his teeth into Greek- and Italian-style burgers in Queens, NY, and has to sign a waiver to order a super spicy rabbit-meat hot dog in Houston, TX.
S4.E2 ∙ Smoked Whole Hog
Michael Symon heads to Asheville, N.C., where he smokes a whole hog for traditional Carolina-style pulled pork. Then he finds a supremely spicy burger in Atlanta that has customers wading through fire for one bite after another.
S4.E3 ∙ Mountains of Meat
Michael Symon meets a chef bringing the Indian street food flavors of his childhood to Asheville, NC. Then, in Houston, TX, he finds pastrami-spiced burnt ends pork belly and jalapeno-glazed lamb "pops" fresh from the smoker.
S4.E4 ∙ Brunchtime BBQ
In Charleston, SC, Michael Symon makes chorizo from scratch for a saucy BBQ brunch burrito. Atlanta has a Caribbean pork sandwich with a loyal following, and a Dallas breakfast burger is the perfect way to start the day.
S4.E5 ∙ Smoked Smorgasbord for a Shark's Appetite
Michael Symon tries an enormous bone-in pork chop brined for six hours and fired on a grill. In Phoenix, he finds a smoked lamb sandwich with homemade mint sauce made by a chef who's even smoking brownies.
S4.E6 ∙ Slammin' Hot & Smoky
In Asheville, Michael digs into a slammin' sandwich with three different cuts of pork, smothered in a house-made triple-cheese sauce. Then in Phoenix, a flaming hot burger is stuffed with spicy jalapeno jack cheese and covered in buffalo sauce. And finally in Portland Oregon, a drunken chicken pot pie from a brewery so revolutionary, they're launching beer into space.
S4.E7 ∙ Smoking Meats and Summertime Eats
Michael Symon smokes a whole hog and devours a slow-smoked rib-eye steak sandwich. Then he tries a double-patty burger with grilled cheese sandwiches for buns, plus beef and duck tacos paired with a local brew.
S4.E8 ∙ Sweet Treats and Savory Meats
Michael Symon starts in Boston, with a triple process pork belly that's cured, brined, and smoked to meaty perfection. Then in Seattle, tender braised lamb shoulder amps up a traditional breakfast hash. Finally, in Miami, they're using fresh, local cinnamon rolls as buns for this insanely sweet and savory burger.
S4.E9 ∙ Extra Meat Please
Michael Symon starts in Queens, New York, with a burger loaded to the max with beef, ham, bacon and sausage. A Korean-style smoked pork sandwich with miso-barbecue sauce makes Atlanta the frontier of barbecue fusion.
S4.E10 ∙ Super Smoked and Savory
In Queens, New York, Michael Symon dives into the juiciest, meatiest, triple-stacked burger with beef, lamb, and turkey. Next, Houston Texas, has some of the most authentic Mexican lamb barbacoa this side of the border, wrapped in fresh banana leaves and oven roasted until it falls off the bone. And finally in Atlanta, Georgia, a barbecue joint is smoking everything from meatloaf, to turkey tacos, and even their guacamole.
S4.E11 ∙ Giant Meat and Habanero Heat
Michael Symon starts in Boston with a burger that started as a late night, off-menu secret and accidentally became the talk of the town. Then in Seattle, a beer-hall serves a mammoth, pretzel-breaded, deep fried pork shank. And finally in Miami, baby-back ribs get a spicy, fruity makeover with a homemade guava habanero glaze.
S4.E12 ∙ Kicked Up Classics
Michael Symon starts in Memphis, Tennessee, with a triple-layered twist on classic regional dry rub ribs, and a succulent corned beef that's a 30-day labor of love. Then in Phoenix, Arizona, classic mac 'n cheese gets a boozy boost from a special in-house brew. And finally, a burger pop-up turned brick-and-mortar is taking traditional favorites like pizza and PB&J and turning them into the city's best burgers.
S4.E13 ∙ Beef, Belly, Bacon, and Bourbon
In Savannah, Georgia, Michael Symon starts with the ultimate sweet and savory pork belly sliders with bacon jam and bourbon sauce, nestled inside a fluffy doughnut bun. Then in Portland, Oregon, eggs baked in a tomato and pepper stew make the best shakshuka in the city. And finally in Miami, Florida, alligator ribs smothered in honey mustard barbecue sauce are an exotic ode to uniquely southern 'que.
S4.E14 ∙ Dangerously Good Eats
First up in Memphis, Tennessee, Michael Symon sinks his teeth into a burger so dangerously good, innocent bystanders better beware. Then in Atlanta, Georgia, pizza gets a brunch makeover with creamy scrambled eggs and crispy pancetta. And finally in Houston, Texas, Thai style fried chicken and Caribbean jerk smoked ribs pack Texas sized flavor into Houston's delicious melting pot.
S4.E15 ∙ Beastly Burgers
Michael Symon starts in Boston, Massachusetts, with a whole smoked hog that gets the royal treatment with injections of marinade, a salt crust, and finally a foil wrap for the crispiest skin. Then in Phoenix, Arizona, a wolf of a burger gets topped with smoked pulled pork, bacon, a stout BBQ sauce and beer mustard. And finally in Dallas, Texas, a whole game hen sitting on a beer can makes for the juiciest chicken in all of Texas.
S4.E16 ∙ Super Smoky and Dizzyingly Delicious
Michael Symon starts in Savannah, Georgia, where fried chicken and pancake tacos are a delicious reinvention of classic chicken and waffles. Then in Seattle, Washington, a burger with a house-made chorizo patty brings serious Spanish flavor to the Pacific Northwest. And finally in Dallas, Texas, smoked pulled pork with a Kansas City style BBQ rub is a dizzyingly delicious mashup of Midwest and Southern BBQ.
S4.E17 ∙ Triple Meat Trifecta
First up in Newport, Rhode Island, Michael Symon dives into a triple meat stacked sandwich with smoked pork belly, and house-made bologna and chicken liver pate. Then in San Francisco, California, a rich, decadent, ultra-crispy deep fried soft-shell crab patty will change the way you look at burgers. And finally in Seattle, Washington, jumbo spicy fried chicken wings zing with a fiery green Szechuan peppercorn sauce.
S4.E18 ∙ Family Feast
In Memphis, Tennessee, Michael Symon gets a very special invitation to sit down with 4 generations of BBQ royalty for the inside scoop on their most delicious family secrets, and some downhome smoked turkey and sweet potato fried pie. Then in Portland, Oregon, an insane burger is stacked over a foot tall with 3 beef patties, mozzarella sticks, jalapeno poppers, onion rings, bacon, ham, eggs, and more. And finally in Atlanta, Georgia, chile-rubbed duck breast is some of the best Latin food north of the border.
S5.E1 ∙ Symon's Cleveland Que
Michael Symon starts in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, at his very own restaurant, with a tender, juicy, hulking pastrami beef rib, and a special look at his grandfather's recipe for scratch-made spaetzle and spicy sauerkraut. Then, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a food truck serves up a beer-marinated, oven roasted, flavor-packed pork loin sandwich. And finally in Buffalo, New York, chicken and waffles gets a makeover in burger form, with a spicy maple bourbon glaze and waffle buns.
S5.E2 ∙ Build Your Own Burger
Michael Symon starts at the ultimate custom burger bar in Providence, Rhode Island, where he chooses from over 400,000 topping combinations to create his own meaty masterpiece. Then, in Columbus, Ohio, a modern Filipino diner is braising and then frying their succulent pork belly for the juiciest pork buns around. And finally in Buffalo, New York, a roasted onion stuffed with smoked pork and brisket is a northern take on classic southern 'que.
S5.E3 ∙ Smokehouse Reinventions
First up in Islip, New York, Michael Symon digs into a decadent, 17-layer smokehouse reinvention of lasagna with pork, brisket, bacon, and mac and cheese. Then in Buffalo, New York, a brew pub takes the city's most famous export, buffalo chicken, and stuffs it into a scratch-made pierogi for an epic reinvention of the game day classic. Finally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a bicycle café slings some seriously tricked out burgers crafted just for hungry riders.
S5.E4 ∙ Meat Lover's Madness
Michael Symon heads to his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where a brewery revolutionizes classic pub fare with ultra-decadent confit chicken wings in chipotle-maple glaze. Then, a burger bar in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, piles brisket, bacon, and ham on top of a 4-cut blended steak patty for the ultimate meat lover's paradise. And finally in Indianapolis, Indiana, pork ribs get smoked, and then deep fried, for the juiciest meat and the crispiest crunch.
S5.E5 ∙ Sausages, Franks and Dogs
In Sagaponack, New York, Michael Symon heads to a smokehouse where succulent, slow-smoked pork ribs mopped with a zesty, tangy, citrus barbecue sauce are saucy and succulent. Then in Columbus, Ohio, a beefy burger topped with smoky kielbasa is a regional fusion of local flavors on an American classic. And finally in Indianapolis, Indiana, octopus-pork and salmon sausages are insanely unique takes on the tried and true favorite hot dog.
S5.E6 ∙ Bacon Behemoths
First up, Michael Symon heads to Providence, where a traditional Rhode Island hot wiener in a crepe topped with chili is the ultimate local comfort food. Then in Indianapolis, Indiana, a beefy steak patty topped with a Chinese Char Sui Slaw, nestled inside a soft steamed Bao bun is a delicious take on burger fusion. Finally, a smokehouse in Columbus, Ohio, serves their cold-smoked baby-backs on a bed of flaming hay for total smoke saturation, and an 18oz bacon steak is pure, porkbelly perfection.
S5.E7 ∙ Burnt ends for Breakfast
Michael Symon heads to Plainview, New York, where a chocolate bacon burger is loaded from top to bottom with sweet and savory indulgence. Next, Columbus, Ohio, has a soy-marinated pineapple hanger steak draped over spicy kimchi fried rice that'll set your taste buds on fire. Finally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, fried potato cakes loaded with brisket burnt ends, mustard hollandaise, and a perfectly runny egg takes breakfast to a whole new level.
S5.E8 ∙ O.G. Flavor
Michael Symon visits his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where a lamb burger with Kalamata olive salt is a nostalgic taste of Michael's Greek heritage. Then in Buffalo, New York, we head to the very place where the original, iconic, namesake Buffalo wings were invented over 50 years ago, for a taste of all their saucy glory. And finally in Indianapolis, Indiana, wild boar baby-back ribs and duck sausage pig in a blanket are innovative new takes on smoky, succulent 'que.
S6.E1 ∙ Champion Burger Knockouts
Michael Symon starts in San Diego with a Champ Burger loaded with beer-braised pork that packs a powerful punch, and he can't pass up a cookie-brownie mashup that satisfies every sweet tooth. In Wichita, Kan., cola-braised brisket makes the ultimate taco, and wildly inventive rattlesnake and elk sausages make seriously savage dogs in Denver.
S6.E2 ∙ Bacon Knows Best
In Las Vegas, Michael Symon takes down a towering fortress of succulent ribs and a sandwich trifecta of juicy brisket, pork and sausage. A porker of a burger features bacon, pork belly and prosciutto in Wichita, KS.
S6.E3 ∙ Scary Good Smoked Meat
In San Diego, Michael Symon chows down on fish tacos with housemade blue corn tortillas and a meaty Mexican pizza. In Denver, a local Colorado lamb patty is a remake of a traditional Hawaiian hangover cure, the Loco Moco. Finally, a pulled pork and brisket sandwich and a barbecue rib-meat chimichanga are to die for in Little Rock, Ark.
S6.E4 ∙ Barbecue Boss of All Sandwiches
In Palm Springs, Calif., Michael Symon sinks his teeth into a meaty stacked sandwich and a beefy ballpark dog. In Oklahoma City, a gas station-turned-burger joint serves a fried apple and brie cheeseburger to fuel the soul, and in Little Rock, Ark., homemade deep-fried sausage and Cajun crawfish enchiladas have diners clawin' for more.
S6.E5 ∙ Smoked, Stuffed and Smothered
In San Diego, Michael Symon devours a delicious dumpling-inspired pork and shrimp burger and an elevated pub food classic. In Tulsa, OK, a food truck serves smoked meatballs with a cheesy surprise inside.
S6.E6 ∙ Bayou Barbecue and Saucy Skillets
In Las Vegas, Michael Symon tackles a skillet full of pork belly chili. In Shreveport, LA, decadent mac and cheese is studded with crawfish, alligator andouille sausage and shrimp.
S6.E7 ∙ Wild Smoke and Fiery Burgers
In Palm Springs, CA, Michael Symon finds a spicy burger that ignites a four-alarm fire. A classic Reuben sandwich gets a smoky upgrade, and spicy venison bologna raises the bar on a lunchbox favorite in Denver.
S6.E8 ∙ Far East Meats Wild West
In Las Vegas, Michael Symon tackles towering burgers piled with spicy Korean pork bulgogi and juicy pork belly pastrami. In Denver, a modern-day sloppy joe is loaded with iconic brisket burnt ends.
S6.E9 ∙ Meatloaded Makeovers
In Palm Springs, Calif., Michael Symon starts with Vietnamese fusion dishes like juicy, tender Shaking Beef and mini shrimp-stuffed pancakes. In Colorado Springs, an Asian-inspired duck burger gets a wonton topper, and a meaty take on a classic PB and J and the mother of all pastrami sandwiches are plated up in Oklahoma City.
