Food Wars is a weekly Travel Channel

Travel Channel

The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...

 series hosted by Camille Ford

Camille Ford

Camille Ford is an American television personality, radio personality, news presenter, actress and producer. She hosts the Travel Channel television series Food Wars.-Early life:...

 that debuted on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. The show features restaurant rivalries in cities around the United States, with loyal fans cheering for one of two restaurants that serve one of the city's signature dishes. A blind taste test with five tasters is conducted at the end of each show to decide which restaurant's version of the dish is better.

The show aired 1 season from March to November 2010. It was cancelled and not picked for any further seasons.

Format

In each episode, Food Wars travels to a particular U.S. city and finds two restaurants who are top-rated rivals serving the same dish, one symbolic of the featured city (e.g., Buffalo wings

Buffalo wings

A Buffalo wing, hot wing or wing is a chicken wing section that is traditionally fried unbreaded and then coated in sauce...

 in Buffalo, New York

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...

). Camille Ford visits both restaurants, tries the dish in question and talks with owners and fans. The show presents a history of each restaurant and origins of the rivalry.

At the end of each episode, a taste test is conducted with the judging panel. Each judge tastes a sample of each dish and votes for his or her favorite. The restaurant that gets more votes is declared the winner of that food war. In the beginning of the series, the panel consisted of two "super fans" - one of each restaurant's most loyal customers and fans - and three impartial judges consisting of local personalities and/or critics. Also, in this format, the judging was done via a blind taste test, where the identity of each sample was not revealed until after the judging. Beginning with the 14th episode the taste test format changed. The superfans were dropped and host Camille Ford joined the taste test panel with two other locals. The panel is no longer blindfolded; they know whose dish they are tasting and can ask the owner questions.

Episodes

Food Wars debuted on March 9, 2010 with two back-to-back episodes that premiered at 10:00 and 10:30 PM EST, featuring buffalo-wing

Buffalo wings

A Buffalo wing, hot wing or wing is a chicken wing section that is traditionally fried unbreaded and then coated in sauce...

 restaurants in Buffalo, New York

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...

 and Italian-beef

Italian beef

An Italian beef is a sandwich of thin slices of seasoned roast beef, dripping with meat juices, on a dense, long Italian-style roll, believed to have originated in Chicago, where its history dates back at least to the 1930s...

 restaurants in Chicago

Chicago

Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...

. Further episodes aired on Wednesday nights at 10:00 PM EST.

Season 1

Episode	Ep. #	Original Air Date	Rivalry	Winner
"Buffalo, NY Buffalo, New York Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...  Wing War"	01	March 9, 2010	Anchor Bar Anchor Bar Anchor Bar is a restaurant located in Buffalo, New York which was the birthplace of spicy chicken wings, known outside the Buffalo area as Buffalo wings. The restaurant was initially established in 1935. Teressa Bellissimo is credited with the creation of the dish when she deep-fried some wings and...  vs. Duff's	Duff's
Food Wars traveled to Buffalo, New York Buffalo, New York Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...  to pit Anchor Bar Anchor Bar Anchor Bar is a restaurant located in Buffalo, New York which was the birthplace of spicy chicken wings, known outside the Buffalo area as Buffalo wings. The restaurant was initially established in 1935. Teressa Bellissimo is credited with the creation of the dish when she deep-fried some wings and...  against cross-town rival Duff's to decide which serves the city's best Buffalo wings Buffalo wings A Buffalo wing, hot wing or wing is a chicken wing section that is traditionally fried unbreaded and then coated in sauce... . The show was filmed in late December 2009.
"Chicago, IL Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...  Italian Beef Italian beef An Italian beef is a sandwich of thin slices of seasoned roast beef, dripping with meat juices, on a dense, long Italian-style roll, believed to have originated in Chicago, where its history dates back at least to the 1930s...  War"	02	March 9, 2010	Al's #1 Italian Beef Nancy's Pizza Chicago Franchise Systems, Inc. operates italian-based Chicago-style restaurants in Illinois area which specialize in Chicago-style cuisine They have operated since 1990, when they took over the popular Nancy's Pizza chain of pizzerias. Nancy's itself was started in 1971 by Nancy and Rocco...  vs. Mr. Beef	Mr. Beef
Food Wars traveled to Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...  to settle a rivalry between two Italian-beef Italian beef An Italian beef is a sandwich of thin slices of seasoned roast beef, dripping with meat juices, on a dense, long Italian-style roll, believed to have originated in Chicago, where its history dates back at least to the 1930s...  sandwich restaurants: Al's #1 Italian Beef and Mr. Beef. In a lopsided victory, Mr. Beef soundly defeated Al's 4-1.
"Pittsburg, KS Pittsburg, Kansas Pittsburg is a city in Crawford County, in southeastern Kansas, United States. It is the most populous city in Crawford County and in southeastern Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 20,233.-History:...  Fried Chicken Fried chicken Fried chicken is a dish consisting of chicken pieces usually from broiler chickens which have been floured or battered and then pan fried, deep fried, or pressure fried. The breading adds a crisp coating or crust to the exterior...  War"	03	March 16, 2010	Chicken Annie's vs. Chicken Mary's	Chicken Mary's
Food Wars visit to Pittsburg, Kansas Pittsburg, Kansas Pittsburg is a city in Crawford County, in southeastern Kansas, United States. It is the most populous city in Crawford County and in southeastern Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 20,233.-History:...  pitted fried-chicken Fried chicken Fried chicken is a dish consisting of chicken pieces usually from broiler chickens which have been floured or battered and then pan fried, deep fried, or pressure fried. The breading adds a crisp coating or crust to the exterior...  rivals Chicken Annie's and Chicken Mary's against each other. The episode was filmed January 15–17, 2010.
"Lockhart, TX Lockhart, Texas -External links:* *...  BBQ Barbecue Barbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...  War"	04	March 23, 2010	Kreuz Market vs. Smitty's Market	Kreuz Market
In Lockhart, Texas Lockhart, Texas -External links:* *... , Food Wars featured the barbecue rivalry between Kreuz Market and Smitty's Market, which resulted from a family feud between brother and sister. Unlike other episodes which taste-test a single food item, this week's challenge featured both beef brisket and smoked sausage from each restaurant, which according to one judge's commentary caused voting confusion.
"Minneapolis, MN Jucy Lucy Jucy Lucy A Jucy Lucy or Juicy Lucy is a cheeseburger having the cheese inside the meat patty rather than on top. A piece of cheese is surrounded by raw meat and cooked until it melts, resulting in a molten core of cheese within the patty...  War"	05	March 30, 2010	Matt's Matt's Bar Matt's Bar is a restaurant in South Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is known as one of two businesses that created the Jucy Lucy.This bar was opened in 1954 , in 1998 Scott Nelson purchased the bar from the original owner Matt Bristol....  vs. The 5-8 Club	Matt's
Two Minneapolis favorites battled it out in this episode. Each restaurant claims to have invented the city's signature Jucy Lucy Jucy Lucy A Jucy Lucy or Juicy Lucy is a cheeseburger having the cheese inside the meat patty rather than on top. A piece of cheese is surrounded by raw meat and cooked until it melts, resulting in a molten core of cheese within the patty...  (or Juicy Lucy), a hamburger that boasts melted cheese cooked inside the meat patty. This installment was filmed February 8–10, 2010.
"Tucson, AZ Tucson, Arizona Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...  Sonoran Dog Hot dog variations This is a listing of regional variations on the hot dog. Different areas of the world have local variations on the type of meat used, condiments and means of preparation, which are enumerated below.-Alabama:...  War"	06	April 6, 2010	BK vs. El Güero Canelo	BK
Food Wars excursion into Tucson, Arizona Tucson, Arizona Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...  featured two purveyors of the Sonoran hot dog, a hot dog wrapped in bacon and topped with pinto beans, chopped tomatoes, both fresh and grilled onions, mustard, jalapeño sauce and mayonnaise. This episode was filmed January 28–30, 2010 and in a Food Wars first, both opposing superfans (who happen to be brothers) voted for the same competitor, BK's Sonoran dog.
"Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....  Jumbo Pizza Pizza Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"...  Slice War"	07	April 13, 2010	Pizza Mart vs Jumbo Slice	Pizza Mart
"New York, NY New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...  Pastrami Sandwich Pastrami Pastrami , is a popular delicatessen meat usually made from beef and, traditionally in Romania, also from pork and mutton. In Israel, "Pastrama" is the term used for sliced chicken and turkey. Like corned beef, pastrami was originally created as a way to preserve meat before modern refrigeration...  War"	08	April 20, 2010	Katz’s Deli vs Second Avenue Deli Second Avenue Deli The Second Avenue Deli is a certified-kosher delicatessen in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York.It relocated to 162 East 33rd Street in December 2007...	Katz’s Deli
"Los Angeles, CA Los Ángeles Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...  Gourmet Burger Truck Gourmet Gourmet is a cultural ideal associated with the culinary arts of fine food and drink, or haute cuisine, which is characterised by elaborate preparations and presentations of large meals of small, often quite rich courses...  War"	09	August 18, 2010	Baby's Badass Burgers vs Grill 'Em All	Baby's Badass Burgers
"Detroit, MI Coney Island Hot Dog Coney Island hot dog Coney Island hot dog refers to a natural casing beef hot dog, topped with an all-meat beanless chili, and diced or chopped white onions with one or two strips of yellow mustard. The variety is a fixture in Jackson, Flint, Detroit, and southeastern Michigan...  War"	10	August 25, 2010	American Coney Island vs Lafayette Coney Island	American Coney Island
"Pueblo, CO Slopper Slopper A slopper is a cheeseburger served smothered in red chile or green chile or chile sauce. Sloppers generally include grilled buns and are often topped with freshly chopped onions and sometimes french fries...  War"	11	September 1, 2010	Gray's Coors Tavern vs Sunset Inn	Sunset Inn
"Kansas City, MO Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...  BBQ Ribs Barbecue Barbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...  War"	12	September 8, 2010	Arthur Bryant's Arthur Bryant's Arthur Bryant's is a restaurant located in Kansas City, Missouri. It is considered by many to be the most famous barbecue restaurant in the United States.-History:...  vs Gates Bar-B-Q	Arthur Bryant's
"New Orleans, LA Po'Boy Sandwich Po' boy A po' boy is a traditional submarine sandwich from Louisiana. It almost always consists of meat, usually roast, or seafood, usually fried, served on baguette-like New Orleans French bread, known for its crisp crust yet fluffy center.-Preparation:A key ingredient that differentiates po' boys from...  War"	13	September 15, 2010	Domilise's vs Parkway Bakery & Tavern	Domilise's
"Philadelphia, PA Philly Cheesesteak Cheesesteak A cheesesteak, also known as a Philadelphia cheesesteak, Philly cheesesteak, cheese steak, or steak and cheese, is a sandwich made from thinly-sliced pieces of steak and melted cheese in a long roll...  War"	14	September 22, 2010	Pat's vs Tony Luke's	Pat's King of Steaks
"Chicago, IL Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...  Deep Dish Pizza War"	15	September 29, 2010	Pizzeria Uno vs Lou Malnati's	Lou Malnati's
"Newark, NJ Italian Hot Dog Italian hot dog An Italian Hot Dog is a type of hot dog popular in New Jersey, United States.-Preparation:There are numerous ways to prepare an Italian hot dog. The basic dish consists of a cooked hot dog placed in an Italian roll or pizza bread, and topped with a combination of fried bell peppers, onions, and...  War"	16	October 6, 2010	Jimmy Buff's vs. Charlie's "Famous" Italian Hot Dog	Charlie's
"Milwaukee, WI Cheeseburger Cheeseburger A cheeseburger is a hamburger with cheese that has been added to it. Traditionally, the cheese is placed on top of the patty, but the burger can include many variations in structure, ingredients, and composition...  War"	17	October 13, 2010	Sobelman's vs. AJ Bomber's	AJ Bomber's
"Omaha, NE Steak Steak A steak is a cut of meat . Most are cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers, improving the perceived tenderness of the meat. In North America, steaks are typically served grilled, pan-fried, or broiled. The more tender cuts from the loin and rib are cooked quickly, using dry heat, and served whole...  War"	18	October 20, 2010	Caniglia's Venice Inn vs. Piccolo Pete's Restaurant	Caniglia's
"Key West, FL Key Lime Pie Key Lime Pie Key Lime Pie is a 1989 album by Camper Van Beethoven, also known as CVB. It was the band's final album before breaking up in 1990, although the band has reunited and released new material in recent years...  War"	19	October 27, 2010	Blue Heaven vs. Blond Giraffe	Blond Giraffe
"Maine Maine Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...  Lobster Roll Lobster roll A lobster roll is a kind of sandwich filled with lobster meat. A traditional lobster roll contains the fresh cooked meat of a lobster, tossed with mayonnaise and served on a grilled hot dog bun or similar roll, so that the opening is on the top rather than on the side...  War"	20	November 3, 2010	Alisson's Restaurant vs. The Clam Shack	The Clam Shack
"Reno, NV Awful-Awful Burger War"	21	November 10, 2010	John Ascuaga's Nugget vs. The Little Nugget	The Little Nugget
"New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...  Pizza Pizza Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"... War"	22	November 17, 2010	John's of Bleecker Street vs. Grimaldi's Pizzeria	Grimaldi's Pizzeria