Mad Food

And more audience questions are answered like fixing DTLA, how Mish Deli is getting Max to come in, old Air Jordan episode love, the best restaurant scenes, Jordudo strikes again, more nicknames, Hillstone beef, Max restaurant beef, two Spain spots,  and Culver City vs. Sherman Oaks.

Jordan and Max answer audience questions and it's all Chace Crawford cooking, LA dot cakes, food industry awards, a la carte sushi, Jordo's dad move at Luger's Vegas, getting obliterated together but not hugging, Wold Cup watching, and foods that almost always suck.

The only food critic in LA who matters, and known Japanophile shares his top ten Japanese restaurants (well, 11). Plus, a review of the second best Kaiseki in Los Angeles featuring the best beef in recent memory, and Max just may be a very sick person.

There is no better time of the year for cocktails & wine than Summer, so Mad Food booze corespondent Max Shapiro has the beverages you need for successful sipping. Plus, Jordan offers his thoughts on the business of Summertime booze, and he recounts a recent Wednesday morning trip to the Santa Monica Farmer's Market.

Jordan and Max talk how to eat Hillstone's spinach and artichoke dip and the conspiracy surrounding it, a recent trip to Two Rose pizza night, and JorDudo went back to the Mar Vista bistro where the Knicks game kept him in dud mode, but the chicken salt fries and dessert got him excited. Plus, the comfort of roast chicken, French mushroom lingo, and outing a friend.

Summer is beginning to Summer, so Max breaks down all the current and coming soon buys at Hollywood & Santa Monica Farmer's Markets, including the only tomato, cucumber, and mango you need with some recipes to boot. Plus, recent comments on the pod are reviewed including 50 Best Restaurants rankings, the worst pizza, Boston's tier, and Bruce.

It's the good, the bad, and the ugly of America's favorite chain of restaurants as Jordan and Max talk it all, including an examination of the best Hillstone menus in the country. Plus, a spinach and artichoke dip conspiracy, unsweetened meats, and the one dress code we can all agree on except for one listener.

Jordan and Max talk their pizza consumption in New York and the disaster slice shop, the dumbest dessert craze, a coastal cheesesteak battle, central California dining options, Vandell cocktails, natural wine strategies, sparkling water choices by Bubbles, three new restaurant opening in LA, Brentwood OGs, and is Dorsia a scam?

Jordan and Max review the recently released 50 Best Restaurants in North America, Komal's glowing New York Times review, this week in buffoonish food influencer behavior, tier two cities, Fat & Flour closing a location, dream pod guests, and Jordo being a dud in public. Plus, Max ate a shocking amount of dessert, GLP-1 symptoms, a fancy Summer BBQ, the Bruce pop-up opportunity, and a non-Jumbo Time wine situation abroad.

Peckerman is back to guide Jordan through his health goals with the help of the 100-pound-down-man Max Shapiro, and it's all about getting steps, fat shots, caffeine intake, struggling at the gym, sauna and ice, cardio advice, fasting habits, protein goals, and everyone's favorite calorie game show is played. Plus, Josh's Corner Store NYC review, Max on salads, a Jordo vegan rant, Neil Young's neck, movie popcorn nutrition, staring at the morning sun, Max's dental scraping, and horrible sleep. 

The NYC bang-bang-bang was experienced by Jordan and Max who lived to talk it before sitting down with co-owner Chase Sinzer about the ethos behind it all. Plus, Chase gives pairing advice for the shrimpfecta, a decade old lasting hospitality Momofuku memory, Max going clavicular, and a plea for Los Angeles.

Jumbo Time Wines owner Jon Yadegar joins Jordan and Max to talk a recent boozed out lunch in NYC at the inexplicably dissed by the New York Times Le Veau d’Or, where the fellas drank and ate it all and tell the tale. Then, Jon talks how Jumbo Time Wines happened, where it's going, and how restaurants can partner with them to create their own bottles. Plus, Jordan’s problematic glassware, swirl game, kabob love, a taste test, and Max pitches Mad Food’s collab with Jumbo Time Wines.

Max finally ate Jordan’s favorite burrito at Eduardo's Border Grill, the fellas talk the recent New York Times 100 Best Restaurants number one spot and the one glaring miss, then Jordan recounts all the calories he celebrated Mother’s Day with. Plus, bagel flavors are ranked, lox cream cheese gets a rant, Courage tips, and hot honey vs. pineapple on pizza.

Dave Stassen aka Pints Sr. returns to talk his current life of ice cream, how to best stay in shape with that nasty sweet habit, and he then faces off with Max in everyone's favorite game, Will The Real Cream Boy Please Stand Up, where Jordan seeks the tough dairy answers on cone options, gelato differences, free sample etiquette, and the truth about sorbet. Plus, Running Point season 2 is now streaming, what exactly is a "showrunner," and when is it acceptable for a man to suck his fingers? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Jumbo Time Wines, and use promo code: MADJUMBO for 20% off all orders

Chef's Table co-creator Brian McGinn joins Jordan and Max to talk the fellas recent crawling through New York's cocktail scene with reviews of Katana Kitten, Sip & Guzzle, Martiny's, Schmuck, and Superbueno, and how it all compares to what's happening in Los Angeles.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit Jumbo Time Wines, and use promo code: MADJUMBO for 20% off all orders

Drinking everyday of your life, issues with the trainer, dad noises, Jordan guesses Summer ingredients, Vegas restaurants the fellas plan to dine at, a bakery rant, Bar di Bello goblet and cutlet, the Boston Celtics vs. Jordo and seafood, and a recent McDonald’s order and subscription rumor are just some of the topics covered as Jordan and Max answer audience questions. ⁠⁠⁠Visit Jumbo Time Wines, and use promo code: MADJUMBO for 20% off all orders

L.A.'s lack of Spanish restaurants, how many steps are the fellas getting, showering behavior on vacation vs. at home, why Jordan never goes to Hillstone anymore, Addison vs. Somni vs. Providence, broccoli insanity, a disgusting listener NY coverage complaint, the Baldi order, an Eater steakhouse article upsets Jordan, and does Max really not know how to ride a bike are just some of the topics covered as Jordan and Max answer audience questions.⁠⁠⁠Visit Jumbo Time Wines, and use promo code: MADJUMBO for 20% off all orders

Jordan and Max discuss their recent hotel choice in New York, a 97-room SoHo boutique experience that served as their home away from home. Jordan's three keys to hotel success are reviewed before the fellas talk all the beverages, nuggets, a certain manner of hospitality, and the signature design identity of it all. Plus, an interview with chef Alex Stupak on the hotel's food and beverage approach to Mad Food approved Manner concepts, The Otter, Sloane's, and a guest lounge to end all guest lounges, The Apartment.Promo code: FRIENDS for 20% off room rates at The Manner

Jordan and Max sit down with Luger's VP and great grandson of current ownership Daniel Turtel to talk the perfect order, a possible new burger concept, the secret salad, an appetizer meat the boys have never experienced, tips for cooking Luger steaks at home, all the schlag, and Jordan begs for a new location on behalf of Los Angeles.

Jordan and Max have returned from New York, where chicken was all the rage, so the boys talk two meals where poultry was the star. At Torien, an upscale yakitori experience was had, where Max failed at making champagne connections, and Jordan had little heart, but the tail and knee made it all work. Then, Max finally visited Torrisi, where the Major Food Group elements all took center stage, the sandwich was an issue, and the bird happily flew right down the throat.

Octavio Olivas is a one-man showman of the Silverlakemariscos counter that is so far under the radar it’s officially too under the radar, so Jordan and Max have the fish slicing king in to talk his menu, wild daily schedule, and how to balance it all as a father and husband. Plus, date night recommendations from the most romantic fellas in food, a Jordo knife sharpening rant, beer condiments, and everyone’s favorite freak of the oceangame show.

The stomped grape maestro himself, Max “Bubbles” Shapiro,tastes and reviews his three favorite Jumbo Time Wines, offering tasting notes, pairing advice, and thoughts on Jordan’s glassware.

Jordan and Max are joined by Jackie Gebel (@noleftovers on social media) to answer questions on mayo confusion, a shocker top 5 Noma bite, all the best bites at SushiK, Mei Lin departure intel, influencers needing to learn how to eat, Jordan's drinking past, menu font sizing, Max's writing, Triple Dipper desires, ticketed food fests, Josh Skenes' pizza & cocktails spot, at home plating tips, an actual delicious beer, NYC pizza plans, and a live celebrity caviar brand tasting.⁠⁠⁠Visit Jumbo Time Wines, and use promo code: MADJUMBO for 20% off all orders

LA's hottest bar was visited by Jordan, who downed cocktails in an unprecedented move. Then, the Jewish Mad Food boys talk participating in Easter for the first time, and all the tasty delights that came with their resurrection celebrations. Plus, a Cadbury egg rundown, Max went to church, and ham needs to become a bigger thing. ⁠Visit Jumbo Time Wines, and use promo code: MADJUMBO for 20% off all orders

Was it disgusting, challenging or worth the $1,500 price tag? Was a bag of $3 chips really served? Max talks his entire night at Noma LA including the corkage issue, protestors at the entrance, a taxidermy and car dealership greeting, the hilarious dish, the dish he loved, the dish he refused to finish, the unthinkable service blunder and amateur hour all over the 1923 Silverlake mansion, a final Noma LA rating using the very exact and respected Hector Scale, and what was René Redzepi doing during it all (besides unfollowing Max on Instagram)?Visit Jumbo Time Wines, and use promo code: MADJUMBO for 20% off all orders

Jordan and Max explore all the chewing fun available at ballparks, while debating popcorn vs. peanuts, fries vs. nachos, the best dessert combo, new items at Dodger Stadium, all the crazy fusion menu delights and which ones they wanna take for a spin, and if the 9-9-9 challenge is in Max's future, because he hasn't been to game in decades and can't even sing baseball's most popular song.

This week a Food & Wine contributing editor asked the question: What if we just got rid of fine dining? To which Jordan and Max answered, "uh, no thank you." Max breaks down the biggest fine dining misconceptions while Jordan offers popping off advice to all online creators. But first, Spring is flirting with us, and Shapiro details the best market finds.

Jordan and Max answer audience questions on their upcoming New York eating schedule that's giving Max anxiety, Jordo's Chicago and New York pizza thoughts and how LA compares, Peckerman's return, European eating styles, home cooking advice, dining at Bruce, The Grove ain't exactly Napa Valley, community tables, Max's old wardrobe, and to dine or to not dine at Noma.

Jordan and Max answer audience questions on San Sebastian bites, the most expensive meals, old bubbles, Jordo's ass clock igniters, Alta and the West Adams experiment, a tough pizza debate, Rene's friends have his back, sucking down that sweet fat loss juice, and Ceviche Project is a wonderfully strange place right now.

Jordan and Max are joined by talent manager to the stars, Michael Lasker, to talk filthy eating and the Oscars, including the In-N-Out awards visit and disrespecting Wolfgang Puck, fast forwarding through the boring parts, Babs Streisand, Tom Cruise news, the best Bret Easton Ellis adaptation, Jordo’s Hansen’s cake order, Sherman Oaks is no Rome, a McDonald’s morning, Sonny’s pizza, lots of Oreos, and did Timmy blow it?

The Dunsmoor chef and co-owner joins Jordan and Max to talk new Champagne interests, a secret weapon general, the pork chop vs. the ribeye, perfect taco construction, dice vs. pool, tattoo everything, marrow vs. lard, grabbing the sesame, mussels vs. anchovies, Brian's next project, Jordan's brunch dreams, and did Brian screw over Max or can Bubbles actually not cook?

Losing, gaining, and maintaining weight is all about calories, and the three meals a day tradition of eating, especially when visiting restaurants, makes counting calories downright frightening. Jordan was recently frightened after a day packed with too many meals, leading the boys into an exploration of health and restaurants, including bites at Max & Helen's, Ètra, Perse, Flour, and Bacio di Latte.

Martinis and beef sandwiches are trending all over the country for all sorts of reasons, so Jordan and Max sit down to discuss both culinary movements, while dissecting what they love, hate and tolerate about both icons of the food & beverage game. Plus, the boys visited Baldi in Beverly Hills, leading them into a steakhouse rant, gout fears, and Jordan has voice issues.

Mayo, booze, jerky, ranch, and more genius new products are pitched by the fellas, using Expo West as the inspiration to create the next big consumer packaged goods concepts.

Do you believe in second chances? Jordan and Max think you should after visiting Sqirl for their newly launched dinner menu as Los Angeles continues its onslaught of new enticing dining options. Head over to Mad Food World The Substack for a more in-depth look at Sqirl After Dark

It's all about protein these days. But most people don't even know what protein is, how much of it we need to consume, what foods are the best source, or even why it's trending, so Jordan and Max (who were as clueless as most people), did the bare minimum research and break it all down.

Jordan and Max answer audience questions and it's all quality tells at restaurants, if Max is using ai, Jordan heard back from Joan's on Third, LA food media thoughts, Noma & Rene getting their backs blown out, ice buckets, NY hanging, celebratory dining, a Hollywood phone call, Mar Vista NIMBYs, are the fellas entitled or just impatient, and the best time in the history of LA restaurants.

Jordan and Max talk their Valentine's Day eating and it's all pizzas, bagels, steak, potatoes, eating like a child, the world's worst Valentine's dessert, and Jordan can't clean up the kitchen anymore. Plus, the Eater LA issue explained, a non-food romance tip, and some rare Hillstone slander.

Marcus Jernmark is a 3 Michelin star chef who has planted a dining flag on Pico Blvd. as the good times and openings roll along in Los Angeles. Jordan and Max ate at Lielle, Marcus' $150 tasting menu destination, and sat down with the chef to talk his concepts, approach to cooking and restaurants, wine rules, and yes, even Swedish meatballs.

Jordo went chubby and Max blew the big game episode. Plus, the reason Shake Shack actually loses to In-N-Out, weight loss drug life, the porno home, kids ruin the guac, fancy cocktail bars are missing this one thing, and all the sandwiches, cheese, cakes, halftime shows, and ranch dressing drips.

Sophie Dalah joins Jordan and Max to go head to head in a big game recipe showdown against Bubbles, putting their chef minds to the test.

Jordo and Max are back answering audience questions, and it's all IQ issues, reservation bummers, a New York trip, sake recs or a lack thereof, no pizza for the big game, too much of a single restaurant, merch is coming, and the Substack is very live.

Jordan and Max are back and dropped their first video podcast on Substack.  SUBSCRIBE TO MAD FOOD WORLD TO SEE & HEAR THE FULL EPISODE

Jordan and Max break it all down, from a shocker in the top spot to the 3 Michelin star Spanish hatred. Plus, the paper's neopotism picks, strange disregard for a phenom, continued Budonok disrespect, the hall of fame inductee to appease Jordo, sushi snubs, and Bill Addison finally exposed himself (but not like Max). 

A chef's recent email to Max has Jordan concerned, and then the fellas talk dining at new restaurants on the scene, and it's all Brentwood cougars, sweet butters, the Pasadena schlep, shrimp balls, a salt issue, the spoonable pasta, poor Bill Bush, booze enhancing food, and let's stop with the "American bistro" thing.

Welp, another ridiculous list has hit the food media landscape, so Jordan and Max break all the losing and winning down. But first, Genghis Cohen has finally re-opened in a new location and the fellas have the shrimp toast and orange chicken first look featuring a member of Jordan's family. And no restaurant in Los Angeles is currently more hyped than Baby Bistro, so the fellas talk it and their experience with the Echo Park farmer's market driven hospitality house.

Jordan and Max review two recent restaurant experiences with very different outcomes, and then explore a few negatives critques the podcast has received, and it's all fire grilled meats, Ventura Blvd. souffles, hidden shmears, a finalized Max (Hector) meter, the most egregious dish, the worst cooking method, coming burger correct, and an exclusive Studio City special order.

Jordan and Max are back to answer audience questions, and it's all new L.A. restaurants on the horizon, monk milk, Bub & Grandma's pizza, wines by the glass, Montecito dinners, Disfrutar vs. Somni, how to gain 100 pounds, LA Times vs. NY Times food coverage, the bottled & filtered water thing, a new rating system, all sorts of shrimp cocktail talk, the schelp meter, Max working for Michelin full-time, bagels, Jordan's new coffee dilemma, orange wine, Post Ranch Inn pricing, Paso Robles, Bavel no longer respects the neck, and rest in peace Dan Tana.

Jordan talks with co-hosts Brad Metzger and chef Neal Fraser of LA Chef Conference, which is taking place October 6 in Los Angeles, and features a who's who of chefs and food industry notables to not only talk the major issues of the day, but to eat like royalty. And one of those bites will be an exclusive menu item designed by Jordan with all the shrimpy help from the team at Santa Monica Seafood. Then, Jordan is joined by Gather For Good, a charity taking care of community with hospitality, who together with Guittard Chocolate and a collection of the most talented pastry chefs in town, will be serving up a wild collection of desserts at the conference. And you can enter the lottery ticketing system for LA Chef Conference by following this link.

Jordan recounts a recent trip to the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmer's Market where it was all mangoes, peaches, pork, olives, and butter. But before that, an incredibly important croissant discussion goes down, sparked from a first time trip to Petitgrain Boulangerie. Then, Air Jordan's Japanese lover and Sushi Park hater Bubbles-san talks two new and different recent sushi experiences he respected in Los Angeles.