Mad Food

Max travelled north leaving Jordan in LA dust to dine, drink, and report on Alice Waters' greatness, an iconic chicken, raining possible tears in The Mission, and a newcomer putting out one of the strongest dishes in recent Bubbles memory.

The boys finally visited a dinner pop-up they've been chasing, a blast from Max's past is back in Venice, Jordan's Peking duck rankings gets a polish, taste testing Swedish candy, and a Bourdain movie mini review.

Another day in desert paradise for the boys was filled with a perfect steak and burger, impressive omakase antics, shirtless Max, Yoohoo Jordo, gambling behavior, a hell of a lobby bar, and the good and bad of Vegas day one feedback.

He's back serving a dish at LA Chef Conference on October 5th with his friends from Santa Monica Seafood, and has three concepts he pitches to Max for feedback and to help him land on the one that's going to get it done. And if you'd like to taste Jordo's dish and attend LA Chef Conference, you can purchase tickets here.

The boys travelled to the city of sin for a food, booze, spa, and goblin fueled vacation, reviewing the airline, hotel, spa, restaurants, and bar where it all went down. And this was only day one.

Max gives farmer's market arrival advice and has to suck it up when it comes to everything, a new LA pizza force of a neighborhood, dinner party planning tips, Jordo's Taco Bell lettuce feelings and restaurant bathrooms, kid friendly spots, a Diet Coke vs. Coke Zero talk, tipping, Nancy Silverton being spread too thin, top 5 peking ducks, and what really makes a successful restaurant if it isn't the food?

Jordan was in Jersey eating pizza and has thoughts, what food apps does Max use and some advice for influencers, an exploration of hot dog toppings, Comfy vs. Ricky, Dallas possibilities, Japanese ice, outdoor dining options, what to order at Hermon's, will Stella West Hollywood return, where to get a LA BEC, and thoughts on the new Pizzeria Sei.

Jordan recently made a bag of his favorite candy containing seven different flavors of Jelly Bellies, and Max aka The Palate Professor, will blindly taste each one, attempting to decipher and reveal Jordo's dark addiction bag to the world.

The story of Found Oyster is told in Adam Weisblatt's new book, For The Love Of Restaurants: An Insider's Guide From Daydreams To Opening Night, so Jordan and Max sit down with Adam to talk a life in owning and running restaurants, the lessons learned, and all the success that has and can follow. Plus, is restaurant investing really just throwing money away, how bad is the city of LA when it comes to opening small businesses, and the finished but never opened restaurant that was wiped away by the Palisades fire and lives on in dishes at Hermon's.

Jordan and Max talk the current meaty, sesame seeded roll matchup. Two LA cheesesteaks are dominating the conversation and calorie consumption of the city; and they can both be enjoyed, but only one can reign supreme.

Jordan and Max finally made the voyage to Betsy in Altadena, where the reviews have been mostly strong, but the boys needed to know if the seasonal, hearth centered restaurant is worth the schlep. Plus, all the veggies, proper pork temp, day drinking at a new bar, Max doesn’t want to watch soccer with Jordo, but he is a fashionista despite being in the hot seat, Saint James Iced Tea energy, and of course, what is the official Betsy schlep meter?

Shawn Lickliter is a co-owner and bar mind behind Vandell, a Los Feliz cocktail bar that Max believes is at the top of the LA game. Jordan and Max first talk a recent visit together, what food they paired with all the beverage, and needing therapy based on what room they like to sit in when drinking. Then, the fellas are joined by Shawn to talk how Vandell came to be, the secrets behind batching and pricing, and one of the only bananas Jordan loves.

Recipes for you to follow for the perfect poolside gatherings, including a tomato salad, the perfect hot dog, Jordo’s dip & wrap, two types of burgers, gotta have some corn, fruity desserts, and a Summer cocktail to wash it all down. Plus, grill cleaning techniques, a Bubbles appetite/weight update, and a disturbing theory on why the boys have never hugged.

A recapping of the recent awards, Max makes his own picks, and Mario Carbone has thoughts that may make sense in Los Angeles. Plus, a coastal pizza battle, sushi pricing, and lazy Susan love.

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.