Hungry Detective Premieres!

[Chris Cognac]

I really liked Atlanta as it showcased food from many cultures....Mary Macs was amazing....it was huge, and yea the yeast rolls were fluffy and wonderful...Panahar is great, Alton eats there and loves it...it was a diverse program....thanks a ton...NYC is next week....and lets just say there is some serious BBQ porn!

[Holly Moore]

Country Fried Tempeh is so wrong. Especially served along side that great looking bowl of Brisket Breakfast with poached eggs afloat.

It was good seeing Mary Macs again. That you got the heads up from a church and then shared a table with the pastor and some of the congregation was neat and the highlight of the show for me.

Got a new fried chicken place to eat too, though I will have to compare it with Busy Bee, one of my gold standards for fried chicken.

[moosnsqrl]

NYC is next week....and lets just say there is some serious BBQ porn!

←

Bah, I say! Bah!

[eje]

[...]

Glad only 1 awesome made it in!....whew! so what did you think of the Panahar segment? We had to push to get that one in the show...

Chris

←

Our household really likes that the show mostly goes to affordable, family run, off the tourist track restaurants.

Also, given that we have relatives for whom chicken tikka would be rather unusual, we appreciate that you present "ethnic" restaurants in an approachable manner. We also like that you give user friendly tips for ordering in them.

The Ham-B-Q and Fried Chicken in the Atlanta episode had me drooling.

[charlestonfoodie]

I, too, dig the naan segment at Panahar! I built a website for a Cuban restaurant right down the street on Buford Highway called Havana Sandwich Shop. I was SO excited when I saw you ventured down Buford Highway in Atlanta. I lived about a 1/4 mile from there before moving to Charleston, SC. It took me 3 years to realize that the best food in Atlanta was on Buford Highway and not in all the frufru places you would think are the best. A good friend turned me onto it and to really looking at food more closely. Now I am a food photog and run a food critique board in Charleston like eGullet but MUCH smaller and just local stuff. I love it. Keep up the great work and keep the positive mental attitude! The more you do this the more crazy it is going to get. It is very cool of you to still post on sites like this! PS > I used to eat at Mary Mac's Tea Room once a week for 5 years! Meat and Three's are where it is at. It's a shame that folks even bother to eat fast food at all when they could eat at places like that for the same $$ and same amount of time if they get it to go!

Here is some naan I shot from my real first food shoot ever about a year ago in Charleston ::

Here is a Mango Lassi, too! They are indeed like a smoothie, but...creamier?

Keep up the good work!

That was show #4 that we shot....they are not in order per se...we have to reshoot a segment in Charleston and boston 2 weekends from now..so those will air last....we shot NYC around #7 and DC just after that....the last shows are L.A. (finishing next weekend at Ragin Cajun and a killer taco stand) Chicago/Houston was the last trip we took and that was a few weeks ago.... 

Glad only 1 awesome made it in!....whew! so what did you think of the Panahar segment? We had to push to get that one in the show...

Chris

←

I was going to guess that the Arlanta episode was shot much later in the series. You looked remarkably poised for having so little experience!

I think the Panahar segment fit in well. I've always been intrigued by the way naan is made. How many do you suppose fall of the inside oven wall?

SB

PS: I appreciate the way you always work a cop into the show.

←

Edited November 3, 2006 by charlestonfoodie (log)

[SheenaGreena]

chris,

my boyfriend and I jumped out of our chairs when we were watching the atlanta show yesterday (we recorded it on our dvr). We jumped out of our chairs because of the last restaurant you were at. As soon as you bit into that fried chicken, we heard the loudest crunch ever. Please tell me that was real and that it was really that delicious and crunchy

ps: when are you coming to boston to refilm?

[Chris Cognac]

It was as real as it gets...no sound effects, it was that crunchy...after the shot was over, I stripped off all the crunchy stuff and just munched away....the crew got to eat it before but I had another dish since I wanted my reaction on camera to be tru and honest...

We arive in Boston thursday the 9th and shoot the 10th...then fly to Charleston SC to shoot in place of Bowens Island which burned down a few weeks ago....everyone is welcome to come watch and be in the background....

[SheenaGreena]

where are you shooting it? unfortunately I have class, unless you are shooting at night?

[Bombdog]

It was as real as it gets...no sound effects, it was that crunchy...after the shot was over, I stripped off all the crunchy stuff and just munched away....the crew got to eat it before but I had another dish since I wanted my reaction on camera to be tru and honest...

We arive in Boston thursday the 9th and shoot the 10th...then fly to Charleston SC to shoot in place of Bowens Island which burned down a few weeks ago....everyone is welcome to come watch and be in the background....

←

Chris, where and when are you shooting in Charleston. I'll be there.

[Chris Cognac]

sheena, Andrew Babar will know where we are shooting....I think thhey want a chocolate segment so he is helping us....we will be shooting all day...at least 12 hrs....

David....dont know yet, wanted to do Anchor Line, its closed down...wanted to do the wreck....closed on Sundays....so its up in the air...

[JanMcBaker]

HEY!! Food Network's web site has the Atlanta episode listed for tonight at 9:30 and Sunday at 11, both Eastern Time!

[srhcb]

HEY!!  Food Network's web site has the Atlanta episode listed for tonight at 9:30 and Sunday at 11, both Eastern Time!

←

I missed part of the fired chicken segment when I had to get up and let my dogs out, so I'm going to watch the whole show again. (8:30 Central time on my cable carrier)

My second choice in that time slot would have to be Dallas Cowboys Cheereleaders: Making the Team, on CMT. I don't usually watch it, but tonite's episode, "Hopefuls attend an etiquette luncheon and work with a demanding choreographer" sounds like a great one! (hey, it's food related?)

SB (would most likely really be watching Classic Car Restoration on HGTV; rebuilding the top end of a 62 Corvette engine)

Edited November 3, 2006 by srhcb (log)

[therese]

Okay, so I'm going to have to admit that I don't watch too many of this sort of show, and so was just sitting home scrolling through the channels earlier this week when I happened across a shot of a guy sitting at a table with a piece of fried chicken in his hand. And I paused because I recognized the bright yellow dining room, and remarked to my husband, "Hey, that guy's at Son's!"

Since that was the very end of the show I'm going to have to tune in and see the whole episode now.

[Bombdog]

sheena, Andrew Babar will know where we are shooting....I think thhey want a chocolate segment so he is helping us....we will be shooting all day...at least 12 hrs....

David....dont know yet, wanted to do Anchor Line, its closed down...wanted to do the wreck....closed on Sundays....so its up in the air...

←

Chis, I'll check on the Anchor Line for you. Dawn said she was going to be moving down the road a short distance in the fall. I'll see if she's open at the new place.

[SheenaGreena]

thanks chris! I guess I will pm you around that time to see where it is at. chocolate in boston, eh? Usually that costs ALOT of money

temper chocolates

Richart

or perhaps Burdick chocolates in Harvard square? I have never been there, but I hear their hot chocolate is out of this world

oh and everyone, if you haven't seen the atlanta episode, please note when chris bites into the fried chicken at the last 6 mins or so of the episode. It sounds like he bit into a plate or something and broke it off. Sorry, that's the best analogy I could come up with

[Chris Cognac]

PM andew babar about Boston, I will not be logged on much as shooting is really chaotic and I live out of a suitcase stuffed with my shirts! I am glad they put it on at 930 this week...its (1030 tues night) is just really late for my audience I think as most of us have jobs and have to go to sleep...I would love to get a permanant 930 slot...good new though, ratings are up 17%...and the network has told me they recieved a ton of e mails...so thanks!

and remember the Chicken...no sound effects....damn it was good...'

Look at the guy in the blue shirt eating in the chicken place.....its Rod the BBQ cop from the earlier segment....we needed to use him for background and stuck him in one of my shirts...he was a trooper...but its kinda a neat story...there are a ton of those things in the show

Edited November 3, 2006 by Chris Cognac (log)

[charlestonfoodie]

I just shot the Wreck, too, last week. I'll insert a photo. That would be great video footage with the shrimp boats, paper plates etc. There are other, even MORE off the beaten path type places in Charleston, though. One being Dave's Carryout. They used to be in a shack that had a 10-15 degree slant until a couple months ago. Now they moved a couple block but still downtown. On corner of Coming and something... I actually eat there a couple times a month. I consider Mary Mac's a feminine meat and three. With that reference in mind, then Dave's Carryout is a Seafood Soulfood Corner Store with a great Combo Seafood Platter. Dave and his son Terry run the joint, and officers, nurses, hookers, and everybody in between know the real gem behind this place is that you can get a great seafood plate until 2-4a depending on when they want to close. I've been there on my bicycle after hitting the bars and waited in a line going out teh door at 3a before. Pretty cool lil corner market type place with a loyal following. Hope that helps!

Please do let us know where you decide to go when in Charleston! I would indeed love to be in the background nonchalantly! Let us know if you need any other suggestions for a backup due to Anchor Line and Bowen's Island's unavailability! Glad to help!

Here is my link to photos of The Wreck :: http://charlestonfood.smugmug.com/gallery/1966124

Fred Scott owns The Wreck and is a great guy. He told me all about where his seafood comes from and how fresh it is.

sheena, Andrew Babar will know where we are shooting....I think thhey want a chocolate segment so he is helping us....we will be shooting all day...at least 12 hrs....

David....dont know yet, wanted to do Anchor Line, its closed down...wanted to do the wreck....closed on Sundays....so its up in the air...

←

Edited November 3, 2006 by charlestonfoodie (log)

[C_Ruark]

Chris,

Just got through the backlog on my TiVo and I am mucho impressed. Love the shirts, love the show.

Charleston...

Nice shots. Will you print B&W's or sepias of some of your photos? I'm remodeling my kitchen and want to hang some food-related photographs.

Thanks!

~C

Edited November 3, 2006 by C_Ruark (log)

[crouching tyler]

Cuban restaurant right down the street on Buford Highway called Havana Sandwich Shop.

This place is a live saver - I stop in on my way to my mother's house in Athens, Ga, every time I fly through Atlanta. After the flight out from Seattle, a little dose of fresh air, a medianoche, and a batido is such a delight.

P.S. Congratulations on the show. It sounds like a winner. If I had a TV, I would definitely watch it.

Edited November 3, 2006 by crouching tyler (log)

[SheenaGreena]

I don't know who andrew babar is, is that is egullet user name or his real name or both

[Chris Cognac]

I think he uses agbabar or ababar he has a neat web site called the gentleman gourmand...

[Bombdog]

Fred Scott owns The Wreck and is a great guy.  He told me all about where his seafood comes from and how fresh it is.

←

When I talked to Fred, he told me he had no idea what TFN was. Also, as good as his food is....it's definitely NOT cheap. When I described the concept of the show to him, he told me that he didn't think cops or firemen could afford to eat at his place.

[Chris Cognac]

We will just have to see what the hell we come up with....it is good that we dont have any rules per say as far as eating goes.....I can go high end or low end....I try to do a mix of both

[srhcb]

I heard the CRUNCH!

WOW

[Chris Cognac]

I think we just lucked out w the crunch...but my wireless mike is pinned just under the 1st button of the shirts so its pretty close....plus our sound guy, Rick Brush is the man!

We are going to watch it at 930...my family has not seen it yet...

We film at Rizzo's Pizza in Torrance at lunchtime and the Ragun Cajun at dinner tommorow if anyone want to check it out here in L.A.