Best Food Ever

Review

Common Sense Media says

Top food finds tend toward high-fat, high-calorie.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that much of the food on this docu-style show is high-calorie and high-fat and is celebrated for the size of the serving. Calories and grams of fat are mentioned only once in the sandwich episode, with the rejoinder, "But who's counting?" At the same time, the cooks and restaurateurs features on the show are hard-working creative professionals who are either keeping traditions alive, or creating new ones.

  • Positive messages0
    The messages here are decidedly mixed. The featured food items are usually over the top, both in size and in cost (for example, a Philly cheese steak made with Kobe beef and black truffles for $100) -- suggesting that good food means big or pricey. On the other hand, the show celebrates the pleasure of eating and preparing good food, plus the thrill of finding special restaurants and local folks who are keeping traditions alive or innovating.
  • Positive role models3
    The featured cooks and chefs are hard-working, creative people who are passionate about their products.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language2
    The occasional "ass" (it's the name of a featured menu item in one episode), and a rare, well-pixelated bleep.
  • Consumerism1
    Specific regional restaurants and eating venues are featured.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking1
    Several scenes in bars and wine served with various dishes, but no one is drinking to excess.
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What's the story?

The show features a top-10 countdown of foods in various categories, such as sandwiches, baked goods, or street food that come from all over the United States -- from Boston's french fries to Seattle's pulled pork sandwich. With narrator John Goodman leading the way, viewers learn about various special dishes -- often with a regional history attached -- as well as the restaurant or chef who created the dish. Viewers learn how the food is prepared and hear how diners feel about the food.

Is it any good?

 

Size and excess seem to be the determining factors of whether something is the best or not, rather than taste --  although many folks do talk about how good the food tastes. It's kind of fun to see how crazy folks can get with a simple hamburger, and the show moves along quickly.

Other than appreciating the history or creativity behind the individual dishes, the show offers little other than a chance to be tantalized and watch others eat.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about whether shows like this encourage bad eating habits. Do you think it's OK to eat a foot-high sandwich? Does watching this show make you hungry? If so, why does that happen?

  • How real is what appears on the show? Have the food items been exaggerated for the purpose of the show? How would you know?

This review was written by Anne Louise Bannon
Parent of 17 year old
March 29, 2011
AGE
2
 
G-Rated Americana Food Review
RE: much of the food on this docu-style show is high-calorie and high-fat Oh Pa-Leeze - who wrote this? BBQ is fatty, of course. Gimme a break. Parent's warning: BBQ is fattier than a cobb salad and a chablis. John Goodman has the perfect voice for this show and BBQ is an American icon!
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This review was written by Anne Louise Bannon
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:TLC
Cast:John Goodman
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Anne Louise Bannon
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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