# Help settle a massive debate regarding what the best meal of all time is. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 17, 2016, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128 "2016-08-17T22:18:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/61 "2016-08-18T19:33:22Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > None. Where the hell is macaroni and cheese, made with Colby jack? It lost in Round 5 to the pizza. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/62 "2016-08-18T20:07:08Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > \ > Ultimately, though, Eggs Benedict is my thing, but the Hollandaise has to have enough lemon in it to be tart. I’ve been on an Eggs Benedict kick lately. I made it three times over the past 2 weeks: twice atop the customary English muffin and once atop a pile of corn grits (mixed with Hollandaise…and cheddar cheese…don’t tell my cardiologist). My Hollandaise is lemony and quite saucy, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/63 "2016-08-18T20:15:57Z")
I picked ‘none’ because it’s obvious that the best meal is chicken fried steak. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/64 "2016-08-18T20:17:05Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Pizza Margherita is weirdly specific. I’m not a big fan of it (I mean, I’ll eat if it’s there you know), it seems odd to put tomatoes on tomato sauce to me. Eh? I’ve very rarely seen tomatoes on top of the Margherita - usually its just tomato sauce, slices of mozzarella, and basil ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/65 "2016-08-18T20:17:37Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > Pizza Margherita is weirdly specific. I’m not a big fan of it (I mean, I’ll eat if it’s there you know), it seems odd to put tomatoes on tomato sauce to me. The bar I hang out at makes a tomatoe overload pie, with thinly sliced tomatoes, diced sun dried tomatoes, and tiny, whole grape tomatoes in addition to the rest of the marghareite. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/66 "2016-08-18T20:34:35Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > [Beef Rendang](http://norecipes.com/recipe/beef-rendang-recipe) is the dish I have ordered most often at restaurants. I have probably had it at my favorite place 200 times. Over the years I have tried making it with maybe 10 different recipes. It is always good an often truly great. Thanks for posting this. Never heard of it but can’t wait to give it a try. > [@enipla](#): > > Umm… isn’t Ribeye steak sort of a thing all by itself? (post shortened) I was wondering the same thing. Maybe it’s assumed that it is seasoned. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/67 "2016-08-18T20:36:40Z")
Peking Duck. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/68 "2016-08-18T20:39:19Z")
I love me a good steak, and of your four choices, I’d choose the Rib Eye, but to me, the most delectable of meats (and foods in general) is the lamb chop. Pray tell, was that anywhere in your tournament? ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/69 "2016-08-18T20:55:24Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Somewhere else on the net, a tournament was held and out of 300 starting foods (foods that have to be reciped foods or made up of other things, it can’t be a single thing by itself. So “Apple pie” is allowed, but “apples” aren’t)… So, what is the recipe for rib-eye steak? Heat it until desired doneness hardly seems like a recipe - it would seem that “sliced apple” could have made the tournament? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/70 "2016-08-18T20:58:55Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Eh? I’ve very rarely seen tomatoes on top of the Margherita - usually its just tomato sauce, slices of mozzarella, and basil I’ve seen it very occasionally. But [here’s pretty much your canonical Pizza Margherita](http://www.scattidigusto.it/2014/10/03/pizzeria-da-michele-pizza-napoletana/). It’s not about the toppings. It’s about the whole technique. Wood fired (or even coal-fired–some very hot burning oven), flavorful dough (usually 00 grade finely milled flour that’s been fermented to develop flavor), pure tomato sauce made from San Marzano or similar Roma-style tomatoes and not much else (maybe some salt, but no herby flavored “pizza-sauce”), fresh mozzarella, and fresh basil. It’s all about the quality of ingredients and, most importantly, the dough to me. The dough needs char, good spring and “crumb” on the crust, soft to almost soupy interior. Done right, there are few things – for me – more delicious and soul satisfying. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/71 "2016-08-19T08:25:40Z")
This poll assumes a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Borborygmi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/borborygmi/32/217_2.png) [@Borborygmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borborygmi)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/72 "2016-08-19T13:40:23Z")
Disclaimer: I am not Idle Thoughts, but an incredible simulation. Hopefully he won’t mind if I field a few of these since he hasn’t check in here for a bit… > [@MrDibble](#): > > [Cassoulet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassoulet) for me. Cassoulet lost to hot dogs with sauerkraut in Round 2. > [@BrassyPhrase](#): > > I picked ‘none’ because it’s obvious that the best meal is chicken fried steak. Chicken fried steak lost in Round 7… a special round to reduce the five remaining contenders to the four semi-finalists in this thread’s poll. > [@cmkeller](#): > > I love me a good steak, and of your four choices, I’d choose the Rib Eye, but to me, the most delectable of meats (and foods in general) is the lamb chop. Pray tell, was that anywhere in your tournament? Lamb chops lost to onion rings in Round 3. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/73 "2016-08-19T13:47:28Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > I’ve been on an Eggs Benedict kick lately. I made it three times over the past 2 weeks: twice atop the customary English muffin and once atop a pile of corn grits (mixed with Hollandaise…and cheddar cheese…don’t tell my cardiologist). My Hollandaise is lemony and quite saucy, BTW. I don’t really love eggs but Eggs Benedict is up there on best meals- especially if it’s Crab Cakes Egg Benedict served at the Old Post Office in Lake Tahoe- it’s Hollandaise was the best I’ve ever had, lick-the-plate lemony goodness… I picked Tacos out of these selections because they have the best potential and are a meal in themselves. But if I really had to choose, I think I’d go with Paella as the ultimate best meal of all time- it’s got everything good- rice, sausage, seafood, saffron… ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/74 "2016-08-19T14:06:12Z")
Looking at those four finalists, my choice would also be the Pizza Margherita. Good pizza is one of those foods for which I frequently get a _powerful_ craving. I love an occasional steak, and the marbling of the ribeye makes it my favorite. Even better is the bone-in rib steak, because I like to chew on the bone like a wild animal, and then throw the naked bone to my dogs. Earlier this week I grilled a boneless beef rib, which was extraordinary, but difficult to do perfectly…it has to be enough past rare to thoroughly melt the interior fat but shy enough of medium so that the fat doesn’t drip out and turn the meat into shoe leather. It’s also quite inexpensive, and the top choice for Argentine and Korean barbecuers…try it. I also enjoy a medium rare half-pound hamburger patty (on a plate knifed and forked) as much as I do a steak, which must prove that I am a low-class bum. Chicken enchiladas are great. I never make them, because it’s much easier to do a Mex lasagna – corn tortillas layered with grilled chicken, cheeses, green salsa, and homemade chile gravy. In a restaurant I order a mix of cheese and chicken enchiladas (don’t care for beef in this form) with beans and rice. Tacos, meh. Tacos have jumped the shark for me. I eat 'em once in a while, but prefer other options on any Tex-Mex or Mexican menu. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/75 "2016-08-19T14:09:48Z")
And since when are “onion rings” a meal? On a par with \cassoulet\? I love onion rings, but geeez. ---
**Author:** ![Borborygmi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/borborygmi/32/217_2.png) [@Borborygmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borborygmi)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/76 "2016-08-19T14:38:10Z")
Hey, _I_ nominated onion rings! :mad: Although I will concede that the overall endeavor may be lacking in scientific rigor. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/77 "2016-08-19T20:08:35Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > I’ve been on an Eggs Benedict kick lately. I made it three times over the past 2 weeks: twice atop the customary English muffin and once atop a pile of corn grits (mixed with Hollandaise…and cheddar cheese…don’t tell my cardiologist). My Hollandaise is lemony and quite saucy, BTW. Nice to hear…seems every place I’ve gone to and ordered it, they thought Hollandaise meant white sauce…bland bland bland. My mother taught me; she’s the only one I knew who made it the right way. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/78 "2016-08-19T20:12:00Z")
> [@Borborygmi](#): > > Hey, _I_ nominated onion rings! :mad: > Although I will concede that the overall endeavor may be lacking in scientific rigor. A _real_ onion ring is a thing of beauty. I always ask before ordering them though. There are too many places that serve up some horrible monstrosity of breaded onion paste. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/79 "2016-08-20T03:09:40Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I’ve seen it very occasionally. Interesting… I’ve rarely seen one with sauce instead of slices/pieces of tomato. This is what I normally see. [![](http://recipetreasure.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/flatbread-margherita-pizza-recipe-treasure-3.jpg) ](http://recipetreasure.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/flatbread-margherita-pizza-recipe-treasure-3.jpg) Even frozen Margherita pizza from California Pizza Kitchen has tomato pieces. > **[Pizza Recipes](https://www.seriouseats.com/pizza-recipes-5117816)** > > Our crisp, crunchy, chewy, and cheesy pizza recipes include everything from classic Neapolitan and New York pies to Sicilian and Detroit-style. But to the point… if I have to decide on one best food it would be Steak Oscar (or sometimes labeled “Neptune”). Filet, Crab meat, Asparagus, and Hollandaise sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128/80 "2016-08-20T03:53:31Z")
Any Food stuffed with other Food is bound to disappoint. I am very surprised to see no sausages here. The sausage is one of mankind’s noblest creations. I would easily take as a last meal 1. Grilled kielbasa with sauerkraut and potato pierogies 2. Bangers and mash with onion gravy 3. Double bratwurst on a hard roll with mustard, raw onion, and dill pickle slices. Also a platter of lamb (chopped-up gyros) over rice from any Halal food cart in NYC. Covered with hot sauce and the delectable white sauce made from mayo, ranch dressing, garlic, vinegar, dill, parsley, lemon juice and god knows what, referred to on the mean streets as “Angel Jizz.” This tastes best at 3AM while drunk. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-settle-a-massive-debate-regarding-what-the-best-meal-of-all-time-is/763128.md?page=5)