How many times have you seen a character on a TV show eating their favorite dish and been so intrigued that you wanted to try it? There have been many iconic TV shows throughout history, and in some cases, food serves as a connecting element between the protagonist and the viewer. Have you always wanted to try Gus Fring's fried chicken, Dale Cooper's beloved cherry pie, or even pop into Carmy Berzatto's sandwich shop and try her Italian-American specialties? These are the most iconic TV shows foods you simply can't pass up.
1. Breaking Bad: Los Pollos Hermanos' Fried Chicken
The most classic example of how food in a TV shows can become the perfect glue between fiction and reality. The fried chicken at the fast food chain Los Pollos Hermanos, in Breaking Bad, is described as exquisite, tasty, and succulent. The restaurant is actually a front for the criminal activities of Gus Fring , the series' antagonist. The protagonists often find themselves eating the chicken while organizing methamphetamine production and distribution operations. Many fans of the series, traveling to Albuquerque, New Mexico, the city where Breaking Bad is set, have visited the Twisters headquarters: this is the real fast food restaurant located in the same place where Los Pollos Hermanos is located in the series. After Breaking Bad, Twisters' business literally took off.
More Breaking Bad With Walter Jr.'s Cereal
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, we know it and so does Vince Gilligan, director of Breaking Bad. In many episodes, there is a moment at the White family breakfast where Walter Jr., the protagonist's son, always eats his favorite cereal.
More than a specific type of cereal, it's the act of eating breakfast itself that takes on symbolic meaning in the series. Scenes in which Walter Jr. eats breakfast are often used to highlight family dynamics and the changing relationship with his father. This is one of the circumstances where we too would have liked to be with Skyler, Walter, and Jr. in one of the few glimpses of a "normal family union."
2. Friends: Rachel's Thanksgiving Dessert
Perhaps the most iconic sitcom of all time: Friends. In each episode, the six friends gather on the couch at Central Perk after work to discuss the day, chatting about topics common to all of us viewers, while enjoying a cup of classic Americano coffee. Food is often the main focus here, too, as is Rachel's famous Thanksgiving dessert. The protagonist has never been a great cook, thanks to a childhood spent indulging in vices thanks to a wealthy family. Rachel's desire for independence and redemption is evident, and in one episode she attempts to make the only Thanksgiving dessert that year: trifle with beef ragù. Obviously, the only person who would like it is Joey. Would you have tried it?
3. The Sopranos: Tony's Dramatic Onion Rings
If there's another series that has remained dear to viewers, it's undoubtedly The Sopranos, featuring protagonist Tony, an Italian-American mafia boss from New Jersey. The impact of Holsten's Diner on the series is undeniable: Tony often retreats there with his family to eat. Fried onion rings are a staple on the Sopranos' table, especially in the episode that sparked so much discussion among fans.
Spoiler alert: here, under the strains of Journey‘s "Don't Stop Believin‘," amid a dramatic wait and a somber silence, as Tony is about to eat his rings, he looks up after someone enters the restaurant; the screen goes black. The person who entered could have been his daughter looking for a parking spot or a hitman; this is up to the viewer, who, after this scene, is faced with the closing credits. Eating the fried onion rings could have been Tony Soprano's last act before being killed.
4. Twin Peaks: The Irresistible Cherry Pie
More than three decades later, Twin Peaks is still considered one of the most influential series in the history of fiction. The work of the recently deceased David Lynch is a cult classic that immediately stood out thanks to its stylistic diversity compared to other programs of the time. The beloved cherry pie that Agent Dale Cooper simply can't resist was a dream for all viewers. Cherry pie is, in fact, a traditional dessert in the United States, thanks to the red cherry jam inside a crumbly and flavorful pastry. Between one clue and another, cherry pie is the way to start the day off on the right foot for Dale as he, sitting at his favorite diner (R&R Diner), investigates Laura Palmer's death.
5. Stranger Things: Eleven's Waffles
One of the most famous series of recent years: Stranger Things has created a legion of fans around the world. The protagonist is Eleven, a little girl with "special powers." During the first seasons, Eleven intrigued us with her passion for Kellogg's Eggo Waffles, famous in the US in the '80s and '90s. That was one of the most successful product placements in the history of fiction. The market share of the production company, after the airing of Stranger Things, literally skyrocketed. In one scene, Eleven leaves a supermarket with tons of boxes of waffles to emphasize that they were her favorite food and that she just couldn't do without them. In various episodes, there are those who eat them with the classic maple syrup and a little bit of butter, but who wouldn't want to try the ones prepared by Jim Hopper? "Cream, sprinkles, chocolate and a dose of lots of love."
6. The Bear: Carmy's Spaghetti With Garlic and Tomato
The Bear is one of the most successful recent series in which cooking takes center stage. After the dramatic family events that have shaken him, Italian-American Michelin-starred chef Carmy Berzatto attempts to relaunch his suicidal brother's sandwich shop. There, he finds a dilapidated kitchen and an unsympathetic staff. Many dishes have been featured throughout the series' various seasons, but one that has particularly struck viewers is spaghetti with tomato sauce. Many fans of the series in the United States have attempted to recreate it. The only certainty about Carmy's recipe is a frame visible in just a few seconds where she explains that ten cloves of garlic are needed to make her sauce. This dish underscores the Chicago chef's strong Italian-American roots.
7. Riverdale: The Pop's Milkshake
The classic hangout for the four Riverdale friends, who find themselves solving the mysteries of a seemingly perfect town, but with a darkness lurking beneath. The rendezvous is at Pop's, a classic American diner with 1950s-style decor, where, over burgers, French fries, and milkshakes, they plan to solve their next case. The place where Archie, Jughead, Betty, and Veronica meet every day is a real place, and it's located in Vancouver, Canada. It's called Rocko's Diner, and here you can truly order anything Riverdale-themed, including the famous Archie Shake.
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