OUR TOP 10 LISTS

10. Bacon

When you have to explain to the bartender how to make your favorite cocktail, the Bacontini, you know things have gone too far. (A bartender who knows how to mix this drink doesn’t make the situation any better.)

In the mood for more mouth watering comfort foods? Watch LOVE LUST, All new Mondays 8P

Author: Kate N Krader, FOOD & WINE Restaurant Editor

9. Mac & cheese

I know you have options when it comes to mac & cheese. Nancy Reagan has a recipe, the Pioneer Woman blogger has a recipe; the Kraft Facebook page has dozens of suggestions ranging from buffalo chicken mac to mac & cheese lasagna (!!!). I wish I could say I dreamed up the phrase ''mac & cheese pizza.'' Nope—it's the best seller at Ian’s, which has branches around Wisconsin and at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

In the mood for more mouth watering comfort foods? Watch LOVE LUST, All new Mondays 8P

Want more from Food and Wine?

Author: Kate N Krader, FOOD & WINE Restaurant Editor

8. Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese sandwiches are easy to make. They require two slices of bread, a piece of cheese and some butter. But when you need a truckload of ingredients—especially when you’re putting mac & cheese and BBQ ribs in your sandwich the way they do at the Grilled Cheese Truck in Los Angeles—then things are going off the rails.

In the mood for more mouth watering comfort foods? Watch LOVE LUST, All new Mondays 8P

Want more from Food and Wine? Check out the Best Grilled Cheese in the U.S.

Author: Kate N Krader, FOOD & WINE Restaurant Editor

7. Foie gras

If you live in California you don’t need to worry about being too comfortable with foie gras for much longer; soon, the state will ban the sale of the fatty duck and goose liver. In a fitting tribute, the chefs at Animal restaurant in Los Angeles hosted a farewell-foie dinner that included multiple foie preparations including smoked, roasted, steamed and also liquefied. Animal even served foie-gras whipped cream on the brownie sundae.

In the mood for more mouth watering comfort foods? Watch LOVE LUST, All new Mondays 8P

Author: Kate N Krader, FOOD & WINE Restaurant Editor

6. Status burgers

I’m not saying all burgers should cost $.99. (Seriously, what meat is that cheap? Don’t make me start thinking about that.) But when burgers cost as much as a super chic pair of shoes, or a dinner for a crowd, then something isn’t right. At Le Burger Brasserie in Vegas, the 777 burger costs $777 (the accompanying bottle of rosé Dom Perignon ups the price tag considerably). And then there’s the Vegas burger that’s roughly equal in value to a car (well, a slightly used one). I’m speaking specifically of the Fleurburger 5000 which goes for $5,000—besides the foie gras topping, it comes with a bottle of 1990 Petrus.

In the mood for more mouth watering comfort foods? Watch LOVE LUST, All new Mondays 8P

Want more from Food and Wine? Check out the Best Burgers in the U.S.

Author: Kate N Krader, FOOD & WINE Restaurant Editor

5. Fried chicken

You’ve probably heard people get into heated arguments about their favorite fried chicken. Brined versus non-brined. Floured versus battered. Pan-fried versus deep-fried. Korean versus Southern. And that’s when you say, “People are talking way too much about fried chicken right now. Please change the subject.”

In the mood for more mouth watering comfort foods? Watch LOVE LUST, All new Mondays 8P

Want more from Food and Wine? Check out the Best Fried Chicken in the U.S.

Author: Kate N Krader, FOOD & WINE Restaurant Editor

4. Tricked-out French fries

A French fry is a great thing. Fried once, or even twice, it’s crisp and delectable. And unhealthy (unless you’re cheating and baking them, in which case, you can skip this one.) So when you treat fries like they’re nachos and pile them up with cheese and/or chili and/or bacon and/or all of the above, you’re only making matters worse.

In the mood for more mouth watering comfort foods? Watch LOVE LUST, All new Mondays 8P

Author: Kate N Krader, FOOD & WINE Restaurant Editor

3. Ribs

You’ve seen that funny McDonald’s commercial. The McRib sandwich is back. Enough said.

In the mood for more mouth watering comfort foods? Watch LOVE LUST, All new Mondays 8P

Want more from Food and Wine?

Author: Kate N Krader, FOOD & WINE Restaurant Editor

2. Pork belly

Ten years ago, you probably hadn’t heard of pork belly, except as a vague commodity on the futures market. Now? Like every other part of the pig, it’s hard to escape. Sure, it’s exceptionally fatty and when the skin is still attached, lusciously crispy. But when it’s used as a topping for French fries, things have gone too far.

In the mood for more mouth watering comfort foods? Watch LOVE LUST, All new Mondays 8P

Author: Kate N Krader, FOOD & WINE Restaurant Editor

1. Cupcakes

Is there a cupcake store in the United States of America that doesn’t have a humongous line out the door? I think it’s just a matter of time before cupcakes become accepted currency here: An ounce of gold equals an ounce of cupcakes. The exchange rate is gonna be tricky, though.

In the mood for more mouth watering comfort foods? Watch LOVE LUST, All new Mondays 8P

Author: Kate N Krader, FOOD & WINE Restaurant Editor