First-run episodes of the series aired in the United States on the Travel Channel on Wednesdays at 10:00 PM Eastern time.

[1] In each episode, Richman explores the "big food" of a different American city before facing off against a pre-existing eating challenge at a local restaurant.

[2] The Los Angeles Times noted that the Travel Channel received its highest-ever ratings for a new debut with Man v. Food.

[5] Features reporter Thomas Rozwadowski of the Green Bay Press-Gazette said that "playfully eager host Adam Richman has won me over" and that "it's all in good fun".

[6] Adam began his cross-country eating expedition by journeyed down Route 66 to Amarillo to visit Youngblood's Stockyard Café for authentic chicken fried steak, and Coyote Bluff[7] for the extra-spicy "Burger From Hell".

[11] Accompanied by members of the Route 66 Roller Derby League,[9] Adam approached the challenge by eating the steak first, followed by the shrimp cocktail and salad, leaving the potato and roll for last.

[13] Adam ventured to Pittsburgh[23] and Primanti Brothers for huge sandwiches served with the fries and cole slaw inside then Deluca's Restaurant for big omelettes and plate-sized chocolate chip pancakes.

Adam completed the challenge and was awarded a commemorative bumper sticker and a place on Quaker Steak & Lube's "Atomic Wall of Flame".

[46] Post-episode update: According to the Boston eating guide Boston.Eater.com, East Coast Grill & Raw Bar closed for good in December 2017.

[55] Adam went home to New York City to visit Sylvia's Restaurant of Harlem for homemade food and Katz's Delicatessen for their famous deli sandwiches.