The Best Thing I Ever Ate

There's been a show on Food Network lately, asking famous chefs, hosts and food writers about their favorite foods. I've been inspired to create my own list using their categories.

Guilty Pleasures: onion rings - The Varsity (only the original location truly counts)

Wake Up Call: breakfast sandwich (eggs, cheese and bacon) with a side of hash browns scattered, smothered and covered - Waffle House

Hometown Favorites: loose meat hamburger - The Pool Room, Thomaston, GA

Sugar Rush: praline basket filled with ice cream, fresh berries, chocolate syrup and caramel - Ray's on the River

Chocolate: I'm not generally a chocolate dessert person, so this is a candy bar, instead - Escazu dark chocolate with cocoa nibs

Cheesy: Unfortunately, my favorite cheesy dish is no longer available, but the memory of lasagna at the Ram's Head Rathskeller in Chapel Hill, NC, will remain forever.

Hot and Spicy: spicy tuna roll - Circle Sushi, Sandy Springs, GA

The Classics: macaroni and cheese - Swallow at the Hollow, Roswell, GA

Crunchy: Mom's homemade ginger cookies

Totally Fried: all-you-can-eat whole fried catfish - Riverbend Restaurant, Thomaston, GA

Bar-B-Que: family-style plate of brisket, sausage, and pork ribs at the Salt Lick - Driftwood, TX

With Bacon: "Piglickers" - chocolate covered bacon - Famous Dave's, Minnesota State Fair

Pizza: deep dish sausage, mushroom and pepperoni - Giordano's, Chicago

Obsessions: Banana Pudding - Fiery Ron's Hometeam BBQ, West Ashley and Sullivan's Island, SC

Between Bread: the original Chick-fil-A sandwich

With My Hands: fried peach pie - Relish, Roswell, GA

Holiday: my mother-in-law's deviled eggs

Salty Goodness: grilled grouper platter - Apalachicola Grill, Apalachicola, FL

Meat Fest: mustard seed crusted lamb chop - 212 Market Restaurant, Chattanooga, TN

Snack Attack: Fries with Feta - The Grill, Athens, GA

Totally Unexpected: Peanut Butter Bacon Burger - Clocks, Athens, GA

Served Cold: cole slaw - Piggie Park curbside, Thomaston, GA