How do you improve a day at Findlay Market in Over-the- Rhine? Well, that’s easy if you happen to pass by a filming of a popular reality television show. Last Thursday, Cincinnati was host to Travel Channel star Adam Richman and the crew of “Man vs. Food Nation.” The show, which airs at 9 p.m. on Wednesdays, is known for eating challenges that Richman attempts to complete. Recently, the show was renamed from “Man vs. Food” to “Man vs. Food Nation” which also came along with some changes in the show’s format.
Rather than doing all the food challenges himself, Richman opens them up for locals to take a crack at.
“He’s tasting all the great food all around the country, and he’s opened it up for other people to take the food challenge in each city,” Caryn Davidson, Travel Channel publicist said.
It is uncertain as to whether Richman performed a challenge here in the Queen City or instead had a local make an attempt.
It is rumored that if he did a challenge, it would have been at Izzy’s World’s Greatest Reubens, having a go at The 110 Reuben Challenge.
According to Izzy’s website, this challenge consists of a “super-sized potato pancake, one pound of Izzy’s Famous Corned Beef, and a colossal pile of fresh, crisp sauerkraut, gouged with Izzy’s special dressing. Finally the sandwich is smothered with imported Swiss cheese.”
This mother-load of ingredients is then piled onto a specially baked poppy seed loaf.
Regardless of whether Richman attempted a challenge or not, he did visit some of Cincinnati’s most-loved eateries including Pho Lang Thang, a noted Asian sandwich shop in Over-the-Rhine, Izzy’s and Camp Washington Chili.
The Cincinnati featured episode is scheduled to air on October 12 on the Travel Channel.