Rephonic
Artwork for Mad Food
Los Angeles
Super Bowl
Las Vegas
Pizza
New York
Thanksgiving
Michelin Stars
LA Times
Sushi
Tacos
Fine Dining
Stella West Hollywood
Providence
Los Angeles Food Scene
Oppenheimer
Desserts
Stella
Japanese Cuisine
Addison
Italian Cuisine

Comedic food talk covering restaurants, cooking, eating habits, hospitality, and even some respectful interviews with big name chefs, celebrities, and regular schnooks hosted by Jordan Okun and Max Shapiro (the team formerly of Air Jordan: A Food Podcast). Straight outta Los Angeles, but covering the entire mad food world.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes379Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FoodArts

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Artwork for Mad Food

Latest Episodes

Plus, the perfect Christmas dinner reservations, lamb neck vs. shrimp cocktail vs. Mission burritos, chefs Max would collab with, the perfect Chinese food additions for turkey day, it's finally time to nog, airport behavior, restaurants we want to se... more

Why doesn't Los Angeles care about Superiority Burger coming soon, the LA Taco debacle, HiHo's new thick drop, 101 updates and fallout with Bill and Jenn, Jordan & Max's Oki dog recipes, Little Fish love, influencer food fights, more Soupy Ps, lots o... more

The fellas give some time to the spookiest day of the year (not the release of the LA Times 101 list), but it's all about Persian food in Century City, where they nailed the cuisine defining dish, somehow screwed up the simplest protein, Jordan was w... more

We were done with this. We didn't want to do it again. But you begged. You pleaded. And we enjoy servicing you. So, here it is. And please remember, it's not personal, it's strictly business.

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

BJ Novak
Actor, writer and guest of the episode
Chain (Chain restaurant concept)
Episode: BJ Novak on Vegas, Catalina, Membership Clubs, Cereal, and Chain's New Mall Food Court
Marcus Jernmark
Michelin-starred chef; chef/owner of Marée
Marée, LA
Episode: Escargot Beignets, Au Poivre Burgers, Tiramisu Brûlée, and LA with Marcus Jernmark
Michael Cimarusti
Chef and owner of Providence, three Michelin stars
Providence
Episode: Michael Cimarusti's 3 Michelin Star Life, Seafood Thoughts, Mount Rushmore Status, and LA Chef Conference
Jonathan (BJ) Novak
Actor and writer from The Office, involved in events during Vegas trip
The Office (actor), attendee at Fountain Blue events
Episode: Contramar, COTE, Nowhere & Celestial in Las Vegas
Mark Anthony
Musician and performer, part of the Nowhere bar after-party scene
Actor and musician
Episode: Contramar, COTE, Nowhere & Celestial in Las Vegas
Adam Weisblatt
Co-owner of Found Oyster, Hermon's, Rasa Rumah, and Queen's Raw Bar; author
Last Word Hospitality (Found Oyster, etc.)
Episode: Adam Weisblatt's Love of Restaurants: The Found Oyster, Hermon's, Queen's Raw Bar Man
Shawn Lickliter
Co-owner, booze mind behind Vandell
Vandell
Episode: The Best LA Bar: Vandell
Josh Peck
Actor and guest on this episode
Actor
Episode: Healthly Habits with Josh Peck
Chase Sinzer
Partner and wine director behind Penny, Claud, and Stars
Penny, Claud, and Stars
Episode: One Night at Penny, Claud, and Stars with Chase Sinzer

Hosts

Jordan Okun
Host of the show; co-host of Mad Food; experienced food podcasting presence.
Max Shapiro
Co-host and lead voice alongside Jordan; long-running, knowledgeable food critic persona.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 458 ratings
  • Smart, Funny, and Actually Knowledgeable

    Mad Food manages to do something surprisingly difficult: be genuinely knowledgeable about restaurants without taking itself too seriously.

    Jordan and Max have strong opinions and great camaraderie, but what I appreciate most is the depth behind them. They talk about cooking, hospitality, restaurant economics, chefs, dining rooms, wine, Diet Coke, food media, trends and the personalities behind the LA dining scene—not just “here are the hot new restaurants.”

    The result feels much more like an ins... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Matty Stovy
    United States3 months ago
  • Great LA Food Pod

    Great LA food pod great insights to local restaurants and chefs. I appreciate their personal opinions. They’re varying opinions and expertise. It’s a good laugh. You should listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Thordy Thunder
    United States3 months ago
  • 10/10 food talk that’s actually funny

    Max and Jordan's dynamic is hilarious but the best (and rarest) part of this podcast is that they actually tell it how it is. If they hated something, they say it. If they loved it, they say that too. LA and the food scene in general honestly needs more of this.

    Their whole Larry David-style irreverence is nostalgic, hilarious, and weirdly comforting at the same time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MonicaBB2012
    United States3 months ago
  • Las Vegas etc.

    I am a long time listener, former five-star reviewer, and I am not enjoying the increasing frequency of bro-y content exceeding the restaurant and drinks content. Although not an entirely new tone for your pod, you’ve become even more generic white male focused recently. I don’t find it amusing the hear about your rude interactions with other hotel guests, for example. Consider returning to the more enjoyable food and drink info with occasional name-dropping like you’ve done in the past.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    mollygraymollygray
    United States3 months ago
  • Max

    is staccato writing style is AI 101 and the guy needs to get perspective of the world beyond Beverly Hills

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    anthroth
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Critics note occasional bitterness but highlight entertaining, personality-driven storytelling.
Many appreciate the show's mix of restaurant critique and behind-the-scenes hospitality insights.
Fans value honest takes and strong host chemistry.
Listeners praise the banter and depth of LA food knowledge.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#39
United States/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#194
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#105
Canada/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#159
United Kingdom/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#197
Australia/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#216
Italy/Arts/Food

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Q&A: Superiority Burger LA, South Beverly Grill Advice, More LA Times 101, Food Fights, Night Night LA Taco
Q: Going to South Beverly Grill for the first time. Any reqs on what to order or avoid, Max?
Max advises skipping the cheeseburger, Hawaiian ribeye, and Caesar salad, and says he avoids most of the sushi. He recommends the spinach-artichoke dip, grilled artichoke when available, shrimp cocktail, French dip, Emerald Kale rotisserie chicken salad, and New York strip.
Q&A: Superiority Burger LA, South Beverly Grill Advice, More LA Times 101, Food Fights, Night Night LA Taco
Q: Why doesn't Los Angeles care about Superiority Burger coming to town?
The hosts say the lack of details about the location, timing, and concept makes it difficult for local diners to get excited. They also suggest that an out-of-town restaurant opening needs a major name to generate attention in Los Angeles.
Max vs. Massimo Bottura: An Instagram Saga
Q: What have you learned?
Max says criticism of a celebrated chef draws fierce defense, even from people without firsthand experience, and that unfavorable opinions bring backlash. He stands by his honesty and experience as a food critic.
Max vs. Massimo Bottura: An Instagram Saga
Q: Are you sure nothing happened at that dinner?
Pete says they were courteous throughout the meal and suggests Max's critical email sent six days later may have been the source of the restaurant's negative impression.
Q&A: Influencers vs. Food Critics, Does A Good Restaurant Have To Offer Coffee, At Home Cooking Tools, Did Jordan Break His Streak, Pre-Dinner Showers
Q: What tools does Max recommend for someone who cooks at home and wants to level up their cooking?
He recommends Japanese yakiniku tongs, an instant-read thermometer, a small digital scale, metal prep trays, a microplane, a fine mesh strainer and a small offset spatula.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Mad Food

What is Mad Food about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A witty, LA-based show that mixes restaurant reviews, food-nerd analysis, behind-the-scenes hospitality chatter, and lighthearted banter between two co-hosts who previously worked together on another food podcast. Episodes span everything from headlining restaurant openings and chef interviews to travel-centric dining trips, banter-filled Q&As, and bold takes on dining culture, tipping, and industry trends. The tone is irreverent but informed, with deep dives into dishes, service, and ambiance, plus a steady flow of personal anecdotes and pop-culture flavor. Noteworthy traits include strong chemistry between hosts, frequent travel and dining itineraries, and a willingness to tackle controversial topics with humor while spotlighting notable ... more

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How many subscribers and views does Mad Food have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Mad Food?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Mad Food:

1. This Is TASTE
2. The Powers That Be: Daily
3. The Town with Matthew Belloni
4. How Long Gone
5. Acquired Taste Food Podcasts

How many episodes of Mad Food are there?

Mad Food launched 8 years ago and published 379 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Mad Food?

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What guests have appeared on Mad Food?

Recent guests on Mad Food include:

1. BJ Novak
2. Marcus Jernmark
3. Michael Cimarusti
4. Jonathan (BJ) Novak
5. Mark Anthony
6. Adam Weisblatt
7. Shawn Lickliter
8. Josh Peck

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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