Matt Kirouac

Title: Contributor

Location: Oklahoma City, OK

Education: Associate's in Culinary Arts and Bachelor's of Hospitality Management, Robert Morris University in Chicago

Expertise: Travel, restaurants

Website Links:

https://linktr.ee/matt_kirouac

Experience:

Matt Kirouac has been writing about restaurants, food, and travel since graduating culinary school in 2009. Over the years, he’s written for Travel + Leisure, Thrillist, InsideHook, Condé Nast Traveler, BBC, Atlas Obscura, Eater, Tasting Table, and others. He has authored two books, The Hunt Guides Chicago and Unique Eats & Eateries of Chicago, and hosted a travel podcast with iHeartRadio called Parklandia. Since moving to Oklahoma City in 2020, he’s become the senior dining writer at 405 Magazine and earned a Hometown Hero Award from Visit OKC. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling as much as possible, spending way too much time at Disney World, and exploring national parks.

Articles by Matt Kirouac

Kirkland Praline Pecans

The Best Ice Cream Parlor in Every State

The ultimate guide to the best ice cream shops in every state.

The Absolute Best Pizza in Every State

The Absolute Best Pizza in Every State

From old-school classics to innovative newcomers, these are the best pies across America.

12 Fast-Food Cheeseburgers That Chefs Actually Eat

12 Fast-Food Cheeseburgers That Chefs Eat

Top chefs reveal their favorite fast-food cheeseburgers, from classic drive-thru staples to hidden gems.

Fourth of July, patriotic, American themed food. Overhead view table scene on a white wood background.

10 Regional Foods You’ve Never Heard Of

Discover hidden culinary gems across America that deserve a spot on your foodie bucket list.

texas style bbq meal with all the fixings

10 Best American Barbecue Joints

These hidden barbecue gems serve up smoky, slow-cooked perfection across the country.

10 Best American Italian Restaurants You’ve Never Heard Of but Must Visit

10 Best American Italian Restaurants You've Never Heard Of

These hidden gems are serving up the most authentic and delicious Italian dishes in the U.S.

donuts

The Best Donuts in America—Here’s Where to Find Them

These bakeries are serving up the most delicious and inventive donuts across the U.S.

Delicious chocolate croissants fruit for breakfast on rustic wooden table

10 Best American Bakeries You've Never Heard of

From small-town bread shops to viral pastry spots, these under-the-radar bakeries are worth the trip.

breakfast sandwich of toasted sesame bagel, slab bacon, egg and melted cheese.

Fast-Food Breakfast Sandwiches Chefs Actually Eat

Chefs share their favorite fast-food breakfast sandwiches and what makes them the best.

22 Restaurants That Serve the Best Chicken Wings in America, According to Chefs

22 Restaurants That Serve the Best Chicken Wings

Looking for the ultimate chicken wings? Top chefs reveal their favorite restaurants.

A luxurious dinner, a piece of steak in a restaurant setting, immerses viewers in the cozy ambiance of a bustling luxury restaurant.

10 Incredible Hidden Gem American Steakhouses

Discover 10 hidden steakhouse gems serving legendary meals across America.

a slice of pizza with burratta and fresh basil on a wood table.

Where to Get the Best Slice of Pizza in America

From coast to coast, the U.S. is blessed with incredibly talented pizza makers. Just ask their fellow chefs.

Taco Bell's Cheez-It Crunchwrap set against a vibrant background.

The 7 Wildest New Taco Bell Items of 2024

No fast-food brand is more inventive than the popular Mexican chain. Here's a look at its most creative launches this year.

A melty grilled cheese sandwich set against a vibrant background.

5 Restaurant Grilled Cheese Sandwiches—Ranked

We sampled the classic comfort food at popular chains including Five Guys, Panera, and Sonic in search of the very best.

A dry-aged steak with cream sauce on a white plate, set against a vibrant background.

9 Steakhouse Chains With the Highest-Quality Meat

Expect only top-tier cuts of beef when you dine at these esteemed steakhouse chains across the country.

philly cheesesteak sandwich on sub roll

#1 Sandwich Chain Order to Avoid, Chefs Say

Pros share their tips on how to avoid a disappointing sandwich.

8 Steakhouse Chains That Serve the Best Prime Rib

8 Steakhouse Chains That Serve the Best Prime Rib

The juicy, slow-roasted cut is a specialty at many restaurants from casual chains like Texas Roadhouse to upscale spots like The Palm.

filet mignon steak tenderloin

The #1 Steak You Should Never Order

Here's what the pros avoid ordering from a steakhouse menu.

The #1 Restaurant Appetizer You Should Avoid, According to Chefs

The #1 Appetizer To Avoid at Restaurants

From seafood to overpriced charcuterie, here's what experts say you should skip when dining out.

Jimmy johns jj Gargantuan

The 10 Best Sandwich Chains in America

A truly great sandwich spot takes pride in its craft and its ingredients—and it shows.

thanksgiving dinner plate

15 Genius Holiday Cooking Hacks From Chefs

We asked real kitchen pros for tips on successfully making your next holiday feast less stressful and less expensive, too.

Bone-in ribeye sliced and neatly plated at Morton's the Steakhouse

8 Best Steakhouse Chains In America

Where to go for the winning combo of quality food and top-notch atmosphere.

box of pizza

4 Beloved Pizza Chains That Failed Miserably

Squeezed out by delivery competitors or their own outdated concepts.

Close-up of a slice of Pumkin Pie on a white plate with fork, and a dollop of cream on the top.

The Best Pumpkin Pies in America, According to Chefs

From Boston to San Diego, these chef-endorsed spots serve up impeccably well-made versions of the classic American dessert.

An array of fast-food french fries set against a vibrant background.

The Best Fast-Food French Fries In 2024—Ranked

We've considered all the major players from Arby's to McDonald's to Wendy's. Here's how the best fast-food spuds stack up.

Two sub sandwiches from Jersey Mike's restaurant set against a colorful background

The #1 Best Jersey Mike's Sub

We were surprised by how good this simple sandwich turned out to be.

Wingstop wings dipped in ranch sauce

Every Wingstop Flavor, Ranked From Worst to Best

We tried a dozen flavors, from super spicy to totally mild, and found the #1 best Wingstop wing in 2024.

steak sauce

Dishes To Avoid at Restaurants, According to Chefs

Here's how to recognize red flags on a restaurant menu.

Dry-aged ribeye from Smith & Wollensky set against a vibrant green background

8 Restaurant Chains With the Best Dry-Aged Steaks

For many steak lovers, there's nothing more tender and flavorful than dry-aged beef, like the specialty cuts at these popular chains.

I Tried the BLT at 5 Restaurant Chains & the Winner Was Fresh & Crispy

5 BLT Sandwiches, Tasted & Ranked

When it comes to this classic sandwich, simpler is better.

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