Cheap Eats is a food travelogue series that premiered on Cooking Channel on September 22, 2015, following a pilot episode that aired in the fall of 2015. Produced by Sirens Media (ITV America), the show ran for five seasons, concluding on November 7, 2018. However, it is currently available on-demand on major platforms and has also aired internationally on Food Network.
The premise is simple but compelling. Host Ali Khan lands in a new American city with 12 hours and exactly $35. His mission: find the most flavorful, satisfying meals for breakfast, lunch, a snack, and dinner — all within budget. Along the way, he meets the local chefs and restaurant owners behind each dish, giving viewers a window into the food culture of cities large and small.
Over its five seasons, the show visited dozens of cities across the United States, from major food hubs like Chicago, Miami, and Philadelphia to lesser-known culinary destinations like Bozeman, Montana, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Season 1 (2016) covered six cities; by Season 2 (late 2016), the show expanded to thirteen cities in a single run.
Ali Khan, who is also the show’s co-executive producer, served as the host throughout the entire run of the series. He is a prominent food writer, blogger, and television personality. He is also the author of the popular food blog Bang for Your Burger Buck. Additionally, he has appeared on several other Food Network and Cooking Channel programs, including Chopped, Chopped Junior, Spring Baking Championship, and Supermarket Stakeout.
