The Food Hacker

New! Hack That Dish

· The cookbook that restaurants will hate ·

Todd Wilbur
Uncategorized
Apr 19, 2026
0 Comments

I might be crazy. But, after over 30 years of reverse-engineering over 1500 of America’s most iconic recipes, I’m now going to tell you how I crack the secret codes. And after you learn my secret tricks, you will know how to make copycat recipes of just about anything you love to eat. My latest…

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Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza

The deep secrets to cloning one of Chicago's best pies

Deep dish pizza is traditional flat pizza’s heftier cousin. The crucial elements are still there—crust, sauce, cheese, toppings—but there’s more of it,…

Todd Wilbur
Entree Hacks
November 1, 2019
135 Comments

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McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce

Hacking the delicious dipping sauce that sparked multiple riots

In 1998 McDonald’s created a delicious Asian-style McNugget dipping sauce to promote the release of Disney’s new film, Mulan. The limited-time-only Szechuan…

Todd Wilbur
Sauce/Dip/Blend Hacks
April 27, 2018
21 Comments

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In-N-Out Burger Double-Double

Re-create a masterpiece with the "smile," and other freshly discovered secrets

If there is such a thing as hamburger perfection, In-N-Out Burger has achieved it.

The 330-unit West Coast family-owned chain learned a long…

Todd Wilbur
Burger/Sandwich Hacks
March 24, 2018
41 Comments

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Butterbeer

Hacking the magical drink using clues from the creators

Muggles like you and me (non-magical folk) pack themselves into wand shops, candy stores, and thrill rides throughout the impressive re-creations of…

Todd Wilbur
Drink Hacks
February 10, 2018
78 Comments

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Barney’s Beanery Texas-Style Chili

Unlocking the secrets to perfect chili con carne

If Barney’s Beanery never existed, where would Janis Joplin have taken her last drink? Where would Quentin Tarantino have written his most…

Todd Wilbur
Entree Hacks, Soup/Salad Hacks
January 6, 2018
24 Comments

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Nestle Drumstick

The accidental confection can now be made at home on purpose

To completely commit to Drumstick lore, you must believe the unlikely story of its creation.

According to Nestle, one of the women making…

Todd Wilbur
Dessert Hacks
December 15, 2017
13 Comments

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Portillo’s Italian Beef

The easiest way to make Chicago's favorite sandwich

Thin-sliced roast beef is dunked in herbed gravy to soak up the flavor, then it’s stacked on a warm Italian sandwich roll…

Todd Wilbur
Burger/Sandwich Hacks
December 1, 2017
84 Comments

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Haribo Gold-Bears Gummy Candy

They're called gummies, so where's the gum?

Hans Riegel took the first two letters of his first and last name and the first two letters of Bonn, the German…

Todd Wilbur
Candy Hacks
November 17, 2017
252 Comments

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Cafe Du Monde Beignets

Cracking the 150-year-old secret recipe

When you’re having beignets in New Orleans, you’re either eating them at Cafe Du Monde, or you wish you were.

The traditional square…

Todd Wilbur
Breakfast Hacks
November 3, 2017
76 Comments

Todd Wilbur

Food Hacker: One who re-creates iconic secret recipes through deconstruction and analysis of the original dish.

New Blog Post Alert

Recent Hacks

New! Hack That Dish April 19, 2026
Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza November 1, 2019
McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce April 27, 2018
In-N-Out Burger Double-Double March 24, 2018
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Butterbeer February 10, 2018
Barney’s Beanery Texas-Style Chili January 6, 2018

© 2026 Todd Wilbur