Munchies: Cal Elliott

Rye's decor could be described as "prohibition chic" with cocktails to match, and food that one could call "fucking amazing." All of this is the product of Cal Elliott, Rye's chef/owner. Cal's persona is Peter Pan meets Rip Torn, with a penchant for the Mother Sauces. When not getting drunk at his own restaurant after the night's service, Cal likes to head to neighboring restaurant Samurai Mama for Udon noodles and Jameson shots. In this episode of Munchies, Cal attempts to make braised short rib grilled cheeses with Taleggio and frisee after having the equivalent of 10 shots of whiskey.
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[@chrismcquade4424]

Something about Cal is soo refreshing; his attitude, approach, and outlook are genuine and it shows.

[@maggietweedie1160]

Chris Mcquade i totally agree man, beautiful approach. Rye is definitely on the to do list

[@Verilious]

Cal is the real deal. Dude doesn't talk any bullshit, cooks good as fuck food, and gets completely smashed by the end of the night like a true Munchies chef. What a savage.

[@groupjapan]

this guy is great, he seems like a legitimately good guy, and i'm so glad for him that he gets to pursue his passion as a career, but i also feel sad for him because he doesn't really get to enjoy himself like he did this day. Like in the beginning of the episode he looked so damn exhausted as if he hadn't slept for a year. Hope things get a little easier for him.

[@Ishmael3261]

groupjapan That's what you look like when you are an alcoholic.

[@Salpeteroxid]

Ishmael3261 He isn't an alcoholic, he said that he rarely goes out and drink.

[@Ishmael3261]

Then you missed quite a bit, watch it again.

[@Salpeteroxid]

Ishmael3261 Probably did, have 3 screens not really focused when it gets boring.

[@Ishmael3261]

That's called ADD.................

[@Cenotaff]

Easily the best episode I've seen because this guy is genuine, seems like a really good dude!

[@Lortenerfrisk]

+Cenotaff best pizza tho. this is a close second for sure

[@ConKelly92]

His opening speech in the beginning before the Munchies title basically explains why this guy is one of the best chefs around. Period.

[@emilyfriess4955]

Been working for chef as a server for years. Best boss I could ever ask for. Generous and a hard worker and treats us very well. Shoutout to the Avery Hotel in Boise Idaho!

[@dpclerks09]

He's finally got a Michelin Star, too! SO well deserved, and probably overdue to boot! I saw this episode when it came out, and revisited it from time to time, for inspiration. No one seems more deserving than Chef Cal! Never worked for him, but I can tell he has a heart of gold, just from this alone. Love, from Texas ❤

[@canudoeit]

one of those guys that deserves all the success he has

[@revab97]

Cal must be one of the most likable persons I've seen. Mayor respect for the guy's sincerity and humbleness.

[@RacerEckss]

Cal loooks like Eddie Munster....Because hes real. hes the only real chef Vice has visited. Aside from Chang.

[@soccerman034]

Michael White?

[@kimnat0r]

haven't watched em all yet but i agree definitely a lack of down to earth chefs being featured on VICE which are the ppl VICE SHUD BE seeking out

[@MrDJCoulton]

I love this one. Rather than going to a bunch of places showing off, in and out. Not enjoying themselves - they just sat down and eat it. Had fun. Go back

[@Imememine]

Finally a chef on this series that actually gets drunk and doesn't just pretend "yeee let's get waaaasted". Legend

[@mrgolfer123456]

This guy seems like he would be so fun to get shit faced with lol.

[@MultiOasisfan]

this chef is so laid back and cool mate!

[@kulanbarney1866]

I've seen almost all the munchies so far, and I still find this one to be my favorite. The chief seems so genuine, and compared with those other over privileged bar and restaurant owners he's a breath of fresh air.

[@Sledge_369]

This dude is awesome. Love him.

[@naarvmaan]

"I'd rather not make any money and feel good about what I'm doing." This guy got it all figured out

[@JDLife]

Ahhh.. That made me laugh at the end when his drunk ass hugged the owner.

[@acci2003]

Very genuine and enjoy the fact that he's not making overly pretentious food. He's accepts that he's a cook and not a snob. Great wholesome cooking as anything more than 5 ingredients what's the point?

[@MrAtaguas]

Ahhahahahaha 10:26 : "That was like a bad pick and roll" Lol Gold!!

[@SethHesio]

"Pick and roll" ? Is that an American expression?

[@GrimGualla]

SethHesio Basketball

[@SethHesio]

Ah right! thank you :) totally didn't get the reference much appreciated. How are you?

[@ttornadoes83]

Seems like a genuinely nice guy

[@pakk82]

this is the only episode of munchies that ended with ONE restaurant visit. and this episode made me really extremely sad because the chef is so much like my favorite friend who killed himself last year.

[@nibblynobbler7064]

why don't you cry about it.

[@pakk82]

i cry only when i need something from jesus

[@pakk82]

Reggie Blinker jesus never existed

[@pakk82]

amazing. i didn't know that jesus had a last name. i thought he was like bono or sting or prince, you know, he's so famous he dropped the fucking last half.

[@ChristianInvestigations]

Wow. Very rare. He seems so chill which is so rare.

[@Unforgiven11]

This guys is too real lol- I cant even handle how awesome this is.

[@BrokenRRT]

One of the better Munchies I've watched! Wish it was little longer! The story of how the chef got to where he is, his style of good American food with his ideology of something enjoyable at everyone's price range is why they are successful! They are true to their restaurant because they are real! Not some cocky hipsters that think their cool because they have a tattoo of carrot on their arm and own a food joint in New York! Down to earth hard working men and women! Wish I lived closer!

[@noahwidmeyer2773]

one of my favourite episodes

[@dkhkid777]

The realist munchies episode to date. Props to Cal and Vice

[@098utuber]

i love how he only made it to one restaurant, then straight to the kitchen

[@Batmanandthemonk1]

This dude is super chill.

[@fukgovernment]

Man this guy is so genuine and his food looks delicious

[@godiskungen2788]

What a great guy. He followed his heart and went for it. All love to you Cal Elliott.

[@relaxjamskate]

as an aspiring chef, i love this guy. really is influencing me to become a chef/owner myself

[@naveensilva2312]

Rye is the exact type of restaurant I would love to go to and have as a regular spot, too bad it's closed now

[@lilaznskater09]

Everyday at work I see the head chef making gnocci the exact same way he was making it, haha. I'm hungry now

[@toni808ify]

cal is so chill.

[@donsajith291]

A very humble chef. Wish most chefs were like him.

[@TheSkater651]

i like how in all the vice Munchies they get drunk and make food haha keep the videos coming!!

[@WORMGERM]

I really like this guys philosophy of cooking for everyone and allowing anyone to enjoy a good meal

[@YoutanPoluo]

He looks like a villain from a Bond movie, but seems like a nicest dude -- MOOOAR EPISODES OF MUNCHIES PLEASE!!!!!

[@dimplex]

i think this is one of my fav eps of munchies

[@SLePewPew]

One of the simplest personalities on Munchies, yet he was just pure fuckin cool.

[@theuberband]

Ate here when my band stayed in Brooklyn for a few days. Unreal, so good.

[@kdeeznuttz]

This is my favorite munchie. No hipster bullshit. It's raw.

[@YoutanPoluo]

Seems like a chill dude, talented, but he looks like a Bond villain lol

[@MrAgrippa91313]

I like what I, and only other cooks/chefs, perceive as fucking awesome. This guy totally gets the dedication it takes and appreciates the family that comes with it.

[@peterbrogan1933]

Wish more chefs were like this

[@naveensilva2312]

This is the one munchies episode where I genuinely really enjoyed the chef and actually wanted to go to this guys restaurant, that meatloaf sandwich looks amazing!

[@jimmyning764]

One of the best Munchies episode ever; great looking food, genuine and down to earth guy, no bull shit. Munchies need to film more episodes like this one.

[@Elmarcyboy]

Such a honest guy.

[@K3VYK3V1]

he said he doesn't go out much.. it showed.

[@chrisrabil4498]

how? im intrigued

[@agentorange4807]

I know I'm 2 yrs late but why do you say that?

[@K3VYK3V1]

Agent Orange ..it's never too late, due to the fact that dudes two friends - who probably do go out much, paced themselves and handled their shit, while dude got smashed to the point where his friend said "remember you still have to cook", along with the fact dude has a great opportunity to showcase his restaurant and his skills to a massive audience, a once in a lifetime opportunity and he gets drunk to the point of being totally obnoxious and burns a grilled cheese sandwich, to me, shows that he does not go out much, in my opinion.

[@agentorange4807]

K3VYK3V1...huh...interesting perspective. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@justinmaughon4590]

Dude is very respectable

[@mo7650]

Glad he’s made it

[@Miromen69]

This is my favorite munchies yet,that dude looks like someone i'd chill with on the weekend...

[@Niklez7]

I love VICE so much i go weekly check on any updates. keep up good work your the only media i know of which shows two sites of every story .

[@CeeCeeB.]

I am guessing Cal's "ruined" sandwich is utterly delicious. And he seems like an awesome dude.

[@Alrighty-Then]

There is definitely some complicated shit going on between those three. I mean that meal was dripping with awkwardness right?! I've decided that both the dudes were fighting over the blonde lady, but the tall smug dude with the hat far too small for his head won the battle so he's all smug and dude-ish, the blonde lady just feels bad about the entire thing while Cal just drinks away his sorrows as the resilient, yet defeated, man that he is.

[@jammiiee]

LOL nah that Cal guy said that his friend is dating the Asian chick that was sitting with them at the table. There is definitely some tension there though, maybe Cal, his buddy and the blonde bitch decided to have a threesome 1 night after a heavy drinking session but Cal couldn't get hard so he watched his friend bang her while he sat naked in the corner crying? And they all just feel really awkward about it...

[@bambamkapow8843]

This guy is awesome

[@ConnorDunn888]

hes just straight up hammered.

[@slickman205]

Cal Elliott needs a 3 part series at least.

[@johnnyk7676]

working to keep quality consistent while understanding customer demographics respect this man

[@NiCo4z3]

Does he remind anyone else of Stefon from those Weekend Update sketches on Saturday Night Live? I can't stop giggling now because his haircut and voice are so similar lol

[@Bricks_shakur]

love his speech in the beginning

[@vannguyen-dy8cd]

"i rather not make any money and feel good about myself" spoken words of a wise one

[@minifox13]

i wish most people in general were more like this guy.

[@marpulpfiction]

by far the best one i love this guy

[@mrcortex7746]

Very humble. I like this guy

[@edimoo1]

Soooo true about drunk cooking. Had the thought in my head, but never really thought about it. Probably because I was drunk.

[@adulion]

this is my favourite food show ever

[@jojomofo1984]

agreed, small town guy trying to be big city Chef. Love it, totally relate.

[@goodboybuddy1]

What a lovely guy. Best to him!

[@RacerEckss]

Next to Tosi, this is the best Munchies episode. This dude's true to the game, man......Rotus Loot....

[@Unxpekted]

"That was like a bad pick and roll" hahaha classic line

[@sammynicks]

I'm a Brit and having a scotch egg for a main or starter at a restaurant is brilliant... Thumbs up!!

[@veiolex]

love this chef. he was so wasted in the end hahaha

[@Kanelim1]

10:20 I lost it LOL

[@o0GrayMatters0o]

This man deserves another episode or 3 for sure!

[@XFA1401]

Love that guy right away.

[@hifatsoos]

This video made me really happy for no reason.

[@kevinhayden2260]

she tryed to stop me, but i wasn't having it lol. vice is the best.

[@tunaXonXtoast]

I think I can sum up Cal with one word, integrity.

[@LucidDream]

I love this guy, he reminds me a lot of a friend I have.

[@guccimayne575]

love this episode

[@SethHesio]

Love this guy!

[@cheche5061]

damn haha this dudes genuine. great episode, and great for him going past the obstacles set before him in the beginning

[@dylannotsor6955]

The home alone kid grows up and becomes a chef.

[@TRUE_GR1T]

5:35 Never eat anything that comes from a pot under the table that is referred to as "secret water"

[@feenixnz]

does anyone know where I can get the soundtrack for these eps. Specially the song at the start of this episode? By the way I agree with everyone here who appreciates this Cal's approach to food and the industry. He's awesome. It's definitely inspired me to see if there any places like his and chefs like him here in Auckland, NZ :D thank you VICE!

[@jordantran3615]

As a fellow cook I felt it when he said bullshit

[@helenkwon6277]

He's so laid back, in a good way. He doesn't have an ego where he thinks he's superior to others (like that fat lard who described his Thai food with the stereotypical oriental tune) but is proud of his food. And he cares for his employees and the customers, because he understands the hardships of life unlike others who had everything handed to them on a silver platter.

[@Sojerothetenkin101]

this guy. is hilarious. enjoyed every moment of this episode.

[@Anonyminded]

U can see this guy is about food and not money, he loves what he is doing and should be properly rewarded... maybe he just need to wait for that. Very cool place! ;)

[@minchkybutbut]

japanese guy, immediately starts making funny noises haha, i love my people

[@jackara]

7:10 - had that moment soooo many times -.- lol

[@HS3006]

Cal's food looks so great.

[@SpicyTheGamer]

this guy deserves some respect

[@bored7743]

Just a classic video. 2013 is becoming the past!

[@MrAngryGnome]

Notice there is an awkwardness how they interact with each other. No one really smiles they just sort of grimace like they secretly hate one another

[@like2shipspassing]

This is my favourite munches by far

[@PsypherNewb]

"That was like a bad pick & roll!" Hahahaha. That reference.

[@ADRHYN]

haha, i drank to much and didnt give a fuck

[@fukgovernment]

I love this guy...