Ben CalderwoodWho among us can claim that Homer's axiomatic “Mmmm” refrain–mmmm, forbidden donut; mmmm, free goo; mmmm, invisible cola; mmmm, various eggs; mmmm, organized crime–hasn't inspired cravings for a good bite of real or cartoon cuisine? Squid Ink presents our top 10 Simpsons food references in honor of the approaching finale of the series' unprecedented 21st season. It's part of this complete breakfast (jagged metal KrustyO not included). Upload your own savory Simpsons food moments in the comments after the jump.
10: One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish; Season Two
Homer demands fugu during the family's first sushi outing and is mistakenly led to believe he's been served the poisonous bits.
The apprentice chef contemplates his first cut
9: Homer and Apu; Season Five
Homer plays patsy for Kent Brockman's Action News and his hidden camera skills, or lack thereof, get Apu fired from the Kwik-E-Mart for selling expired meat.
Quality control has suffered of late
8: Boy-Scoutz 'n the Hood; Season 5
Bart and Milhouse slap a found 20-dollar bill on the Kwik-E-Mart counter and request an all-syrup Super Squishee. Bart wakes after a hardcore sugar bender to discover he's joined the geek-fabulous Junior Campers.
Don't bogart that Squishee, kid
7: El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer; Season Eight
In this watershed episode featuring Johnny Cash as the voice of the Space Coyote, Homer trips through inner-space in search of his soul mate after consuming chili peppers that owe far more to Castaneda than Scoville.
The merciless peppers of Quetzlzacatenango
6: Rosebud; Season Five
Homer stays up all night eating processed cheese, unintentionally foiling Mr. Burns's plot to recover his lost teddy bear Bobo.
Homer: [polishing off the stack of singles] Two… auauaugh. One… waauagh.
Marge: Have you been up all night eating cheese?
Homer: I think I'm blind.
We've all been there
5: Flaming Moe's; Season Three
Moe steals Homer's kitchen sink cocktail recipe and his bar becomes the hottest spot in Springfield. Aerosmith drops in for an impromptu rendition of “Walk This Way” as Homer and Moe's friendship flames out.
Do you remember the secret ingredient?
4: Selma's Choice; Season Four
Homer attempts to consume an entire 10-foot long party sub. By the time he gobbles the last few feet, its advanced state of decay makes him ill and the children visit Duff Gardens with Aunt Selma instead.
Homer: Stupid sandwich, this is all your fault! Oh, I can't stay mad at you…
“Two more feet and I can fit it in the fridge!”
3: The Last Temptation of Homer; Season Five
Homer contemplates cheating on Marge with co-worker Mindy Simmons when the two bunk in close quarters during a conference in Capitol City. No greater foodie wisdom has ever been proffered than the following exchange about fortune cookies.
Mindy: What's wrong?
Homer: Oh yeah, like you don't know. We're going to have sex.
Mindy: Oh… Well, we don't have to.
Homer: Yes we do! The cookie told me so.
Mindy: Well, desserts aren't always right.
Homer: [sobbing] But they're so sweet!
Philanderers always try to blame to cookie
2: Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk; Season Three
Homer fantasizes about the Land of Chocolate after the Springfield nuclear power plant is bought out by a consortium of candy-loving Germans.
Mmmm… theobromine
1: Lisa the Vegetarian; Season Seven
The number one Simpsons food reference is really an entire episode, universally recognized as a series highpoint, where Lisa challenges the family foodways and stops eating meat. Paul McCartney agreed to guest star only after being assured Lisa would remain vegetarian for the duration of the show. She has.
Homer: Lisa, honey, are you saying you're never going to eat any animal again? What about bacon?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Ham?
Lisa: No!
Homer: Pork chop?
Lisa: Dad, those all come from the same animal!
Homer: Heh heh yeah right, Lisa. A wonderful, maaaaagical animal. Heh heh heh.
Lisa ponders the origin of hot dogs.
Hebrew National it ain't
And from “Meat and You: Partners in Freedom”, a propaganda film inflicted upon her class after Lisa triggers two “independent thought alarms” in one day, the legendary food chain.
The truth hurts, or is delicious
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.