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It’s no secret, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had to eat a crazy amount of food to take on the role of Hercules in his upcoming film.

So when USA Today reporter Bryan Alexander agreed to try the actor’s entire 7 meal diet, he knew he had a challenge ahead of him. Still, he vowed to at least attempt the meal plan, which includes steak for breakfast, 12 egg whites before bed and…lion’s blood.

To be clear, here’s how much food the reporter would actually need to consume in order to eat like “The Rock”:

My current 22 week diet for the role of HERCULES. Cardio & iron before going to set. (Lion blood is optional;) pic.twitter.com/HaklgWPJW0

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) June 24, 2013

Alexander and “The Rock” sat down and went head-to-head taking back plate after plate. Alexander said he was feeling pretty good on meal 2, but by meal 4 or 5 he was looking a little “queasy.”

“Are you OK?” the Rock asked him. “Literally. Are you OK? You’re looking kind of…”

But in the end, despite almost getting sick, Alexander was able to take down some– maybe not all– of the Hercules diet.

“I held down two steaks, one halibut, some chicken, oatmeal and some hefty portions of the vegetable sides from each plate,” he wrote. “We slowed to a near stop when it was clear my frail ego would keep me eating to self-destruction.”

We’ll give Alexander an “A” for effort, but he’s going to need a little more practice if he wants to look like this anytime soon:

I’m in the mood for love (and by love I mean pancakes & lips)
AM training. On set workout trailer. #HERCULES pic.twitter.com/ouilVh0oKs

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) June 18, 2013

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When I walk into the International Language Institute, the small, dingy lobby is empty—except for a guy sitting next to the elevator. Is this actually the right way to the new  Dupont “speakeasy” from Good Stuff Eatery’s Spike Mendelsohn and lobbyist/Kabin owner Vinoda Basnayake? It doesn’t look like the entrance to a bar with studded […]

If you had to guess America’s favorite fast food burger, you might start with the obvious choices: the big guys, like McDonald’s or Wendy’s. If you’re a real burger aficionado, you might guess In-N-Out Burger, the regional chain with a national appeal. Whatever your assumption, you’d probably guess wrong. That’s because the country’s best burger comes from a chain you’ve probably never heard of, unless you’re from California, in which case you’d better have heard of it. According to Consumer Reports, the best fast food burger in America is from The Habit Burger Grill.

The what?! The Habit Burger Grill is a California-based burger chain that started in Santa Barbara in 1969. It has locations all over the Golden State, six locations in Arizona, five in Utah, and that’s it. According to the website, New Jersey will soon be home to the only Habit Burger Grill on the East Coast. When Consumer Reports conducted its latest fast-food survey, this CA-based burger restaurant came in first place.

The survey included 65 chains, from which Consumer Reports readers ate a sum of 96,208 meals to weigh in on not only their favorite burger, but also their favorite burrito, chicken, and sandwiches and subs. The question posed to participants was simple: “On a scale of  1 to 10, from least delicious to most delicious you’ve ever eaten, how would you rate the taste?” In the burger category, Consumer Reports rated about 53,745 answers. Not surprisingly, In-N-Out Burger placed high, coming in second. It didn’t, however, beat the mystery chain that East Coasters will be scratching their heads about for years to come.

Almost as surprising as The Habit Burger Grill’s victory is McDonald’s ranking: dead last. The chain that put fast food on the international map fell behind 20 competitors, earning a score of 5.8, when The Habit Burger Grill earned an 8.1. With 75 McD’s burgers sold every second, you’d think they might rank higher in taste. McDonald’s announced this January that it has committed to buying “verified sustainable beef.” Whatever that commitment really means and however it pans over the next few years, consumers have made clear that they aren’t lovin’ McDonald’s burgers. They’re loving The Habit Burger Grill’s burgers, so get yourself to California stat.

See Consumer Reports for the full list of the country’s best fast food burgers.

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In the latest edition of craft beer mania, seaweed beer takes center stage. NPR recently profiled Belfast, Maine-based Marshall Wharf Brewing Co., which uses seaweed in its beer. Marshall Wharf’s new beer is called Sea Belt, and is made with the brewer…