Ted Lasso is back. Or maybe he never really left, but by the end of the sixth episode of Season 3, Ted’s passion is reignited thanks to a solo night out in Amsterdam, some questionable tea, and barbecue sauce.
It’s not the first time barbecue sauce has come up in a pivotal moment of the series; it’s not even the first time this specific barbecue sauce makes an appearance, but by now, we know to expect Ted’s favorite things to come back time and again whether it’s a favorite sweatshirt or sunglasses.
In an episode full of season one and two callbacks, it makes sense that Ted’s favorite Kansas City barbecue sauce would also make a comeback. Ted and his portrayer Jason Sudeikis are Kansas City natives, and the city’s culture has cemented a place in the show.
To remember the first appearance, you’ll have to think all the way back to the second episode of the entire series when he gets a bottle of Arthur Bryant’s Original Barbecue Sauce in a care package from his son.
He tells Rebecca, “You know, this right here is some of the best barbecue sauce in Kansas City, which makes it some of the best barbecue sauce in the world,” and notes it’s the food that teleports him back home and makes him feel all warm and fuzzy.
Barbecue sauce is also something we know makes Ted smile as he says the words “barbecue sauce” before nailing a bullseye during a high-stakes game of darts with Rupert in season one. Now, it’s back at a crucial moment in Ted’s third season with Richmond.
In “Sunflowers,” Ted spends his night off in Amsterdam alone. After downing some tea that Coach Beard laced with ‘shrooms and having a poignant moment alone at the Van Gogh museum, Ted made his way to an American-themed restaurant. He watches an old Chicago Bulls game, orders fries and onion rings, and asks the waitress to surprise him with one of their 50 sauces — of course, she brings him Arthur Bryant’s.
Then, Ted has what we can only describe as a Ratatouille moment (like that moment Anton Ego eats Remy’s ratatouille for the first time in the Pixar film). It brings him somewhere else, and with the Chicago Bulls on his mind, he starts thinking about triangles and how he can apply that basketball tactic to his Richmond team.
Turns out he basically just unlocked the key to Total Football, a tactic the Dutch actually invented in the 1970s, but regardless, he’s returning to London with a reinvigorated team and a new strategy in his back pocket.
We can’t promise an out-of-body experience, but we can promise that BBQ lovers and condiment lovers will probably love this sauce.
This sauce, which has a recipe that’s closely guarded, was first concocted by Arthur Bryant, also known as Kansas City’s King of Ribs. Reviews for the sauce note that it’s vinegar-based, with an “intense, earthy spiciness” that goes great with smoked meats.
Season three of Ted Lasso is currently airing on Apple TV+ ($6.99/month). New episodes release every Wednesday through May 31.