Famous for its larger-than-life host Guy Fieri and his snappy catchphrases, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives is one of Food Network’s most iconic shows. The series has garnered a loyal fanbase, many of whom travel across the country to dine at the eateries spotlighted in the show. Eager to try some of the best places featured? We’ve put together a guide to the very best restaurants in every state showcased in the show, from brilliant barbecue joints to sensational sandwich spots.
Feeling hungry? Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the best restaurants featured in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, A-Z by state.
Our selections are based on the restaurants included in the Food Network show, as well as genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Starting life as a takeout-focused joint in 2012, Meat Boss quickly became a go-to spot for Mobile locals looking for incredible barbecue bites. The family-run spot is famed for its giant portions and meat platters stacked with your choice of meat (think brisket, smoked turkey, and pulled chicken). Fieri was majorly impressed with the mega Boss Burger, a hearty option loaded with brisket, American cheese, sweet and smoky 'rib candy,' and hot Carolina barbecue sauce.
A homey spot with a heartwarming story, Waffles and Whatnot specializes in sweet and savory waffles – but things haven't always been easy. Just seven days after opening in 2018, the joint was hit by an earthquake, and closed its doors within a year. But that wasn't the end of its story. Waffles and Whatnot relocated, and went on to attract a fanbase for its huge portions of comfort food. Fieri was among the fans, especially loving the Confused Cousin, a stacked sandwich featuring fried chicken, garlicky mac ’n’ cheese, crispy bacon, and hot barbecue sauce. He described the spicy and sweet dish as a "gigantic juxtaposition of flavors."
Paradise Valley Burger is renowned for its mammoth burgers – including Fieri's favorite, the Booze Burger. This menu stalwart features beer-battered patties, a green chili, bacon and vodka cream sauce, sharp Cheddar, lettuce, and whiskey-pickled jalapeños, all stuffed inside a roll. Other popular dishes include the grilled cheese, loaded fries, and fried chicken sandwich.
Going strong since 1949, this Little Rock institution cooks up Italian American classics. It was founded by Vincent 'Jimmy' Bruno and has since been taken over by his sons Vince and Gio, who continue to honor the restaurant's heritage with traditional recipes and old-school hospitality. Fieri loved sampling the toasted ravioli, which comes served with meat or marinara sauce, as well as the signature lasagna (pictured), made with ricotta, mozzarella, and Romano cheeses.
Loved for its big portions and hearty breakfast favorites, this fast food spot was a hit with Fieri when it featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2019. The no-frills joint serves up huge carne asada burritos, tasty shrimp tacos, cheesy quesadillas, and meaty taco salads. The combination plates, served with your choice of meat alongside rice, beans, and a drink, are great value for money.
It didn’t take long for Dae Gee to garner a reputation for its authentic Korean flavors. The restaurant featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2015, three years after opening – and it's since become loved on a national scale, with multiple locations across Colorado (and more outlets in other states). It's loved for its all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue offering, with the rib-eye bulgogi a Fieri (and fan) favorite.
Featured on season 38 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Kouzina is a charming spot specializing in Greek cuisine. It serves traditional taverna fare of the highest standard. The arni kotsi (12-hour braised lamb shank with oven-roasted potatoes and asparagus) particularly impressed Fieri, alongside the authentic pastitsio – a Greek-style baked pasta dish topped with a creamy béchamel sauce.
That'll Do Pig – a meaty burger topped with tater tots, bacon, bacon mayonnaise, bacon jam, bacon Cheddar, and sautéed onions – blew Fieri away when he visited pub-style spot Farmer & The Cow for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Covered in an excessive amount of bacon-fueled ingredients, it still wows meat fans today. Fieri also loved the crispy chicken skins with ranch dressing.
This Sunshine State staple showcases Peruvian flavors through a host of tasty sandwiches. Mr. & Mrs. Bun featured on the show in 2018, and has since gone on to become a must-visit Miami spot. You can still sample the sammie that impressed Fieri; simply ask for the asado con palta, a bun stuffed with slow-cooked beef, avocado, crispy fried red onions, and house-made mayo.
Spotlighting Caribbean cuisine, Tassa's Roti Shop is loved for its freshly made roti, curry goat, and jerk chicken. For Fieri, though, nothing beat the stewed oxtail, which comes finished in a thick, rich gravy and paired with sides such as cabbage, callaloo (creamed spinach), sweet plantains, and rice. This is authentic (and delicious) Caribbean fare at affordable prices.
A Honolulu institution, Rainbow Drive-In has been cooking up a storm since 1961. Fieri visited in 2010 and fell in love with the quality of the Loco Moco Plate, a homey special featuring two hamburger patties, eggs, house-made gravy, rice, and macaroni salad. It's still a popular option today, alongside other favorites such as the chili dog plate, spam and eggs, and corned beef hash.
Starting life as a small soda shop half a century ago, Jimmy’s Down the Street has since transformed into a diner joint loved by locals and visitors alike. The exterior is charming, the old-school hospitality is refreshing, and the food is excellent. Fieri was blown away by the gigantic caramel pecan rolls, which continue to be a must-try treat for anyone who visits.
This barbecue joint, loved for its distinct flavors and incredible quality, launched in 2006. Less than a year later, it featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Nearly two decades on, and fans of the show still travel here to get a taste of the smoked meats, especially the sliced brisket, pulled pork, and baby back ribs. The sides are just as delicious; think coleslaw, barbecue beans, and brisket chili.
Bringing Argentine food to the streets of Indianapolis is Che Chori. The spot’s eye-catching red exterior is what draws people in, but it’s the innovative menu that keeps them coming back for more. Visit for yourself and expect to enjoy the likes of the Philly cheesesteak empanada, as well as the 24-hour marinated porchetta sandwich, which comes with pickled red onions and chimichurri.
The first Ecuadorian restaurant to open in Des Moines, Mi Patria is praised for its authentic South American staples. Expect everything from ceviche to empanadas on offer here, as well as its must-try dish – the arroz con pollo. This mouthwatering meal consists of rice with pulled chicken, vegetables, and fried plantain. It featured on season 21 of the show and continues to draw in crowds.
Smoky meat, sensational sides, and homey hospitality are what visitors can expect from Woodyard Bar-B-Que, a popular spot in Kansas City. The restaurant featured early in season nine of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and continues to bring in trade from fans of the show. Fieri was impressed with the flavorful pork ribs, praising “the most unique dry rub” he had ever sampled. Pair yours with coleslaw and red-skinned potato salad.
Community forward, non-profit restaurant The Table operates a pay-what-you-can model, helping to keep everyone in the local area well fed, warm, and healthy. The menu changes regularly, but Fieri’s smoked chicken sandwich with bacon jam, buttermilk ranch, onion, and greens often appears as a special, and customers say it’s just as delicious as he described.
With a seal of approval from Fieri, this Big Easy joint is always bustling with locals and visitors eager to get a taste of the delicious barbecue offerings. Menu favorites include the smoky ribs, brisket burnt ends sandwich, and meat combo platters finished with a side of your choice. Save room for a slice of house-made pecan pie.
With its blue-and-white exterior, old-school service, and home-cooked dishes passed down through the generations, Maine Diner dishes out charm with its tasty plates of food. Located in Wells, it’s become famed for its lobster pie (pictured), for which chunks of freshly caught lobster meat are crowned with a house-made crumb and baked to perfection. Fieri was a big admirer of it when he visited for the show, also praising the seafood chowder and codfish cakes.
Broadway Diner featured on Fieri’s show in 2009, and the spot has since gone on to become a must-visit destination for anyone passing by. The legendary potato-crusted salmon (fresh salmon wrapped in spiralized potato, fried, and served with scampi sauce and sautéed spinach) wowed Fieri, who said it was one of the coolest things he’d ever seen on the show. You can still try it today, alongside Hungarian goulash and shrimp Creole.
When Fieri says the sammies are “out of bounds,” fans flock to get a bite. That was certainly the case with Cutty’s, a husband-and-wife spot serving up incredible sandwiches. The takeout joint's most popular options include the Beef 1000 (slow-roasted beef, crispy shallots, Thousand Island dressing, and sharp Cheddar in brioche) and the Rabe T.J. (broccoli rabe, mozzarella, provolone, and tomato jam in a toasted sesame roll).
Featuring in the show’s second season, The Fly Trap is still going strong. So much so that fans still travel the country to get a taste of Fieri’s favorite burger. Named the Red Chili Salmon Burger, it comes finished with shaved cucumber and ginger-lime aioli. The BLT with avocado and garlic aioli is another menu stalwart.
Al’s Breakfast serves up old-school breakfasts packed with flavor. The no-frills joint is a Minneapolis mainstay, adored for its hearty corned beef hash, peppered with onions, parsley, and horseradish, and Fieri was a huge fan when he visited. Other highlights include the buttermilk pancakes, loaded omelets, and scrambled eggs.
Those after a mighty mountain of smoky meats and delicious sides will want to check out this Horn Lake Joint. Memphis Barbecue Company opened in 2011 and won Fieri over with a giant burger stacked with pork rinds. Sadly, this patty is no longer available, but fans can still recreate it by ordering the Original Juke Burger (featuring two fresh patties topped with American cheese and special Juke Sauce) and a side of house-made pork rinds, then combining the two.
Fancy barbecue eats with a side of live music? That’s what you can expect at The Shaved Duck Smokehouse, a popular spot in St. Louis. It was showcased on season 15 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, when the zany host sampled the crispy-skinned duck breast, plated with a choice of sides (think creamed corn, potato salad, and mac ’n’ cheese). The crispy smoked chicken wings, buttermilk cornbread, and smoked tri-tip sandwich are all worth ordering, too.
Featuring on the show in 2018, this farm-to-table spot won Fieri over with its Monte Cristo. Described by the host as a "destination dish," it sees French toast that’s stuffed with shaved ham and Swiss cheese, then battered and fried. That’s not all – it comes served with house-made syrup, eggs, and hash browns. It’s big, mighty, and absolutely delicious.
Block 16 is one of Omaha’s best sandwich shops, known for using ingredients grown on its own farm. There’s plenty to get excited about, including the Croque Garcon Burger (a mighty patty topped with cheese, ham, fried egg, scallions, mustard, and truffle mayo) and the Shroomy (wagyu patty finished with mushrooms, Swiss, Havarti, fried shallots, porcini aioli, and ketchup). If you’re lucky, Fieri’s brisket-loaded favorite, known as the Jeffery, might be on the specials board.
A butcher’s shop-turned-barbecue hotspot, John Mull’s Meat & Road Kill Grill is famous across the country – all thanks to featuring on the show. Try one of the combo plates and choose between the likes of brisket, pulled pork, rib tips, hot links, and chicken. Don’t skimp on the sides, either; the mashed potatoes, collard greens, and yams are next level.
Another restaurant with incredible service and food, Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing Co. is a New Hampshire must-visit. It was the barbecue meatloaf, served with garlic mashed potatoes, butternut squash, and green beans, and topped with Austin-style barbecue sauce, that really sealed the deal for Fieri. He described it as "tender, moist, and full of flavor." You can still get your hands on the plate, alongside burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, and nachos.
With such a mammoth reputation, it’s hardly surprising that there are lines of people outside this tiny burger joint every weekend. White Manna Hamburgers featured on season two of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, plus it was a favorite with the late Anthony Bourdain, who visited for his show Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. It’s been going strong since 1946, serving up patties smashed with onions and cheese, then stuffed into potato rolls. This is simple food, done incredibly well.
It’s always busy at Joseph’s Culinary Pub, a relaxed restaurant showcasing local ingredients paired with international flavors. It was the crispy lamb neck confit, served with parsnip purée, sautéed Brussels sprouts, ginger-mint yogurt, and fresh blackberries that impressed Fieri on the show, but customers say the menu is full of flawless dishes.
Open since 1908, John’s on 12th Street was a New York City favorite long before its feature on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The restaurant excited Fieri massively with its fresh pappardelle with Tuscan-style ragù. Fans can still get their hands on this, alongside other highlights like shrimp Parmesan, house-made lasagna, and spaghetti with meatballs.
Family-style sharing platters and gourmet side dishes are the focus at The Improper Pig, a favored barbecue spot in Charlotte. It was the Improper Charcuterie, a wooden slate piled with pulled pork, sliced brisket, sausages, St. Louis–style ribs, pimento cheese, house chips, slaw, pickled onions, and hush puppies, that Fieri found finger-licking good – and customers return for it again and again. The Chow Bao Sliders, with Asian-style slaw, spicy hoisin sauce, and your choice of meat, were another Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives special.
Innovative flavors and crispy-edged pizzas are the specialty at North Dakota’s Blackbird Woodfire. The team served Fieri the Sausage Apple (a pizza topped with béchamel sauce, sausage, Granny Smith apple, fresh sage, Parmesan, and micro greens) and, while hesitant at first, he adored the unique flavors and freshness. Other hero pizzas include the BLT (harissa aioli, smoked bacon, tomatoes, and fig balsamic greens) and the Big Dill (béchamel sauce, mozzarella, Canadian bacon, pickles, Cheddar, and sweet chili drizzle).
Ray Ray’s Hot Pit started out as a small food truck and has grown into a mini empire, home to seven locations across Ohio. Fieri was a huge fan when he visited, adoring the smoky flavors served up here. Can’t decide what to order? Try the Meatsweats box, a crowd favorite featuring a bit of everything (think smoked brisket, pulled pork, jerk chicken, ribs, hot links, pickles, and sauce).
Set in a building stretching back over a century, this Oklahoma staple is hard to beat. The Diner serves up incredible eats with a Mexican twist. Customers say the blueberry pancakes and huevos rancheros are amazing for a big breakfast. Fieri was won over by the Championship Chili, which comes finished with shredded cheese, onions, and crackers.
Fieri fell in love with Blue Toba, the first Indonesian restaurant to open in Oregon. Chef Birong Hutabarat’s rendang curry is legendary; it sees tender beef cooked in a mix of spices and coconut milk for five hours, then served with lime-leaf rice and urap (Balinese-style green beans). It was a hit with Fieri and continues to attract crowds.
Polish food is given a Pennsylvanian twist at Mom Mom’s Kitchen, a charming restaurant located in Philly. Its menu is perfectly executed, with appetizers like pickle soup and beetroot salad. People head here for the pierogi, tasty dumplings filled with the likes of potatoes, caramelized onions, and sour cream. Fieri loved the cheesesteak style, claiming it was “absolutely wrecking regular cheesesteaks for me” after just one mouthful.
Clam chowder, hot lobster rolls, fried oysters... What more could you possibly want from a fish-fueled feast at Anthony’s Seafood? The Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives host sampled the stuffed quahogs, which come jammed with clams, chouriço sausage (a Portuguese smoked sausage), peppers, and onions, as well as the Kung Pao–style calamari in a sweet plum and chili sauce – and he adored both options.
If Fieri tries a sandwich and says he “wouldn’t change a thing on it,” you know it’s worth sampling. Mike’s Famous Duck Club features rich duck confit, smoked bacon, smoked Cheddar, garlic aioli, lettuce, tomato, and red onion, all squashed inside three layers of sweet Hawaiian bread – and customers say it’s mouthwateringly good.
Set up in 1883, Look’s Marketplace is more than just a restaurant; it’s a butcher, bakery, deli, grocery store, and eatery all rolled into one. Head here for a feast and enjoy cheese curds, sweet barbecue chicken wings, burgers, and pizzas. It's most famous for its sandwiches, though. Fieri got his hands on the Porcules (pictured), a ciabatta roll stuffed with pulled pork, smoked pork belly, pit sausage, barbecue sauce, pickled onions, arugula, and chili-lime mayonnaise.
Most restaurants across the country have a grilled cheese sandwich on the menu but, according to Fieri, none are quite as delicious as those served up at The Grilled Cheeserie in Nashville. The food truck featured on the show in 2014, when the host tucked into the Pimento Mac and Cheese Melt, a tasty combination of cheesy house-made macaroni, fresh tomato slices, and crispy bacon bits. Do as Fieri did and order a side of warm tomato soup.
Hummus bowls, gyros sandwiches, and grilled meat plates make up the menu of Prince Lebanese Grill, a family-owned spot in Arlington. The restaurant has been in operation since 1989 and has garnered a loyal following for its warm hospitality, big Texas-style portions, and fantastic food. The spot has not only appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, but also Guy’s Big Bite and Guy Fieri’s Triple D Nation, so you could certainly say he’s a fan.
Mexican and Salvadoran dishes are the specialties of this Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives restaurant. Everything is prepared freshly each day using traditional recipes, with popular options like the tortas (Mexican sandwiches), burritos, and street tacos. It was the pupusas – a traditional Salvadoran dish featuring a grilled maize tortilla filled with beans, cheese, and meat – that proved to be the biggest hit with Fieri, and it's since become one of the most sought-after items on the menu.
Barbecue spots are the cornerstone of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, so it made sense for Fieri to spotlight Bluebird Barbecue, a bustling joint located in Burlington. The restaurant is known for its classic American barbecue bites, house-made sides, and family platters. When Fieri visited, he tried the barbecue brisket ramen. It's since fallen off the menu, but the restaurant is still well worth checking out.
Dot’s Back Inn has been fueling the Richmond community since 1990, and it’s proved so popular not only with locals but Fieri, too – in fact, the restaurant has featured on the show twice. The interior, complete with retro signs and a whiteboard menu, is charming. Try dishes such as chili cheese fries, giant club sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and chicken Parmesan.
This Seattle restaurant, opened in 1986, is famed for its cornucopia of trinkets hanging from the ceiling. But it was the clam linguine that attracted the attention of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and its host. This dish sees house-made pasta and fresh Manila clams dressed in a white wine and butter sauce, crispy pancetta, and roasted jalapeños, and it’s still on the menu today.
You might remember this one featuring on the show, thanks to its giant hot dog sign and wacky décor. Hillbilly Hot Dogs is home to the Original HomeWrecker, a 15-inch, one-pound weenie with two pounds' worth of toppings (think jalapeños, sautéed peppers and onions, nacho cheese sauce, habanero chili sauce, mustard, coleslaw, lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese). It’s this mighty meal that Fieri took on the challenge of trying, and he was a fan. Fancy giving it a go? If you manage to finish the monster meal in under 12 minutes, you get a free T-shirt.
One of the oldest operating diners in the country, Franks Diner was founded in 1926, and it’s still going strong. It’s perhaps best known for its huge garbage plates, which come piled with eggs, hash browns, green peppers, onions, and a choice of meat and sauce. Other menu favorites include the pancake stacks, French toast, and breakfast burrito. It featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and On the Road Eats.
This cozy, timber-clad restaurant, complete with a lovely outdoor patio area, has become famous for its Pig Candy. This Fieri-approved dish, featured in 2014, sees thick applewood-smoked bacon coated in a blend of sugar and spices, and fans say it's absolutely delicious. It comes as a side, in a salad, or as a garnish for drinks. There are plenty of other diner dish favorites, including eggs Benedict, avocado toast, waffles, and corned beef hash.