Guy Fieri’s frosted tips and kooky catchphrases have captivated audiences for years. Inspired by his “gangsta” outlook on life, we decided to check just how many restaurants the mayor of Flavortown has visited during his diplomatic tours to the flavorblasted Central Florida area.
So, grab your favorite flame-print bowling shirt and buckle up for a “funkalicious” list of Central Florida’s appearances in the Emmy-nominated show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
Buya Ramen
911 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
When Fieri and his family visited Buya, they approved of the restaurant’s crispy duck ramen and blistered shishito peppers. However, the restaurant offers five other ramen dishes and myriad of other appetizer dishes. The restaurant also boasts a wide selection of Japanese whiskys, which can be difficult to get your hands on.
Photo via Buya Ramen’s FacebookTaco Bus
913 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa
Guy called the torta chilorio, which is filled with pulled pork, cheese, cilantro, cabbage and tomatoes, “out of bounds.” Taco Bus had a humble beginning, operating out of a converted school bus, and has since grown to include 15 locations.
Photo via CLTed Peters Famous Smoked Fish
1350 S. Pasadena Ave., South Pasadena
When Guy Fieri visited Ted Peters, he was able to get in the kitchen to see how the restaurant has been smoking fish since the late ‘40s. Raw fish is cooked over the course of four-six hours over Floridian red oak. Alton Brown, another Food Network celebrity, featured the smoked mullet fish dinner on the show “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.”
Photo via YouTubeDanny’s All-American Diner & Dairy Bar
4406 N Falkenburg Road, Tampa
Fieri has a hand in this burger joint’s success; he invented its Triple D Triple Play burger, which comes with mojo pork and pastrami. The restaurant is also popular for its chili cheeseburgers and Cuban sandwiches with capicola and Genoa salami.
Photo via Google MapsFat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice
Based in Orlando, location varies
After his success singing baritone in *NSYNC, Joey Fatone decided to open a hot dog kiosk in an Orlando mall. The actor and pop star isn’t selling hotdogs at the kiosk anymore. Instead, if you want to try guacamole or mac and cheese topped hot dogs, you’ll have to check the Fat One’s Facebook for food truck updates.
Photo via Fat One’s Hot Dogs’ FacebookAlpine Steakhouse
4520 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Guy ordered a turducken, a turkey stuffed with andouille sausage, duck and chicken. If you want to try the Frankenstein of Thanksgiving dishes, Alpine serves turducken with mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce on their lunch and dinner menus or as a sandwich during lunch.
Photo via Visit Alpine Steakhouse’s websiteWillie’s Pinchos
1718 N. Goldenrod Rd., Orlando
Owner Willie Garcia settled in Orlando after leaving Puerto Rico at the age of 15. Fieri enjoyed the plantain mofongo with carnitas. The restaurant also specializes in jibaritos, pastrami and beef sandwiches with flattened plantains instead of bread.
Photo via Willie’s Pinchos’ FacebookMunch’s Restaurant & Sundries
3920 6th St. S., St. Petersburg
Since making an appearance on Guy’s Triple D, Munch’s has added a world map for out-of-towners who follow the show to mark where they’re from. The restaurant, which started as a sundry store and post office, specializes in creamed chipped beef.
Photo via Munch’s Restaurant & Sundries’ website Credit: Munch's Restaurant & Sundries / websiteKeegan’s Seafood Grille
1519 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach
Featured in the 2007 episode, “Seaside Eats,” Fieri visited Keegan’s Seafood Grille for its blackened grouper sandwich with mango chutney, but was happily surprised by the restaurant’s charbroiled octopus. Since its appearance on Fieri’s show, Keegan’s has received Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Photo via Google MapsSe7en Bites
617 Primrose Dr., Orlando
After 21 years in the spa industry, Trina Gregory-Propst opened her own restaurant. Se7en Bites specializes in Southern classics like chicken pot pie, biscuits and fried green tomatoes. The restaurant also has plenty of options for folks with a sweet tooth. Fieri called the vanilla bean bourbon bacon moon pie “legit.”
Photo via Se7en Bites’ FacebookSaigon Noodle and Grill
101 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando
Fieri had a taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine at the family-owned Saigon Noodle and Grill. The restaurant specializes in pho, pan-fried noodle dishes and shaking beef, which gets its name from the constant shaking of a wok that cooks use while preparing the dish.
Photo via Saigon Noodle and Grill’s InstagramThe Pastrami Project
Based out of Orlando, location varies
Inspired by the tradition of the Lower East Side of New York and the freedom of the food truck movement, The Pastrami Project specializes in Reuben tacos, lox and, of course, pastrami sandwiches. Since The Pastrami Project is a food truck, you’ll have to visit its website if you want to try the delicatessen-inspired bites.
Photo via The Pastrami Project’s FacebookMrs. Potato
4550 S. Kirkman Rd., Orlando
Fieri called the chicken catupiry baked potato, which comes topped with pulled chicken and Brazilian cream cheese, “ridonkulous.” The restaurant also specializes in carne seca rösti potatoes, which is Brazilian dried beef stuffed in a heaping mound of hash browns.
Photo via Mrs. Potato’s FacebookThe Meatball Stoppe
7325 Lake Underhill Rd., Orlando
Chef and owner Isabella Morgia di Vicari served Fieri Nonna’s traditional meatballs, which are pork-based with cayenne pepper and simmered in roasted tomato sauce and chicken stock. Fieri described the restaurant’s rendition of the Italian classic as “a cross between light and dense.” Fieri also sampled the vegetarian variation, which is made of veggies and lentils.
Photo via The Meatball Stoppe’s websiteJose’s Real Cuban Food
8799 Cortez Rd W., Bradenton
Cuban-born Jose Baserva served Fieri authentic lechon asado and picadillo. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to try Jose’s plantains for yourself, the restaurant is closed and the property is now owned by Shutter-Vue, which sells window shutters.
Photo via Food NetworkCalifornia Tacos To Go
1450 Skipper Rd., Tampa
California Tacos once served its al fresco menu to patio-seated customers. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to try the California Fish Taco that Fieri ate. California Tacos To Go has since closed and Brass Mug, a bar and music venue, took its spot.
Photo via California Tacos To Go/Facebook
