With 49 seasons (and counting) of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, plus a slew of other hit Food Network shows, Guy Fieri is one of the world’s most renowned food personalities. The zany host, known for his larger-than-life character and spiky blonde hairdo, has been road-tripping across the US since 2007, shining a spotlight on the best eateries in the country. From hole-in-the-wall joints to century-old hotspots, we’ve found the best restaurant in every state to be given the seal of approval from the Mayor of Flavortown himself. 

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the best spots featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives – counting down to the most iconic of all.  

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.

Established in 2012, it didn’t take long for Dae Gee to garner a reputation for its authentic Korean flavours. The restaurant featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives three years later – and it's since become loved on a nationwide scale, with multiple locations across Colorado (and more set to open in other states). The small chain is praised for its all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue offering, with highlights including short ribs, rib-eye bulgogi (Fieri's favourite) and chicken dumplings.

A popular spot even before Fieri visited in 2008, Marietta Diner is a 1950s-style diner serving up all-American classics. The 24-hour restaurant has become renowned for its iconic exterior, complete with mesmerising neon signage, as well as its diner staples. Here, you can fill up on everything from stacks of pancakes and three-egg omelettes to fried chicken sandwiches and Philly cheesesteaks. 

A Baltimore institution, Broadway Diner is known locally for its giant portions and warming hospitality. The family-run restaurant became a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives must-try as soon as Fieri sampled the team’s legendary potato-crusted salmon – a dish that sees a fresh salmon fillet wrapped in spiralised potato, fried, then served with a scampi sauce and sautéed spinach. Fieri went as far as dubbing it one of the coolest things he'd ever seen on the show.

Cooking up a storm since 1961, Rainbow Drive-In was already a success before Fieri visited, and its popularity has only increased since its TV debut in 2010. The flamboyant host was floored by the quality of the Hawaiian special known as the Loco Moco Plate. The classic features two hamburger patties served alongside eggs, house-made gravy, rice and macaroni salad. It may sound unconventional, but as Fieri will attest, it’s really rather delicious.

Set up in 1990, Dot’s Back Inn is a homely spot praised for its classic diner-style dishes and warm hospitality. The joint has featured on Fieri’s hit show twice – and nowadays, visitors travel from all over to get a taste of its mouthwatering dishes. Popular items include black bean corn cakes, tuna melts and giant burgers, which come served with a choice of fries, crisps or spicy potato salad.

Serving Southern classics in Brooklyn, Pies ‘n’ Thighs delivers home-style cooking in a cosy environment. This award-winning joint is loved across the city and beyond. Fieri sampled the team’s legendary fried chicken and waffles – which are served with cinnamon butter and baked apples – and was blown away. The toffee pecan doughnut is another Fieri-approved treat that's well worth savouring. 

Serving up sliders since 1946, this tiny hamburger joint is the stuff of legend. Not only is it popular with Hackensack locals, but it’s also a must-visit destination for anyone travelling through New Jersey. The menu is old school, with just a handful of options freshly prepared. The patties are smashed with onions and cheese, then stuffed into a potato roll. It’s not only Fieri who is a fan; even Anthony Bourdain visited for his show Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.  

Woodyard Bar-B-Que, located on the Kansas side of Kansas City, is renowned for its smoky, juicy meats and sensational sides. The restaurant featured in season nine of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives; the eccentric host sampled its flavourful pork ribs, and he absolutely loved them, describing the mix as 'the most unique dry rub' he had ever tried on the show. Pair a portion with creamy coleslaw and red-skinned potato salad for a hearty Fieri-inspired meal.

Old-school Italian American cuisine doesn’t get much better than the dishes served at this New York City favourite. Established in 1908, the spot has been serving traditional gravy and red sauce dishes for over a century – and it continues to impress, both in terms of food and hospitality. At this classic Italian restaurant, complete with a neon sign hanging above the entrance and white tablecloths on the tables, there’s one menu item that stands out above the rest: the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives–tested fresh pappardelle with Tuscan-style ragù.  

It was the That’ll Do Pig – a giant beef burger topped with tater tots, bacon, bacon mayonnaise, bacon jam, bacon Cheddar and sautéed onions – that seriously impressed Fieri at Farmer & The Cow, a pub-style joint in Wilmington, Delaware. Smothered with multiple bacon-flavoured toppings, it’s a hearty option that's guaranteed to satisfy. Pair it with Fieri's other menu favourite, crispy chicken skins with creamy ranch dressing, for a meal to remember.

This Horn Lake joint has been shaking up the Mississippi barbecue scene since 2011, and it’s not planning on stopping anytime soon. When Fieri headed down to Memphis Barbecue Company, he got his hands messy with a monster-sized burger topped with pork rinds. While the restaurant no longer offers the dish, eager testers can 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.

A popular spot with skiers, Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewing Co. has become known for its smoky flavours and house-brewed beers. It was the barbecue meatloaf, served with garlic mashed potatoes, mashed 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 flavour’. Fans continue to love the dish, enjoying it alongside the giant combo plate of smoked pulled pork, chicken and brisket.  

Specialising in classic barbecue fare since 2014, The Improper Pig is loved by locals and tourists alike for its family-style sharing platters, smoky flavours and gourmet side dishes. The joint impressed Fieri with its Improper Charcuterie, a wooden slate piled with pulled pork, sliced brisket, sausages, St. Louis–style ribs, pimento cheese, house crisps, slaw, pickled onions and hush puppies. The Chow Bao Sliders, stuffed with a choice of meat, Asian-style slaw and spicy hoisin sauce, also come highly recommended.

No visit to Miami is complete without stopping by La Camaronera Seafood Joint and Fish Market. This family-run restaurant has been a popular spot for over 40 years, specialising in Cuban-inspired fare. The OG Minuta Sandwich was already a customer favourite before Fieri got his hands on one, but its popularity has only increased since. To make it, freshly caught snapper is seasoned, breaded and fried until crispy, then served with raw onions, ketchup and tartar sauce on a Cuban bun.

Diners may regularly feature on Fieri’s hit show, but none are quite as legendary – or as celebrated – as Becky’s Diner in Portland, Maine. As well as featuring on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the joint has appeared on a handful of other Food Network shows, earning it fans all over the world. Regular customers warn it can get really busy, but the tasty lobster rolls and fresh seafood platters are worth the wait.

Set in a century-old farmhouse on the Winooski River, this Burlington joint pumps out classic American barbecue bites and scratch-made sides daily. Bluebird Barbecue impressed Fieri with its innovative barbecue brisket ramen. While this dish is sadly no longer available, this spot is still worth venturing to for its hearty sharing platters piled with pulled pork, smoked turkey, brisket, ribs, smoked chicken and sides.

This popular joint, with locations in Johns Island and Charleston, has become legendary for its Mike’s Famous Duck Club sandwich. This gigantic sandwich features duck confit, smoked bacon, smoked Cheddar, garlic aioli, lettuce, tomato and red onion on three layers of sweet Hawaiian bread. Served with house-made pickles and Cajun pork rinds, this hulking handheld isn’t going to leave you feeling hungry. Fieri loved it just as much as the locals do, saying he 'wouldn’t change a thing on it'.

If there’s one menu item you have to try at this cabin-style joint, it’s Pig Candy. This Fieri-approved dish is made by coating thick applewood-smoked bacon with a blend of sugar and spices. The result? An irresistibly sweet and salty snack that you won’t want to share. It comes as a side, in a salad or as a garnish for cocktails. Thanks to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, people now travel from all over the US just to get a bite of this beloved bacon.

You won’t find anywhere else as busy, authentic or mouthwatering in the state of Minnesota as Al’s Breakfast. This old-school breakfast joint is loved for its affordable prices, hearty dishes and relaxed atmosphere. When Fieri visited for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, he couldn’t get enough of chef-owner Dough Grina’s corned beef hash, peppered with onions, parsley and horseradish. The buttermilk pancakes, complete with a choice of toppings, are legendary too. 

This Stamford hotspot, which featured on season 38 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, is hard to beat. The restaurant, which has a classic turquoise exterior, specialises in Greek cuisine, serving traditional taverna fare of the highest standard. It was the arni kotsi (12-hour braised lamb shank with oven-roasted potatoes and asparagus) that really thrilled Fieri. The celebrity host also loved the authentic pastitsio – a Greek-style baked pasta dish with a creamy béchamel sauce. Customers say you can't beat the old-school hospitality here. 

This Ferndale favourite featured early on in the history of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, making its television debut during the show's second season in 2008. Thankfully, its legacy lives on, with customers still travelling from afar to get their hands on the same burger Fieri sampled. An innovative offering, the Red Chili Salmon Burger comes loaded with shaved cucumber and ginger-lime aioli. Other menu highlights include the gingerbread waffle with sautéed apple, cherries and cinnamon syrup, and the crab cakes with green chilli tartar sauce.

This Little Rock institution has been cooking up Italian American classics since 1948 – and it continues to be a popular spot with locals and tourists alike. Founded by Vincent ‘Jimmy’ Bruno, Bruno’s Little Italy is now owned by his sons Vince and Gio, who continue to honour the restaurant’s heritage through traditional recipes and old-school hospitality. Both Fieri and regular customers love the toasted ravioli, served with a meat or marinara sauce, as well as the signature lasagne, made with ricotta, mozzarella and Romano cheeses.  

Fieri first visited The Grilled Cheeserie food truck in 2014, sampling the seriously delicious Pimento Mac and Cheese Melt. This toasted sandwich, served on country white bread, comes packed with cheesy house-made macaroni, fresh tomato slices and crispy bacon bits, and it's best enjoyed dipped in warm tomato soup.  A decade or so on, the joint continues to fuel the Nashville community, both via its food truck and its bricks-and-mortar restaurant.

Known for drawing in a crowd, Grill-A-Burger is a popular Palm Desert restaurant that's loved for its fully stacked offerings and loaded fries. Fans of spice will want to get their hands on Fieri’s favourite, the Devils Revenge: a juicy beef patty topped with fried serrano chillies, caramelised chipotle onions, pepper Jack cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce and fiery habanero relish, stuffed inside a jalapeño-cheese bun. Fieri loved the fiery flavours and sauciness of the dish.

Cutty’s is a sandwich shop with a difference; Fieri stated that all of the offerings here were 'out of bounds'. It was set up by husband-and-wife duo Charles and Rachel Kelsey in 2010 following a stint at America’s Test Kitchen, and the pair have become famed for their hand-crafted sandwiches loaded with delicious fillings. The takeout spot's most popular options include 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).

No Rhode Island trip is complete without sampling some of the state’s seafood offerings – and Anthony’s Seafood in Middletown has proved itself a hit with locals and Fieri alike. The larger-than-life host praised the restaurant’s stuffed quahogs, which come jammed with clams, chouriço sausage, peppers and onions. He also loved the Kung Pao–style calamari in a sweet plum-chilli sauce. Classic seafood dishes, including lobster rolls and fried shrimp, feature on the menu, too.

Founded in 1926, Frank’s Diner is one of the oldest diners in the US – and it continues to impress with its classic comfort food. Featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and On the Road Eats, this spot is the real deal. The place is best known for its giant garbage plates loaded with eggs, hash browns, green peppers, onions and a choice of meat and cheese. It’s worth stopping by for this epic dish alone.

This Oklahoma spot's history stretches back over a century – and it still serves up warm hospitality and diner specials. Its most recent incarnation, The Diner, opened in 1989, and it's become the go-to place in Norman for great chilli. The dish, named Championship Chili, comes packed with beef, shredded cheese and onions, and it's served with crackers. It got the seal of approval from not only Fieri, but also the State of Oklahoma Chili Championships; it won the contest twice.

Texas isn’t short of brilliant barbecue joints, but Pecan Lodge seems to garner more attention than most. It’s largely thanks to its appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2014, when Fieri raved about its incredible barbecue brisket. Since then, its popularity has soared, with barbecue lovers travelling from all over to get their hands on a plate. Popular choices include burnt ends, smoked turkey, jalapeño sausage and, of course, brisket.

Set up by army veteran Derrick Green, Waffles and Whatnot has grown into an Anchorage institution. The restaurant had a turbulent beginning, struck by an earthquake just seven days after opening in 2018, but the team members took it in their stride. The restaurant has since moved locations, and it's gone from strength to strength. The joint featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2022, with Fieri trying the Confused Cousin, a huge waffle sandwich stacked with fried chicken, garlicky mac ’n’ cheese, crispy bacon and hot barbecue sauce. He described the spicy and sweet dish as a 'gigantic juxtaposition of flavours'. 

Armed with a giant smoker and a dedicated catering team, The Shaved Duck Smokehouse has earned its place as one of Missouri’s best barbecue spots. As the name suggests, duck features heavily on the menu, alongside other classic barbecue meats. The joint featured in season 15 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives; Fieri loved the crispy-skinned duck breast, which comes served with a choice of classic sides – think creamed corn, potato salad and mac ’n’ cheese. Other popular menu items include ribs and smoked meatloaf.

A Sioux Falls icon, Look’s Marketplace is more than just a restaurant. The space, established in 1883, operates as a butcher, bakery, deli, grocery store and eatery, all in one – and its signature hot sandwiches keep locals happy. Fieri’s favourite? The Porcules: a ciabatta roll stuffed with pulled pork, smoked pork belly, pit sausage, barbecue sauce, pickled onions, rocket and chilli-lime mayonnaise.  

Fieri is definitely a fan of this Lebanese joint in Arlington; the restaurant appeared not only on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, but also Guy's Big Bite and Guy Fieri’s Triple D Nation. It’s easy to see why he's so enamoured – numerous seriously tasty Middle Eastern dishes feature across the menu. Firm favourites include gyros sandwiches, grilled meat plates and hummus bowls.

With a history stretching back over 50 years, this space started as a small soda shop before it transformed into the diner-style joint that Coeur d’Alene locals know and love. Complete with a blue-and-yellow awning, booth-style seating and veteran license plates plastered across the interior walls, Jimmy’s Down the Street appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2011 – and it hasn’t looked back since. Fieri was blown away by the gigantic caramel pecan rolls, which continue to be a must-try treat for anyone who visits.

A third-generation butcher's shop-turned-barbecue joint, John Mull’s Meat & Road Kill Grill has become renowned across the US, all thanks to being featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Guy Fieri commended the team for its dedication to excellent service, affordable prices and sensational smoked meats. Any meat from the joint is worth savouring, but it’s the ribs that keeps locals coming back. Paired with a choice of sides (think potato salad, collard greens and yams), Fieri described them as 'the real deal'. 

Set up in 2006, it didn’t take this neighbourhood barbecue joint long to become renowned for its distinct flavours and sensational smoked meat. Smoque BBQ featured on season two of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives back in 2007, and it quickly garnered a loyal following among barbecue devotees across the US. Almost two decades later, it’s still loved for its meat platters, brisket sandwiches and baby ribs. No order is complete without a selection of sides; barbecue beans and cornbread are popular choices.

Joseph’s Culinary Pub is a relaxed spot that serves seriously high-end dishes, crafted to showcase local ingredients and world-class flavours. The space, complete with wooden accents, beamed ceilings and an old-school chalkboard wall, is always bustling with customers who've travelled from far and wide to visit. The dish that impressed on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives was the crispy lamb neck confit served with parsnip purée, sautéed Brussels sprouts, ginger-mint yogurt and fresh blackberries.

This Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives favourite serves up amazing Mexican and Salvadoran dishes, prepared with plenty of heart. Extremely affordable and utterly delicious, the pupusas – a traditional Salvadoran dish featuring a grilled maize tortilla filled with beans, cheese and meat – proved to be the biggest hit with Fieri, and it's since become one of the most sought-after items on the menu. There's a second El Salvador location to try in Bear Lake. 

The Joint is a Big Easy favourite that's adored for its relaxed atmosphere, delicious barbecue and stellar service. As well as featuring on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and impressing Fieri with its smoked meats, the restaurant has garnered a reputation across the state and beyond for its Southern and Creole flavours. Menu highlights include baby back ribs, brisket burnt ends and creamy mac ’n’ cheese.

Giant burgers often feature on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, but none have made quite such an impact on Fieri as this joint’s Booze Burger. Launched in 2011, Paradise Valley specialises in hearty buns stacked to perfection – and Fieri's favourite menu item doesn't disappoint. It features beer-battered patties, a green chilli, bacon and vodka cream sauce, sharp Cheddar, lettuce and whiskey-pickled jalapeños, all stuffed inside a roll. The result is messy, but absolutely worth it.

'Formal food on a bun' is how the two owners of this popular Omaha sandwich shop described its menu to Fieri when he visited. The pair grow the majority of the ingredients they use on their farm, meaning the quality is always amazing. Here, you can get your hands on delicious sandwiches filled with the likes of pulled pork and caramelised onion, or opt for one of the daily specials – you might even be lucky enough to try Fieri’s brisket-loaded favourite, known as the Jeffery.

Complete with a giant hot dog sign that sits at the side of the road, Hillbilly Hot Dogs in Lesage has a global reputation for its gloriously messy dishes – and that’s largely thanks to its appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Fieri chowed through 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 chilli sauce, mustard, coleslaw, lettuce, tomato and shredded cheese). If you manage to finish the monster meal in under 12 minutes, you get a free T-shirt.

Established in 2014, popular pizza joint Blackbird Woodfire has never been afraid of a bit of experimentation – and today, the team continues to focus on high-quality ingredients and innovative flavours. Fieri initially sounded unsure about the sausage and Granny Smith apple–topped pizza he tried when he visited in 2020, but he was won over by the creamy béchamel sauce and the freshness from the crisp fruit. Eager testers can still try the style, as well as other creative pizzas like the Blue Crush (topped with garlic olive oil, Parmesan, gorgonzola, red onions, roasted grapes, rosemary and walnuts)

This fast food favourite featured on a Diners, Drive-In and Dives episode in 2019 – and it won praise for its giant portions and hearty breakfast options. Chüyz Taco Shop may not look like much from the outside, but it makes up for it with its huge carne asada burritos, which come stuffed with juicy meat, crisp, fresh salad and tangy salsa. The tasty shrimp tacos and loaded tortilla chips are also popular.

Described by Fieri as a 'destination dish', the Monte Cristo alone makes Storm Castle Cafe worthy of a visit. The sandwich sees savoury French toast stuffed with shaved ham and Swiss cheese before being battered and fried. It’s then served with house-made syrup, eggs and hash browns. It's gigantic and delicious – and you'll want to make sure you're seriously hungry before tackling one. The farm-to-table joint featured on the show in 2018, and it quickly became the go-to place in Bozeman for brilliant breakfasts.

Since Fieri visited this humble food truck in 2017, sampling the smoked ribs and hearty Brat burger, a lot has changed. The joint now boasts six outposts across Ohio, all of which serve up its signature barbecue favourites. The award-winning eatery has become known for its wood-smoked bites, with meats grilled daily to create memorable melt-in-the-mouth dishes. The Meatsweats box is now the crowd favourite, featuring smoked brisket, pulled pork, jerk chicken, dry-rubbed ribs, hot links, pickles and sauce.  

After starting out as a bustling food truck, Blue Toba went on to become the first Indonesian restaurant in Oregon. When Fieri eventually featured the spot on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, he was won over by chef Birong Hutabarat’s famous rendang curry. Rich and spicy, the dish is packed with tender beef that's cooked in spices and coconut milk for five hours – and it's served with lime-leaf rice and urap (Balinese-style green beans). The curry continues to be the most popular item on the menu, thanks to both Hutabarat’s consistency and Fieri’s endorsement.

When it opened in 2011, Mi Patria became Des Moines’ only Ecuadorian restaurant – and the spot continues to serve up a range of authentic South American staples, from ceviche to empanadas. After featuring on season 21 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the restaurant quickly became a nationwide favourite loved by foodies across the US. To this day, its arroz con pollo (rice with pulled chicken, vegetables and fried plantain) is a must-try dish.

Set up in 2012, Meat Boss started out as a takeout-oriented joint, focusing on hearty, meat-loaded sandwiches and delicious sides. Over 10 years later, the family-run space has transformed into Mobile’s top barbecue spot. During season 39 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Fieri tucked into a giant Boss Burger, complete with brisket, American cheese, sweet and smoky ‘rib candy’ and fiery Carolina barbecue sauce.

Showcasing Peruvian flavours in a range of hearty sandwiches, Mr. & Mrs. Bun is one of the Sunshine State’s most popular sandwich shops. The restaurant featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2018, and it's only become more popular as the years (and episode repeats) have gone on. Fans can still sample the Fieri-tested asado con palta: a bun stuffed with slow-cooked beef, avocado, crispy fried red onions and house-made mayonnaise.

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives helped to put this community-forward, non-profit restaurant on the map. The Table operates a pay-what-you-can model, providing warming meals to everyone in the community. The menu changes regularly, though Fieri’s favourite – the smoked chicken sandwich with bacon jam, red onion, greens and buttermilk ranch – continues to be a popular choice. 

Che Chori made its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives debut in the season 40 premiere, showcasing its flavour-packed takes on Argentine street food. 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. Fans love the scratch-made empanadas (with a range of fillings, from butternut squash to Buffalo chicken), as well as the 24-hour marinated porchetta sandwich, which comes with pickled red onions and chimichurri.

Mom Mom’s Kitchen featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2020, and it continues to serve its own twist on home-style Polish fare to the Philly community. The spot is known for its various pierogi offerings, but it was the dumpling style inspired by the region's classic cheesesteaks that won Fieri over. The host exclaimed that the dish, finished with caramelised onions and black pepper ketchup, was 'absolutely wrecking regular cheesesteaks for me' after just one mouthful. Diners can still enjoy the joint's cheesesteak pierogi alongside Polish staples like pickle soup and beetroot salad.

Now discover the most fascinating restaurant in every US state