Diners, Drive ins and Dives..try any??

[deziloooooo]

One of my favorite programs that I can catch when ever I am channel surfing..either a old one or a new one , is that program on the Food Channel..hosted by Guy Fieri.

I was wondering if any one else here has seen the show, and if so, has anyone ever checked out one of those diners, dives featured throughout the country and if so, are they as great in food served as depicted.

[thyme4change]

He came to Matt's Big Breakfast here in Phoenix. I had been there before. It was a good place. I'm not sure it was worth the 45+ minute wait - but I don't think anyplace is worth a long wait.

I had also been at another place he highlighted in Phoenix - but it had changed owners between the time we were there and the time it was on the show. It was good food for the money.

He highlighted another phoenix place that was mexican food in a gas station. If I'm ever up that way, I'll try it.

[efco]

No. I have not found one that is close to me.

[NancysSummerSip]

Byways Cafe in Portland, Oregon.

Very, very good. Worth the wait.

[Deleted]

I love that show, and he did highlight a joint near me, but it's always so crowded that we've never gone.

[deziloooooo]

, great comments..it seems it's the kiss of death for the customers once he hi lites it..becomes so populer the wait becomes a problem. There was a few in the South Florida area.... but forgot which ones, I wonder if the web site has a way to pull up regions...think there was a carribean/Cuban place in Miami..a few others..will have to check that out.

[Chocolate Lover]

I've been to 2 places both in my area so I'm not telling you which . The 1st one was wonderful and is still booming, no big waits but not a lot of seating either. The other was fine but maybe it was just me since I had gumbo and can't eat shellfish.

[verrip1]

Duarte's Tavern in Pescadero on the central California coast.

Guy, like usual, bragged about how good it was. He especially touted the cioppino and the abalone sandwich. Blllaaaappppp! Wrongo. The cioppino was mediocre at best; too light on the herbs, wine must have been from a 55 gallon drum, no zip or zing at all. Shrimp were as rubbery as a superball. Like I said, mediocre.

Same for the abalone sandwich. Two pieces of abalone, lettuce and french bread with tartar sauce (Kraft?) on the side. Mundane. Uncreative. But properly cooked.

Plus the service sucked badly (hey! no adult board interpretations, if you please!). Hostess let two out of towners, seniors with canes, stand and wait while seating all locals immediately - completely low class. The few waitresses were constantly buzzing around the tables, hands empty, with no particular place to go. But they went there quickly. Exasperated, one finally acknowledged that we truly did exist, and promised to be back soon. She didn't. She was out buzzing empty handed again. Finally her wings must have hurt from the exertion, because she finally alit near our table, out of breath. Seriously. She was panting like a dog with its head out the car window. I considered waving a towel at her, putting vaseline on her face and getting her a spit bucket. Instead we ordered. Food came in shifts. Mrs. V got her salad at the same time they served my abalone sandwich. I wasn't going to let the sandwich get cold, but I waited as long as I could. Cioppino arrived about 15 minutes later. That is, they couldn't get the timing of our table even close.

Fieri talks a good game on his show. But I consider him a blowhard, kinda like a foodie Jim Cramer. I don't think he could pass a drug test any time of the day or night. My only question is whether it's crank or rock.

[Deleted]

he'd be thinner if he was on crack.

[Chocolate Lover]

That's what I was thinking MJ lol

[verrip1]

Jan 14, 2011 14:16:03 GMT -5 @moneyjenny82 said:

he'd be thinner if he was on crack.

Not necessarily so. I knew a crackhead who was somewhere between 350 and 400 lbs. Last time I saw him he was 45, still living with mom, and sold rock retail to teeners to pay for his.

[deziloooooo]

Jan 14, 2011 14:10:27 GMT -5 verrip1 said:

Duarte's Tavern in Pescadero on the central California coast.

Guy, like usual, bragged about how good it was. He especially touted the cioppino and the abalone sandwich. Blllaaaappppp! Wrongo. The cioppino was mediocre at best; too light on the herbs, wine must have been from a 55 gallon drum, no zip or zing at all. Shrimp were as rubbery as a superball. Like I said, mediocre.

Same for the abalone sandwich. Two pieces of abalone, lettuce and french bread with tartar sauce (Kraft?) on the side. Mundane. Uncreative. But properly cooked.

Plus the service sucked badly (hey! no adult board interpretations, if you please!). Hostess let two out of towners, seniors with canes, stand and wait while seating all locals immediately - completely low class. The few waitresses were constantly buzzing around the tables, hands empty, with no particular place to go. But they went there quickly. Exasperated, one finally acknowledged that we truly did exist, and promised to be back soon. She didn't. She was out buzzing empty handed again. Finally her wings must have hurt from the exertion, because she finally alit near our table, out of breath. Seriously. She was panting like a dog with its head out the car window. I considered waving a towel at her, putting vaseline on her face and getting her a spit bucket. Instead we ordered. Food came in shifts. Mrs. V got her salad at the same time they served my abalone sandwich. I wasn't going to let the sandwich get cold, but I waited as long as I could. Cioppino arrived about 15 minutes later. That is, they couldn't get the timing of our table even close.

Fieri talks a good game on his show. But I consider him a blowhard, kinda like a foodie Jim Cramer. I don't think he could pass a drug test any time of the day or night. My only question is whether it's crank or rock.

good post, this was what I was after, not dissing, but realize it is a entertainment vehickle, the show, and am sure all are set when they show up, but also when he mingles with customers and see the busines going on around them, think it's for real.
I know of a burger place in Boston,, Harvard Square across from the co-op I will try next time in area, go to New England, Boston area most summers, and there was another joint I E mailed daughter about in the north end that looked great.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Last year, he did a special on the barbecue joints in Memphis, so TD and I took a weekend to go hit as many as we could.

One was totally closed down, think that they were renovating it. The next one was totally out of pulled pork, so we ate there anyway (it was excellent) and decided to come back the next day for the pulled pork. Pulled pork was excellent too.

Next day, we hit another dive. The pulled pork sandwiches there were very VERY good.

We missed a couple places since we were there through Monday and most places closed down Sunday and Monday. So we lost 2 days of our visit.

Next stop, Kansas City!

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

I like the show because the places usually have good old-fashioned comfort foods on their menus with their own personal spin on the basic recipe. Most of the places are mom & pop type diners where the regular diners are known by the staff and get that personal service. The sizes of the portions in some of those places are ridiculous! They could sometimes feed two people. And they usually show the ingredients and prep (unless the recipe's a trade secret).

[boosmom]

I've watched it enough to have seen a difference in his compliments. If it's something he really likes, there is a difference in how he raves about vs. something that he may personally think is just okay. But he'll always say something nice about it.

I haven't tried the few he's been to around here. Usually not in those areas.

[moon/Laura]

i like that show too but i've never tried any place here he's recommended.. i don't think he's done a lot in the denver area anyway.

[moon/Laura]

This message has been deleted.

[deziloooooo]

moon so now if a mesasage is deleted it will show it was deleted not just nothing being shown, ok....

Agree SL.."The sizes of the portions in some of those places are ridiculous!"..think three or four would be satisfied...

[moon/Laura]

right.. some had mentioned that instead of quoting a post, they would reference a post number instead.. then if that post number got deleted, all the numbering would shift, making all the replies to that post reference a different post entirely. so i made it like msn to keep that numbering intact.

[alabamagal]

We love the show. Haven't seen him visit any near our area though. We ahve made it a point to try out some places when we are out traveling, but so far haven't found anything that great.

[deziloooooo]

My grand kids all love the show ..I was surprised about that when I was up visiting over Thanksgiving.

[cael]

Lobster Shanty in Salem was on it a few months ago, they're great! Anyone in MA should check it out.