Guy Fieri is well known for being a great guy, and also for his hit show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, where he travels all over the country to sample dishes from restaurants and diners who serve traditional, out-of-this-word food options.
Over the course of his show, he’s visited a variety of restaurants in Ohio, Michigan and Western Pennsylvania, which are all within driving distance of Cleveland. If you’ve been looking to try more dining options in or out of Cleveland, you may want to check out this list approved by the blonde-spiked guy himself.
Lucky’s Cafe
777 Starkweather Ave.,Cleveland
Season 7, Episode 8
Lucky’s is a daytime cafe offering traditional American breakfast options, and a variety of pastries and desserts. On the show, Fieri mentioned that it’s a place where bread is made from scratch, the corned beef is house-brined and veggies are grown out back.
Photo via @luckyscafe/Instagram Credit: Scene ArchivesParkview Nite Club
1261 W. 58th St., Cleveland
Season 7, Episode 10
This old tavern is known as a go-to spot for its salmon BLT, which Fieri sampled on the show. The restaurant is also well known for regular live music, where it features plenty of blues jams.
Photo via @aginghipstertrash/Instagram Credit: Scene ArchivesGood Company
1200 West 76th St., Cleveland
Season 35, Episode 13
Good Company opened in 2019 and in short order has become one of the most consistent restaurants in town. A colorful menu scripted in a playful, retro-chic font is a diner’s first clue that this isn’t your average corner pub. The placemat-size roster is populated by familiar-sounding foods like wings, potato skins, burgers, fries and milkshakes. Their wings are out of this world and the sandwiches that get featured on Triple D’ like the Gabagool and the Surf and Turf are unique and awesome and the wings are up there with the best in town. Credit: Scene ArchivesGeraci’s
2266 Warrensville Center Rd., University Heights
Season 7, Episode 10
For over 60 years, Geraci’s, which has been owned by just one family throughout its storied history, has been serving up delicious pizzas and other Italian staples to University Heights residents. This Summer, they’ll expand further east to Pepper Pike, but the pizza will stay the same. The thick-cut pepperoni on the pizza is the star of the show here.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesAstoria
5417 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Season 35, Episode 7
Astoria manages to put a smile on our faces morning, day or night. The retail market keeps our pantry flush with gourmet foods like imported cheeses, cured meats, olives and wine. The large bar is an ideal place to meet up with a friend over cocktails, glasses of wine and a fully loaded meat and cheese platter. The animated dining room is where we land for full meals of tender wine-poached octopus, veal and ricotta meatballs, pizzas, and grilled lamb chops. Credit: Scene archivesMabel’s BBQ
2050 East Fourth St., Cleveland and 28699 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere
Season 35, Episode 7
Michael Symon knows meat. In fact, he wrote the book on it when Carnivore came out a few years back. So if anybody could lend credence to the concept of Cleveland-style barbecue, it’s Symon, who also happens to be a great student of all regional forms of barbecue. And how awesome is it that you can eat at a nationally renowned chef’s restaurant for under 20 bucks? Credit: Scene ArchivesRowley Inn
1104 Rowley Ave., Cleveland
“Would recommend Rowley Inn in Tremont and Riverwood Cafe in Lakewood,” BigProfesionalGuy, “Rowley Inn has a ghost pepper wing that will rival a bunch of the hotter wings you’ve had in your life,” MileXend Credit:@TheRowleyInn/InstagramFat Cats
2061 West 10th St., Cleveland
This cool Tremont spot is in a converted house that includes a lava lounge. Their dinner options are fancy takes on classic comfort food, which matches their sleek atmosphere. Spots book up quickly, especially on weekends. Credit: Scene ArchivesMelt Bar and Grilled
14718 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Season 8, Episode 6
Guy sampled dozens of grilled cheese sandwiches at Melt Bar and Grilled at its original location in Lakewood back in season 8. And yes, he seemed to enjoy them all.
Photo via Creative Licensing Group/YouTube Credit: Scene ArchivesMomocho
1835 Fulton Rd., Cleveland
Season 8, Episode 9
This hip, dimly lit cantina serves a variety of Mexican-inspired dishes. And while there, Fieri sampled their tuna tacos, blood orange marmalade and guacamole with house smoked trout, which are all a hit.
Photo via via Food Network/YouTube Credit: Scene ArchivesMason’s Creamery
4401 Bridge Ave., Cleveland
Season 35, Episode 10
Mason’s Creamery makes small batches of ice cream and rotates through flavors, so the more you visit, the more you can try. And no matter the specific flavors in stock, they always make sure to have vegan options. And don’t forget to check out their ramen during the winter months. Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Turf Club
4618 Eastern Ave., Cincinnati
Season 9, Episode 6
This Cincinnati-based joint is most famous for rolling out burgers with adventurous toppings on them. Guy seemed to especially enjoy the burger with burgundy mushrooms and mango curry sauces.
Photo via @ermiwrm/Instagram Credit: Scene ArchivesBlue Ash Chilli
9565 Kenwood Rd., Blue Ash
Season 9, Episode 7
Blue Ash offers a variety of Cincinnati-style chilli combinations and double-decker sandwiches at its various locations. On the show, Fieri described the Blue Ash location as a chili parlor taking customer favorites to the next level.
Photo via @jedportman/Instagram Credit: Scene ArchivesMelt Revival – An Eclectic Cafe
4100 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati
Season 21, Episode 2
This Eclectic cafe is serving healthier food options, such as salads, health-oriented sandwiches, and lots of vegan options. Guy particularly enjoyed their creative spin on vegan chilli and barbecue chicken.
Photo via @tofufordinner/Instagram Credit: Scene ArchivesIsland Frydays
2826 Short Vine St., Cincinnati
Season 21, Episode 4
This is the go-to spot for Carribean jerk chicken and lots of seafood options and even sandwiches. Their Carribean jerk chicken and spicy snapper were approved by Fieri on the show.
Photo via Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr Credit: Scene ArchivesTaste of Belgium
3825 Edwards Rd., Cincinnati
Season 21, Episode 6
Taste of Belgium offers Belgium-style food options with an American twist. The restaurant is best known for their Liege waffle and chicken and cheese pretzels, which Guy truly loved.
Photo via @leelafish/Instagram Credit: Scene ArchivesBakersfield OTR
1213 Vine St, Cincinnati
Season 21, Episode 6
Bakersfield, which started in Cincinnati but has locations all over, serves up tacos and other Mexican style dishes with lots of margaritas to go along with them. On the show, Guy especially loved their killer short rib tacos and chicken torta.
Photo via Chiliman1/Youtube Credit: Scene ArchivesPho Lang Thang
1828 Race St., Cincinnati
Season 21, Episode 9
Pho Lang Thang is a Vietnamese spot located inside Findlay Market, serving up delicious bowls of pho and banh mi sandwiches. The restaurant also features an upbeat vibe where customers such as Fieri, can easily warm up and feel free to slurp loudly.
Photo via @taykrouse/Instagram Credit: Scene ArchivesLoops
1629 Northwest Blvd., Columbus
Season 27 Episode 8
Loops is a casual restaurant serving simple style dishes such as hot dogs, gyros and other sandwiches. Guy enjoyed their Italian beef and real deal gyros.
Photo via @loopsgoodfood/Instagram Credit: Scene ArchivesPierogi Mountain
2216 Summit St., Columbus, 614-420-2175
739 S. 3rd St., Columbus
Season 27 Episode 9
Pierogi Mountain serves up lots of delicious pierogis. The Columbus-based restaurant is popular with locals, along with Fieri, for its wide filling selection.
Photo via stu_spivack/Flickr Credit: Scene ArchivesRay Ray’s Hog Pit
2619 N High St., Columbus
Season 27 Episode 9
This year-round food truck serves meats that are hardwood smoked along with a variety of different sides. According to Guy, this is an A+ joint.
Photo via @trevorhorn31/Instagram Credit: Scene ArchivesEna’s Carribean Kitchen
2444 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, 614-262-0988
Season 28, Episode 1
Ena’s serving traditional Jamaican dishes that range from jerk chicken to fried fish options. The restaurant is known for its originality that makes you feel like you’re back on the island of Jamaica.
Photo via Food Network/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesMomo Ghar
11265 Morse Rd., Columbus
Season 28 Episode 2
This small spot is located inside an international food market in Columbus, serving up traditional Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine. Fieri called the spot a hidden gem serving out-of-bounds dishes.
Photo via @craigh419/Instagram Credit: Scene ArchivesZaytoon Grill
940 Elmwood Rd., Lansing, Michigan
Season 27, Episode 5
Michigan is known as one of the best places in the country for Middle Eastern food. Zaytoon Grill in Lansing is one of those spots. The house made chicken shawarma is to die for.
Photo via Zaytoon/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesStarlite Lounge
364 Freeport Rd., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Season 4, Episode 3
For 60 years, the Starlite Lounge in Pittsburgh has been serving up classic pub fare to locals.The pierogies are as big as a cheeseburger and while the food is the main draw, the atmosphere is cozy and charming and will take you back to bygone days.
Photo via Starlite Lounge/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesKelly O’s Diner
Multiple Locations Around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Season 5, Episode 11
When you hear about a Polish diner around Pittsburgh, it automatically evokes feelings of comfort food and that’s what Kelly O’s does perfectly. They have some classic American diner food in addition to European diner staples like their house favorite polenta with bolognese sauce and of course the Haluski, a dish made with fried cabbage and noodles.
Photo via Kelly O’s PGH/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesCapital City BBQ
1026 West Saginaw St., Lansing, Michigan
Season 27, Episode 5
Capital City BBQ in Lansing, Michigan serves up both barbecue food and Vietnamese cuisine. Where else can you order a slab of ribs with a bowl of pho? Check this spot out if you’re ever in the area.
Photo via Capital City BBQ/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesJoe’s Gizzard City
120 West Main St., Pottersville, Michigan
Season 2, Episode 8
Just outside of Lansing, Michigan, you’ll find Joe’s Gizzard City in the small town of Pottersville. And you can guess by the name that this diner specializes in chicken gizzards. They’re not as crazy as they sound and they’re also super tasty, so check this place out if you’re ever in the area.
Photo via Joe’s Gizzard City/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesBig Jim’s Restaurant & Bar
201 Saline St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Season 5, Episode 5
This American/Italian bar and restaurant has been around since 1977. Their reuben is top notch and this is also a great place to watch a game.
Photo via Big Jim’s/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesUnion Woodshop
18 Main St., Clarkston, Michigan
Season 13, Episode 3
Union Woodshop is a beloved restaurant 40 miles outside of Detroit. They’re known for their made from scratch pizza pies, their slow-smoked BBQ menu and their popular sandwich The Porker.
Photo via Union Woodshop/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesPolish Village Cafe
2990 Yemans St, Hamtramck, Michigan
Season 13, Episode 3
Digging into a big plate at Hamtramck’s Polish Village Café might have you suppose you’re eating food prepared by somebody’s Polish mother. That’s because, essentially, you are. In a space with old-style character, with a full bar, this Detroit-area staple serves a few pages of meat-and-potatoes Polish dishes and their accompanying sides. Impressive soups, Polish standards, “city chicken,” Hungarian pancakes, mushroom crêpes, boiled ribs, fresh sausage in beer sauce, pan-fried chicken livers — plus a whole other menu page of such daily specials as stuffed green peppers and sauerkraut in crusty dough.
Photo via Detroit Metro Times Credit: Scene ArchivesEastside Fish Fry and Grill
2417 E Kalamazoo St., Lansing, Michigan
Season 27, Episode 7
While we may be partial to a Cleveland fish fry, we guess we’ll give some credit to that state up north, who can make a mean fish fry platter too. At this Lansing, Michigan restaurant, they know how to fry fish and also specialize in fresh grilled fish as well.
Photo via Eastside Fish Fry and Grill/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesTraffic Jam & Snug
511 W Canfield St., Detroit, Michigan
Season 13, Episode 1
Traffic Jam and Snug has been one of Detroit’s hidden gems since 1965. They’re known for their Pork Loin Kamatsu Salad with their Hot-Sauce Jelly Beans and the local favorite, Braised-Beef Panini. They also have delicious baked goods made in house and award winning cheeses and beers.
Photo via Traffic Jam and Snug/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesNadine’s Bar
19 South 27th St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Season 4, Episode 10
Nadine’s epitomizes the hole in the wall bar/restaurant. The food is mostly made right in front of you by the bartender. Whether you stop here for breakfast or dinner and a beer, you’ll feel right at home.
Photo via Nadine’s/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesClarkston Union Bar & Kitchen
54 Main St., Clarkston, Michigan
Season 13, Episode 3
Comfort food with a twist is served at this diner in Clarkston, Michigan, 40 miles outside of Detroit. The homemade mac and cheese is considered to be some of the best in the country but you really can’t go wrong with anything here.
Photo via Clarkston Union/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesMeat BBQ
1234 Turner St., Lansing, Michigan
Season 27, Episode 4
You can find some of the best barbecue in Michigan at Meat BBQ in Lansing. This southern barbecue style restaurant specializes in ribs, brisket and wings in a fun, homey atmosphere.
Photo via Meat BBQ/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesSupino Pizzeria
2457 Russell St., Detroit, Michigan
Season 12, Episode 12
Supino’s in Detroit has a goal to make the best pizza pies outside of Italy and they definitely make a mean pie. The City Wing Thing Pizza is their one of a kind special and definitely worth trying but at this east coast style pizza shop, you really can’t go wrong with whatever pie you choose.
Photo via Supino Pizzeria/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Dor-Stop Restaurant
1430 Potomac Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Season 5, Episode 1
The home cooked meals at this Pittsburgh diner taste like something out of mom and dad’s kitchen. You can’t go wrong with classics like the steak and cheese hoagie, the banana walnut hot cakes, the raspberry french toast and much, much more.
Photo via The Dor-Stop Restaurant/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesKrazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger
304 South Ashley St., Ann Arbor, Michigan
Season 12, Episode 13
You better order your burger just right; the menu asks you to read it properly before ordering. Yes, the staff at Blimpy Burger loves to poke fun at the customers, but it’s all in good fun — and their fresh-ground burgers are worth it. Sloppy, tender and with more than 30 toppings and buns to choose from
Photo via Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger/Facebook Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Cosmos
1351 East Grand River Ave., Lansing, Michigan
Season 28, Episode 8
This cosmic themed restaurant in Lansing, Michigan serves up delicious pizzas and a fun atmosphere. They also have a great patio, making this a perfect place to stop to get a beer and a bite to eat.
Photo via The Cosmos/Facebook Credit: Scene Archives
