If you know anything about Guy Fieri, you know he’s got a taste for big flavors that won’t break your bank. The self-proclaimed “Mayor of Flavortown” has ventured to San Diego multiple times for his Food Network show, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” (DDD), to give his flamin'-hot seal of approval to local restaurants.
Now, we’re leading the tour. Here are 10 local spots that Fieri approves of.
El Indio
All the way back in season 2 in 2007, Fieri visited this family-owned Mexican restaurant in Middletown. It’s known for its fresh tortillas, and legend has it, the first taquito.
Crazee Burger
A season 4 episode took Fieri to North Park where he found himself grubbin’ on burgers from this popular restaurant.
Studio Diner
Fieri journeyed to Kearny Mesa to sample food at this old-school diner. The restaurant is known for its retro, Hollywood-inspired decor and sits on the site of a former production studio.
Hodad’s
Fieri got his buns to Ocean Beach to try this local burger spot, and you can still find his influence on the menu with the “Guido Burger” — topped with pastrami, Swiss cheese, spicy brown mustard, and grilled onions.
Buying pizza here is dough well spent.
Photo via @adamkcady
Pizzeria Luigi
This Golden Hill pizza shop was declared “Real Deal Italian” during a 2008 episode. The pizzeria brought the heat, especially when Fieri dug into “El Diablo.”
Hob Nob Hill
Since 1944, this restaurant has been serving meals at its Bankers Hill location. Its old-fashioned menu was showcased on DDD’s season 5 episode, “Just Like Yesterday.”
Grand Ole BBQ
This Flinn Springs barbecue spot let Fieri try big, Texas flavors when he visited during a 2019 episode. He grilled Chef Amy Cisneros, but her “El Borracho Beef Ribs” passed the test.
Kindred
In 2022, Fieri headed to South Park with Tony Hawk to check out this vegan, heavy metal-themed bar during an episode titled, “Not-Your-Everyday, All Day.”
Shawarma Guys
Yelp ranked this South Park food truck as the top place to eat in the US in 2020, and two years later, it got Fieri’s stamp of approval.
NOLA on 5th
This Hillcrest restaurant was featured as one of DDD’s “West Coast Wonders,” but it’s all about New Orleans-style dining — including a jazzy cocktail menu and the occasional crawfish boil.
Psst... Fieri has visited many more local restaurants, so we’ll add to this list next time we visit Flavortown, San Diego.
