Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives - Season 8 / Year 2014

On this special, hourlong trip, Guy's taking us on a tour of Ferndale, Calif., which is not only his hometown, but one of many small towns in Humboldt County with righteous food and a whole lotta flair. There's the generations-old apple orchard with a special place in Guy's heart, to the local's watering hole where Guy first experienced work life in the kitchen; the old-school butcher and the artisan cheese maker. This is a super chef's hometown tour you won't wanna miss!

This trip, Guy's gettin' a taste of New York in and out of the Big Apple. In Eureka, Calif., the Bronx-bred pizza maker bringing unique Neapolitan-style pies to northern California. In Queens, N.Y., the filmmaker turned chef making a huge proposal and kickin' out killer dishes like the spicy atomic fireballs. And in New York's Lower East Side, the farm to table spot taking fresh and local to a whole new level, servin' up standout seasonal sammies like the winter pig.

This trip, Guy's rolling up to some joints pullin' out all the stops. In New York's East Village, the neighborhood spot plating up a standout burger worthy of a four star review. In Eureka, Calif., the popular hangout servin' up all kinds of local favorites fired up in the righteous oven, from roasted oysters to wild mushroom cobbler. And in Ridgewood, N.Y., the rocking Vietnamese joint in an obscure industrial park kickin' out authentic dishes like banh xeo and suon nuong xa.

This trip, Guy's gettin' into the heart of some long-standing traditions. In Miami, Fla., the Asian fusion spot delivering the bomb dot com Brussels sprouts and going all out ducky on the sous vide sammie. In Eureka, Calif., the soul food spot takin' a page out of grandma's cookbook with down home favorites like jerk fried chicken and shrimp and crawfish etouffee. And in midtown New York, the Italian pizza maker schooling Guy and Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian on the authentic Neapolitan technique behind standout pizzas like pistacchio e salsiccia and montanara starita.

This trip, Guy's checking out some spots keepin' it all in the family. In New York's Lower East Side, the sibling spot starting at the very beginning — pickling, smoking, curing and fermenting, everything from the goat necks to chicken wings to pig ears. In Eureka, California the husband and wife team cranking out Mediterranean favorites like the lamb plate alongside bar standards like the pulled pork po' boy. And in Miami, Fla., the Southern-bred brother/sister duo servin' up grandma's lowcountry recipes with unique touches on favorites like whole fried snapper and beer braised baby back ribs.

This trip, Guy's checking out some of the awesome eats of the island — Key West, Fla., that is. From a funky little shack servin' up New England seafood with coastal twists to a husband/wife team dishing up standout fish tacos just down the street. And a trip to this eclectic oasis wouldn't be complete without a stop to the teeny tiny food cart crankin' out hundreds of Asian/Caribbean fusion dishes a day.

This trip, Guy's getting into a festival of flavorful faves. In Miami, Fla., the local watering hole puttin' a unique spin on standard bar food with the loaded chimi burrito and lobster lollipops. In Sandy, Utah, the mountain town favorite scratch-makin' everything from breads to smoked meats and a creative combos like Canadian bacon and potato croquettes and white bean and steak pizza. And in Salt Lake City, the New Jersey native serving up authentic Italian family recipes like the larger than life ten ounce meatball.

This trip, Guy's got the goods on stick-to-your-ribs knockouts from the ski slopes to the sea. In Miami, Fla., the law student who switched out his suit for a chef coat is killing it with all kinds of comfort food like spicy oxtail and big ragu. In Park City, Utah, the local boy serving low brow gourmet grub like the signature chivito club and chicken bowl with rice, and the mom and pop ski lodge keepin' the snow bunnies fed on flavorful favorites like pork osso buco, vegetarian mushroom stroganoff and crispy pork belly.

This trip, Guy's cruisin' through Hawaii for an authentic taste of Oahu. In Waipahu, the family-run Filipino joint serving up scratch-made favorites straight outta mama's cookbook like the lechon special and pork adobo fried rice. In Kailua, the tiny cafe serving up modern twists on Hawaiian classics like red curry fish and the super flavorful Mandarin duck confit. And on the windward side of the island, in Kaneohe, the tiny authentic Hawaiian drive-in where a world-class chef is crankin' out crazy fresh fish like pan-fried ono and signature ahi cakes.

This trip, Guy's steppin' up to unique grills on the mainland and beyond. In Miami, Fla., the husband/wife duo serving up classic Americana with a 21st century twist like the smoky fried chicken and Buffalo-style pig wings. In Orange County, Calif., the anything-but-average taco truck grilling steaks for the drunken torta and deep frying green chicken chilaquiles. And on Oahu, Hawaii, Guy's favorite rotisserie chicken joint cranking out the island's signature huli huli chicken.

This trip, Guy's diggin' into some diverse dishes on both sides of the Pacific. In Los Angeles, the East Coast buddies piling on a plateful of guilty pleasures like the Fat Jerry sammie, a smorgasbord of fried favorites from chicken fingers to mozzarella sticks to steak. In Monterey, Calif., the boat-to-table spot on the pier crankin' out all kinds of fresh fish like the abalone sliders and the seasonal crab feast. In Aiea, Hawaii, the double-duty bowling alley/restaurant is keeping it funky with one of DDD's best-ever oxtail soups and the flavorful grilled turkey sandwich.

This trip, Guy's cruisin' the west coast for a taste of California. In Culver City, Gene Simmons from Kiss makes a surprise visit to the neighborhood hangout dishing out real deal Hawaiian. Nearby in Garden Grove, the family-run Mexican joint serving up standout tamales and traditional beef chamorro. And up the coast in Monterey, the funky fish house grillin' up fresh-caught oysters and a full-flavored pasta-seafood medley.

This trip, Guy's checkin' out all kinds of funky foods from coast to coast. In Monterey, Calif., the second-generation Italian joint serving mom's time-tested recipes like meaty lasagna and real deal minestrone. In Boston, the funky little sandwich shop pressing panini that satisfy both meat and veggie lovers. And in Jackson, Wyo., the ex-Marine bringing Americana to the small town with dishes like chicken pot pie and homemade soups and pretzels.

This trip, Guy's hittin' up some spots serving comfort food kicked up a notch. In Long Beach, Calif., the old school diner with a new school chef, cooking up home-style favorites like pot roast and scones with a twist. In Jackson, Wyo., the pizza joint slicing up mouthwatering pies topped with everything from pesto and chicken to spicy sausage and marinara. And in Monterey, Calif., the brewhouse crankin' out big time bar food like parmesan pretzels and short rib grilled cheese.

This trip, Guy's hitting up all kinds of killer joints, from classic Italian to modern Americana. In Jackson, Wyo., the California chef bringing his brand of legit Mexican to the mountains, like savory chicken sopes and one of Guy's favorite dishes, posole. In Carmel, Calif., Cooking Channel host G. Garvin is along for the ride at an authentic Italian joint dishin' out tri-color cannelloni and fresh seafood cioppino. And in Long Beach, Calif., the artistic chef serving up signature veggie sammies and a spin on pig and grits.

This trip, Guy's getting a taste of every meal from dawn to dusk. In Long Beach, Calif., the gastropub marrying pork belly with octopus and serving up slam dunk short ribs. In Monterey, Calif., the neighborhood spot keepin' it local and going scratch-made for dishes like apple pancakes and a three-pork porchetta. And in Wilson, Wyo., the log cabin-turned restaurant cooking up a banana bread French toast mash-up and classic beef stroganoff.

This trip, Guy's parking the Camaro in Beantown for an all-Boston smorgasbord. Just outside the city in Allston, two restaurants sharing one kitchen cooking up totally different menus; Mexican street food on one side and gastropub standouts, like killer gravlax and dynamite chicken sausage, on the other. Then in South Boston, the authentic Polish restaurant dishing out righteous pierogi and an old-country fried pork favorite.

This trip, Guy's toppin' off some righteous dishes with all kinds of sauce. In Cincinnati, the funky cafe putting their creative spin on barbecue chicken and vegan chili. In Boston, the neighborhood spot spicing up everything from lemongrass chicken to sloppy Joe's with some killer specialty sauces. And in Jackson, Wyo., the century-old log cabin housing an eclectic menu of totally homemade standouts, like scratch-made ramen and pork ragu.

This trip, Guy's roadtrippin' all over the country for some home-style cooking. In Boston, the funky neighborhood joint cranking out Southern staples, like chicken and waffles and off-the-hook tots. In Carmel, Calif., Robert Irvine's riding shotgun to check out the cool cafe centered around scratch-made classics, like amped-up biscuits and gravy and brisket chili. And in Superior, Wis., the sports bar scoring with classics like house-cured meat pizza and a super special chicken sandwich.

This trip, Guy's getting a taste of global flavor. In Cincinnati, the Jamaican joint firing up their trademark jerk chicken and spicy snapper. In Boston, the lunch-only spot serving a full plate of authentic Italian, like porcini cascioni and rosettes. And in Duluth, the flavorful border dweller dishin' out a taste of Thailand with dishes like the Bangkok burrito and a killer lamb curry.

This trip, Guy's hitting up some small towns with big flavor. In Parkland, Wis., the roadside bar serving sandwiches stuffed with the bomb brisket and crispy pork belly. In Jackson, Wyo., the organic spot dishin' out ethnic-inspired eats, like the Asian bison bowl and Thai curry soup. And in Lancaster, Ore., the farmland favorite firing up a monster burger and a unique twist on pizza.

This trip, Guy's headed to Cincinnati to three righteous restaurants all sitting pretty on one street. First, the funky pub where a husband/wife duo's dishing out all kinds of creative hot dogs and sammies. Then, a real deal Belgian spot cooking up legit waffles and beer cheese pretzels. And, the Southwestern spot servin' up short rib tacos and a killer chicken torta.

This trip, Guy's getting a taste of yesteryear. In Duluth, the Italian market/restaurant stacking up hearty homemade lasagna and a monster muffaletta. In Eugene, Ore., DDD's first all-vegan spot serving their signature tofu sammy and frozen peanut butter pie. And in Delta, Wis., the real deal retro diner dishing out righteous red-eye gravy and a surprising spin on the pancake.

This trip, Guy's grabbing dishes stacked and stuffed with off-the-hook goodness. In Baltimore, the cozy pasta bar rolling out righteous ravioli and topping things off with killer clams. In Eugene, Ore., the sandwich food truck creating a meaty, cheesy masterpiece and a double dose of pork. And in Cable, Wis., the small town favorite charging up their barbecue with espresso and firing up creme brulee French toast.

This trip, Guy's filling up on some serious soup. In Baltimore, the authentic Irish pub serving up seafood gumbo and a twist on traditional corned beef and cabbage. In Eugene, Ore., the joint dishing out 80 different kinds of soup, from a Middle Eastern take on lamb to Peruvian pork and quinoa. And in Cincinnati, the Vietnamese spot cranking out phenomenal pho and a bahn mi sandwich turned on its head.

This trip, Guy's hitting the pavement for a tasty tour of Baltimore. First, just off Dundalk Ave, the local legend cranking out all kinds of crab plates. Then in the Hamilton neighborhood, the farm-to-table spot cooking up bacon-wrapped meatloaf and Asian braised pork. And in the Upper Fells Point neighborhood, the funky pizza joint firing up some outta bounds pies and savory risotto balls.

This trip, Guy's filling up on winner winner chicken dinners. In Baltimore, the local landmark dishing out wicked wings alongside a killer steak wrap. In Eugene, Ore., the soul food joint smoking the bomb barbecue bird and slinging their signature burger. And in Des Moines, the Southern spot serving up legit fried chicken and decadent red velvet waffles.

This trip, Guy's hittin' the road for some outrageous seafood and tasty bird. In Des Moines, Iowa, the trophy-winning barbecue joint smokin' up all kinds of unique wings and dishin' out an out-of-bounds apple dumpling dessert. Across town in West Des Moines, a real deal Equadorian spot cookin' up authentic specialties like chicken with rice and pork with hominy. And in Eugene, Oregon, the seafood market servin' up totally fresh caught Dungeness crab and a legit cajun crawfish pie.

This trip, Guy's hitting up some legit local landmarks. In Des Moines, the historic drive-in famous for their nearly century-old chili recipe. In Leeds Point, N.J., the scenic seaside joint serving up fresh catch since the 1930s. And in Brigantine, N.J., the old-school butcher shop cranking out righteous homemade sausage and real deal jerky.