The site of Rapid City's first fire department and the first brewery in South Dakota, the Firehouse Brewing Company specializes in craft beers. Watch the brewing in action, then try the Gorgonzola Ale Soup or Firehouse Favorite Gumbo, which Rachael calls "extra spicy and so good."
Fans of French dip sandwiches have Philippe Mathieu to thank. As the story goes, in 1918 Mathieu accidentally dropped a French roll into the roasting pan. The customer didn't mind the wet bun and today, neither does Wolfgang Puck, who likes his sandwich with horseradish mustard.
As Rachael says on $40 a Day, Early Girl Eatery "serves up Southern fare with a gourmet flair." Her trip to North Carolina wasn't complete without Early Girl's locally sourced dishes including the Sauteed Local Mountain Trout topped with pecan butter. Take note -- vegans love the tofu scramble here.
The recipe to Gus's hot and spicy fried chicken has been in the family since 1953 and has remained a secret since then. Not even owner Terry Bonner's wife knows. One thing, however, is certain. Claire Robinson adores this chicken, along with maybe the entire city of Memphis, Tennessee.
Rachael Ray visits sizzling South Beach for authentic Cuban cuisine at David's Cuban Cafe, open 24 hours in Miami Beach, FL, on Food Network's $40 a Day.
This Fort Lauderdale, Fla., diner, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, has been serving up breakfast food since 1937. Try the famous Butch's Mess, a scramble with eight ingredients and a slice of chocolate cake, or the Fruita De Mar Omelet, which Rachael says "tastes like a gigantic crab cake."
On Manhattan's Upper West Side, find "authentic" Mediterranean dishes and live entertainment every night of the week at this no-cover blues bar. Rachael called the baked vegetarian moussaka "fabulous" and promised "you won’t miss the meat at all."
With a decor that says pirate hangout, The Crab Shack opens its doors to a full-on crab fest 362 days a year. Rachael Ray ordered "sweet as the South" blue crab, while Buddy Valastro and his family opted for the sampler platter. This all-forks-on-deck dish comes piled high with crab, shrimp, mussels, crawfish, sausage, potatoes and corn. A secret seasoning adds some kick to this seafood feast.
Since 1957, The Continental Club been one of Houston's best bars for live music, or as they say, they're "the granddaddy of all music venues." When Rachael visited, she got her money's worth with a stellar Mexican Martini, no cover and fantastic music. So as Rachael says, "Is that a deal, or what?"
At Inoteca in New York, NY, Bobby Flay orders a selection of Italian cheeses, wines and panini - Italian pressed sandwiches - on Food Network's Boy Meets Grill.
Tucson's Mexican fare is as plentiful as it is authentic. Cafe Poca Cosa, or "little thing" in Spanish, is a festive restaurant with an award-winning menu and the ambiance of Mexico. The restaurant's modern, genuine dishes are best showcased in the Chef's Choice Plate, which includes three entrees.
All aboard! Rachael Ray hops on Dinner in the Diner, in Chattanooga, TN, a renovated train car and ideal spot for a romantic dinner, on Food Network's $40 a Day.
Originally, Veselka was a small candy store and newsstand, but now it is a full-fledged Ukrainian-American restaurant. Ted Allen loves the borscht for its meaty, sweet and tangy flavors. Served warm, the hearty beet soup has an assortment of vegetables bringing depth and body to the dish.
As a pioneer of the urban barbecue scene, Chef Kenny Callaghan has created the most finger-licking barbecue right in a potato chip. On The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Susan Feniger raves about his chips, perfectly matched with blue cheese and bacon dip. It's a great start to scrumptious pit barbecue.
When Bobby heard about A Salt & Battery's award-winning fish and chips, he immediately called for a throwdown. But chef Mat Arnfield had his British roots to guide him. Today they're using a sustainable Pollock with their classic light batter. Ultimately, these chips were the best catch of the day.
Make restaurant favorites at home with copycat recipes from FN Magazine.
Let Guy take you on a coast-to-coast tour Friday at 9|8c.