When Mike Stone got off the road, after years of being a record promoter for the biggest names in the music business, he opened up this legit English pub in Wilmington, Delaware. Stoney’s Pub makes all the classics, including an unbeatable Fish and Chips and amazing Yorkshire Pudding served with rare roast beef. “You’re going to have to pry this out of my hands,” said Guy of the gravy-laced classic.
“Not your average Greek restaurant by any means,” Guy declared of Axios, where owner Telly Topakas draws on traditional recipes from the motherland and tweaks them with modern touches (think lighter dishes without so much oil). “Where has that been all my life?” Guy asked of the exquisitely charred lamb ribs, which are paired with roasted garlic-and-feta mashed potatoes, onions, leeks, mushrooms and fennel.
Momona was started by three friends hoping to fill in a culinary gap in Chico, CA. They brought in the food they wanted to eat which was great noodles and baos that combined Hawaiian and Asian flavors. Guy loved the unique combination of flavors in the Mochiko Fried Chicken Bao and the Chico Ramen.
This pan-Asian joint goes above and beyond the average sushi menu with items like Tom Kha Thai Steamer and Pork Belly Bibimbap. After moving to Chico, California from San Francisco 20 years ago, owner and chef Darren Chadderdon realized he missed the diverse Asian flavors available in the big city. He decided to take things into his own hands, and traveled to Thailand to take cooking classes before returning home to open his own restaurant. The Tom Kha Thai Steamer, a sweet and spicy seafood soup, blew Guy away: “I wanted that to be great,” he said after the first bite. “It’s not great, it’s phenomenal!”
Diners come to Daniele Ius place for an amazing breakfast experience. The popular Cortez French Toast is the perfect marriage between cinnamon rolls and French toast. “If you like French toast it doesn’t get much more creative than that,” said Guy. The spicy Dragon Potatoes are another favorite. Guy compared the dish to a gigantic, deconstructed carnitas burrito.
The Atomic Cowboy is home to both the Denver Biscuit Co. and Fat Sully's Pizza. Guy enjoyed the flaky Elmer biscuit sandwich with smoked pork butt and homemade barbecue sauce. At Fat Sully's, Guy loved the crunchy thin crust of the huge 26-inch pizza, which is made to order.
This popular food truck is bringing the flavors of Puerto Rico all over the city of Denver. They're known for island specialties like Chicken Mofongo. The dish starts with a base of housemade sofrito, a Latin American sauce, which marinades the chicken while in the pressure cooker. The tender meat is served inside a bowl made from fried plantains. "It's better than dynamite," said Guy. "It's as legit as any Mofongo I've ever had." Check the truck's website to find its current location.
This local favorite makes excellent bread and pastry but also legit food. The popular Black Bean Chili has good old-school flavor, but it’s kicked up with a tangy cilantro pesto and served with jalapeno-cheddar challah muffins. Diners also rave about the Korean Pork Salad.
Located on a barge under a bridge, this spot cooks over 75,000 clams a year. Guy thought the steamers had a great natural flavor and enjoyed drinking the accompanying clam broth. "That's just simple goodness right there," Guy declared of the bacon-topped clams casino. Another standout is the Black Duck Burger. Sauteed peppers, onions and mushrooms smother a 6-ounce Angus burger patty — available in a 3/4-pound size for heartier appetites.
Middletown locals love O'Rourke's so much that when it burned down in 2006, they helped raise over $300,000 to rebuild it. Guy sampled some unexpected American and Irish favorites like Colcannon, House Baked Ham and an Irish Trilogy of French Toast
The distinctive smell of smoked meats wafting out the doors of this charcuterie joint has proven irresistible to many a passerby. Step inside to order sandwiches like the Floridian, which Guy called “dynamite.” A wild boar sausage is ground in-house, then nestled on a baguette slicked with avocado puree. It’s topped with spicy mayo, pickled peppers and onions, and one unusual addition: orange segments.
This Latin joint is a serving up some serious comfort food and is a favorite among the locals. Stand-out dishes include the Patacon (an 11-inch fried plantain with rib-eye steak, pork belly, rice, guacamole, pico de gallo and chimichurri) and Lentil Croquettes (served with beet tzatziki and avocado). The restaurant is open for brunch, lunch and dinner.
Guy goes crazy for the Chimi Burritos at Latin House. The tortilla is stuffed with “Chuchi” rice, three cheeses, sweet plantains and a protein of your choice. It is flash-fried and then topped with pico de gallo, avocado lime sauce and crema sauce. The lobster lollipops are also a treat.
With "home cooking" in the name, it's no surprise that everything here, from the honey mustard sauce to the sauerkraut, is made by hand. With that handmade attitude, Guy had to drop by for the savory cannoli. Forget about sweet ricotta, these are packed with homemade sausage and provolone cheese.
At this food truck focused on pork fusion, hungry locals line up for dishes like the stacked arepa that had Guy exclaiming, “Prime time!” The traditional Colombian fried cake is loaded with melty mozzarella cheese, pineapple pulled pork and spinach, then finished with cilantro, lime juice and Sriracha for added kick.
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.