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.
You won't miss the meat for a second at this creative vegan spot. Guy was absolutely blown away by the Crunch Wrap, which is a tortilla stuffed with bean chili, rice, an herbed chickpea spread, two different kinds of vegan cheese sauce and a layer of crunchy tortillas inside. The whole wrap is toasted on a panini press until golden brown. "Out of all the vegan and vegetarian dishes I've had in my life, this is easily in the top five," he said.
This roadside restaurant fuels both locals and travelers with unusual plates, like the Inside-Out Grilled Cheese. The sandwich is made with cheese on both sides of the bread, which gives it a unique combo of both crunchy and gooey textures. The sandwich is also stuffed with guacamole, beans and sriracha. Guy called the mix of textures "dynamite."
The big Italian family behind Grammy's Goodies started selling food at local fairs and festivals, but the food was so popular that they decided to open this permanent spot in Colorado. Guy loved the over-the-top Italian-American dishes, like the lasagna. Noodles, cheese, homemade sauce, sausage and massive meatballs are layered one on top of another, and the whole dish is baked for three hours until the cheese is bubbling. "This is exactly the kind of lasagna I would expect to get at Grammy's house," Guy said.
This is arguably the best place to find Texas barbecue outside of the Lone Star State—they even make their own sausages in house! Guy was blown away by the Smoked Habanero Fontina Sausage, which is their spiciest sausage and is served with a side of house-made pickles. “It’s like I’m right in central Texas,” he said.
You'd be a fool not to stop by this restaurant when in Ottawa! They specialize in rotisserie chicken, which are coated in a spice rub and cooked in low heat for more than an hour, and are served slathered in homemade barbecue sauce. “The rotisserie is a lost art of enjoying chicken,” Guy said. “This is real deal.”
This taphouse is known for their selection of hard apple ciders, but the food in their kitchens is not to be missed either. Chef Ryan Hickey incorporates the cider into every dish, including the hot wings, which are made with the Dirty Mayor, a ginger-infused cider. "This wing sauce is outrageous," Guy said.
Combine the best parts of soul food cuisine and tacos and you'll end up with this funky joint. Guy loved the Oxtail Al Pastor, which is made with meat braised in sweet root beer. The taco comes together by topping the meat with fresh pineapple-jalapeno salsa and agave hot sauce. Guy described the flavors as a "funky fusion."
You'll find more than typical barbecue at this upscale sandwich shop. One standout is the smoked duck sandwich, which is served on a fresh-baked bun with housemade mayo and a bacon-cabbage slaw. Guy was blown away by the sandwich: "This changes the world of duck," he said.
This popular downtown spot puts a fresh twist on typical bar bites. While you’ll find plenty of burgers and tacos on the menu, if you want to try a Canadian specialty, order the East Coast Donair, which is a spin on a gyro made with thin patties of ground beef. The sandwich is finished with cheese, a mix of fresh and pickled veggies and Occo’s sweet Donair sauce. Another Canadian classic is the Cod Cakes, which Guy described as “fish and chips gnocchi.”
Talk about living up to your name—this sandwich shop is known for serving up inventive sandwiches in huge portions. Their biscuits and gravy burrito is stuffed to the brim with cheese, hash browns, sausage and chorizo gravy, and an entire house-baked biscuit. It sounds intense, but it’s definitely a must-try. “I was scared at first, but the way you seasoned it, it isn’t overly heavy,” said Guy.
When chef-owner Carena Ives first opened this restaurant in 1994 selling the food she grew up eating, it was so popular that customers were begging her to move into a bigger space. Jamaican cuisine is known for comforting stews, like the classic oxtail stew that blew Guy away. “It’s luscious!” He said of the tender braised meat. Another standout is the fried chicken, which is served with a bold ginger gravy.
Everything baked in this joint is a work of art, including the Kronut, a doughnut-like pastry made from croissant dough that’s stuffed with house-made pistachio cream and topped with a raspberry sauce. Frying the flaky dough makes each bite perfectly crispy. Even Guy, who doesn’t like sweets, was obsessed. “I am the least dessert guy you’ve ever seen, and that’s the most doughnut I’ve eaten in the last 40 years,” he said. “This is a destination doughnut.”
From the outside, this might look like an ordinary deli, but inside they’re making everything on the menu from scratch, including a variety of house-baked breads and rolls and the gnocchi for their Hanger Steak Hash. The gnocchi are pan-seared and topped with mushrooms, shallots, arugula and a large piece of seared hanger steak. Guy was blown away by the flavors: “That’s dangerous,” he said, “I’m glad I don’t live in this town.”
For many decades, Pelican Seafood was only a fish market. But in 1996 when it changed owners, the new management added a restaurant, and it’s now the go-to place for fresh seafood in Ottawa. One standout is the Lobster Poutine: An entire steamed lobster is split and topped with a hefty serving of fresh-cut French fries, indulgent lobster gravy and a sprinkling of cheese curds.
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.