Restaurants

Tamarindo serves Mexican dishes made with organic, local ingredients. Guy declares his love for the drunken torta, which dresses up flank steak with salsa, onion, tomatoes, arugula, bean spread and mayo. Another must-try dish is the chicken chilaquiles with achiote marinade for a tangy, spicy taste

Guy had to check out Gorilla Barbeque, which is housed in a bright orange boxcar. Regardless of size, Gorilla Barbeque still grills 1,500 pounds of meat each week. The Philly cheese steak with barbecued brisket explodes with flavor, just like the mac 'n' cheese baked with a Goldfish cracker crust.

Southern flavors reach the west coast at this Oakland hot spot. Comfort food favorites include Beef Meatloaf, Southern Fried Chicken, slow-cooked Oxtails, Macaroni and Cheese, Collard Greens and more. Plus, the Peach Cobbler and Banana Pudding are absolute winners.

This Puerto Rican hot spot is known for its bold flavors and (bottomless) brunch bashes. Regulars love the Chicharron Mofongo and Canoa, but the restaurant also offers up some incredible vegan options.

Hodads' burgers don't simply have bacon strips on top. Instead, this funky joint adds an entire bacon patty to the mix. They really "put the shama lama in ding dong," Guy says of his favorite burger, which includes two sizzling beef patties and cheese — a "run-down-your-arm burger," for sure.

There’s regular Thai food and then there’s Jitlada. Guy swore that if the chef of Jitlada won GGG he would come to the restaurant, and he was not disappointed. “This is one of the best Thai experiences I have ever had,” Guy said after tasting the Green Curry and the Tom Yum Soup.

This spot is in California, but if you close your eyes, “you’ll think you’re in Texas,” says Madison Cowan. The barbecue served here indeed has its roots in the Lone Star State, as owner Kevin Bludso learned how to smoke meats from his Texan grandmother. The crowds pack in for the ‘cue, which includes succulent pork ribs and chickens. The meats are massaged with customized dry rubs laden with secret spices, then marinated overnight and smoked over both oak and pecan woods. For meat lovers with massive appetites, Madison recommends The Lunch Tray. This option features a selection of smoky meats and satisfying sides, including brisket, pulled pork, Texas hot links, collard greens, mac and cheese, corn bread and more.

Set in the heart of Koreatown, this modern beer hall fuses pub food and Korean flavors, with dishes like beer-infused, roasted Drunk Chicken, German Fried Rice in beer gravy, and a Bratwurst Corn Dog.

The duck-centric menu and rotating craft-beer selection keep the locals coming back to Beer Belly. Follow Guy’s lead and order the duck-fat fries topped with crisp fried duck skin and tender duck confit. Or opt for the grilled cheese. This towering, four-cheese creation is essentially two sandwiches stacked together, with a layer of maple syrup-drenched bacon in the middle and a fried egg on top.

Chef-Owner Warren Almeda serves up American twists on classic Filipino dishes at this Koreatown joint. Guy just had to try the Sisig Hot Dog. As the name suggests, this dog is dressed up with sisig (a Filipino mixture of ground pork belly and pork snout, made in-house daily), in addition to garlic crema, pickled red onions, radishes, green onions, a fried egg and the Filipino citrus known as calamansi.

For delicious homemade tamales, drop by Mom's Tamales and sample one of eight options, all steamed and using scratch-made batter. The corn and cheese, chicken mole and beef tamales are particularly noteworthy. Also worth a try: specialties like stuffed peppers, queso fresco and sopes asadas.

Rutt’s is the go-to place for Hawaiian food in Los Angeles. Guy recommends the Hawaiian Royale with its tasty mix of teriyaki beef and scrambled eggs. Another pick is the Lau Lau plate: a flavorful blend of pork and butterfish wrapped in taro leaves. Locals love the large portions and value prices.

Tucked away in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood is this farm-to-table pub that serves a variety of local beers and a diverse rotating menu that is designed to go with the brews. You won’t miss the meat in entrees like the Hot Mushroom Sandwich: A head of beech mushrooms is deep fried and topped with scallion aioli and a house-made pickled celery and cabbage slaw. “I could eat one of these every day!” Guy said.

The two brothers that run this eatery lure in the locals with their fresh fish, which is the main ingredient in every dish they serve. Guy thought the fresh sea bass taco with lemon garlic butter was "outstanding." The cioppino with wahoo, mahi mahi, ahi tuna and scallops gives a spicy kick. Other standouts include the halibut sandwich, oyster shooters and clam chowder.

High school buddies, Mahmoud Barkawi and Osama Shabaik, combined their Egyptian and Syrian backgrounds to bring authentic Middle Eastern flavors to San Diego. Guy loved the shaved Chicken Shawarma, which is piled onto a salad, crispy fries or house-made pita. They make their falafel the Egyptian way with fava beans instead of garbanzo beans. “That’s no joke,” raved Guy.