Restaurants

The name behind W.O.W. - Worth Our Weight comes from its payment policy, as you only pay what you think is fair. Here, deserving youth receive tuition-free culinary training. Guy happily paid extra for his nectarine scones and pulled pork huevos rancheros -- he donated a pretzel car.

Everything at Putah Creek Cafe is made fresh, right down to the homemade sausage and killer gravy. But the top-notch cioppino made with crab and shrimp had to be Guy's favorite. Want something just as impressive? How about a dynamite herb chicken pizza made from the trailer-towed pizza oven outside?

After buying a one-way ticket to Rome, John Atkinson returned home to Manhattan Beach, Calif., and opened his version of gourmet short order. He learned the trick to a great pasta carbonara. As for the signature Kahlua Pig Monte Cristo Egg Rolls? Guy said they were "supercalifragilistic tender."

Guy is convinced that this fourth-generation family-owned tavern, which uses locally sourced produce and seafood, makes the best Crab Cioppino. Generous portions of Dungeness crab, clams and shrimp are bathed in a light tomato sauce seasoned with cumin, which gives the dish a healthy kick. Guy is also a fan of the tavern’s take on a classic California specialty, a seafood-centric sandwich that features abalone stuffed between two slices of homemade sourdough bread.

The motto at Falafel's Drive-In goes, "Feeling awful? Have a falafel." On DDD, Guy couldn't have agreed more. These fried chickpea balls are made with fresh herbs and a perfect blend of spices. Regulars know when getting their "falafel fix" that a refreshing banana shake is the perfect complement.

Host of Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy Fieri, discovers some homemade authentic Mexican food at Los Tapatios, in San Jose, CA, a former lunch truck that upgraded to a full-blown restaurant.

Although this auto-repair shop turned grub stop may be small, "the flavor's big." So says Guy, who devoured the 10-ounce burger patties served with handmade everything, from the fries and ketchup to the mayonnaise. But the real end-of-the-meal kicker? A side of Brussels sprouts with smoky bacon.

Guy has been rolling to Jay Bee's for more than 15 years for "real deal" barbecue. You could say owner Beverly Neely has barbecue in her blood, as both her brother and nephew (Food Network's own Pat Neely) have been doling out delicious barbecued pork, ribs and chicken so good Guy's "stricken."

When a New Jersey transplant opens a hot dog joint in Reseda, California, you get classic hot dogs like the Bald Eagle Ripper served with a sweet relish made with cabbage, carrot, garlic and oregano. Adventurous eaters may want to try the double-dog burrito or the deep-fried, bacon wrapped hot dog.

Get a taste of old-school Italian at Mama Cozza's, home to 20 scratch-made sauces that pretty much guarantee a quality Italian dish. Try Mama's sauce or Domery's sauce, and don't leave without having some pizza here. Guy says, "they’re doing it the way real Italians do it!"

At this diner, an English husband and wife are livin' the American dream and serving up breakfast all day. Guy claims that the pancake roll with yogurt and berries is "righteous." Want a burger? Try the chorizo burger with fiery hot habanero salsa, avocado and flavor that is "out of bounds."

Joe and Lorrena Filgas quit their corporate jobs to start Cafe Nooner, a Creole-Mediterranean fusion restaurant. Local, organic ingredients are used here to create tantalizingly fresh dishes. Guy can’t get enough of the Creole-seasoned pulled pork sandwich that is crispy, tender and full of flavor.

Guy swings by Bless My Soul Cafe to sample Creole fusion dishes served up by Mama Janisse. Mama’s signature green Creole sauce adds some kick to various dishes on the menu, including the crawfish and shrimp etouffee. Regulars return to Bless My Soul for the scrumptious eats and Mama’s sassy charm.

Paul’s Live is a New York pizza joint with one little twist — it’s in California. Here, you can find “old-school, authentic, East Coast pie.” Guy’s favorite is the margherita pizza. Deep-dish fans, take note: Paul’s Sicilian pizza is good enough to have changed Guy’s mind about thick crusts.

Guy heads to California to check out Brick and Fire’s Mushroom Cobbler featuring ingredients from Chef Jim Hughes’ garden. It is stuffed with an array of wild mushrooms that have been oven-roasted, stewed in butter and then made into a creamy cobbler mix that is topped with biscuits and cheese.