Restaurants

Inspired by Singaporean cuisine, Chef Gina Galvan is cooking up some "exotic tropical Chinese food" in a food truck. Guy loved the crunchy, sweet and salty crab cake topped with slaw and spicy ketchup. The halal lamb burger topped with curry yogurt and edamame sprouts is a "package deal," said Guy.

Show Dogs has scratch-made written all over its rock-out menu. Guy's trip included two showstoppers. First, a fried chicken sandwich that's "like a Pink Floyd concert -- classic." As for the headliner? Try the House Merguez, lamb sausage topped with mission-fig chutney and house-made Dijon mustard.

Take a drive to the southern tip of San Francisco and you'll be in good company at the Broken Record. Guy's Triple D crew marveled at the more than 300 kinds of whiskey. But Guy got a real kick out of the food, including the creamiest roasted mushroom polenta. The real kicker -- it's only $8.

After growing up around his father’s restaurant in Lebanon, George Salameh decided to open up his own spot serving up traditional Lebanese dishes in San Diego. Locals flock here for the delicious flatbreads, like the one topped with Soujouk: a cumin-heavy blend of spices and ground meat topped with white Lebanese cheese. “I could have a hundred of those,” Guy said after just one bite.

Andy Harris used to be a tour manager for rock bands, firing up his smoker for the crews. His food was so successful he decided to open a restaurant to bring Texas barbecue to San Diego. He teamed up with Chef Ami Cisneros to elevate barbecue to the next level. Don’t miss the massive El Borracho Beef Rib with house-made queso and pickled red onion relish.

Studio Diner carries breakfast 'round the clock -- and lunch and dinner, too. Take it from Guy, who says "everything is top-notch" here. Owner Stu Segall insists on flying in whole belly clams and lobster from Maine, and for a real late-night treat, divulge in the deep-fried favorite: Monte Cristo.

This unusual diner was once a French bistro, so when owner Ric Libiran decided to switch up the menu, he kept the upscale bistro attitude. Guy loved the Short Rib French Dip, which is served with decadent jus made from more than four hours of braising: “The only problem with this is that you didn’t serve it in a kiddie pool so I can get in with the sandwich and the jus,” he said.

Guy's love of taquitos met its match at El Indio, where this "home of the great taquito" has been dishing tasty Mexican cuisine for more than six decades. Regulars flock for the handmade chile rellenos and, if you're waiting in line, you might get a hot-off-the-press tortilla.

San Diego has a lot of taco joints, but diners rave about this mom-and-pop shop where two brothers are cooking up memories from their childhood in Mexico. And if you’re searching for spice, look no further than the fiery Shrimp a La Diabla.

Situated in one of San Diego's 24-hour neighborhoods, Crest Cafe serves up outrageous comfort food for both morning (creme brulee French toast) and night. One bite of the signature Butter burger, and Guy's fingers weren't dry for long: "This is a level of juice you haven't seen before."

Situated in L.A.'s original Little Italy, the Eastside Market Italian Deli has been serving Los Angelinos classic Italian dishes since 1929. Take note of the D.A. Special. Guy devoured every last bit of sausage, meatball, roast beef and pastrami on this sandwich of "incomparable deliciousness."

For tostadas with a towering twist and more elevated Mexican classics head to La Tostaderia which is tucked away in Grand Central Market in L.A. The chef was born in Mexico and later went back to culinary school to learn more about flavor profiles and it shows. Guy was impressed by the tender octopus tostada and blown away by the cheesy shrimp burger.

Don Chow Tacos Los Angeles food truck fuses Chinese and Mexican cuisines to create such unique dishes as Chimales (Chinese-Mexican tamales, meat-stuffed masa wrapped in corn husks and steamed). Also worth a try: Kung Pao Chicken Tacos and the sweet 'n' smoky Chinese BBQ Pork Burritos.

What started as a catering company soon became a hidden hot spot for Los Angelinos looking for tried-and-true Filipino comfort food. Guy loved the barbecue beef short ribs paired with a sharp crema horseradish sauce. And diners better watch out -- the addictive Bibingka cornbread is a real winner.

This restaurant brings Cajun flavors to Chinatown, with po' boys, muffulettas and breakfast beignets. A standout is the crawfish-laced mac and cheese that incorporates caramelized onions, white wine and a Creole spice blend.