Restaurants

Owners James Starr and Jason Bernstein cook up clever dishes with all-Californian ingredients. Guy's favorite was the pulled pork sandwich with pickled jalapenos and onions and a killer hot mustard sauce. The grass fed-lamb burger with yogurt dill sauce and sweet potato fries was "rock star" too.

With a name like Crazee Burger, it's no surprise that Chef Lothar Manz serves burgers that are far different than your typical fare, including ones made with ostrich, venison and kangaroo meat. Guy never thought he'd be eating an alligator burger, but he was sold on the first bite.

It only took one bite of Pizzeria Luigi's Capone meat-lover pizza for Guy to instantly become a fan (he has since deemed it his favorite West Coast pizza). The Donatello pie delivers equally delicious flavors with sweet mozzarella, garlic, spinach and creamy ricotta dollops all over.

When you visit OB Noodle House, make sure to pronounce the signature dish, Pho, correctly. It's "fuh" and not "fo." You'll be glad you did, because the expert blend of spices and meats makes for one unbelievable flavor. As Guy says, "You're going to have a pretty tough time finding it this good."

Refuge's pastrami sandwich knows no bounds, and for this upscale Bay Area pub, it rivals East Coast legends, as in "OMG" delicious. Hardcore pastrami fans must try the pastrami burger. After one bite, Guy admitted: "You could be a hardcore New Yorker, but nothing will prepare you for that."

San Diegoans know Hob Nob Hill as a historical landmark. The menu never changes and that's the way they like it. On DDD, Guy raved about the fall-apart corned beef. But the comforting chicken and dumplings were the real deal — he called them "the definition of chicken and dumplings."

This San Carlos destination puts its spin on classic Italian food with wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas. The restaurant makes a knockout Ricotta Gnocchi with artichoke, lemon and mint that's absolutely worth your time and taste buds.

The Golden Bear quickly became a Sacramento, Calif., favorite and Guy couldn't agree more. His visit changed his attitude about slaw, as he called The Sausage and 'Slaw pizza with homemade sausage and smoked slaw "out of control." The taco with citrus-achiote chicken's also a flavor town winner.

Visit Gatsby's Diner for Old World European comfort food and unique vegetarian dishes. The pastrami-marinated beet sliders with green goddess dressing and homemade chips were meaty and tender according to Guy. Meat lovers should try the flavorful beef rouladen or the brined pork chops.

The only way you'll find this unmarked dive bar is if you know to look for its green awning. The filet mignon sandwich with toasted garlic bread left Guy speechless. He also appreciated the melt-in-your-mouth smoked prime rib with au jus. Be sure to check out their rotating daily specials too.

Only at Guy's restaurant can you get a little Italian, Mexican, Cajun and Asian. The grilled-onion-and-garlic tortilla stack, inspired by Guy's mom, has "dynamite" texture and flavor. Guy's Sashimi Won Tacos dressed with eel sauce were double gold winners at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair.

Quiche on a salad and a grilled ham and Brie cheese sandwich are just some of the French country-style favorites at this deli. Guy appreciated the nice and rich flavors of the chicken pate and goat cheese sandwich and loved the "floral notes" found in the chilled lentil salad with roasted prawns.

The Dad's Burger is so popular that when the current owners bought the restaurant, they kept it on the menu. Guy describes the signature 8-ounce bacon and blue cheese-encrusted beef patty as the most "righteous" and "juiciest" burger ever. If you prefer chicken, try the Hot Blonde with avocado.

This tiny burger joint is short on space, but customers pack in for favorites like the Squeezeburger with Cheese. A 1/3-pound patty is heaped with so much cheese (more than half a pound) that the topping forms a crisp skirt of sorts after a turn on the flat top. “That thing is money,” said Guy of the cheese-blanketed burger, which comes topped with dill pickles, tomatoes, mustard and mayonnaise.

This Palo Alto destination serves up a farm-to-table experience with organic and locally-sourced ingredients. The result: fresh California cooking with dishes that won't leave you feeling weighed down. Guy suggests trying the Calafia Citrus Carnitas or the Vegan Gnocchi.