Adam Gertler, of Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate, recommends Jacques Imo's Cafe for real, authentic Creole cuisine in New Orleans, LA.
Marc Murphy had never heard of a pizza pot pie. But after one bite of the pizza pot pie at this spot, he instantly knew it was deserving of the title The Best Thing I Ever Ate. The pie layers cheese and a special sauce inside a fluffy Sicilian crust. Flip the behemoth over and then devour.
Rachael Ray visits sizzling South Beach for authentic Cuban cuisine at David's Cuban Cafe, open 24 hours in Miami Beach, FL, on Food Network's $40 a Day.
With a decor that says pirate hangout, The Crab Shack opens its doors to a full-on crab fest 362 days a year. Rachael Ray ordered "sweet as the South" blue crab, while Buddy Valastro and his family opted for the sampler platter. This all-forks-on-deck dish comes piled high with crab, shrimp, mussels, crawfish, sausage, potatoes and corn. A secret seasoning adds some kick to this seafood feast.
Reigning as one of central Maui's most popular Asian restaurants, A Saigon Cafe serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine with fresh, local ingredients. Some are even grown in the garden of Jennifer, the owner. Try building your own Vietnamese-Style Burrito, the house specialty.
Rachael Ray drops by Willie Nelson's favorite spot In Maui, Charley's, serving fresh fish and Maui-grown beef burgers in an energetic environment, in Paia, HI on Food Network's $40 a Day.
On $40 a Day, Rachael satisfies her sweet tooth with the peanut butter chocolate ice cream cake from Icebox. Meanwhile, the Chocolate Delight (formerly The Bomb) has been called Oprah's absolute favorite. But for a true Floridian bite, locals know it's all about the creamy, deep-dish Key Lime pie.
The Big Wrap is a favorite among Aspen's local working crowd. Named one of the area's top affordable lunch spots, The Big Wrap has a monster menu for all tastes, with wraps, salads, tacos, smoothies and zesty citrus corn chips. Seating is limited, so enjoy it alfresco or call for midday delivery.
The locals escape the hubbub of downtown at Woody Creek Tavern. About six miles outside of town, it's an off-the-beaten-path quirky dive with tons of charm. The kitchen offers plenty of pub-style snacks and meals if you're hungry, and the fresh-squeezed blue agave margaritas are not to be missed.
This Fort Lauderdale, Fla., diner, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, has been serving up breakfast food since 1937. Try the famous Butch's Mess, a scramble with eight ingredients and a slice of chocolate cake, or the Fruita De Mar Omelet, which Rachael says "tastes like a gigantic crab cake."
When Rachael visited Miami on $40 a Day, one of her goals was to find delicious stone crab without going over budget — thankfully, she quickly discovered Captain Jim’s. When she tried the best-selling garlic crabs, she couldn’t stop raving about how sweet and succulent they were.
The Ferry Building Marketplace houses the largest farmers' market in San Francisco, attracting thousands of visitors. When Giada was preparing for a picnic, she stopped by Cowgirl Creamery for salami and cheese, and she later checked out Acme Bread Company for fresh sourdough.
Even the fishermen of Monterey visit Cafe Fina for the freshest catch in town. Known for sand dab - a locally caught fish that's breaded in cracker meal and lightly fried - Fina's specialties of the sea, pastas and grilled meats are rivaled only by the serene tableside view of the harbor.
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.