Santa Barbara Shellfish Company is the perfect port for hungry diners. Owner Tom White keeps prices low so customers can buy lots of fish and he can make space for daily fresh catches. Rachael was impressed by this commitment to freshness, as even her Caesar salad dressing was mixed to order.

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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.

Old Town Mexican Cafe is known for using fresh ingredients and authentic recipes to make "mouthwatering traditional Mexican dishes." Slow cooking keeps the pork tender; legendary margaritas keep the bar scene vibrant. Thrilled with her carnitas and mango margarita, Rachael raved, "That's killer!"

Fans of French dip sandwiches have Philippe Mathieu to thank. As the story goes, in 1918 Mathieu accidentally dropped a French roll into the roasting pan. The customer didn't mind the wet bun and today, neither does Wolfgang Puck, who likes his sandwich with horseradish mustard.

There's nothing to fear at The Haunted Hamburger in Jerome, Ariz. — Rachael called it ''comfort food to the max'' on $40 a Day. The menu includes a huge variety of American favorites like hot dogs, barbecue ribs and cheese steaks; a favorite among regulars is the twice-baked potato.

Tucson's Mexican fare is as plentiful as it is authentic. Cafe Poca Cosa, or "little thing" in Spanish, is a festive restaurant with an award-winning menu and the ambiance of Mexico. The restaurant's modern, genuine dishes are best showcased in the Chef's Choice Plate, which includes three entrees.