Beef Tri-Tip Sandwich — Russian River Pub (Forestville, Calif.)
It’s one of Guy’s favorite hangouts not only because of the log cabin exterior and the abundance of beer, but also because of its unexpected eats. The menu includes a northern California specialty: beef tri-tip smothered with caramelized onions and crumbled blue cheese.
Pot Roast — Russian River Pub (Forestville, Calif.)
After more than 40 years in business, the locals still flock to this pub for their pot roast. It's made just like the rest of the classics on this menu: with simple ingredients and plenty of butter.
Chili Cheeseburger — Beacon Drive-In (Spartanburg, SC)
There are plenty of characters that help this place serve up to 20,000 customers a week, but plates piled high with fries and onion rings are what keep the locals coming back. Their chili cheeseburger is one of their best-sellers, and most customers wash it all down with a glass of their famous sweet tea.
After 55 years, this classic spot still has carhops who deliver food right to your car door. Although a little messy for the car, the Italiano is their best-seller, made with deep-fried sausage, mozzarella cheese and homemade sauce on thick-sliced Italian bread.
Reuben — Lucky's Cafe (Cleveland)
It's all about farm-to-table local ingredients at this place. They're growing tons of veggies and herbs out back, down to the cucumbers that get turned into the pickles that go into the Thousand Island dressing on this one-of-a-kind Reuben.
American Chop Suey — Red Arrow Diner (Manchester, NH)
You can get any meal you want 24 hours a day at this spot, including a dish that was completely unknown to Guy. The American Chop Suey includes elbow macaroni with a tomato sauce that has hamburger, onions, peppers and garlic.
They're known for their pork pie here, and that's because it is made with a secret family recipe that's been around for decades. It's got a special poultry seasoning in it that the staff swears makes it different from any other.
Meatball Hogie — Sonny's Famous Steak Hogies (Hollywood, Fla.)
Since 1958, the family at Sonny's has been serving massive sandwiches on homemade bread. The meatball is one of the favorites, with homemade tomato sauce and freshly made meatballs shaped like footballs so they can easily fit into the sliced loaf.
Duck with Mojito Glaze — A1 Diner (Gardiner, Maine)
The chef here, Kenneth, has reimagined the entire diner menu to include more upscale and adventurous eats like this duck dish. It's made with plenty of butter and topped with a glaze made with rum and mint-infused sugar.
If pizza joints just aren't enough to get you out of the house, try this spot filled with Ping-Pong tables. The pizza isn't too shabby either. The Stanley comes with homemade ricotta, roasted peppers, mozzarella and a healthy dose of their special homemade fennel sausage.
While you're playing Ping-Pong, be sure to try one of their pies. The Yalie is inspired by New Haven, Conn., and is loaded with clams, garlic oil, caramelized onions and thyme.
Hot Dog with Beef Sauce — Hillbilly Hot Dogs (Lesage, WV)
This place is a self-proclaimed hillbilly hot spot, right down to the restaurant itself, which is two school buses stacked up next to a shed. Their original-recipe beef sauce is a hit with all the locals.
While visiting this place, Guy tried his luck with their 15-inch deep-fried dog that weighs in at a pound — and that's before the toppings. It is then piled high with jalapenos, habanero sauce, coleslaw and cheese.
