Welcome to Flavortown. Guy Fieri is well known for his hit show Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, on which he travels all over the country to sample out-of-this-world food options from America’s titular diners, drive-ins and dives.

Over the course of the show, he’s visited a variety of restaurants in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana and given his stamp of approval to many spots in the Queen City. Whether you’re looking for Caribbean soul food, authentic Malaysian cuisine or just a big, delicious sandwich, you can find those Mayor of Flavortown-approved dishes and more right here or just a few hours away.

Big Jays Place 930 Hempstead Drive, Finneytown Season 38, Episode 1 Big Jays Place in Finneytown offers a menu bursting with flavor from its Caribbean comfort food dishes, like the Soul Food Plate, featuring jerk chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and cilantro rice, or the half-pound Jerk Burrito, which comes with a choice of shrimp, jerk chicken or salmon. But what Big Jays is best known for is its oxtail, which Fieri got to try on his visit, saying, “If you don’t like oxtail, then come on down here to the oxtail conversion program.” Photo: facebook.com/bigjaysplace
Lucius Q 1131 Broadway St., Pendleton Season 37, Episode 9 Sporting a modern industrial vibe, Lucius Q’s mission of “peace, love & BBQ” aims to bring everyone together with the help of their menu of authentic barbecue, Southern-style sides and a variety of craft beers, cocktails and spirits. The meat comes from Avril-Bleh and is smoked low and slow over oak and cherry wood. Fieri tried the BBQ joint’s Cincinnati-style brisket chili — which made him admit that now whenever he eats chili, he craves pasta with it — and the Pendleton Porker sandwich. Photo: facebook.com/luciusq
Taste of Belgium Multiple locations Season 21, Episode 6 Taste of Belgium’s Vine Street location was visited by Fieri and a few of his family members, though the restaurant has several locations across Cincinnati. The eatery offers authentic Belgian-style dishes with an American twist, but it’s best known for its signature Belgian waffle, which Fieri truly loved. Photo: Brittany Thornton
Island Frydays 2826 Short Vine St., Corryville Season 21, Episode 4 Island Frydays is the definitive restaurant to break out of culinary monotony, featuring authentic Caribbean cuisine made by former University of Cincinnati football captain and Jamaica native Leo Morgan. Though the restaurant has a petite and unassuming interior, they pack a whole lot of flavor. Their Carribean jerk chicken and spicy snapper were approved by Fieri on the show. Photo: facebook.com/IslandFrydays
The Governor 231 Main St., Milford Brothers Paul and Neil Barraco had been working in fine dining for years when they returned to their East Coast roots to open a classic diner with a modern twist. The mission of the Governor is to offer the perks of fine dining — locally procured meat and produce, a menu made from scratch, a carefully designed cocktail list — at a medium price point in a laid-back environment. The menu at the Governor features cuisine ranging from Asian to Italian to classic Americana, and all-day breakfast. Photo: Savana Willhoite Photo: Savana Willhoite
Kiki College Hill 5932 Hamilton Ave., College Hill Season 37, Episode 11 Kiki College Hill features a menu of not-your-typical Japanese cuisine crafted by chefs Hideki and Yuko Harada. The menu features favorites like the seafood ramen, house-made kimchi, a poke bowl and chicken karaage (fried chicken). But Fieri got to try the pork gyoza, which he called “fantastic.” Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Senate 1100 Summit Place, Blue Ash Season 21, Episode 6 Senate features delicious, glammed-up hot dog creations, plus appetizers like oysters, poutine and roasted marrow bones. While Fieri visited the former Over-the-Rhine location, you can still get much of the menu at the restaurant’s newer location in Summit Park. Photo: facebook.com/senatepub
The Schoolhouse Restaurant 8031 Glendale Milford Road, Camp Dennison Season 37, Episode 12 Built in the 1860s, this former Hamilton County schoolhouse was bought and saved from demolition by Donald and Phyllis Miller, who turned it into the Schoolhouse Restaurant. Keeping the schoolhouse theme, the restaurant features windows, yellow oak floors and blackboards, on which the menu is written, from the late 1800s. The menu features American comfort food like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, smoked ham, country-fried steak and homemade meatloaf. The Schoolhouse whipped up some of their sides – country-style green beans and cornbread – and fried chicken for Fieri, as well as their famous Peanut Butter Pie for dessert. Photo: facebook.com/The Schoolhouse Restaurant
Melt Revival 4100 Hamilton Ave., Northside Season 21, Episode 2 Formerly known as “Melt Eclectic Cafe,” this funky little eatery moved down the street on Hamilton Avenue. Since Fieri’s visit, it has changed ownership and is now owned by former employees of the original. The eclectic cafe serves healthier food options, such as salads and sandwiches with plenty of vegan options. Fieri particularly enjoyed their creative spin on vegan chili and barbecue chicken. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Pho Lang Thang 1828 Race St., Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati Vietnamese eatery Pho Lang Thang opened their new location across the street from Findlay Market in the fall of 2019, offering a larger space and a fully-stocked bar. Order from a wide variety of pho options, ranging from brisket and meatballs (nam, bo vien) to vegan mushroom pho or tendon and tripe (gan, sach). Pho Lang Thang serves Lang Thang Vietnamese Coffee hot and iced at their establishment, as well as sells coffee beans on their online shop and Amazon. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Citrus & Sago 1004 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout Season 38, Episode 2 Citrus & Sago serves up delicious, authentic Malaysian eats, with influences from Cantonese, French and Asian cuisine. The menu features a list of favorites, like the Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang and roasted duck – both of which Fieri tried – alongside special seasonal dishes, all made with fresh, quality ingredients sourced locally. Photo: Facebook.com/citrusandsago
Bakersfield 1213 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Season 21, Episode 6 Bakersfield started in Cincinnati and now has locations in Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit and Indianapolis, among others. The restaurant serves up tacos and other Mexican-style dishes with lots of margaritas to go along with them. On the show, Fieri especially loved their killer short rib tacos and chicken torta. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Turf Club 4618 Eastern Ave., East End Season 9, Episode 6 This East End burger joint is known for its stacked burgers and diner vibe. When Fieri visited, the exterior of the eatery was bathed in vintage neon signs — one of the restaurant’s signature features, along with their famous over-the-top burgers loaded with adventurous toppings. Fieri seemed to especially enjoy the burger with burgundy mushrooms and mango curry sauces. Photo: Emerson Swoger
Blue Ash Chili 9525 Kenwood Road, Suite 5, Blue Ash; 11711 Princeton Pike, Springdale Season 9, Episode 7 Blue Ash Chili offers a variety of Cincinnati-style chili combinations and double-decker sandwiches. On the show, Fieri described the Blue Ash location as a chili parlor that takes customer favorites to the next level. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Wallace Station 3854 Old Frankfort Pike, Versailles, Kentucky Season 31, Episode 9 Season 31, Episode 9 This train station turned neighborhood eatery offers a slew of made-from-scratch bites ranging from their Inside Out Hot Brown to their country ham and pimento cheese. Fieri enjoyed the Big Brown Burger, which he named one of his top five burgers. It comes with beef, ham, bacon and creamy white cheddar mornay sauce. Photo: facebook.com/WallaceStation
The Table Cafe 1800 Portland Ave., Louisville Season 25, Episode 11 Louisville’s The Table Cafe was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives for the “Turkey-Giving” episode, highlighting the establishment’s unique pay-what-you-can system, with a vision to serve, share, support and provide for the community. The menu features dishes like the meatloaf sandwich and the roasted squash falafel, but the real stars are the smoked chicken and pork sandwiches. Photo: Facebook.com/TableKY
Gralehaus 1001 Baxter Ave., Louisville Season 25, Episode 12 This Louisville comfort food haven serves up a mean menu of breakfast dishes, like its breakfast sandwich (scrambled eggs, country sausage, Haus Sauce and pimento cheese served on a biscuit or potato bun), biscuits and gravy or its Shrooms & Grits. When Fieri visited, he tried a fried cheesy bologna sandwich that he called “dynamite.” The eatery operates as the Gralehaus from morning to early afternoon and switches to its Holy Grale menu for dinner, featuring a seasonally driven food menu with German influences. Photo: facebook.com/gralehaus
Momma’s Mustard, Pickles & BBQ 119 S. Hurstbourne Parkway & 102 Bauer Ave., Louisville Season 25, Episode 13 This Louisville-based barbecue joint is owned by Kansas native Chad Cooley. The eatery serves pulled chicken, smoked turkey and a variety of sides like the Cheezy Corn and green beans, but Fieri enjoyed the wings, which he described as having a “good smoke, nice rub.” Photo: facebook.com/MommasBBQ
Steer-In 5130 E. 10th St., Indianapolis Season 11, Episode 8 Fieri headed to Indianapolis’ historic Steer-In Restaurant to try its famous meatball sub. The eatery opened in 1960 and serves a variety of comfort food dishes, ranging from country-fried steak and eggs to chicken livers and a patty melt. Photo: facebook.com/Steer-In Indianapolis
The Tamale Place 5226 Rockville Road, Indianapolis Season 12, Episode 3 The Tamale Place in Indianapolis has been slinging excellent tamales since 2003. The eatery creates its popular tamales daily by hand and with freshly ground corn, which Fieri learned about during his visit. In addition to tamales, they also offer tacos, tortas and sides like black beans, rice, salsa and chips and elotes (street corn) in a cup. Photo: facebook.com/The.Tamale.Place
Momo Ghar 59 Spruce St., Columbus Season 28, Episode 2 This small spot is located inside a nearly 150-year-old public market in downtown Columbus, where it serves up traditional Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine — its most popular being the momos, which are Himalayan dumplings filled with meat and/or vegetables. Fieri called the spot a hidden gem serving out-of-bounds dishes. Photo: facebook.com/momogharohio
Ena’s Caribbean Kitchen 2444 Cleveland Ave., Columbus Season 28, Episode 1 Ena’s serves traditional Jamaican dishes that range from jerk chicken to fried fish options. The restaurant is known for its originality that makes you feel like you’re on the island of Jamaica. Photo: facebook.com/Ena's Caribbean Kitchen, Inc
Ray Ray’s Hog Pit Multiple Columbus-area locations Season 27, Episode 9 This year-round food truck and its other Columbus-area locations serve meats that are hardwood-smoked along with a variety of Southern-style sides like beans, mac & cheese and collard greens. Fieri enjoyed the Mangalista Brat Burger and St. Louis spare ribs. Photo: facebook.com/rayrayshogpit
Pierogi Mountain 105 N. Grant Ave., Columbus Season 27, Episode 9 Pierogi Mountain is a college dive bar that serves up a variety of delicious pierogis. The Columbus-based restaurant is popular with locals, along with Fieri, for its wide selection of fillings. Photo: facebook.com/PierogiMountain
Loops 1629 Northwest Blvd., Columbus Season 27, Episode 8 Loops is a casual, Chicago-style eatery serving dishes like hot dogs, gyros, Polish sausages, Mediterranean-style wraps and other sandwiches. Fieri enjoyed their Italian beef and real-deal gyros. Photo: instagram.com/loopsgoodfood

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