Miami, FL

restaurants

LOBA Restaurant

This Latin joint is a serving up some serious comfort food and is a favorite among the locals. Stand-out dishes include the Patacon (an 11-inch fried plantain with rib-eye steak, pork belly, rice, guacamole, pico de gallo and chimichurri) and Lentil Croquettes (served with beet tzatziki and avocado). The restaurant is open for brunch, lunch and dinner.

Miami, FL

restaurants

Mr. & Mrs.Bun

Gian Carlo Accinelli and his wife are putting their love on the line all in the name of their buns at Mr. & Mrs. Bun. The Peruvian couple serve all of their unique sandwiches on their signature, house-made buns. For the Asado con Palta sandwich, slow-cooked eye of round is piled on a fresh bun with avocado and crispy onions and then served with the jus from the cooked meat. “That is without question one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in a long time,” said Guy. “It’s actually giving me goose bumps.”

Miami, FL

restaurants

Milly's Empanada Factory

Milly Martinez has been serving up authentic Venezuelan food in South Florida for more than two decades. Now her son, Jose Atencio, is taking the cuisine to another level with some creative riffs on the classics. The Pabe Yo-Yo is like a Venezuelan Monte Cristo with bread made of sweet plantains surrounding ham and queso blanco which is then deep fried and stuffed with braised beef. “This crazy,” said Guy.

Miami, FL

restaurants

Mojo Donuts & Fried Chicken

This artisan doughnut shop in Miami is creating sweet mouthwatering masterpieces and some savory surprises. There are over 200 varieties of hand-rolled and hand-cut doughnuts. For a sweet treat, try the Abuelita which is stuffed with rice pudding and topped with swirls of dulce de leche. The adventurous should try the Chicken Brulee Sandwich. In this creation, crispy chicken tenders are sandwiched inside a bruleed doughnut, topped with a mild cheddar sauce and showered in bacon. “This changes the fried chicken sandwich game,” said Guy.

Saint Petersburg, FL

restaurants

Buya Ramen

Buya Ramen brings an off-beat attitude to Asian cuisine. The Japanese-style gastropub is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and legit ramen. Guy’s family gives the ramen and the dynamite shishito peppers glowing reviews.

Orlando, FL

restaurants

Fat One's Hot Dogs & Italian Ice

For a taste of Coney Island in Orlando stop by Joey Fatone's Florida Mall kiosk where he serves up creative hot dogs and Italian ices. Try the guacamole-topped Gone Hollywood or the mac and cheese laden Mac Daddy and then cool off with a legit Italian ice.

North Miami, FL

restaurants

Ivan's Cookhouse

From his post inside an open-plan kitchen, Chopped champion Ivan Dorvil plates up sizzling staples from his native Haiti, including griot. To make the Haitian classic, Chef Dorvil marinates pork shoulder in a vibrant bath of sour orange juice blended with herbs, spices and Scotch bonnet peppers. The pork is then seared, boiled and fried, resulting in a dish that’s “super, super tender,” Guy says. It’s served with plantains, black mushroom rice and pikliz (a fiery pickled-cabbage condiment).

Coral Gables, FL

restaurants

The Local Craft Food & Drink

This local eatery is a one-stop shop for craft brews and what Guy called “amped-up, down-home cooking.” They’re slinging Southern-inspired dishes that incorporate unexpected twists, such as the signature Roasted Bone Marrow. Femur bones are brined, coated in a housemade barbecue spice and roasted, then topped with whipped horseradish butter, relish and mixed greens for an ultra-rich bite. Another standout is the Lamb Belly BLT.

Miami, FL

restaurants

Miami Smokers Urban Smokehouse

The distinctive smell of smoked meats wafting out the doors of this charcuterie joint has proven irresistible to many a passerby. Step inside to order sandwiches like the Floridian, which Guy called “dynamite.” A wild boar sausage is ground in-house, then nestled on a baguette slicked with avocado puree. It’s topped with spicy mayo, pickled peppers and onions, and one unusual addition: orange segments.

Miami Beach, FL

bar

Hofbräu Beerhall Miami

This spot is a stateside version of the classic Hofbrӓuhaus beer hall in Germany, so the menu features traditional recipes from the homeland, with a few modern twists. Hofbrau’s version of sauerbraten features beef knuckle that’s soaked for seven days in a spice-and-herb-laced wine marinade, braised, then drenched in a rich gravy that Guy wanted to drink by the bucketful. A side of pretzel dumplings completes the dish.

Miami Beach, FL

restaurants

Taquiza

Situated on Miami Beach’s main drag, Taquiza draws the crowds hungry for well-made tacos and primo people-watching. Even the chips are far from standard, as the masa (dough) is made in-house, using non-GMO blue corn from Mexico. “Outrageous,” Guy declared. He also dug the tacos, trying one version stuffed with marinated hanger steak and another filled with crisp toasted grasshoppers and fresh guacamole.

Tavernier, FL

restaurants

MEAT Eatery & Tap Room

As the name suggests, this spot is a meat-lovers’ haven. The menu is chock-full of burgers, barbecue and other meaty dishes, as Guy found out when he stopped by on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Both the wings and the pork rinds had him hooked.

Key Largo, FL

restaurants

Pilot House Restaurant & Marina

This waterfront complex seemingly has it all: a glass-bottom bar with live music and drink specials, an attached marina and a restaurant with seafood dishes that lure both tourists and locals alike. Guy tried a grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with fresh black grouper and was hooked.

Islamorada, FL

restaurants

Green Turtle Inn

When in Islamorada, Fla., Guy just had to head to this local fixture to try none other than the restaurant’s signature turtle chowder. The Green Turtle Inn has been dishing up this popular dish for decades, along with other Southern favorites.

Key Largo, FL

restaurants

DiGiorgio's Cafe Largo

Snowbirds from the East Coast flock here when they want a taste of authentic Italian-American cuisine. A must-try is the Veal Chop Florentine, which is dipped in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and shredded Parmesan cheese, topped with prosciutto and mozzarella, then roasted and finished with a mushroom-studded Marsala wine sauce. The result is “tender, salty, crunchy (and) garlicky,” Guy declared.

Islamorada, FL

restaurants

Islamorada Shrimp Shack

Shrimp dishes may be a specialty at this spot, but Chef-Owner Jill Jahn doesn’t stop there, as Guy found out when he visited. Chef Jahn served him veggie-laced shrimp fritters with a spicy remoulade sauce, then cooked up a freshly caught mangrove snapper that Guy brought straight from the boat to her kitchen and had him declaring this Florida Keys native the “real deal.”

Boynton Beach, FL

restaurants

Flakowitz of Boynton

Although it's located in Florida, this diner is serving up New York-style Jewish deli classics. Guy indulged in the comforting matzo ball soup and couldn't get enough of the stuffed cabbage with sweet and sour sauce. If you're hungry, try the overstuffed corned beef sandwich or the hot potato knish.

Sarasota, FL

restaurants

Alpine Steakhouse

The Alpine Steakhouse is famous for one thing: turducken. Guy found this place on Triple D, but added it to The Best Thing I Ever Ate. The turducken begins with turkey. Then andouille sausage, duck, chicken, and much, much more are added. Twelve hours in the oven and you have the king of all birds.

Miami, FL

restaurants

Scully's Tavern

When Guy dropped by Scully's Tavern he wasn't expecting Belgian escargot and garlic butter, but Scully's regulars are enamored of the French dish from Scully's eclectic menu. For a real treat, try the potato chip-encrusted dolphin sandwich (a mahi mahi fish). It's "melt-in-your-mouth delicious."

Miami, FL

restaurants

La Camaronera Seafood Joint and Fish Market

Since 1976, Camaronera has been serving and selling fresh seafood the Little Havana way. On Triple D, Guy learned that means that every lobster, shrimp and green plantain gets coated in golden batter and fried. For the best fish-fry, locals order the signature Pan con Minuta snapper sandwich.

Deerfield Beach, FL

restaurants

The Whale's Rib

A little bit of the signature honey mustard called "Whale Juice" goes a long way alongside the amazing local seafood at this funky little joint. Try their spin on oysters Rockefeller, loaded with spinach, tomatoes and oozing, mouthwatering cheese. The mahi mahi sandwich is also a standout.

Miami, FL

restaurants

Piman Bouk Haitian Restaurant

Once a filmmaker in Haiti, Katherine Kean's trip inspired her to open Miami's Tap Tap, a Haitain eatery with bright, colorful murals. On Triple D, Guy devoured Haitian-raised Chef Gary Sanon-Jules's tender Kurobuta pork griot and the malanga fritters with the not-so-Haitian watercress sauce.

Hollywood, FL

restaurants

Sonny's Famous Steak Hogies

Take a ride down to Sonny's to see why "folks are lining up just like back in 1958" to get a cheese steak. Their sandwiches haven't changed since Sonny left it in the hands of his son John, who's rolling the bread the same way it was made back when they first opened.

Key West, FL

restaurants

Garbo's Grill

Eli and Kenna Pancamo bring a fun attitude and serious culinary edge to their food truck, Garbo’s Grill. Guy was won over by the Umamiburger smothered in chipotle Gouda, calling his first taste of this topping a “history-making moment in Triple D.” The sweet, spicy Korean BBQ tacos are also a hit.

Bradenton, FL

restaurants

Jose's

One bite of Jose's Lechon Asado at Jose's Real Cuban Food and Guy knew it was the real deal. His seal of Triple D approval didn't end there. Cuban-born Jose Baserva uses his mother's recipes in recreating authentic Cuban sandwiches and mouthwatering piccadillo, which Jose calls "Cuban" ground beef.

Miami, FL

restaurants

Latin House

Guy goes crazy for the Chimi Burritos at Latin House. The tortilla is stuffed with “Chuchi” rice, three cheeses, sweet plantains and a protein of your choice. It is flash-fried and then topped with pico de gallo, avocado lime sauce and crema sauce. The lobster lollipops are also a treat.

Miami, FL

restaurants

Blackbrick

For a modern take on regional Chinese cuisine, head to Blackbrick. Dim sum options include crystal shrimp dumplings, chicken siu mei, cumin-lamb dumplings and barbecued pork buns. Noodles are made in-house for dishes like the dan dan mian, which tosses spicy Szechuan pork ragu with bucatini. Guy is obsessed with dan dan mian. “I can’t figure out how to get it in my face fast enough,” said Guy between bites.

Miami, FL

restaurants

Jamaica Kitchen

Oxtail, curried goat and steamed peas with pig tail are just some of the local favorites at Jamaica Kitchen. The family-operated joint has passed down its Jamaican-Chinese recipes for generations. Guy loved the pork belly with pickled mustard greens and fiery-hot beef patties.

Miami, FL

restaurants

Blue Collar

Guy heads to this spot to indulge in The Big Ragout Sandwich, a hearty meal featuring five kinds of meats smothered in cheese and served on a roll. Also try the Rock Shrimp Mac & Cheese: A zesty three-cheese sauce is dressed up with wild rock shrimp, then mixed with pasta and finished with bacon.

Key West, FL

restaurants

DJ's Clam Shack

Key West is known for fresh seafood, and D.J.’s Clam Shack serves some of the freshest around. Guy digs into the garlic butter clams that are buttery with a spicy zing, thanks to the jalapeno spice. Other popular menu items include lobster rolls and conch fritters.

Key West, FL

restaurants

Bad Boy Burrito

Local hot spot Bad Boy Burrito serves up some of the best, most-authentic Mexican food in the area. A favorite item is the “hot, salty, sweet” Kobe beef burrito stuffed with beans, rice and other tasty fillings. Guy is equally impressed with the Cayo Hueso Fish Tacos made with locally caught fish.

Miami, FL

restaurants

Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering

Siblings Brendan and Kristin Connor put their own twist on traditional low-country dishes at Whisk. Guy recommends the cornmeal-fried okra, which combines fresh fish flavor with a crunchy texture. He’s also a convert of the beer-braised baby back ribs, which he calls “tender, porky, fall-apart-y.”

Miami, FL

restaurants

Sakaya Kitchen

Korean fusion eatery Sakaya has many in Miami raving about its Cracklin’ duck sandwich. Smothered in a special Korean sauce called ssamjang to add some serious Asian flavor, it had Guy declaring “game over.” Guy also loved the Chunk’d tots: a mixture of tater tots and bulgogi (marinated beef).

Key Largo, FL

restaurants

The Fish House

Part cafe, part local market, this Key Largo restaurant offers fresh seafood for dining in and takeout. Both Bobby and Guy are fans of the Matecumbe. This house specialty features locally caught fish that’s topped with a salsa made from lemon, tomatoes, onions and capers, then quickly baked in a searing-hot convection oven. This simple approach results in a “delicate, tender” dish, Guy says.

Indian Rocks Beach, FL

restaurants

Keegan's Seafood Grille

Keegan's Seafood Grill reflects owner Cesar Labrador's world travels across the U.S. and Caribbean. But Guy came for Cesar's coastal specialties, including the "money" blackened grouper sandwich made with mango chutney. As for the charbroiled octopus? That took Guy by surprise (in a good way).

Lake Worth, FL

restaurants

Havana Hideout

Enjoy a slice of paradise on the tropical patio of this food truck. While known for its sangrias and tacos, the truck also impressed Guy with a toasty Cuban sandwich. While there is a new owner, they're still serving up the same delicious bites like pionono, a sweet and spicy fried stuffed plantain.

Dania Beach, FL

restaurants

Grampa's Bakery & Restaurant

Pancakes and dinner rolls may be diner staples, but most restaurants can't say they've made them entirely from scratch like Grampa's. Starting as a small bakery, owner Ronnie Grampa expanded to a full-blown eatery complete with classic dishes like tender lamb shank, which got Guy's seal of approval.

Atlantic Beach, FL

restaurants

Culhane’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

This pub’s signature dish is quintessentially Irish: The Guinness Beef Stew made with Angus beef is marinated in Guinness and slow-cooked with vegetables and seasonings for a “rich, flavorful” result, Guy says. He also raves about the Blarney Lamb Sliders with curry aioli and the Dingle Fish Pie.

North Miami Beach, FL

restaurants

Blue Marlin Fish House

This fish house was on the brink of destruction until some new owners revived the seafood eatery. Guy enjoyed the smoked mahi mahi and described it as flaky, creamy, soft and smoky. The smoked fish dip won his heart with its creamy texture and "full flavors." Be sure to try the fried grouper too.

Jacksonville, FL

restaurants

13 Gypsies

The philosophy of 13 Gypsies is Old World techniques with Old World flavors from Spain. Guy got a kick out of the Roman Gnocchi because instead of little pillows, 13 Gypsies brings back an "original" flat version of gnocchi. As for Guy's all-time favorite dish? The tasso. One word: porkiliciousness.

Lake Worth, FL

restaurants

Benny's On The Beach

On Triple D, Benny's Mofongo caught Guy off guard. Mofo what? The Mofongo dish is a Puerto Rican favorite and now, Guy's too, as he added it to The Best Thing I Ever Ate. Made with mashed-up plantains, fried pork skin and then muddled with a baseball bat, this dish is a home run.

Miami Beach, FL

restaurants

11th Street Diner

Since 1992, locals looking for late-night food in Miami's South Beach have turned to the 11th Street Diner, and love ordering the Argentinian steak any time of day. But Guy couldn't get enough of the flavor-packed pork chops with apples and a raisin, calling it one of Triple D's greatest chops.

Saint Petersburg, FL

restaurants

Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish

Alton's favorite smoked fish isn't necessarily business in the front and party in the back. Instead, at Ted Peters Famous Smokehouse, the mullet, smoked in red oak, simply tastes like heaven. Guy visited, too, witnessing the 56-year-old method for making the legendary mahi-mullet fish spread.

Atlantic Beach, FL

restaurants

Singleton's Seafood Shack

Singleton Seafood Shack has Cajun fried shrimp, steamed shrimp and even shrimp burgers (and the seafood's so local you can hear the boats pull up). But Guy's DDD trip saw another side to the shack with The Sheepshead signature fish, perfectly grilled with Singleton's own blackening spice blend.

Jacksonville, FL

restaurants

Metro Diner

Guy's right when he says Metro Diner "is not your typical diner." They're changing our landscape of comfort food by serving a layer of french fries atop steak salad. Even their French toast is layered with a banana-cream cheese filling smothered between two slices of challah.

Tampa, FL

restaurants

Taco Bus

The Taco Bus operates out of a 35-foot school bus and is always open. According to Guy, the torta chilorio, which is filled with pulled pork, cheese, cilantro, cabbage and tomatoes, is "out of bounds." The butternut squash tostada hailing from the Yucatan is a fan favorite for its good texture.

Tampa, FL

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Tampa Bay Brewing Company

With an on-site brewery and 12 house beers on tap, this family-owned spot proves that beer's not just for drinking. The kitchen infuses a bevy of entrees with brews, from the crispy wings with Red Eye Ale cider sauce to the Thai Curry Mussels With Wild Warthog Weizen, which Guy deemed "prime time."

Saint Petersburg, FL

restaurants

Munch's Restaurant

Before Munch's became the go-to spot for fried chicken and shepherd's pie, it was Munch's Restaurant & Sundries, selling candy and toys and even acting as a post office. When Guy swung by, he only saw a St. Petersburg, Fla., institution serving up tasty, legit hash and a killer Creamed Chipped Beef.

Tampa, FL

restaurants

California Tacos To Go

If you head over to California Tacos to Go in Tampa, Fla., expect a quick, al fresco experience. As Guy learned on Triple D, they serve their tacos in an outdoor patio only -- like Guy's perfect California fish taco made with super thinly sliced cabbage slaw and spicy white chile sauce.

Tampa, FL

restaurants

Danny's All American Diner

Athletics and food unite at this diner where all the burgers are named after sports Hall of Famers. Try the Triple D Triple Play burger with mojo pork and pastrami invented by Guy. If you're not afraid to get messy, try the juicy chili cheeseburger or the Cuban with capicolla and Genoa salami.

Orlando, FL

restaurants

The Pastrami Project

If it seems like The Pastrami Project’s George Markward has studied the New York deli scene it’s because he has. The former IT guy dishes out legit classics from his Jewish deli-on-wheels. Guy gushes about the juicy New York-style pastrami and the luscious lox.

Orlando, FL

restaurants

Saigon Noodle and Grill

Guy brings fellow Food Network Star Justin Warner to Saigon Noodle Grill for phenomenal pho, shaking beef and other authentic Vietnamese classics.

Orlando, FL

restaurants

Willies Pinchos in Orlando

Willie Garcia left Puerto Rico at 15 and eventually landed in Orlando where he is firing up all kinds of creative specialties from his home country. Traditional plantain mofongo served with crispy carnitas hits all the right notes for Guy. The jibarito, a sandwich made with mashed plantains instead of bread, is piled high with super-flavorful pastrami and succulent beef.

Orlando, FL

restaurants

The Meatball Stoppe

As the name suggests, meatballs are the inspiration behind this family-run Orlando restaurant. Chef-Owner Isabella Morgia di Vicari dresses up the comforting classic in a myriad of different ways. Guy Fieri and Justin Warner opted for Nonna’s Traditional meatballs made of ground pork. These beauties are punched up with a bit of cayenne pepper, baked for 12 minutes and then simmered in roasted tomato sauce and chicken stock. “It’s a cross between light and dense,” said Guy after biting into one of the juicy meatballs, which come served over creamy polenta. For those diners who prefer to skip the meat, the restaurant also offers a vegetarian option made of roasted vegetables and lentils. “They’re super tender,” Guy declared.

Orlando, FL

restaurants

Se7en Bites Bake Shop

The menu at this cozy bakery tucked away in Orlando’s Milk District extends beyond confections, as Guy discovered when he stopped by on Triple D. Favorites include a chicken pot pie featuring a flaky, buttery crust stuffed with exquisitely seasoned chicken, mirepoix, potatoes and peas in a silky bechamel sauce. When it comes to dessert, there are plenty of decadent choices. One of the most indulgent options, however, is the Vanilla Bean Bourbon Bacon Moon Pie. “That is legit,” said Guy after sampling the sweet treat, which features silky homemade marshmallows laced with vanilla and bourbon.