Louisville, KY

restaurants

The Irish Rover

This Louisville spot evokes the flavors of Ireland with its hearty dishes inspired by owner Michael Reidy’s homeland. “Righteous,” Guy declared after tucking into cabbage rolls stuffed with a wine-and-whiskey-laced mixture of ground lamb, vegetables and seasonings. Another standout is the Cottage Pie, which starts with a comforting stew composed of beef, potatoes, vegetables and Guinness. Once ready, the stew is ladled into a sourdough bread bowl, then topped with potatoes and shredded Cheddar cheese.

Louisville, KY

restaurants

Seafood Lady - W Oak St

Locals head to this former tire shop for a taste of seafood served Florida-style. Owner Nichelle Thurston lures in the crowds with delectable dishes made from her grandfather’s recipes. One bite of the full combo platter and Guy was hooked. This seafood-centric dish comes heaped with jumbo shrimps, a snow crab cluster, smoked sausages, an ear of corn and a Cajun boiled egg, all doused in a Cayenne-spiked sauce. Another hit is The Hulk: a housemade waffle topped with fried lobster and shrimp.

Louisville, KY

restaurants

Momma's Mustard, Pickles & BBQ

Kansas native Chad Cooley delivers the smoky flavors of his home state to Kentucky by way of this barbecue joint. “Good smoke, nice rub” Guy said after tearing into a basket of chicken wings. The wings are hit with a spice-laden dry rub, smoked over hickory wood, fried and then dusted once more with dry rub before being served with a side of buttermilk ranch dressing. Another standout are the beef ribs, which are paired with pickles made from a recipe handed down from Cooley’s mom.

Louisville, KY

restaurants

Grind Burger Kitchen

Owners Liz and Jesse Huot started off serving grass-fed beef burgers from a tiny trailer, but demand soon grew to the point that they were able to open a brick-and-mortar spot. In addition to the beef patties, they offer a veggie option that left Guy impressed. “Such phenomenal texture,” he said of the patty, which is made from a well-seasoned blend of roasted vegetables, quinoa, pumpkin seeds and more. It’s slathered with smoked tomato ketchup, dressed with lettuce and tomato, and placed on a fluffy bun.

Louisville, KY

restaurants

Gralehaus

A litany of comfort food favorites with a Southern lilt has earned Gralehaus a legion of loyal fans, with Damaris Phillips among them. She brought Guy Fieri to her hometown haunt, where he was won over by two indulgent menu items: a cheesy bologna sandwich and a meaty grits dish. “Dynamite,” Guy declared of the sandwich, which features two fried slices of housemade bologna perched on a cheese-smothered brioche bun. A sunny-side up egg, mustard greens and splash of hot sauce finish the creation.

Louisville, KY

restaurants

The Table

Community is at the heart of The Table, which offers fresh American eats made from locally sourced ingredients. Meals here are pay-what-you-can, with some diners opting to help out around the cafe in lieu of plunking down cash. Menu mainstays include the smoked pork sandwich. The pork butt is hit with a barbecue spice rub before being smoked slow and low. The shredded meat is heaped onto a kaiser roll, then topped with housemade condiments: chili mayo and a pickled relish known as chow-chow.

Frankfort, KY

restaurants

Rick's White Light Diner

The regulars at Rick's White Light Diner say you'll get lunch and a show when you order from Rick Paul. Guy had front-row seats to the dinner entertainment as Rick served up his authentic Cajun cuisine, like Louisiana crawfish pie and oyster po' boys. Guy says Rick "can't even spell bland."

Versailles, KY

restaurants

Wallace Station Deli and Bakery

What was once a train station is now a neighborhood joint doing everything from scratch, including pimento cheese and fresh-from-the-oven country-style bread. Guy could really tell the difference, especially with the juicy Big Brown Burger made with beef, ham, bacon and a creamy Mornay cheese sauce.

Olive Hill, KY

restaurants

Smokey Valley Truck Stop Inc

Smokey Valley Truck Stop lost the gas station part of its business years ago, but the locals kept coming. Guy had to check out the "just-like-Mom-used-to-make" cooking, including fluffy biscuits with handmade sausage gravy, giant smoky burgers and a coconut cream pie topped with toasted coconut.

Bellevue, KY

cafe

Virgil's Cafe

For a Triple D first, Guy headed to Virgil's Cafe for the fried-to-perfection frog legs. Virgil's scratch-made philosophy translates to every inch of the menu, from the Chicken and Andouille Etouffee made with housemade sausage and their very own garlic bread to the perfectly dreamy bananas Foster.

Lexington, KY

restaurants

J.J. McBrewster's

Named after the family's best friend, J.J. McBrewster's is known for scratch-made cooking. Try the hickory-smoked goat platter and mutton dinner. Guy claims the barbecue Melon Sauce at this Western Kentucky eatery should be renamed the "Rich Mahogany" for its dark, smoky flavor.

Lexington, KY

restaurants

Parkette Drive-In

Parkette is bringing back the golden age of drive-in eateries the old-fashioned way, with classics like the Fisherman's Special and banana splits. Try their Kentucky-style "Poor Boy," double stacked and loaded with fillings, for an irresistible old-school burger your taste buds won't soon forget.