If you’re a fan of Food Network or just a devotee of spiky-haired, goatee-clad television hosts, you’ve probably seen an episode or two of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” (also called “Triple D,” for those of us in the know). It’s been a staple of the channel since 2007 and boasts more than 400 episodes, with restaurateur Guy Fieri traveling the country searching for casual spots with delicious food.
Guy’s been to six different LOU spots in the past, including the pay-what-you-can restaurant The Table in Season 25’s Thanksgiving episode, and the Irish Rover. He even has his own spot in town.
We’d like to propose that the “King of Flavortown” make his triumphant return to Louisville to try out other restaurants — including newly opened spots — that weren’t on his radar the last go-around.
Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen, 122 West Main St.
It’s not a trip to Derby City without some bourbon, and at Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen LOU’s favorite libation is paired with classic Southern comfort food. We’d point the “Triple D” host to the award-winning fried chicken, especially the chicken + waffles.
Cosmic Bird’s Razzy sandwhich features chick’n-fried cheese atop a burger.
Photo by Cosmic Bird.
Cosmic Bird, 619 Baxter Ave.
Guy loves his meats, but he’s no stranger to trying a plant-based restaurant, especially when it fits the show’s mission of highlighting “real food by real people.” Chef James Morier at the vegan chicken + burger shop Cosmic Bird delivers just that. With regular menu items like the Bourbon and Beyond (a bourbon-sauced burger with tomato and banana peppers) and the Hottville (spicy “chicken” with a sizable topping of vegan pimento cheese), and specials like Sushi Sundays, Cosmic Bird has everything a good Diner, Drive-in, and/or Dive needs. Plus, it wasn’t around last time Guy visited the 502.
You can order pizzas from Pizza Lupo every day from 5-10 p.m.
Photo by @louisvillefoodlife
Pizza Lupo, 1540 Frankfort Ave.
At the corner of Butchertown and Flavortown lies Pizza Lupo. This wood-fired pizza place has classic pies, but we’d like Guy Fieri to sample the Sting Like A Bee pie as a tribute to “The Greatest.”
