If any of you have seen the show by the same title on Food Network, host Guy Fieri visits classic "greasy spoon" spots, from road side shacks to other places off the beaten path that are popular among the locals. Normally, these places are family owned and not chains.

Too often as travelers, we zip by the interstate and settle for lunch or dinner at a boring old chain alongside a truck stop. Us "foodies" know better. We strive for better food and service that is more reflective of the culture and food in a particular area.

With that said, I want this thread to be dedicated to reviews and experiences on the "lesser known" diners, drive-ins and dives (DDD for short) throughout America. As some of us travel this upcoming summer, we can use this thread to recommend some of those hidden gems off the beaten path.

I-84 diner - near exit 12 on interstate 84 in Fishkill NY. Kinda like a truckstop, kinda like a throw-back family diner, with the neon signs and stainless-steel outside walls. Good home-style meals, lots for cheap, and a great bakery for eat-in or take away...

I-84 Diner - Fishkill, NY (http://www.yelp.com/biz/i-84-diner-fishkill)

Looking for recommendations...

I'll be traveling from Cleveland, OH to the Outer Banks in North Carolina this year. I'm going to be driving through Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.

My rough itinerary on the 2 day trip:

Day 1

Breakfast- Cleveland, OH area
Lunch- Frederick, MD area
Dinner- Williamsburg, VA area

Day 2

Breakfast- Williamsburg, VA area
Lunch- Norfolk, VA area

Then, once I arrive at my destination of the Outer Banks, I'll be interested in hearing any recommendations for breakfast, lunch or dinner in the surrounding OBX areas..

If you ever go to Reno there is a dive hidden inside the "Little Nuggest Casino" way in the back of this casino is a diner

Go in there and order yourself an "Awful Awful" burger.

Awful Awful means "Awful big, Awful good!"

Its the best burger I have EVER had! And the home made french fires were just as good! In addition to a great burger and fries the price was dirt cheap as well around $5!

The diner is well know by Reno locals and is always packed.

I have often thought about going back to Reno just to have one of these burgers as it was that damn good! :)

I-84 diner - near exit 12 on interstate 84 in Fishkill NY. Kinda like a truckstop, kinda like a throw-back family diner, with the neon signs and stainless-steel outside walls. Good home-style meals, lots for cheap, and a great bakery for eat-in or take away...

I-84 Diner - Fishkill, NY (http://www.yelp.com/biz/i-84-diner-fishkill)

sea food place??:D

sea food place??:DMore like a "see food" place...! (But I get the pun!) Even tho' the place is decorated with fish tanks all around, I wouldn't expect too much from the seafood, but everything is abundant and reasonably good, thus a great value and experience. I travel I-84 on business ocasionally and try to time the trip to hit that diner when I know I'll be hungry...!

If you are ever around my area there is a place called Rosie's.

It is off I-64 exit 181 in KY. Then east of U.S. 60 for about 1 mile.

Doesn't look like you'll be eating in NC. Shame, there's a LOT of great BBQ places. Pigs die happy there!

Doesn't look like you'll be eating in NC. Shame, there's a LOT of great BBQ places. Pigs die happy there!




Then, once I arrive at my destination of the Outer Banks, I'll be interested in hearing any recommendations for breakfast, lunch or dinner in the surrounding OBX areas..

^ Looking for NC destinations as well...

Lunch- Frederick, MD area


Lots of good places here in Frederick. Right off of the Route 40 (Frederick) exit of 70E is a place called the Barbara Fritchie.( Named after woman in Ralph Greenleaf Whittier poem.) On your left. Great fried chicken if you stay on 40 a little longer and make a left on McCain Drive. Place is called Doc Geisers. If your just looking for a chain,they are all over this area. Hard Times has great chili mac and Glory days has the best macaroni and cheese this side of heaven.

Lunch- Frederick, MD area


Lots of good places here in Frederick. Right off of the Route 40 (Frederick) exit of 70E is a place called the Barbara Fritchie.( Named after woman in Ralph Greenleaf Whittier poem.) On your left. Great fried chicken if you stay on 40 a little longer and make a left on McCain Drive. Place is called Doc Geisers. If your just looking for a chain,they are all over this area. Hard Times has great chili mac and Glory days has the best macaroni and cheese this side of heaven.

Thanks for the suggestions . Have you ever eaten at May's Restaurant? (http://www.maysrestaurant.com/) I wanted to get something more true to the local cuisine. Crab cakes and seafood are prominently known in the area and May's, according to my research is supposed to be top notch for this type of food.

Terribles Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, home of the 9.99 steak dinner, includes potato, vegetable, and a glass of house wine.

Thanks for the suggestions . Have you ever eaten at May's Restaurant? (http://www.maysrestaurant.com/) I wanted to get something more true to the local cuisine. Crab cakes and seafood are prominently known in the area and May's, according to my research is supposed to be top notch for this type of food.



May's is right around the corner from my house and is quite good and has a good reputation.Lot's of good crab cakes to be had here in Frederick and of course in the summer steamed crabs are the best.Nothing better in July and August then steamed crabs,fresh sweet corn and home grown tomatoes.Shit I'm getting hungry just typing this.

When it comes to Drive-ins

Superdawgdrive-in (http://www.superdawg.com/)

Total classic. Went there with my dad, take my daughter there today...

http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gifA place in the Akron/Kent area that is worth the trip is the "Swenson's Drive-In"...

It's an authentic drive-in that has been serving some of the tastiest hamburgers you'll ever have since 1934!

If you go there, I recommend the Galley Boy, an order of potato teezers with a side of ranch, all washed down with a chocolate shake.

Welcome to Swensons Restaurant (http://www.swensonsdriveins.com/default.htm)

http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif
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http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2905559767_77cb6732cc.jpg?v=0

http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif

Well, since we're all talking about our favorite drive-ins now, I'll give a shout out to the Elyria, OH Dog'n'suds.
http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/04/suds.jpg
Dog n Suds: ... We're Revivin' The Drive In (http://drive-ins.dog-n-suds.com/page.php?3)

Actually part of an small chain around Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. Pretty good food and GREAT Root Beer. Only thing missing is rollerskates on the car hops.

Terribles Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, home of the 9.99 steak dinner, includes potato, vegetable, and a glass of house wine. I don't quite feel comfortable eating in a place thats called "Terribles" :D :D

I don't quite feel comfortable eating in a place thats called "Terribles" :D :D

This from the guy who just above recommended a burger named "Awful Awful":D

I don't quite feel comfortable eating in a place thats called "Terribles" :D :D

Trust me...you don't feel comfortable after eating there either...:D

I looked them up...
http://www.terriblescasinos.com

Apparently the 9.99 steak dinner is a theme buffet now...lol...

If you ever go to Reno there is a dive hidden inside the "Little Nuggest Casino" way in the back of this casino is a diner

Go in there and order yourself an "Awful Awful" burger.

Awful Awful means "Awful big, Awful good!"

Its the best burger I have EVER had! And the home made french fires were just as good! In addition to a great burger and fries the price was dirt cheap as well around $5!

The diner is well know by Reno locals and is always packed.

I have often thought about going back to Reno just to have one of these burgers as it was that damn good! :)

Don't forget the yard of margarita for $5 too!!

That place kicks major butt!!

DDD just stopped at one of my favorite places - Super Duper Weenie in Fairfield, CT

Amazing dogs, homemade condiments. Just awesome.

About 2 mins off of I-95 exit 24.

Anyone ever heard of Catfish John's out of Arkansas?

I've been to the Catfish Johns in Rogers, AR. Was pretty decent if you like catfish. Okra wasn't too bad either... ;)

I know you guys are going to get a laugh out of this, but there's a place called Hobe's Grille located in Pikeville, KY that has great double bacon cheeseburgers - and it's in the 1st floor of Pikeville Medical Center. Gives new meaning to "hospital food". BTW, the burger was about $4

I know you guys are going to get a laugh out of this, but there's a place called Hobe's Grille located in Pikeville, KY that has great double bacon cheeseburgers - and it's in the 1st floor of Pikeville Medical Center. Gives new meaning to "hospital food". BTW, the burger was about $4

There's no laughing when it comes to Dives. That's what makes them so great. They're diamonds in the rough and are usually hard to find. Usually only the locals know about them.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Keep em coming...

Anyone ever heard of Catfish John's out of Arkansas?

I've been to the Catfish Johns in Rogers, AR. Was pretty decent if you like catfish. Okra wasn't too bad either... ;)

I'd be in heaven. Two of my favorites. :hungry:

The best BBQ in Michigan can be found on US12 east of Brooklyn Near Pentacost highway, recommend it if your in Michigan driving through and I really recommend taking US12 to see rural Michigan instead of taking I-94 or I-96.

I dont know if this is still open but in Dexter Michigan there's an A&W drive in that I went to with my family growing up and it has the best chilli dog foot longs and onion rings and root beer in real frosted glass mugs that makes the hottest summer day seem like a comfortable spring day.

In these parts A&W has merged into Long John Silvers and KFC. The A&W part of the menu is similar to when it was independent, just fewer items. They still have chillidogs. If you eat in you can get your rootbeer in a frosted mug from a self-serve tap, and the one inside the LSJ still has RB floats (not sure about the one in KFC). I don't think the footlongs are on either of our local menus - I'll have to look next time I'm in...

I remember you could buy 1 gallon jugs of A&W root beer from our local one years ago, (they dropped the franchise) will have to check out the local LJS next time I'm across town and check...

We still have it in 2L bottles in our local grocery store. (I have 2 at home now, 1 regular and 1 diet.) Not sure if it's the same or close to what you "draught" yourself in the eatery...

The root beer served at A&W's is bag in a box, run through a carbonation system. Unfortunately not the same as the car side service days.

Well, I recently completed my vacation and road-trip destination (Triple D Style) along the way....

I took pictures of the places I visited and will add them later, but here's what I discovered...

May's Restaurant (http://www.maysrestaurant.com/)- Frederick, Maryland. This place specializes in seafood (crabs specifically) and you could smell the aroma from the parking lot. This "dive" had the appearance of an older New England style home converted into a restaurant. It was small and quaint. Most of the people there seemed to be locals as it was slightly off the beaten path of Route 270. As we walked in, all the tables were aligned with thick brown paper and a wooden mallet for breaking the crab shells. There was a 5 gallon bucket on the floor for the shell scraps. I could already tell it was going to be a great place...

My wife got the Steamed Crab legs seasoned in Old Bay and dipped in clarified butter. I got the Crab cake sandwich. Both were amazing. Overall, it was a great experience and the next time we drive through Maryland, we're heading to May's again.

Pierce's BBQ Pit (http://www.pierces.com/)- Williamsburg, VA. After 8-9 hours in the car, I was ready for a nice big dinner. As some of you know, I BBQ quite often myself, so I'm always interested to see how others do as well. With that said, I'm often very critical since I've created some of my own masterpieces in the past. Pierce's was packed when we got there. It wasn't near the main drag of Colonial Willamsburg, so it seemed to deter some of the vacationers and instead seemed full of locals. (Always a good gauge to tell if a place is good or not).

You place your order at the counter and they give you a ticket while you wait for your order to be complete. They have a separate smoke shack in the back of the restaurant that I was quite amazed with. Apparently this is where all the magic happens. For dinner, I ordered the BBQ Dinner which included a side of Pulled Pork covered with their signature sauce, fries, baked beans, cole slaw and hush puppies. The wife and I also got a half-slab of Baby Backs to share. Everything was good, but the ribs were a bit soggy. While I'd definitely recommend this place, I was expecting better. Maybe it's the tough critic in me. Don't get me wrong, everyone in my family loved it (all 12 of us). I may just want to try someplace new next time, that's all.

Doumar's (http://www.doumars.com/)- Norfolk, VA. This was our most anticipated visit. This place was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-In's and Dives. It specializes in Ice Cream and BBQ and they've been doing it since 1904!! Unfortunately, it was a Sunday when we were driving through VA, so as we pulled in, the parking lot was empty. It was closed!!! We were both bummed. I really wanted to visit this place. :( Oh well, maybe next time.

We recently made a visit to Upstate NY to visit some family. On the way, we made a stop in Buffalo at the now famous, Anchor Bar. (http://www.anchorbar.com/)

This is the place that originated the Buffalo Wing. This is the 3rd time we've visited and each time we order the Medium Wings. The wings are so crisp, the sauce with just enough spice. The buffalo sauce is just the right consistency of hot sauce, butter and vinegar. What else can I say? Every time we've been there it's been packed, but seats open up quickly since it's so large. This place does great business and rightfully so. Hands down the BEST wings I've ever had! Highly recommended!

We recently made a visit to Upstate NY to visit some family. On the way, we made a stop in Buffalo at the now famous, Anchor Bar. (http://www.anchorbar.com/)

This is the place that originated the Buffalo Wing. This is the 3rd time we've visited and each time we order the Medium Wings. The wings are so crisp, the sauce with just enough spice. The buffalo sauce is just the right consistency of hot sauce, butter and vinegar. What else can I say? Every time we've been there it's been packed, but seats open up quickly since it's so large. This place does great business and rightfully so. Hands down the BEST wings I've ever had! Highly recommended!

As someone familiar with Buffalo Wings- and Buffalo- you've clearly become a man after my heart.

BTW, word of advice the next time you go there: try the New York Vanilla Cheesecake.

M (http://www.maysrestaurant.com/)ay's Restaurant (http://www.maysrestaurant.com/)- Frederick, Maryland. This place specializes in seafood (crabs specifically) and you could smell the aroma from the parking lot. This "dive" had the appearance of an older New England style home converted into a restaurant. It was small and quaint. Most of the people there seemed to be locals as it was slightly off the beaten path of Route 270. As we walked in, all the tables were aligned with thick brown paper and a wooden mallet for breaking the crab shells. There was a 5 gallon bucket on the floor for the shell scraps. I could already tell i


May's is about a mile from my house as are several other Crab Houses. Glad you enjoyed the experience. Next time plan on staying in Frederick a little longer and I'll be happy to show you our wonderful downtown and take you to the ultimate dive with the best burgers and fries in town....WAGS. With all the great food available in Frederick, it is not hard to keep up with my name....LEFATMAN.

:):):):):)

A special comment by HD MM on a most heavenly experience....

The term "best" is thrown around too much. Everyone's guilty of using it too liberally, myself included. Typically, something one person thinks is the "best", another person might not. When it comes down to it, the term is usually debatable and not a fact.

With that said, from this day forward, I will be more careful when I use the word in the future, for I had a life changing moment today.....

I just had THE BEST corned beef ever. I can see how other past claims can be debated, but there is NO debate this time. This is a fact. For lunch, I had the BEST Rueben Sandwich ever at Slymans on St. Clair Ave in Cleveland! For anyone ever visiting, I highly recommend this Diner/Deli.

Sadly, every corned beef I have from here on out will be a disappointment of mass proportions as I really don't think anyone can top this. Tender, tasty, moist, lean, succulent. It was a heavenly experience.

http://www.slymans.com/photos/withswiss.jpg

Slymans Restaurant in the Media (http://www.slymans.com/index.html)

A special comment by HD MM on a most heavenly experience....

The term "best" is thrown around too much. Everyone's guilty of using it too liberally, myself included. Typically, something one person thinks is the "best", another person might not. When it comes down to it, the term is usually debatable and not a fact.

With that said, from this day forward, I will be more careful when I use the word in the future, for I had a life changing moment today.....

I just had THE BEST corned beef ever. I can see how other past claims can be debated, but there is NO debate this time. This is a fact. For lunch, I had the BEST Rueben Sandwich ever at Slymans on St. Clair Ave in Cleveland! For anyone ever visiting, I highly recommend this Diner/Deli.

Sadly, every corned beef I have from here on out will be a disappointment of mass proportions as I really don't think anyone can top this. Tender, tasty, moist, lean, succulent. It was a heavenly experience.

http://www.slymans.com/photos/withswiss.jpg

Slymans Restaurant in the Media (http://www.slymans.com/index.html)

:up:up:up:up Slymans is delicious. Just looking at it makes me want to drive downtown to get one!

:up:up:up:up Slymans is delicious. Just looking at it makes me want to drive downtown to get one!

It sure is. I just don't know how/why I've never been there before. (Today for lunch was my first time). I've lived here my whole life and it's taken me 27 years to finally eat there!

It sure is. I just don't know how/why I've never been there before. (Today for lunch was my first time). I've lived here my whole life and it's taken me 27 years to finally eat there!
I'm sure you'll be back now....When I worked downtown, I'd make sure to get there at least once a month.

:up:up:up:up Slymans is delicious. Just looking at it makes me want to drive downtown to get one!

I met my old man there for lunch, and I told him this...

A good way to tell if a deli will be good or not is by tasting their pickles. Funny, but true. Anywhere you go, sandwiches are almost always served with pickles. Personally I've never been a big pickle person, mostly because the kind that are served in delis are often way too sour, soggy, limp and well, "pickley" tasting.

This pickle they served at Slymans however was excellent. It was a half a pickle slice (instead of a quarter or eighth). It was crisp and not soggy. It was the perfect blend of sour mixed in with flavors of garlic. I could tell after biting into that pickle, that if this deli put that much effort in their pickles, the sandwich that followed would surely be excellent too. Turns out I was right.

I met my old man there for lunch, and I told him this...

A good way to tell if a deli will be good or not is by tasting their pickles. Funny, but true. Anywhere you go, sandwiches are almost always served with pickles. Personally I've never been a big pickle person, mostly because the kind that are served in delis are often way too sour, soggy, limp and well, "pickley" tasting.

This pickle they served at Slymans however was excellent. It was a half a pickle slice (instead of a quarter or eighth). It was crisp and not soggy. It was the perfect blend of sour mixed in with flavors of garlic. I could tell after biting into that pickle, that if this deli put that much effort in their pickles, the sandwich that followed would surely be excellent too. Turns out I was right.

I love pickles. I havn't been in a while, but Jack's Deli at Cedar & Green had some good ones. In the grocery store, Don Herman's/Nathan's half-sours should be tried by everyone...you'll never go back to vlasic.

I love pickles. I havn't been in a while, but Jack's Deli at Cedar & Green had some good ones. In the grocery store, Don Herman's/Nathan's half-sours should be tried by everyone...you'll never go back to vlasic.

Thanks for the tip. I have never been to Jacks, but heard about it. It's right down the street from me, so I'll have to give that a try too. As for the Nathan's pickles, I bought some the other week and they are excellent.

Guy Fieri, host of Food Network's Diner's, Drive-In's and Dives is coming to Cleveland!

In all, seven Cleveland restaurants will be featured in the coming months on the Food Network. He hasn't released all of the restaurants names yet, but one of them that was confirmed was Geraci's in University Heights! (My personal favorite place for Pizza in town).

I must admit I have mixed feelings about this news though. It's wonderful recognition on one hand, but I don’t want these restaurants to jump the shark. This publicity will make people come in droves just because it was on Triple-D. Where once I was able to enjoy a nice quaint meal, it will now be overfilled with a bunch of folks who had no idea these places existed beforehand. I don’t want it to get overcrowded and risk the food/ service not being as good. I’ve read horror stories online about places that were great but then went down hill after being on 3-D or Throwdown.

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=117696&catid=3

When Guy Fieri did Willie Bird's Restaurant in Santa Rosa, CA for a Thanksgiving special a few years back it did bring in more business, for a time. My wife has served tables at that place for 18 years. She's even in the spot. It didn't hurt the business at all and, like I said, it is back to where it always was.

Guy Fieri, host of Food Network's Diner's, Drive-In's and Dives is coming to Cleveland!

In all, seven Cleveland restaurants will be featured in the coming months on the Food Network. He hasn't released all of the restaurants names yet, but one of them that was confirmed was Geraci's in University Heights! (My personal favorite place for Pizza in town).

I must admit I have mixed feelings about this news though. It's wonderful recognition on one hand, but I don’t want these restaurants to jump the shark. This publicity will make people come in droves just because it was on Triple-D. Where once I was able to enjoy a nice quaint meal, it will now be overfilled with a bunch of folks who had no idea these places existed beforehand. I don’t want it to get overcrowded and risk the food/ service not being as good. I’ve read horror stories online about places that were great but then went down hill after being on 3-D or Throwdown.

Food Network star featuring Cleveland restaurants in upcoming episodes (http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=117696&catid=3)

I can't wait to see the episode. I love Geraci's....can't get thick sliced pepperoni anywhere else around here and their sausage pizza is by far the best. I'm surprised they didn't choose Mama Santa's for their pizza place dive....The place is good, cheap, a local institution, and a wreck on the inside. :)

I can't wait to see the episode. I love Geraci's....can't get thick sliced pepperoni anywhere else around here and their sausage pizza is by far the best. I'm surprised they didn't choose Mama Santa's for their pizza place dive....The place is good, cheap, a local institution, and a wreck on the inside. :)

Oh, that Peperoni from Geraci's is THE BEST! Mama Santa's in Little Italy is popular, but still give the edge to Geraci's.

Checked out a new "Dive" over the weekend. On Saturday morning we stopped at the local Farmers Market in Shaker Hts and ventured over to the Vine and Bean Cafe (http://vineandbeancafe.com/) for brunch.

This place is an old century home, converted into a restaurant. Each room of the house has tables and seating, all old hodge podge furniture that seemed to be bought at a consignment shop. There's even seating on the front porch and backyard. The walls are painted bright colors and local artists can hang their work on the walls for free. The kitchen was in the basement. If anything, the place was very trendy, cozy and imaginative.

Vine and Bean is owned by the same local Chef who owns Lucky's in Tremont. Guy Fieri just got done shooting a DDD episode their last week. The food offered at Vine & Bean is much of the same at Lucky's.

For brunch, I had the Breakfast Burrito in a guajillo pepper sauce topped with cheddar cheese, baked in a casserole dish and served with hashbrowns. We ordered a side of pecan crusted bacon which was also amazing! My wife got the biscuits and gravy.

Overall, the place was amazing. Great service, fun atmosphere, awesome food. We'll definitely be going back. If anyone is in the area, I highly recommend this place.