Food Network – San Diego’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Who says San Diego is not a Food Network-sort-of town?

One of Food Network’s top-rated shows, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” hosted by TV & Chef Personality (“The Next Food Network Star” alumnus and winner) Guy Fieri has featured a number of local restaurants on the show.

Fieri travels all over the country to find the best “greasy spoon” joints. Each episode has a certain theme, such as “Route 66,” “Wing ‘N Things,” “Sweet & Savory.” Fieri dines in and dives in the kitchen to chat with the chef and see how a signature dish is made.

These restaurants typically have the “it” factor that makes them popular among the locals – unique setting, history, tradition and specialty homemade recipes. From burgers, sandwiches and pizzas to tacos and burritos, fresh seafood and old-fashioned home-cooking.

Trace Fieri’s steps and check out these neighborhood hotspots: (in alphabetical order)

1) Blue Water Seafood Market & Grill (Episode DV0602H – “Their Own Way”)
“We’ll cook your fish any way you like it”
Cuisine: Seafood
3667 India Street
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 497-0914
www.bluewater.sandiegan.com

2) El Indio (Episode DV0209H – “Family Owned”)
Cuisine: Mexican
3695 India Street
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 299-0333

3) Hob Nob Hill (Episode DV0508H – “Just Like Yesterday”)
“Quality home-cooking with best service”
Cuisine: American, Traditional
2271 First Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-8176
www.hobnobhill.com

4)  Hodad’s (Episode DV0206H – “Seaside Eats”)
“No shirt, no shoes, no problem”
Cuisine: Burgers
5010 Newport Avenue
Ocean Beach, CA 92107
(619) 224-4623
www.hodadies.com

5)  Pizzeria Luigi (Episode DV0502H – “Real Deal Italian”)
“Authentic thin crust pies and slices”
Cuisine: Pizza
1137 25th Street
San Diego, CA 92102
(619) 233-3309
www.pizzerialuigi.com

6)  Studio Diner (Episode DV0210H – “Open 24/7”)
“Authentic trip back to the ’40s… set on the lot of a working movie and TV studio”
Cuisine: American, Traditional
4701 Ruffin Road
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 715-6400
www.studiodiner.com

7)  Tioli’s Crazee Burger (Episode DV0411H – “Grabbin’ a Sandwich”)
“All burgers are open faced – create your own – with all the trimmings on one side”
Cuisine: Burgers, Dive Bars, Sandwiches
4201 30th Street
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 282-6044
www.crazeeburger.com

Not sure which one to choose? With the weather warming up, better yet, make it a “food tour” weekend and sample a dish or two from each restaurant.

If you have a favorite diner, drive-in or dive that you think Fieri should visit, you can e-mail your suggestion to [email protected].

Copyright (c) 2011. Nathalia Aryani.

Nathalia Aryani is a business manager, foreign language translator, lifestyle/travel writer and film columnist. She can be reached at [email protected]. Nathalia owns a movies blog, The MovieMaven (http://themoviemaven.posterous.com).