Guy Fieri may be a household name across the country, but he’ll always be Santa Rosa’s native son. Sonoma County is where he launched his first restaurants and where his philanthropic spirit continues to shine. Still living and working in the area, Fieri is known for supporting fellow local restaurateurs — and giving them a national spotlight on his hit Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.”
For many, that kind of exposure brings a major boost in business and lasting recognition. If you’re visiting one of these featured spots, keep an eye out — Fieri’s flashy signature is often hidden somewhere inside, a fun little Easter egg for fans to discover.
La Texanita Restaurant, Santa Rosa
Craving an authentic taste for his “Global Grub” episode in season seven, Fieri went to La Texanita Restaurant in Santa Rosa. “So simple, but so good,” he said of the carne asada tacos. “I’m telling you something, there’s just nothing that can beat that handmade tortilla.” Some other Fieri favorites include the posole, sopes and huaraches. 1667 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 707-525-1905, latexanita.com
Taqueria Molcajetes, Santa Rosa
Fieri highlighted numerous dishes at Santa Rosa’s Taqueria Molcajetes for his “Regional Recipes” episode in season 29, including its signature Molcajete Mixto as well as the taquitos, burritos, tacos pastor and chile verde. He called this Mexican restaurant off West College Avenue “without question, one of the best Mexican food experiences I have ever had.” 1195 W College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-8280
Hank’s Creekside Restaurant, Santa Rosa
The traditional breakfast and brunch spot Hank’s Creekside Restaurant in Santa Rosa was featured in the “House Specials” episode in season one. Fieri tried the blueberry pancakes with corn beef hash. “It’s basic, it’s simple, but it’s money,” he said. He also mentions the eggs Benedict and cinnamon-walnut French toast. 2800 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-575-8839, hanks-creekside.com
Simply Vietnam Express, Santa Rosa
Serving up the unique flavors of Vietnam, Santa Rosa’s Simply Vietnam Express was featured in the “Meaty Mashup” episode in season 29, where Fieri praised its combination pho. “Oh my goodness. It’s light, refreshing, but the depth of flavors is outstanding,” he said. “It’s everything I wanted it to be.” 3381 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-4585, simplyvietnamexpress.com
Zoftig Eatery, Santa Rosa
Featured on the “From Big Burgers to Little Italy” episode in season 29, Zoftig Eatery is a contemporary restaurant serving up healthy fare. Fieri tried the Korean burrito, stuffed with marinated Stemple Creek Ranch beef, house kimchi, brown rice and veggies. “I’m going to drown in my own drool,” he said before chomping down on the burrito. 57 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-521-9554, zoftigeatery.com
Cafe Citti, Santa Rosa
Before it moved locations from Kenwood to Santa Rosa, Fieri featured Cafe Citti in the “Bringin’ It Home” episode in season nine as well as the “Amazing Italian” episode in season 21. Fieri enjoyed the Italian trattoria’s classic Polenta ai Funghi Porcini, and he called the ravioli an “orchestra of flavors.” 2792 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-523-2690, cafecitti.com
Sunflower Caffe, Sonoma
Sonoma’s Sunflower Caffe, a popular breakfast destination, was featured in the “From Mozz to Matzo Balls” episode in season 11. Fieri sampled the borscht and feta lamb burger. “That’s like the [most] luscious lamb burger,” he said. “Seriously, one of the best I’ve tried.” 421 First St. W., Sonoma, 707-996-6645, sonomasunflower.com
Russian River Pub, Forestville
Russian River Pub is a regular go-to for Fieri, who first featured the restaurant in the “American Cookin’” episode in season one. Fieri’s favorite dishes include the pub burger, seared ahi tuna salad and beef tri-tip sandwich. But it’s the crispy, juicy chicken wings that he calls “some of the best-tasting wings in the nation.” Fieri featured the pub again in the “Takeout: Bold Bites Brought Home” episode in season 32, and a third time in the Triple D Nation spinoff in the “California Comfort” episode. 11829 River Road, Forestville, 707-887-7932, russianriverpub.com
Catelli’s, Geyserville
Catelli’s was featured in the “Bar Food and Bon Bons” episode in season 12. Fieri said the ravioli, made in-house from scratch, was “memorably great” and he couldn’t get enough of the beef meatball sliders. Fieri featured the California-inspired Italian restaurant in three other episodes of “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” and its spinoff show “Triple D Nation.” 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, 707-857-3471, mycatellis.com
Changed concepts and/or management
Cochon Volant BBQ Smoke House (now Il Fuoco Pizza), Sonoma
Also featured in the “Meaty Mashup” episode was Sonoma’s former Cochon Volant BBQ Smoke House (now Il Fuoco Pizza). Fieri praised the spicy fried chicken, calling it “a chef’s fried chicken.” He also has a namesake dish on the menu — the WTF (What The Fieri) Burger — a seared beef patty topped with 14-hour smoked brisket, smoked pork shoulder, house-cured maple bacon, a fried chipotle pork cake, cheddar cheese and housemade barbecue sauce. While Cochon Volant switched to pizza-focused Il Fuoco in 2021, chef Rob Larman still offers catering and serves barbecue during weekend pop-ups at the restaurant. 18350 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-509-5480, cochonvolantbbq.com, ilfuocopizza.com
Willie Bird’s Restaurant (now The Bird), Santa Rosa
Known for serving up turkey in a wide variety of ways, Willie Bird’s (now The Bird) was featured on the “Talkin’ Turkey” episode in season two. Fieri was impressed with the turkey stroganoff served in a creamy sauce with sautéed mushrooms.
The Santa Rosa Avenue restaurant closed in 2021, sold to new owners and was then reborn as The Bird in Rincon Valley, featuring a revamped yet still turkey-centric menu. The original location is now a Mountain Mike’s Pizza. 4776 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, 707-542-0861, thebirdrestaurant.com
Jimtown Store (now Jimtown and Then Sum), Healdsburg
In the “Porktastic” episode in season 11, Fieri featured Healdsburg’s historic Jimtown Store, a quaint café in a rustic country store tucked away in the vineyards of Alexander Valley. “Big, deep flavor in the brisket,” Fieri said of the smoked brisket sandwich. “Sauce is no joke, you get that little back kick of the bourbon.”
Jimtown Store closed at the end of 2019 and reopened as Jimtown and Then Sum in June 2025 under chef Michelle Wood. The reimagined Jimtown now focuses on dim sum as well as spring rolls, poke bowls, banh mi and traditional deli sandwiches. Jimtown remains a fitting eatery for the “Poktastic” episode, as our dining editor loves the pork shumai and barbecue pork bao buns on the current menu. 6706 Highway 128, Healdsburg, 707-756-5022, jimtown.com
Closed
Worth Our Weight (Now Closed), Santa Rosa
The nonprofit Worth Our Weight culinary training program and bistro (located on Hahman Drive where Pascaline French Bistro is now) was featured in the “Funky Finds” episode in season 11. Fieri noted it as a “one-of-a-kind experience,” and the Guy Fieri Foundation donated a pretzel cart to the culinary program/restaurant. Worth Our Weight executive director Evelyn Cheatham announced the closing of the culinary training program for at-risk young adults in 2018 after struggling to find funding. Cheatham died in November 2019.
Johnny Garlic’s (Now Closed), Santa Rosa
Before it closed in 2018, Fieri featured his own restaurant in the “Unexpected Eats” episode in season 14. The restaurant had a fusion of Mexican, Italian, Asian and Cajun dishes on the menu, and on his show Fieri highlighted the eatery’s Sashimi Won Tacos dressed in eel sauce, which won gold at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair.
Zazu Kitchen + Farm (Now Closed), Sebastopol
Farm-to-table establishment Zazu Kitchen + Farm was featured on the “From Sandwiches to Stroganoff” episode in season 29. Fieri loved the Bacon-in-the-Batter Waffle along with the quality, freshness and portion sizes of the restaurant’s dishes. Zazu closed in 2019 after a flood damaged the restaurant and surrounding businesses in Sebastopol’s The Barlow. Owners Duskie Estes and John Stewart continue to operate their Black Pig Meat Co. food truck and catering business.
Schellville Grill (Now Closed), Sonoma
Sonoma’s Schellville Grill was featured on the “Grilled, Smoked and Sauced” episode in season nine. Fieri tried the buckaroo sandwich with Mexican Achoté chicken on a brioche roll and the tri-tip sandwich smothered in a special barbecue sauce. It had “the right amount of smoke,” he said. Schellville Grill owner Matthew Nagan sold the restaurant in 2020.
