As the proud owner of a Guy Fieri t-shirt, I am a firm believer that the world needs more "Triple D." From greasy, over-the-top burgers to authentic ethnic food, Guy Fieri always seems to find the meal you didn't know you were craving. Sadly, however, the man with the frosted tips has yet to grace Durham with his presence.
With years of drooling over Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives under my belt, I set out to find 5 real-deal Durham meals primed for the show.
1. El Caney from the Old Havana Sandwich Shop
This humble sandwich shop on Main Street offers authentic Cuban fare. Try the "El Caney," a sandwich loaded with tender roast pork, provolone cheese, mojo sauce and avocado. Plus, the domino sets and Latin music played in the restaurant almost make you feel like you've traveled a little further south.
2. Light Brown Leghorns from Dame's Chicken and Waffles
The "Light Brown Leghorns" dish features crispy drumsticks on top of a fluffy waffle, with a chocolate-hazelnut shmear. Logically, it's the perfect way to satisfy both your fried chicken and Nutella cravings at the same time. This is, as Guy Fieri would put it, some culinary gangsta'... stuff.
3. The Garbage Burger from Wimpy's Grill
A longtime Durham staple, the Garbage Burger has been featured on Travel Channel's Man vs. Food, and for good reason. The two 1/4 pound fresh ground beef patties with cheese, bacon, chili, lettuce, tomato and onion make the bun seem insignificant. This behemoth of a burger will make you want to call it a day, lie down and think about how badly you need to work out tomorrow.
#SpoonTip: Wimpy's is cash only, and don't forget to take plenty of napkins.
4. Cuban Picadillo from Blue Corn Café
The flavors of Latin America ring true at Blue Corn. Their picadillo is a sweet and savory blend of beef, raisins, olives and other veggies, all on top of yellow rice. Definitely worth a try when you're in the mood for something new.
5. Custom Pizza from Pompieri Pizza
There's just something about the crust on a wood-fired pizza that can't be beat. Pompieri offers toppings like caramelized onions, roasted garlic, and pasture-raised Italian pork sausage. They'll even cook an egg on top of your pizza in the oven. It'll make you rethink ordering Domino's ever again.
There you have it, folks. Put on your bowling shirt, sunglasses and cargo shorts and hop on the next train to Flavor Town with one of these funky Durham meals.