Guy Fieri blew into town this summer to film segments for his Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. But while looking for greasy spoons here, Fieri stumbled upon a few Silver Spoon Award-winning joints such as Momocho, Melt and Lucky’s Café. Though all his choices are no doubt good eats, he did overlook some of our city’s finest diners, drive-ins and dives. Here’s where we’d send him.
- Swensons Drive In: This classic drive-in bridges generations through the stomach. My parents packed us into the station wagon and drove 45 minutes to the nearest Swensons for steak sandwiches and strawberry shakes. Their parents did it, and we’ll do it with our kids. swensonsdriveins.com
- The Diner on Clifton: Plates piled with food and a line that wraps around the corner of 117th Street on Sunday mornings is always a good sign. Sit at the counter and be tempted by large pastries under glass or grab a booth and order the sweet potato fries. dineronclifton.com
- Dina’s Pizza & Pub: This Old Brooklyn spot is housed in an old gas station, and has everything a dive should: good wings with extra sauce, pizza, calzones, burgers and lots of regular patrons. Cheers, and eat your heart out.
Momocho will be the first Cleveland restaurant featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Oct. 26 at 10 p.m. on the Food Network.
