Is there any meal that screams “down-home comfort food” quite like meatloaf? Guy has sampled this classic dish in diners across America, and we’ve rounded up the top 5 examples.

From the smoky BBQ meatloaf plate in North Conway, NH, to the vegetarian-friendly Lentil Loaf in Laramie, WY, these dishes redefine what it means to enjoy this classic American staple.

BBQ Meatloaf Plate

In North Conway, NH, the Mote Mountain Smokehouse and Brewery has mastered the art of meat and malt over the past 22 years. Their BBQ meatloaf is a carnivore’s dream, combining steak, ground beef, and short rib smothered in a bold Austin barbecue sauce that gives “wham, bam” a whole new meaning.

The meatloaf plate is rounded out with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, a side of sweet butternut squash, and crisp green beans. It’s the kind of meal that has Guy Fieri raving about the creamy mash and palate-cleansing squash.

Lentil Loaf

At Sweet Melissa in Laramie, Wyoming, vegetarian cravings meet down-home comfort with their standout Lentil Loaf. It’s a meat-free marvel that Guy Fieri found himself digging; the loaf brings that classic meatloaf experience but with a mix of brown lentils and veggies that pack a punch in the flavor department.

Paired with vegan mashed potatoes so creamy you won’t believe they’re dairy-free, and a rich mushroom gravy, this dish has folks rethinking comfort food.

Now, the secret weapon? A tangy tomato glaze that zings with ketchup, brown sugar, a dash of Tabasco, and mustard. It cascades over the lentil loaf in a mouth-watering lacquer that’ll have you saying, “Meat, who?” This Lentil Loaf turns the tables on traditional fare, yet still leaves diners with that stick-to-your-ribs satisfaction.

25-Ingredient Meatloaf

In chilly Fairbanks, Alaska, Lavelle’s Bistro is famous for its unique meatloaf, which includes an impressive 25 different ingredients. This large meatloaf combines Italian sausage and Angus beef with a variety of vegetables and herbs to create a rich blend of flavors.

Guy Fieri praised the meatloaf for its perfect balance of a tender inside and a crispy outside, as well as its powerful taste that includes visible vegetables and a mix of spices like cumin and cayenne, enhanced by fresh cilantro.

Every bite of this extraordinary meatloaf lets you taste all of its ingredients. It’s served with a homemade sauce, proving that Lavelle’s Bistro takes its meatloaf seriously and aims to impress.

Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf

At Joe’s Diner in the sunny Mission Hills of San Diego, California, the Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf is stealing the show!

Wrapped in applewood smoked bacon, this meatloaf marvel is a fusion of grass-fed beef, robust pasilla chili peppers, and sharp pecorino cheese, all topped with a tangy glaze.

They serve it up with a side of garlicky Yukon mashed potatoes and crisp green beans, all smothered in a rich beef demi that Guy Fieri himself gives a nod to as a “nice little kiss” on the dish.

Fieri couldn’t help but rave about the dish’s “ton of personality,” giving props to the innovative inclusion of pasilla peppers and the robust flavor of pecorino. It’s that unexpected kick and style that turns a humble meatloaf into a headliner.

Meatloaf Sandwich

At Joy’s Once Upon a Thyme, the Meatloaf Sandwich is a culinary masterpiece. It’s a fusion of local Italian sausage and grass-fed beef bound together with gluten-free breadcrumbs for a guilt-free indulgence. Their signature meat sauce is a carnivorous medley of deli meats and tomatoes, slathered over the loaf. It’s coupled with an in-house kale basil pesto for a herbaceous kick.

When grilled and tucked between slices of rustic bread, this sandwich is Guy-approved. It’s the brightness of fresh pesto hints meeting the hearty, old-world charm of Italian meat sauce in every mouthwatering bite.