From Bakersfield, Emeryville, Los Angeles and beyond, California has sent a steady stream of restaurants to Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives over the years. We gathered the spots Guy Fieri has featured across the state, kept the ones still open and still beloved, and ranked the top 20 by how much diners actually love them. Consider it your California road-trip eating list.

1. Hodad’s (Ocean Beach, San Diego)

Burger · $ · 4.6★ (6,004 Google reviews)

Hodad’s earned its spot on the show for burgers that regulars rave about, and the 4.6-star average from 6,004 reviewers backs it up.

Featured on Triple D (2 times):
• Season 2, Episode 3 — “Seaside Eats” (October 15, 2007)
• Season 17, Episode 11 — “All San Diego, All the Time” (August 5, 2013)
Address: 5010 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
Phone: +1 619-224-4623
Website: hodadsoceanbeach.com
See the full Hodad’s listing →

2. Taylor’s Automatic Refresher (St. Helena)

American, Burger · $$ · 4.6★ (5,277 Google reviews)

Known for American classics, Taylor’s Automatic Refresher still draws a crowd — a 4.6-star rating from 5,277 diners says the hype is real.

Featured on Triple D: Season 1, Episode 9 — “Retro” (July 9, 2007)
Address: 933 Main St #29, St Helena, CA 94574
Phone: +1 707-963-3486
Website: www.gotts.com
See the full Taylor’s Automatic Refresher listing →

3. Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine (San Rafael)

Other · $$ · 4.6★ (5,027 Google reviews)

The a one-of-a-kind menu at Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine clearly stuck around: it holds a 4.6-star rating across 5,027 Google reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 6, Episode 7 — “Go-To Joints” (May 25, 2009)
Address: 903 Lincoln Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: +1 415-451-4765
Website: www.solfoodrestaurant.com
See the full Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine listing →

4. Bluewater Seafood Market & Grill (San Diego)

American, Seafood · $$ · 4.7★ (4,728 Google reviews)

Bluewater Seafood Market & Grill is one of the area’s go-to spots for American classics, with a strong 4.7 stars from 4,728 reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 6, Episode 2 — “Their Own Way” (April 13, 2009)
Address: 3667 India St, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: +1 619-497-0914
Website: bluewaterseafoodsandiego.com
See the full Bluewater Seafood Market & Grill listing →

5. Rosine’s Restaurant (Monterey)

American, Italian, Breakfast, Dessert · $$ · 4.5★ (4,467 Google reviews)

A longtime local favorite for American classics, Rosine’s Restaurant keeps a 4.5-star rating across 4,467 Google reviews — proof the love didn’t fade after the cameras left.

Featured on Triple D: Season 20, Episode 2 — “Stuffed and Twisted” (September 12, 2014)
Address: 434 Alvarado St, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: +1 831-375-1400
Website: www.rosinesmonterey.com
See the full Rosine’s Restaurant listing →

6. Tommy’s Joynt (San Francisco)

American, Sandwich · $ · 4.4★ (4,167 Google reviews)

Tommy’s Joynt earned its spot on the show for American classics that regulars rave about, and the 4.4-star average from 4,167 reviewers backs it up.

Featured on Triple D (2 times):
• Season 5, Episode 5 — “Long Time Legends” (January 5, 2009)
• Season 21, Episode 17 — “Hometown Heroes” (December 25, 2014)
Address: 1101 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: +1 415-949-0399
Website: tommysjoynt.com
See the full Tommy’s Joynt listing →

7. El Indio (San Diego)

Mexican · $ · 4.4★ (3,756 Google reviews)

Known for Mexican plates, El Indio still draws a crowd — a 4.4-star rating from 3,756 diners says the hype is real.

Featured on Triple D: Season 2, Episode 9 — “Family Owned” (November 23, 2007)
Address: 3695 India St, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: +1 619-299-0333
Website: elindiosandiego.com
See the full El Indio listing →

8. Studio Diner (San Diego)

American, Breakfast · $$ · 4.4★ (3,102 Google reviews)

The American classics at Studio Diner clearly stuck around: it holds a 4.4-star rating across 3,102 Google reviews.

Featured on Triple D (2 times):
• Season 2, Episode 10 — “Open 24/7” (January 7, 2008)
• Season 26, Episode  — “All Stacked Up” (March 10, 2017)
Address: 4701 Ruffin Rd, San Diego, CA 92123
Phone: +1 858-715-6400
Website: studiodinersandiego.com
See the full Studio Diner listing →

9. Monterey Fish House (Monterey)

Seafood · $$ · 4.4★ (2,853 Google reviews)

Monterey Fish House is one of the area’s go-to spots for fresh seafood, with a strong 4.4 stars from 2,853 reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 20, Episode 1 — “California Cruisin” (September 5, 2014)
Address: 2114 Del Monte Ave, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: +1 831-373-4647
Website: montereyfishhouse.com
See the full Monterey Fish House listing →

10. Bludso’s Bar & Que (Los Angeles)

BBQ · $$ · 4.4★ (2,774 Google reviews)

A longtime local favorite for low-and-slow barbecue, Bludso’s Bar & Que keeps a 4.4-star rating across 2,774 Google reviews — proof the love didn’t fade after the cameras left.

Featured on Triple D: Season 34, Episode 4 — “Takeout: Real Deal Delivery” (June 11, 2021)
Address: 609 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: +1 323-931-2583
Website: www.bludsosbbq.com
See the full Bludso’s Bar & Que listing →

11. Pizzeria Luigi (San Diego)

Italian, Pizza · $ · 4.6★ (2,607 Google reviews)

Pizzeria Luigi earned its spot on the show for Italian comfort food that regulars rave about, and the 4.6-star average from 2,607 reviewers backs it up.

Featured on Triple D (2 times):
• Season 5, Episode 2 — “Real Deal Italian” (November 17, 2008)
• Season 32, Episode 4 — “Takeout: Tastier at Home” (May 8, 2020)
Address: 1137 25th St, San Diego, CA 92102
Phone: +1 619-233-3309
Website: www.pizzerialuigi.com
See the full Pizzeria Luigi listing →

12. Falafel’s Drive-In (San Jose)

Mediterranean · $ · 4.6★ (2,345 Google reviews)

Known for Mediterranean dishes, Falafel’s Drive-In still draws a crowd — a 4.6-star rating from 2,345 diners says the hype is real.

Featured on Triple D: Season 2, Episode 1 — “Totally Fried” (October 1, 2007)
Address: 2301 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
Phone: +1 408-294-7886
Website: www.falafelsdrive-in.com
See the full Falafel’s Drive-In listing →

13. 24th Street Cafe (Bakersfield)

Burger, Breakfast, Dessert · $$ · 4.6★ (2,254 Google reviews)

The burgers at 24th Street Cafe clearly stuck around: it holds a 4.6-star rating across 2,254 Google reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 22, Episode 8 — “Sweet, Savory and Saucy” (April 17, 2015)
Address: 1415 24th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: +1 661-323-8801
Website: 24thstreetcafe.com
See the full 24th Street Cafe listing →

14. Tioli’s Crazee Burger (San Diego)

Burger, Sandwich · $$ · 4.6★ (2,216 Google reviews)

Tioli’s Crazee Burger is one of the area’s go-to spots for burgers, with a strong 4.6 stars from 2,216 reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 4, Episode 11 — “Grabbin' a Sandwich” (October 13, 2008)
Address: 3993 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
Phone: +1 619-282-6044
Website: crazeeburger.com
See the full Tioli’s Crazee Burger listing →

15. Hob Nob Hill (San Diego)

Breakfast · $$ · 4.4★ (2,207 Google reviews)

A longtime local favorite for a knockout breakfast, Hob Nob Hill keeps a 4.4-star rating across 2,207 Google reviews — proof the love didn’t fade after the cameras left.

Featured on Triple D: Season 5, Episode 8 — “Just Like Yesterday” (January 26, 2009)
Address: 2271 First Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: +1 619-239-8176
Website: hobnobhill.com
See the full Hob Nob Hill listing →

16. Petra Mediterranean Pizza and Grill (San Luis Obispo)

Pizza, Mediterranean, Dessert · $$ · 4.6★ (2,176 Google reviews)

Petra Mediterranean Pizza and Grill earned its spot on the show for pizza that regulars rave about, and the 4.6-star average from 2,176 reviewers backs it up.

Featured on Triple D: Season 40, Episode 1 — “Fistful of Flavor” (August 2, 2024)
Address: 1210 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: +1 805-439-1999
Website: eatpetra.com
See the full Petra Mediterranean Pizza and Grill listing →

17. Kindred (San Diego)

Vegan/Vegetarian · $$ · 4.6★ (2,125 Google reviews)

Known for veg-forward cooking, Kindred still draws a crowd — a 4.6-star rating from 2,125 diners says the hype is real.

Featured on Triple D: Season 36, Episode 6 — “Not-Your-Everyday, All Day” (November 11, 2022)
Address: 1503 30th St, San Diego, CA 92102
Phone: +1 619-546-9653
Website: www.barkindred.com
See the full Kindred listing →

18. The Refuge (San Carlos)

American, Burger, Sandwich, Mediterranean · $$ · 4.6★ (2,057 Google reviews)

The American classics at The Refuge clearly stuck around: it holds a 4.6-star rating across 2,057 Google reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 18, Episode 2 — “Meat Lover's Paradise” (September 2, 2013)
Address: 963 Laurel St, San Carlos, CA 94070
Phone: +1 650-598-9813
Website: www.refugesc.com
See the full The Refuge listing →

19. Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe (Emeryville)

Breakfast, Vegan/Vegetarian · $$ · 4.4★ (1,925 Google reviews)

Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe is one of the area’s go-to spots for a knockout breakfast, with a strong 4.4 stars from 1,925 reviews.

Featured on Triple D: Season 8, Episode 4 — “Triple D Goes Tailgatin'” (January 25, 2010)
Address: 4081 Hollis St, Emeryville, CA 94608
Phone: +1 510-594-1221
Website: iamrudy.com
See the full Rudy’s Can’t Fail Cafe listing →

20. Souley Vegan (Oakland)

Southern, Vegan/Vegetarian · $$ · 4.5★ (1,916 Google reviews)

A longtime local favorite for Southern home cooking, Souley Vegan keeps a 4.5-star rating across 1,916 Google reviews — proof the love didn’t fade after the cameras left.

Featured on Triple D: Season 24, Episode 11 — “Hot Meat and Cool Veg” (April 22, 2016)
Address: 101 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: +1 925-240-3607
Website: souleyvegan.com
See the full Souley Vegan listing →