Turkey just for Thanksgiving? We don’t think so! Guy Fieri’s culinary road trip on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” has showcased an impressive array of turkey dishes that have reimagined Thanksgiving flavors for year-round enjoyment. They feature inventive twists on the classic bird, transforming it into creations that have earned their place on the Triple D map.
Cola Turkey Sandwich
At The Alley Restaurant located in Aiea, Hawaii, one standout dish is the Cola Turkey Sandwich. This unique sandwich is soaked overnight in a special marinade, blending cola with ingredients like salad oil, soy sauce, garlic, and pepper to soften the meat and infuse it with flavor. Guy Fieri praised the sandwich for its “rich” taste and “super tender” texture, likening the meat’s tenderness to that of a well-cooked Thanksgiving turkey.
Don't lose this list! Drop your email and we'll send it to you, so you've got it handy next time you're hungry or planning a trip.
Despite the cola in the marinade, the sandwich isn’t overly sweet, striking a balance that surprises and delights. It offers a hearty experience that elevates it beyond a typical sandwich, satisfying the appetite as a full and flavorful meal. This sandwich is a testament to creative cooking, reinforcing that a great meal can come from the most unexpected places—even a bowling alley in Hawaii.
Boiled Turkey and Fixins
At the Landmark Diner in Charlotte, North Carolina, a twist on the traditional turkey dish steals the show. Here, turkey is boiled to perfection, making it exceptionally succulent, and is accompanied by an inventive stuffing. The stuffing is a delightful mix, notably including apple pie filling which infuses a hint of cinnamon that surprises and pleases the palate.
Guy Fieri was thoroughly impressed, likening the dish to having “Thanksgiving on a plate every day.” The gravy’s richness perfectly complements the tender turkey and the bold stuffing flavors. This dish is a standout, encapsulating the essence of the holiday with every bite.
Turkey Sandwich
At Murphy’s Bar and Grill in Honolulu, Hawaii, the turkey sandwich is redefined. They serve an open-faced delight with a succulent roasted turkey leg and house-made gravy, topped with tangy cranberry sauce. Guy Fieri hailed this creation as akin to a taste of Thanksgiving on a plate, praising both its comforting roast flavors and the zesty cranberry addition.
World’s Best Turkey
At Tommy’s Joint in San Francisco, California, the turkey sandwich is a showstopper, served fresh and carved directly before eager customers. Guy Fieri commended the turkey’s tenderness and straightforward preparation, reflecting the establishment’s legacy for delivering quality without pretense. Recognizing both the taste and reasonable cost, Fieri’s reaction—needing to step away to savor the moment—speaks to the sandwich’s exceptional standard at this iconic locale.
Turkey Confit at George’s Place
In the scenic town of Cape May, New Jersey, George’s Place stands out with its take on Turkey Confit. This dish immerses turkey legs in a bath of rich duck fat, infusing them with an extraordinary flavor profile that’s a hit with food enthusiasts. The confit method ensures the meat is succulent, and each bite offers a harmonious blend of salty, sweet, and acidic notes, courtesy of a tangy cranberry component.
The turkey confit is a standout for its modern spin on the classic turkey dinner, retaining a comforting feel. Guy Fieri himself celebrated the dish’s balance, highlighting the cranberry’s zesty pop as a perfect companion to the tender turkey. He raved about the dish’s dressing, deeming it “the bomb,” underscoring that it nails the essence of homestyle cooking with a contemporary flair.
Pilgrim Sandwich
At Mike’s City Diner in Boston, Massachusetts, the Pilgrim Sandwich isn’t just a meal, it’s an experience. Packed with a bountiful layer of turkey, tangy cranberry sauce, and savory stuffing, this sandwich channels the essence of Thanksgiving into every bite. Diners are consistently wowed by the sandwich’s imposing size and the flavors that earn it high praise as one of the all-time turkey sandwich greats.
Turkey-Shaped Bread
At Golden Crown Panaderia in Albuquerque, mexico/" class="ddd-auto-link">New Mexico, Thanksgiving boasts an inventive twist with their turkey-shaped bread. Crafted with a blend of flours, the bread is a visual delight mimicking the beloved holiday bird. The crust is noteworthy for its rich molasses hue, complemented by savory rosemary that infuses each loaf with an unmistakable herby fragrance.
This edible masterpiece not only pleases the eye but also captures the essence of the season’s flavors. Fans of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives rave about the bread’s holiday vibe and the festive touch it brings to the Thanksgiving table.
Turkey Artichoke Panini
In Chehalis, Washington, at Joy’s Once Upon a Thyme, a Turkey Artichoke Panini takes the stage. This isn’t just any sandwich—it’s a masterful blend of flavors hugged by crusty bread that captures the essence of homey yet adventurous culinary art. The basil dressing, zesty and fresh, has earned Guy Fieri’s stamp of approval, even to the point where he humorously suggests swimming in it.
With an all-female staff spearheading the kitchen, they construct this panini with precision, valuing each element from the turkey to artichoke. Fieri tips his hat to their efforts. This panini has become a staple, praised for its rustic bread enveloping well-seasoned layers of turkey and an artichoke blend that’s both innovative and comfortingly familiar.
Smothered Turkey Chops
At Kelsey and Kim’s Southern Cafe in Atlantic City, New Jersey, an unusual but delightful menu item turns heads: turkey chops. These chops are crafted from thinly sliced turkey breast, coated in a light breading, and then pan-fried to perfection, creating a tender and savory experience with a hint of onion. Guy Fieri praised the unique preparation of these chops, noting their distinct tenderness and rich flavor profile, which are then generously smothered in a homemade gravy.
Turducken
When it comes to over-the-top poultry, Turducken reigns supreme on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It’s a show-stopping dish where a boneless chicken gets nested inside a duck, which then finds its way into a turkey. The layering doesn’t stop at the trio of birds, each space gets filled with stuffing, making the final product a masterpiece of flavors and textures.
Fans gathered around televisions to see Guy Fieri dig into this behemoth at the Alpine Steakhouse. Their legendary Turducken is studded with cornbread and oyster stuffing, merging the flavors of land and sea. Even for the most seasoned food lovers, this dish sparks a culinary curiosity and proves that sometimes, more is incredibly delicious.