The Best Episodes of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Season 16

Pastabilities (Syracuse, N.Y.) • The Brine and Bottle (Nags Head, N.C.) This trip, Guy's visiting restaurants with a definite direction. In Syracuse, the longtime pasta institution makin' a tomato sauce just for dipping, wicked-spicy chicken riggies, and duck and cheese pizza. And in Nags Head, the local food-focused joint using funky techniques on deep fried pickles and soft-shell crab.

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This trip, Guy's takin' a spin through the town favorites. In Chatham, N.J., the real deal Italian joint bakin' up some righteous fried chicken, arancini balls, and the decadent sacred swine sandwich. And in Olympia, Wash., the homestyle spot cranking out creole oyster benedict, a colorful winter squash and apple hash and a unique blueberry crunch roller.

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Caplansky's Delicatessen (Toronto, Ont., Canada); Chomp Chomp Nation (Orange County, Calif.). Over the border in Toronto, Guy stops by a Jewish deli with an old-school approach to smoked meat sandwiches and from-scratch, schmaltzy knishes gone wild. And somewhere in Orange County outside L.A., Guy finds the husband-and-wife duo and their food truck infusing Singaporean flavors into their chili crab cake and lamb burger.

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This trip, Guy's meeting up with credible combos. In Brooklyn, N.Y., the barbecue joint mashin' up a variety of styles for their unique wings and their big time beef ribs. And in Manteo, N.C., the husband and wife tag-teaming in the kitchen to deliver on soft shell crab quesadilla, tuna tacos, and shrimp and chorizo.

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This trip, Guy's warming up with some standout specialties. In Brooklyn, N.Y., the mom and pop diner flipping a skillet apple waffle with pancetta and deep-frying breakfast empanadas. In Olympia, Wash., the brew house cranking out crab cannelloni and bangers and mash. And in Grandy, N.C., the farm to table German joint rolling out the ruebens and a cheesy baked potato soup.

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Fish Tale Brew Pub (Olympia, Wash.) • Black Pelican Seafood Company (Kitty Hawk, N.C.) • Empire Brewing Company (Syracuse, N.Y.) This trip, Guy's samplin' from the land and sea. In Washington State, a brewpub combinin' their beer with bangers and mash and crab stuffed cannelloni. In North Carolina's Outer Banks, an ages-old summertime institution firin' up fisherman's risotto and citrus chicken. And in Upstate New York, a subterranean joint servin' up scratch-made spicy-sweet sausage fajitas.

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This trip, Guy's finding real deal authentic eats in unusual spots. In St. Louis, the n'awlins roadhouse serving up rice and beans, cajun potstickers and a pulled pork pasta. And in Syracuse, N.Y., the tiny Mediterranean cafe crankin' out first-class falafel and baklava.

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Funk-n-Waffles (Syracuse, N.Y.) • La Isla (Hoboken, N.J.) • Cravings (Duck, N.C.). This trip, Guy's honing in on spots doing it different. In Syracuse, the basement joint rockin' out waffles with their fried chicken, and a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner any time of year. In Hoboken, the Cuban spot goin' deep into the repertoire with a salt cured beef dish and all kinds of classic Cuban appetizers. And in North Carolina, the gas station turned gourmet seafood stand grillin' up scallops and packin' a crab boil to-go.

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This trip, Guy's goin' coast to coast for decadent dishes. In Brooklyn, the southern-inspired spot crankin' out fried chicken and waffles, a spicy pulled pork sandwich and a daily donut to die for. And in Puyallup, Wash., the local's joint serving up homemade meatballs and fire grilled artichokes.

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Hey Meatball (Toronto, Ont., Canada) • Bruno's European Restaurant (Tacoma, Wash.) • Eva's European Sweets (Syracuse, N.Y.) This trip, Guy's rollin' out for a roadtrip feast of European flavors. First up, a Toronto place only dishin' up meatballs: beef, pork, chicken, and more. In Washington State, a German-Polish fusion simmerin' hangover soup and Frikadelle meatballs. And in Syracuse, a Polish family spot servin' potato pancakes with a heapin' side of pizzazz.

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Guy turns his attention to foods that are grilled, beginning with a trip to a Los Angeles joint, where he tries a hot-pork sandwich and a lamb burger. Also: kabobs and beet salad are on the menu at a pub in Tacoma, Wash.

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Beer Belly (Los Angeles, Calif.) • Lakeview Restaurant (Toronto, Ont., Canada) This trip, Guy's highlightin' unique combos in funky places. In L.A.'s Koreatown neighborhood, a craft beer spot servin' up duck confit fries and killer chicken wings with their brewskis. And in Toronto, a 24-hour retro diner givin' big-time upgrades to grilled cheese, milkshakes, and a chicken club sandwich with a little somethin' somethin' crunch.

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A restored diner in Toronto is celebrated for its pork belly, mac-and-cheese burger and Christmas burger. Also: Guy visits a surfer hangout in Nags Head, N.C., where Jamaican jerk chicken and Caribbean pork chops are served.

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