Guy Fieri, the off-the-hook mayor of Flavortown, has finally launched a national restaurant concept with that name — including two locations in the Bay Area.
But don’t spend time looking for the Flavortown Kitchen signs.
An online search for Fieri’s Bay Area locations shows he’s got one restaurant at 1875 S. Bascom Ave. in Campbell and one at 943 Emerson St. in Palo Alto. But wait, that Bascom address belongs to the Pruneyard, and Emerson Street is a popular restaurant row, and there’s been no word of the Food Network celebrity chef opening new places in these parts.
If Guy isn’t in the Flavortown Kitchen, who is?
Turns out the “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” host has partnered with his paesani at the Buca di Beppo restaurants, those makers of hearty Italian family-style meals, to create his line of appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and entrees.
His Flavortowns are restaurants without facades, the so-called ghost kitchens, cloud kitchens or virtual kitchens that have become so popular during this pandemic era of meal delivery and takeout.
The arrangement started quietly a week ago in Campbell and today in Palo Alto. The deal with Buca di Beppo extends to 17 other locations in California; the only other NorCal one is at the Roseville Galleria.
Is Flavortown here to stay or just a pop-up concept? That remains to be seen.
Fieri is a longtime owner of brick-and-mortar restaurants, with 14 other brands to his name, including American Kitchen & Bar locations around the world; Pig & Anchor and Burger Joints on cruise ships; and Chicken Guy!, which has a game-day-only location at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. He also operated the now-closed Johnny’s Garlic’s and Tex Wasabi’s restaurants.
For the fun, savory Flavortown menu, Fieri borrowed liberally from all of those menus.
Appetizer highlights include the Super Melty Cheesesteak Egg Rolls (from Tex Wasabi’s), Jalapeño Pig Poppers, Bourbon Brown Sugar Barbecue Wings and Queso Dip.
Next up are his award-winning burger, the Bacon Mac N Cheese, along with the Cheezy Burger (both from the American Kitchen menu), the Crazy Cuban and the Chicken Guy! Classic, a crunchy chicken breast sandwich.
Two entrees, the Cajun Chicken Alfredo (a top-seller at Johnny Garlic’s) and a Chicken Parm-eroni, make the list. They are joined by two Italian salads, the Italian Stallion with salami and prosciutto and the OG Caesar.
Sides include Flavortown Fries, Mac Daddy Mac N Cheese and Fried Pickles & Ranch.
For dessert, there are two sweet-and-salty selections: The Cheesecake Challenge tops a slice of New York-style cheesecake with salted potato chips, crushed pretzels and fudge sauce. The Chocolate Whiskey Cake features a whiskey crème anglaise, salted whiskey caramel sauce and crumbled toffee bar.
Both of the local Flavortown Kitchen restaurants are open from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. To check out the menu and order, go online to https://order.guysflavortownkitchen.com.
