People often inquire, "What are the top locations for this item?" or "Where is the finest place to dine in Tallahassee?"
Due to an unexpected trip to six independently run eateries, we've managed to get some insights – courtesy of the renowned chef Guy Fieri.
In his Food Network In “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” the Emmy Award-winning chef and host embarks on a journey through America to discover distinctive eateries renowned within their local communities. This time, his exploration leads him to the heart of Florida’s capital city.
During his visits to six restaurants in the area, Fieri spoke with both employees and patrons to gather their opinions on the cuisine and to taste different specialty dishes from the menus.
Every eatery announced their special appearance on TV via their social media channels, causing an immediate stir and reigniting a feeling of local pride among their devoted customers.
There is one additional episode left for us to look forward to regarding Fieri's rapid tour of the city, where we'll explore an island-themed dining spot. Pineappetit set to premiere on Friday, April 18.
If you didn’t catch which eateries were highlighted or if you’re planning your own food adventure, here are the six restaurants that the well-known chef explored in Tallahassee:
Backwoods Crossing
6725 Mahan Drive; 850-765-3753; backwoodscrossing.com
The initial stop for Fieri was at the farm-to-table eatery called Backwoods Crossing, highlighted in an episode named "Funky Fresh." During this visit, he praised the family-run business as a notable gem of the South.
It’s not surprising that Jesse and Tyler Rice's venture on Mahan Drive was highlighted in the episode focused on maintaining freshness, as they are well-known locally for offering a relaxed yet high-quality dining experience. Their commitment to serving dishes made from ingredients sourced directly from farms ensures both their menu and overall dining atmosphere remain current throughout the seasons.
The privately owned business utilizes its home-grown produce for their guests, a custom that has won over many hearts.
Coosh's Bayou Rouge
705 South Woodward Avenue; 6267 Old Water Oak Road; cooshs.com
In Tallahassee's second appearance on the TV show, they highlighted Coosh's Bayou Rouge, featured in an episode called "Seafood and Comfort." During this segment, Fieri referred to it as the "real deal."
“I’m here for the cuisine. I came to connect with the family. Now I wish to stick around for the celebration,” Fieri said to owner Coosh Willis.
Since opening in 2001, Willis and his spouse, Margaret Willis, have leveraged their origins in Louisiana to introduce a slice of the bayous to North Florida. Their enterprise spans two sites located on Woodward Avenue and Old Water Oak Road. Known for serving classic Louisiana fare like robust jambalayas and traditional po'boy sandwiches, the restaurant has become a local favorite.
Halisi Africa
62517 Railroad Square; 850-739-3129; halisiafrica.com
The most recent installment of Tallahassee’s series appeared in an episode called “African, Sicilian and Sandwiches,” spotlighting Halisi Africa, run by the mother-and-son team of Vanessa Byrd and Bryant Shaw.
Fieri remarked, "Even though the kitchen is tiny, the taste more than makes up for it." He was taken aback by the compact space, describing it as unlike any other kitchen he has encountered throughout all of his shows.
Leaving the Halisi Africa team, Fieri offered some parting wisdom ahead of the influx of new visitors he expected following the broadcast. “You all need to pull it together,” Fieri advised Shaw, having observed their operations within the cramped quarters and implying that expansion wouldn’t be feasible without changes.
Following the broadcast, the owners have extended their reach into two adjacent areas within Railroad Square. They intend to utilize these new spaces for hosting community-focused events and will benefit from enhanced kitchen facilities.
Leon's at Lake Ella
1611 North Monroe Street; 850-895-3880; leonstallahassee.com
During his "delicious global expedition," Fieri stopped by Leon's located at Lake Ella, run by the well-known local chef Leon Brunson from Tallahassee. This Southern restaurant made an appearance in the show’s segment called "Global Journey of Taste,” where Fieri praised it as a “hidden treasure.”
"Elevated comfort" cuisine is served at the restaurant where Fieri hints they currently only offer lunch “for now.” It’s typical for Leon's to be met with a queue of patrons, but ever since its appearance on DDD, the line frequently snakes all the way around the cottage near Lake Ella, turning into quite a sight.
It’s not the first time this chef has been seen on national television. Viewers got a glimpse of their talents through “Secret Chef” on Hulu Originals as well as various event participations and partnerships.
Pineappetit
626 Railroad Square; 850-454-5404; pineappetit.com
The concluding episode in the lineup of Tallahassee food events is called "Sandwiches, Seafood and Sweets," spotlighting Pineappétit, run by chef Sam Burgess within the Railroad Square Food Hall. This last show will be broadcasted at 9 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025.
The Food Network describes Fieri as venturing into "top-tier seafood, sandwiches, and much more," highlighting his stops at various locations including Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he samples a Cuban sandwich; Gainesville, where he tries an artisanal artichoke croissant; and a local eatery famous for shining the light on pineapples through their specialty seafood bowls and over-the-top oxtail nachos.
Sam Burgess, who operates the vibrant yellow food truck that debuted in 2018, has become a recognizable figure in Tallahassee with his Caribbean-style cuisine. Known for their visually appealing and robustly flavored bowls topped with generous chunks of fresh pineapple, his dishes have gained popularity. After finding a cozy spot at 2037 W. Pensacola St., the business recently moved to the Railroad Square Food Hall, which provides both sit-down dining and takeaway options.
Tally Mac Shack
824 West Jefferson Street; 850-570-6858; Facebook
Tally Mac Shack, dubbed by Fieri as a "university hangout," was the third eatery from Tallahassee showcased in the show’s segment titled "Pizza, Latin Cuisine & Mac."
"Mac mixologist" and proprietor Justin Cruz launched Tally Mac Shack initially as a mobile venture in collaboration with local breweries such as DEEP, Lake Tribe, and Ology back in 2017. Over time, this food truck garnered numerous awards, notably being crowned Tallahassee’s Best Food Truck five consecutive years, receiving the 2020 first-ever Capital City Youth Services’ Tally Award, and earning recognition from former U.S. Senator Marco Rubio as the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week.
"These kids right here? They're getting the bulk of the delicious meals," Fieri stated while standing at the only bricks-and-mortar spot within the 1851 Food Hall located on the Florida State University campus.
Kyla A Sanford reports on food and fun at the Tallahassee Democrat. Got news about new restaurants, exclusive offers, or upcoming events? Reach out! at ksanford@tallahassee.com You can additionally send your recommendations via email for a upcoming TLH Eats restaurant feature.
The article initially appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat. What Guy Fieri shared regarding the six Tallahassee eateries featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives"