Hey Guy Fieri, Check Out These 10 ‘Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives’ Worthy Restaurants in the Tri-State

Guy Fieri has been "rollin' out, looking for America's greatest diners, drive-ins, and dives" for years, but after all these years his red Corvette convertible hasn't come "rollin'" through the Tri-State even though we have a ton of great, local, restaurants that would be perfect for the show, including these 10 suggested by people who live here.

The majority of this list came from my Facebook friends after I put the question out there asking where Guy could go if he were to roll through the area. The others I added myself. Obviously, there are WAY more than 10 Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives worthy restaurants in our part of the country, so if there's one you think deserves to be added to this list, feel free to add it in the comments section below.

Now then, without further adieu, and in no particular order, the 10 restaurants you think need to be featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.

Hilltop Inn

The Hilltop Inn is the only restaurant on this list to be featured on national TV. It received a quick mention on Cooking Channel's Best Thing I Ever Ate, and Food Network's Alton Brown stopped by in 2006 for his road trip series, Feasting on Asphalt. Both shows focused on the main thing Hilltop is famous for — Brain Sandwiches.

But as anyone on the west side will tell, the fried chicken, giant tenderloins, and fish bowls full of ice cold beer are certainly worth the trip as well.

Log Inn

Speaking of fried chicken, the Log Inn in Haubstadt may very well have the best in the entire Tri-State depending on who you ask. Served up family style, this former stage coach stop built in 1825, has been a favorite for several generations of Tri-State residents for decades.

Hornet's Nest

Another restaurant that's been around far longer than you and I have been alive, The Hornet's Nest has been whipping up delicious food on the corner of Boonville-New Harmony and Petersburg Roads in northern Vanderburgh County since the 1800's. As for what Mr. Fieri could feature if "Triple D" were to stop by, Christopher says, "Fried Chicken, Hot Brown, anything off the Burger Madness menu, and Rib Eye. Basically anything off their menu."

Stockwell Inn

Stockwell Inn has been a family business for over three decades, first opened by Jerry and Betty, daughter Audrey now runs the show, serving up a full menu of homemade sandwiches, soups, and thin-crust pizza. But it's the Hot Fries on the appetizer menu that both Mickey and Rob say is what makes Stockwell a regular stop when their hunger kicks in.

Hickory Pit Stop

I can tell you from experience, if it's fall off the bone barbecue you want, the Hickory Pit Stop across the street from Bosse Field on the corner of North Main Street and Morgan Avenue is a fantastic place to get it. Open since 1957, their chicken, pork, and beef barbecue options are some of the best you'll find in the Tri-State.

La Campirana

The relatively new kid on the block, La Campirana moved to their new location at the corner of Burkhardt Road and Columbia Street across from Krispy Kreme after spending a few years inside the food court at Washington Square Mall. Along with the typical beef, chicken, and pork dishes you'll find on most Mexican restaurant menus, La Campirana also features Chorizo sausage, Beef Tripe (cow stomach), Cooked Cactus, and Lengua, better known as beef tongue.

Gangnam Korean Cuisine

The former owner of Ninki Japanese Bistro, Joseph Kim, brought his style of Korean cuisine to downtown Evansville in 2017 when he converted the old Main Gate Sports Bar into Gangnam Korean Cuisine. Everything on the menu is made in-house with fresh ingredients including the sushi and all sauces.

Nellie's - Newburgh

Nellie's in Newburgh hasn't been around long, but it's made a big impact thanks to word of mouth and delicious food to back it up. Open daily from 6:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., the place always seems to be packed with customers looking to chow down on some fantastic homemade food that includes everything from breakfast skillets like the traditional Farm Boy with sausage, onion, country gravy, cheddar cheese, and crispy hash browns, and the Greek Skillet with gyro meat, spinach, tomatoes, feta cheese, and hash browns, to hamburgers and sandwiches.

Knob Hill Tavern - Newburgh

Knob Hill has serving up a wide variety of menu items including pizza, oven-baked sandwiches, burgers, and steaks, but what they're most famous for around here is their Hot Catfish Fiddlers which they've been serving up for over 70 years.

Commander Grill - Boonville

Behind it's unassuming store front on the square in Boonville, Commander's Grill is whipping up delicious fried chicken you can order in two or three piece platters (or a half chicken for the bigger appetites), along with a unique menu of appetizers including Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, Fried Chicken Wings, and Fried Pickle Chips. But according to Miranda, it's the breaded crispy tenderloin that makes a trip to Commander's worth the time.

Again, I know there are a ton of phenomenal restaurants around the Tri-State worthy of a feature on Triple D, so there's a good chance you're favorite was left off the list. If that's the case, make sure to let everyone know (including, hopefully, Guy Fieri) by commenting below.