Gainesville restaurants to be featured on Guy Fieri’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives’
Food Network star Guy Fieri’s visit to Gainesville in mid-December was more than just a promotional stop for his and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar’s tequila brand, Santo Spirits. The “Mayor of Flavortown,” as he is known, also stopped at several Gainesville restaurants for the filming of his signature show, “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”
According to an Alachua County press release, the first episode to include a Gainesville eatery is titled “African, Sicilian & Sausage,” and will feature Fehrenbacher’s Meats & Eats, a butcher shop, retail store and deli located in the 4th Ave Foot Park. The show will air Friday at 9 p.m. on the Food Network.
According to the release, filming for the show also took place at Bingo Deli & Pub, Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches, Humble Wood Fire Bagel Shop, The Paper Bag Deli and Uppercrust Bakery.
Visit Gainesville, Alachua County partnered with Working Food Kitchens, a local nonprofit whose mission is to “cultivate and sustain a resilient local food community” to introduce the “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” production team to local culinary entrepreneurs, the release said. The production team was provided with gift bags, which included food samples and local information.
The release notes that the county in recent years has served as the backdrop for “dozens of diverse projects, including a major streaming series, documentaries, and commercial shoots for local, national, and international brands.”
“Our county’s unique blend of scenic beauty, rich culture, and supportive infrastructure makes it an ideal location for filmmakers,” said Tourism and Economic Development Director Jessica Hurov in the release. “We are committed to fostering a welcoming environment for the film industry.”
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives to Feature Alachua County Eateries
Alachua County’s distinctive culinary scene is set to take center stage as Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives features local eateries in upcoming episodes, with the first episode airing Friday, March 14, 2025, at 9 p.m. on the Food Network.
Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, the official tourism marketing organization and Film Commission for Alachua County, facilitated the production, including initial coordination, permitting guidance, and destination support.
Alachua County: A Growing Location for Film and Television Productions
Over the past five years, Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, has solidified its reputation as a film-friendly destination, supporting dozens of diverse projects, including a major streaming series, documentaries, and commercial shoots for local, national, and international brands.
Notably, Alachua County served as a filming location for Netflix’s highly anticipated adaptation of The Three-Body Problem, showcasing its versatility and appeal to large-scale productions, while also supporting most recently the popular television series Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, further highlighting the region’s local restaurants.
“Our county’s unique blend of scenic beauty, rich culture, and supportive infrastructure makes it an ideal location for filmmakers,” said Tourism and Economic Development Director Jessica Hurov. “We are committed to fostering a welcoming environment for the film industry.”
Tourism Program Coordinator and Film Liaison Bailey McClellan added, “Collaborating with production teams has been incredibly rewarding. Our goal is to provide seamless support to ensure their projects come to life in Alachua County.”
Film projects are coordinated through the Visitors Bureau and include support from a multi-disciplinary team, ranging from Alachua County Growth Management, Parks and Open Spaces, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Fire Marshal, who offer guidance on permitting, site selection and safety.
Showcasing Local Culinary Entrepreneurs
Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives filming occurred in early December 2024 at the following locations:
Additionally, as part of the County’s commitment to advancing local food systems and producers, Visit Gainesville, Alachua County partnered with Working Food Kitchens to introduce the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives production team to local culinary entrepreneurs, providing curated gift bags including a selection of locally made food samples and destination information.
The first episode, “African, Sicilian & Sausage,” featuring Fehrenbacher’s Meats & Eats, will air Friday, March 14, 2025, at 9 p.m. Visit the Food Network’s website for more information.
Information about filming in Alachua County, including locations and support services, is available at VisitGainesville.com.
For more information, contact Bailey McClellan at 352-374-5260 or info@visitgainesville.com.
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Read All About It: Alachua County News and Updates
Gainesville restaurants to be featured on Guy Fieri’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives’
Food Network star Guy Fieri’s visit to Gainesville in mid-December was more than just a promotional stop for his and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar’s tequila brand, Santo Spirits. The “Mayor of Flavortown,” as he is known, also stopped at several Gainesville restaurants for the filming of his signature show, “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”
According to an Alachua County press release, the first episode to include a Gainesville eatery is titled “African, Sicilian & Sausage,” and will feature Fehrenbacher’s Meats & Eats, a butcher shop, retail store and deli located in the 4th Ave Foot Park. The show will air Friday at 9 p.m. on the Food Network.
According to the release, filming for the show also took place at Bingo Deli & Pub, Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches, Humble Wood Fire Bagel Shop, The Paper Bag Deli and Uppercrust Bakery.
Local news: Gainesville dining scene expands with new Indian, Mexican restaurants serving up bold flavors
Visit Gainesville, Alachua County partnered with Working Food Kitchens, a local nonprofit whose mission is to “cultivate and sustain a resilient local food community” to introduce the “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” production team to local culinary entrepreneurs, the release said. The production team was provided with gift bags, which included food samples and local information.
The release notes that the county in recent years has served as the backdrop for “dozens of diverse projects, including a major streaming series, documentaries, and commercial shoots for local, national, and international brands.”
“Our county’s unique blend of scenic beauty, rich culture, and supportive infrastructure makes it an ideal location for filmmakers,” said Tourism and Economic Development Director Jessica Hurov in the release. “We are committed to fostering a welcoming environment for the film industry.”
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville restaurants to be featured on Food Network series
JJ’s Red Hots, a beloved Charlotte hot dog joint that’s been serving up smokehouse sausages for over a decade, is closing for good.
The Dilworth neighborhood hot spot’s last day in business will be Sunday, March 16, an employee confirmed to CharlotteFive on Monday, March 10.
An Instagram post followed just before noon: “We just couldn’t shred enough cheddar to keep it going,” stated the local eatery, known for its signature hot dogs with creative topping combinations. It has been a staple in Charlotte’s food scene since 2012.
Fun fact: The hot dog joint even got national attention in 2017, when it was featured on a Food Network episode of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives along with then-food truck Papi Queso.
[THROWBACK: A look at Guy Fieri and ‘Diners, Drive-ins and Dives’ visit to JJ’s Red Hots.]
“JJ’s Red Hots is one food establishment that has gone entirely to the dogs … hot dogs, that is. Owner Jonathan Luther draws the crowds with his menu of hot dogs and sausages that can be customized with a slew of toppings,” the network’s website says.
“’That’s legit,’ Guy declared after tucking into a spice-laden, cheese-laced sausage loaded with sauerkraut, pickled onions and mustard.”
After its two sister restaurants closed during the beginning of the pandemic, its flagship location was the last remaining of the JJ’s Red Hots name — until now.
”We were fortunate enough to be able to do it for almost 13 years. 12 years, 8 months and 12 days, in fact. 111,264 hours,” the team said in the Instagram post about the closure.
”Thanks to all of you who relished the wacky idea of a hot dog and sausage concept in Charlotte, NC, and who continued to support us through the Covid debacle, store openings and closings, and the like. We will especially miss our weekly regulars and superfans, without whom we would have never made it past the first few months.”
While this marks the end of an era for its flagship location, JJ’s Red Hots’ food truck and catering business will still be in operation.
MEMORIES: Here at CharlotteFive, we’re still remembering fondly the C5 Herbivore and C5 Carnivore hot dogs the restaurant created for us years ago. We’ll miss you, JJs!
Keep an eye out on this space for more updates to come.
Location: 1514 East Blvd Charlotte, NC 28203
Menu
Cuisine: American
Instagram: @jjsredhots
