This trip, Guy's gettin' a taste of traditional recipes, with a kick. In Chesterfield, Mo., the Mexican joint serving up a turn on mom's pork chile verde. In Boston, a second generation lobster shack turning heads with cod cakes and lobster mac and cheese. And in Syracuse, N.Y., the real deal Irish pub stuffing the Rueben into fritters and layin' out an Irish meatloaf.

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