Funk, waffles and Flavortown: Syracuse favorite back on Food Network this weekend

Syracuse, N.Y. — The music’s still funky, the waffles are still wild, and Guy Fieri is tuning in once again.

Funk ’n Waffles will be featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: Triple D Nation” this Friday night at 9 on the Food Network, spotlighting the downtown Syracuse hotspot that blends live music with over-the-top waffle creations.

This episode, entitled “Triple D Nation: Funky Flavortown Tastemakers,” revisits some of Fieri’s favorite fun and funky spots, including what he calls a “wicked-good waffle spot in Syracuse, still crankin’ the tunes and plating new knockouts like the-bomb bulgogi and real-deal Reuben waffles.”

What makes this visit stand out is that Funk ’n Waffles owner Adam Gold actually met up with Fieri in Boston to film new footage. On recent “Triple D Nation” episodes revisiting other Syracuse favorites — Kitty Hoynes, Eva’s, Byblos and Pastabilities — Fieri didn’t make the trip himself. Producers reused older clips and shot new video.

“This time, they had me go out and meet up with them and shoot some footage of us chatting it up and kind of reminiscing,” Gold said this morning. “We were the only place in town where one of the owners actually interacted with Guy. They told me to drive out to Boston because we’ve got a different type of relationship than most of the other spots. I’ve worked with him personally on other shows, performed for him, even done private parties.”

Gold, who also fronts the local funk band Sophistafunk, has become something of a Food Network regular. Friday’s episode marks his 19th time on the network, between “Triple D,” “Guy’s Grocery Games” (he’s competed four times) and other appearances featuring his band.

Fieri first rolled into Funk ’n Waffles 14 years ago, when the restaurant was still on the Syracuse University Hill. That visit changed everything.

“Guy told me right then, ‘Hire more people, get ready, this is going to change your life,’” Gold said. “And he was right. Every single day, someone comes in because they saw us on ‘Triple D.’ People plan their road trips around it. We wouldn’t be where we are today without that show.”

Since then, Gold has opened three Funk ’n Waffles locations and a food truck before settling into the current Armory Square spot, which he now owns outright. To prepare for this latest spotlight, he said the team has been sprucing up the space, tweaking the menu and adding a few new waffles inspired by the show.

The producers are keeping details under wraps, but Gold hinted that viewers might see some new dishes and maybe even a cameo from Sophistafunk on stage.

“It’s always funk first,” he said. “We’re just grateful for another round of this. Every time that rerun airs, it brings a new wave of people to Syracuse. It’s a beautiful thing.”