Food Network Star Guy Fieri’s hit show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” has showcased the city of Gainesville’s blossoming restaurant scene to viewers across the country.
His stops in his 1968 Chevrolet Camaro at Fehrenbacher’s Meats & Eats, The Paper Bag Deli, Uppercrust Bakery and Humble Wood Fire Bagel Shop have taken residents on a ride they won’t soon forget.
And the ride isn’t over.
The “Mayor of Flavortown” this week will make a stop at Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches.
Rodney Germain and his nephew Shelton Seraphin, co-owners of Germain’s, 220 NW Eighth Ave., will appear on “Triple D” May 2 at 9 p.m. on the Food Network.
Germain said he originally wanted to reach out to Fieri when the restaurant first opened in 2022 but quickly scratched the idea.
“Full circle about three years after that, and we got the message, but we thought it was a prank at first,” Germain said. “There’s no way somebody found out you’re trying to get on the show.”
Seraphin said Germain’s was selected over other local eateries because of its positive reviews via word of mouth, community engagement, and on sites such as Google and Reddit.
As part of the show’s rigorous screening process, Seraphin said Germain originally sent the entire menu to Fieri but later narrowed it down to six recipes. Fieri, who has the final say on what menu items will appear on the show, ultimately selected the The Good Feather which includes fried chicken topped with a secret sauce, garlic parmesan, arugula and tomato on a brioche bun, and the Chicken Birria Eggroll.
Calling the filming process punctual, Seraphin said the shooting took place from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for two days. And although Fieri didn’t appear on the first day filming, the production crew was dedicated to setting up the episode by taking videos and pictures of the staff preparing the selected menu items.
Seraphin also noted that, unlike other Gainesville restaurants featured on the show, viewers on Friday night can expect to see mystery guest chef.
Although no “Triple D” fanatics have traveled to visit the local brick-and-mortar chicken eatery yet, Fieri left two words of advice for the owners: stock up.
“He said make sure we stock up on everything like sauces and T-shirts,” Germain said. “We were warned about the ‘Triple D’ effect, where after the show, you get swamped and I mean, we welcome it.”
Germain said Fieri’s second piece of advice was to start looking at options to open multiple Germain’s locations.
Calling Gainesville a growing city, Germain said Fieri’s visit was great exposure for the city’s restaurant scene and he is happy to be along for the ride.
“We’re not reinventing sandwiches and it’s been around for a minute,” Germain said. “It’s just us putting our little stamp on it. Plus, making it on national TV is a win for Gainesville.”
