Fieri’s first Flavortown Fest kicks off in Ohio: What we know so far

COLUMBUS (WXIX) - The Mayor of Flavortown is turning Ohio into a foodie paradise this summer with a two-day festival full of bites, headliner artists, and celebrity chefs.

American restauranteur and TV personality Guy Fieri is hosting the very first Flavortown Fest on June 1-2 in Columbus at The Lawn at CAS.

On Monday, Fieri announced musical stars Kane Brown and Greta van Fleet will be headlining the festival with performances by Bret Michaels, LOCASH and Niko Moon.

As for the food line-up, Fieri couldn’t reveal too much as officials are still “cooking up” the menu. However, he did say there will be a few restaurants from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and Guy’s Grocery Games there. Think BBQ, Mexican food and all of the American classics.

Cincinnati restaurants featured on DDD

The chef-turned-reality star is known for making his rounds to some of the best cities for the best cuisine. A few Greater Cincinnati restaurants have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives before and could make an appearance at Flavortown Fest.

• Lucius Q - During his Top-Notch Toppings episode, Fieri traveled to the Pendleton neighborhood of Cincinnati to dine at Lucius Q. The episode aired in July 2023 where the chef called Lucius Q’s Pendleton Porker “dynamite.”
• Terry’s Turf Club - The restaurant permanently closed in 2018 but since has been rebranded as The Turf Club. Terry’s Turf Club was featured twice on DDD; once in 2010 and again in 2015.
• Blue Ash Chili - Cincinnati is well-known for its chili, specifically all the “ways” you can get it served to you. When Fieri was at Blue Ash Chili in 2010, he tried their 6-Way, which is chili, spaghetti, beans, onions, cheese and fried jalapeno caps. Fieri eventually made his way back to the chili parlor in February 2022.
• Bakersfield OTR - Spotted parked outside on Vine Street in 2014, Fieri featured Mexican street food joint, Bakersfield, along with two other Over-the-Rhine restaurants, on DDD’s episode of One Street Wonders.
• Senate Pub - The Senate was named Ohio’s “Best ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dive’ Restaurant in Every State,” according to the Enquirer in 2021. The former OTR pub is known for its gourmet hotdogs. Customers can find The Senate in Blue Ash, the owners’ last location.
• Pho Lang Thang - If you’re looking for Vietnamese comfort food, then Pho Lang Thang has it. Located in Findlay Market, the local restaurant was visited by Fieri for its pho and Bahn mi sandwich. The episode aired in 2014.
• Island Frydays - Island Frydays in Corryville was also one of the lucky ones to be visited by Fieri, not once, but twice. Known for its Jamaican cuisine, including the Jerk Chicken Platter, which was described as “delicious,” “moist,” and “off the charts.” Island Frydays was on DDD in 2014 and 2021.
• Melt Eclectic Café - Now known as Melt Revival, Melt Eclectic Café in Northside was on the “triple D” back in 2014 for its Veggie 3-Way.
• Taste of Belgium - In July 2014, Fieri was spotted in his red Camaro outside of Taste of Belgium. He called the Cincinnati business’ Belgian Waffle “outstanding” and also loved the Belgian pretzel dipped in beer cheese.
• Virgil’s Café - The Kentucky southern cooking brick-and-mortar, Virgil’s Cafe, is another DDD-visited restaurant that is now closed. While dining there, Fieri tried the Andouille Etouffee and the bananas Foster in 2010.
• Kiki College Hill - Fieri traveled to Kiki College Hill to be featured on his “Dumpling-licious” episode, which aired in August 2023, the Enquirer reported. Kiki’s was described as “surprising” and not your “everyday” Asian cuisine but in a good way.
• The Governor - For his Stuffed, Sandwiched and Souped episode, Fieri made his way from the West Coast to Milford, Ohio, to go to the “elevated diner,” The Governor in August 2023.

Flavortown Fest tickets are on sale now and range between $155 for two days and $465 for a VIP pass.

More musical guests and the food line up will be announced at a later date.

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