You’ve seen the flame-covered Camaro. You know the bleach-blonde spikes. But if you’re pulling into Sonoma County looking for a Guy Fieri restaurant Santa Rosa style, you might be surprised—and maybe a little bummed out—by what you actually find.
The "Mayor of Flavortown" literally lives here. He’s a local legend. You can spot him at the grocery store or high-fiving fans at high school football games. Yet, as of early 2026, the city that birthed his global empire doesn't actually have a "Guy Fieri" branded sit-down restaurant anymore.
It's weird, right? The man has over 80 joints worldwide, from Dubai to the Las Vegas Strip, but his home turf is a bit of a ghost town for his own signs. To understand why, you have to look at the messy, legendary history of the places that started it all: Johnny Garlic’s and Tex Wasabi’s.
The Rise and Fall of the OG Spots
Honestly, if you grew up in Santa Rosa in the late 90s or early 2000s, Johnny Garlic’s was the place. It opened in 1996 on Farmers Lane. It wasn't just a restaurant; it was a gamble. Guy’s parents actually mortgaged their house to help him and his partner, Steve Gruber, get the doors open.
It was "California Pasta Grill" vibes—heavy on the garlic, big portions, and total high-energy chaos. It worked. They expanded to Windsor, Dublin, and Roseville. But then came Tex Wasabi’s in 2003 on Fourth Street.
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Tex Wasabi’s was... wild. Guy called the menu "Gringo Sushi." Imagine Southern BBQ meeting Japanese fusion. We’re talking about "Jackass Rolls" and "Dirty Vegas" rolls. People loved the eccentricity of it, but behind the scenes, things got complicated.
Why did they close?
By 2015, the partnership between Fieri and Gruber hit a breaking point. Guy actually filed a petition to dissolve the company. He wanted out. A legal battle followed, and eventually, Guy sold his stake in both brands to Gruber in 2016.
Without the "Guy" factor, the restaurants struggled.
- Johnny Garlic’s in Santa Rosa eventually shuttered its doors, unable to keep the momentum going.
- Tex Wasabi’s held on longer, but it finally went dark in October 2019.
The sign on the window said it was the "cost of doing business." Basically, the magic was gone once the namesake moved on to bigger, global projects.
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Where Can You Get the Fieri Fix Near Santa Rosa Now?
If you are dying for some of that specific "Chicken Guy!" energy or a big, messy burger, you have to drive a little bit. In December 2024, a Chicken Guy! opened in American Canyon. It’s about a 45-minute trek south from Santa Rosa.
Is it worth the drive? If you’re into the 22 signature sauces and that specific "pressure-fried" crunch, then yeah. It’s the closest thing we have to an official Fieri outpost right now. Chandi Hospitality Group (the folks who brought the franchise to the area) is based in Santa Rosa, and there have been whispers for years about them bringing a location directly into town. But as we move through 2026, those plans are still mostly "coming soon" rumors.
Eating Like Guy: The DDD Effect
Even though there isn't a "Guy Fieri’s Kitchen" in the 707 right now, the city is basically a living museum of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Since Guy lives here, he’s featured a ton of local spots that he actually eats at in his real life.
If you want the authentic Santa Rosa experience that Guy actually endorses, these are the spots you hit:
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- Hank’s Creekside Restaurant: This is his go-to breakfast spot. He’s obsessed with their corned beef hash and the pancakes. It’s old-school, local, and has zero "corporate" feel.
- Simply Vietnam Express: Featured in season 29. The Pho is legit. Guy famously called it "phenomenal."
- Zoftig Eatery: This one is a local favorite. They do a Korean Burrito that Guy loved so much he basically forced it onto the show after his buddy brought him one.
- Taqueria Molcajetes: If you want the regional Mexican flavors he raves about, this is it. The chile verde is the star here.
The 2026 Reality: Is Guy Done with Santa Rosa?
Hardly. He’s more active in the community now than ever. In late 2025, the Guy Fieri Foundation hosted a massive "Chefs for Heroes" fundraiser right here in Sonoma County. He’s also heavily involved in the "Read On Sonoma" program for local schools.
He’s shifted from being a "local restaurateur" to being the "local benefactor."
He spent part of 2025 recovering from a pretty gnarly on-set injury—emergency surgery and a couple of months in a wheelchair—but he’s back on his feet now. He was recently spotted prepping for his massive Super Bowl tailgate event at the Cow Palace in Daly City.
What to expect if you visit
Don't expect a theme-park restaurant with flames on the walls in downtown Santa Rosa. Instead, expect a foodie city that has been heavily influenced by one man's palate.
If you're looking for that Guy Fieri restaurant Santa Rosa vibe, your best bet is to avoid the chains and eat where the man himself eats. Go to the Russian River Pub in Forestville (just a short drive away) for some wings and a beer. That’s the "real" Flavortown.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the hours for Hank's Creekside: They are famously busy on weekends. If you want to eat breakfast where Guy eats, get there before 9:00 AM.
- Visit the Russian River Pub: It’s about 15 minutes outside of Santa Rosa and offers the most "Triple D" atmosphere in the area.
- Keep an eye on Chandi Hospitality announcements: They hold the regional rights for Chicken Guy! and any future Santa Rosa flagship location will likely come through them.