You’re driving through the neon-soaked streets of Pigeon Forge or navigating the construction-heavy blocks of downtown Nashville, and that craving hits. You want the salt. You want the "SMC" (Super Melty Cheese). You want to feel like the Mayor of Flavortown himself just handed you a burger the size of a hubcap. But if you start searching for Guy Fieri restaurants Tennessee, you’re going to run into a lot of outdated blogs and "ghost" listings. Honestly, the landscape of Guy's empire in the Volunteer State has changed quite a bit since he first started cutting ribbons here.
Most people think there’s a massive Guy Fieri sit-down spot in every major Tennessee city. That's just not the reality. While he’s filmed dozens of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives episodes from Memphis to Johnson City, his actual branded "Guy Fieri" physical locations are concentrated in the tourist corridors of East Tennessee and a specific, resilient corner of Music City.
The Massive 43,000 Square Foot Reality in Pigeon Forge
If you want the full-tilt, high-octane Fieri experience, you basically have to go to Pigeon Forge. Downtown Flavortown is the flagship. It’s located at The Mountain Mile, and calling it a restaurant is kind of an understatement. It’s more like a culinary amusement park.
We are talking 43,000 square feet. It has a 14-lane duckpin bowling alley, an arcade that feels like a Las Vegas casino for kids, and a full-service Tiki bar. But let’s be real: you’re there for the food. This is where you find the legendary Trash Can Nachos. They arrive at your table in a literal (clean) metal tin, which the server lifts to reveal a towering cylinder of chips, black beans, cheddar, and pickled jalapeños. It’s a mess. It’s beautiful.
One thing people get wrong? The wait times. On a Saturday night in the Smokies, you are looking at a two-hour wait, easily. But since it’s in the Mountain Mile, you can wander around the shops while you wait for that "your table is ready" text.
- Signature Move: The Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese Burger. It has a crispy mac ‘n’ cheese patty on top of the beef.
- The Vibe: High energy, loud, and very family-oriented. Don't go here for a quiet first date.
The Chicken Guy! Expansion (and Contraction)
Guy’s foray into the chicken world, aptly named Chicken Guy!, was supposed to sweep across the state like a spicy buffalo sauce. Back in 2019, there was talk of four or five locations. As of early 2026, the situation is a bit more focused.
The Gatlinburg location (727 Parkway) is the survivor. It’s a staple for tourists walking the main strip. It’s all about the sauces—they have 22 house-made dipping sauces ranging from "Donkey Sauce" to "Wasabi Honey." It’s fast-casual, meaning it’s a lot cheaper and quicker than Downtown Flavortown.
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Then there’s the Nashville location on Second Avenue. This place has been through the ringer. It was damaged in the 2020 Christmas Day explosion and had a long road to reopening. It’s back, serving the downtown crowd, but it feels different than the suburban mall versions you might see elsewhere. It’s gritty, fast, and perfect for soaking up a night on Broadway.
What Most People Miss: The "Triple D" Factor
A lot of travelers get confused and think any place Guy Fieri has visited on TV is a "Guy Fieri restaurant." It's an easy mistake to make. If you see his face on a wall, you assume he owns it.
In Tennessee, the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives legacy is actually much larger than his actual business holdings. If you’re in Nashville and want that Fieri-approved vibe without the corporate branding, you head to places like The Grilled Cheeserie or Pie Town Tacos. In Memphis, it’s all about the BBQ legends like Cozy Corner or Uncle Lou’s. Guy doesn't own these, but he gave them the "Flavortown" seal of approval, which is basically a license to print money in the food world.
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The El Burro Borracho Rumors
Every few months, a rumor starts that Guy is bringing El Burro Borracho (The Drunk Donkey) or his Chophouse to Nashville or Memphis. Currently, that's all it is: talk. While Guy has a strong affinity for Tennessee—he’s filmed here more than almost any other state besides California—his physical restaurant growth has slowed to favor high-traffic "destination" spots.
If you see a listing for a Guy Fieri restaurant in Memphis, double-check it. Most of the time, it’s a "ghost kitchen" operating out of a delivery app. These "Flavortown Kitchens" are virtual brands. You can’t walk in and sit down; you just order a burger through UberEats and it shows up at your door. It’s the same recipes, but you miss out on the bowling and the neon signs.
Surviving the Flavortown Experience
If you are planning a trip specifically to hit the Guy Fieri restaurants Tennessee has to offer, you need a strategy. Don't just wing it.
- Lunch is your friend. If you try to eat at Downtown Flavortown at 7:00 PM, you’re going to be frustrated. Go at 11:30 AM. You’ll walk right in, the fries will be fresher, and the arcade won't be a mosh pit.
- The Sauce Strategy. At Chicken Guy!, don't just get one sauce. Get the three-sauce combo. The "Curry Mayo" and "Garlic Parm" are the sleepers that most people ignore in favor of the basic BBQ.
- Check the Apps. For the Nashville Chicken Guy!, check their social media before you go. Being downtown, they occasionally close for private events or "Music City" chaos.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
Instead of just wandering around looking for a spiked-hair logo, do this:
- Target Pigeon Forge for the "Big Production" meal. This is where you get the Trash Can Nachos and the full experience.
- Use Gatlinburg for a quick, high-quality lunch at Chicken Guy! while you're walking the strip.
- Map out the Triple D spots if you are in Nashville or Memphis. Places like Arnold's Country Kitchen (Nashville) or Pizza Palace (Knoxville) offer the soul of what Guy looks for, even if his name isn't on the lease.
- Avoid the Ghost Kitchens unless you're stuck in a hotel room. The food is fine, but you're paying a premium for the name without the atmosphere that makes a Fieri joint worth the calories.
The reality of Guy Fieri’s presence in Tennessee is that it’s about quality over quantity. He’s planted a massive flag in the Smokies and a smaller, tougher one in Nashville. Everything else is just part of the legend.