Nevada Sports Net columnist Chris Murray is known to be a bit wordy, so we’re giving him 1,000 words (but no more than that) every Friday to share his thoughts from the week that was in the world of sports.
* THIS SPACE IS usually reserved for writing about sports, but given how the Nevada athletic season has gone so far this fall, we’re taking a one-week reprieve. Let’s talk food. I like food. Everybody likes food. And perhaps nobody likes food more than Guy Fieri. The Food Network star was in Northern Nevada recently to tape for his popular Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives series, which has an amazing 572 episodes with three restaurants per show. That’s more than 1,700 diners, drive-ins or dives.
* FIERI HAS MADE trips to Northern Nevada before. In fact, Reno is one of the Santa Rosa resident’s favorite locations. Fieri has visited nine Reno establishments, including Dish Café & Catering; Gold ‘N Silver Inn (twice); Louis’ Basque Corner; Noble Pie Parlor; Washoe Public House; Yoshi’s Unique Deli; Carolina Kitchen and Barbeque Company; Char-B-Que; and Full Belly Deli with trips to Truckee’s Jax At The Trax and Burger Me! and Sacramento’s Squeeze Inn, a franchise started in Truckee.
* I CAN’T REVEAL the locations Fieri visited on his trip this month but know at least one of his stops, a local pizza place rising in popularity. Fieri’s last trip to Reno came in 2019, and his appearances at said restaurants always offer great exposure. With that in mind, here are eight Reno restaurants worthy of a visit from Fieri and the spotlight that would provide.
* KENJI’S: I met my wife for lunch at Kenji’s today, so we might as well start there. The husband-and-wife joint off Longley started as a food truck before moving into a brick and mortar in an old Domino’s Pizza (the food is still cooked in the food truck inside the restaurant). Kenji’s is the best Hawaiian food in Reno with a lunch plate offering enough food for lunch, dinner and the next day’s lunch as well (they don’t skimp on portion size). Getting a behind-the-scenes on Kenji’s would be great.
* CARLILLOS COCINA: I first wrote about this place in 2015 in a food review while working for the RGJ. It is in the old Landrum’s location in Sparks. It’s a Mexican restaurant in a 1950s-style diner, which seems like it’s right up Fieri’s alley considering the show starts with the word “Diners.” This is a unique spot that opened nearly a decade ago with one of its owners from Mexico City.
* JOHNNY’S RISTORANTE ITALIANO: I hadn’t been to Johnny’s before celebrating my 12th wedding anniversary there earlier this month (we had an anniversary dinner scheduled a couple of years prior but had to bail last minute due to an illness). The food was amazing, but I will never forget the drink I got (and I actually can’t remember the name of the drink; I think it was a Campanis, or something, but it was amazing). Founded in 1966, Johnny’s is a Reno staple. It also has a black-and-white photo of Joe DiMaggio when you walk in, and nothing says “Italian restaurant” more than a picture of the Yankee Clipper with the exception of a picture of Frank Sinatra.
* ZOZO’S RISTORANTE: Sticking with the Italian theme, Zozo’s has long been my go to, although it has been a while since we’ve been there. The Cajun pasta is out of this world and would be the must-make meal if Mr. Flavortown were to visit Zozo’s.
* JOSEF’S VIENNA BAKERY, CAFE AND RESTAURANT: Just down the street from Zozo’s is Josef’s Bakery, which is Reno’s best German/Austrian restaurant, which also has great cakes and bakes. A lunch joint, Josef’s opened in 1980 and has a long Reno history with its owner, Josef Pasa, since passing away but his successors promising not to make massive changes to the cafe that was once featured in Bon Appetite.
* STONE HOUSE CAFE: Sticking with the “cafe in the name” theme, Stone House is regarded by many as Reno’s top breakfast location. It is our annual Mother’s Day stop. The building that houses the cafe was built in 1876 and has lived many lives since then after originally being a nursery. It has been an eatery since 2005, with that backstory, plus the great food (I go eggs benedict), being perfect fodder for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
* SCHUSSBOOM BREWING CO.: Regular readers know I regularly mention Schussboom Brewing Co., which in 2020 became the first independent brewery in South Reno. Co-owner Jason Wagner overcame serious burns when scalding water from the brewing process spilled over him. The building is an old Shop-n-Go and has become a popular go-to for locals. Inside, there’s a ski theme with “Schussboom” the German term referring to a downhill ski run. The backstory (plus the great pizza) is ready made for Fieri.
* ARARIO MIDTOWN: I’m the first to tell you I don’t have an advanced cuisine palate, which is a shame. Those who do have advanced palates love Arario, which I’ve visited once and thought was fine. The Korean fusion restaurant is a huge hit among foodies, so I can definitely see Fieri shoveling food via chop sticks into his mouth here.
* DID ANY OF these locations make the cut during Fieri’s recent “Triple D” visit? I guess we’ll have to wait and see. But if you haven’t visited any of these places, they’re all worth a try, especially for the Nevada Wolf Pack athlete — who will remain unnamed — who said “I don’t think the food’s that good” when talking about Reno this week. The food is good! You just have try and the right places.
Columnist Chris Murray provides insight on Northern Nevada sports. Contact him at crmurray@sbgtv.com or follow him on Twitter @ByChrisMurray.
Dining and Cooking