Celebrity chef Guy Fieri returns for seconds at Evelyn's Drive-in in Tiverton
TIVERTON — Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but its foodie scene is big on flavor.
So it's no wonder Guy Fieri, celebrity host and self-proclaimed Mayor of Flavortown, took a road trip back to Little Rhody last week.
The Food Network star has popped in at multiple Rhode Island and Massachusetts restaurants on his show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" over the years, and now he's returned for seconds as he films segments of his new show "Triple D Nation."
One such Fieri favorite that will be featured is Evelyn's Drive-in in Tiverton, which operated on limited hours Friday — takeout window only until 3 p.m. — to accommodate their special guest for a day of shooting at the popular waterfront seafood destination.
"Triple D Nation" is a spinoff of Fieri's much-loved series "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," which premiered in 2007 and showcased Evelyn's in Season 2 in an episode titled "Seaside Eats." "As wrong as it is, it's right," Fieri joked at the time about the eatery's lobster chow mein.
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In his new "Triple D Nation" series, Fieri revisits some of the best restaurants he had featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" in the past.
Evelyn's is no stranger to the spotlight. The summer tourist destination has received frequent visits from "Phantom Gourmet" in the past and were featured on "Today," which have helped provide a much-welcomed boost to their seasonal business.
"We're definitely putting good vibes out into the universe," said owner Jane Bitto in a 2022 Herald News interview, noting Evelyn's TV appearances "definitely remind people to come in or new people will travel to check it out."
While owners Jane Bitto and her husband, Domenic, are keeping their clams shut, per production's request, on specific details of Fieri's most recent visit until the episode airs, they did offer some morsels.
After being contacted by Fieri's production team, "Triple D" crews set up shop Friday, Sept. 15, at 5 a.m. for a 10-hour day of filming at the Tiverton restaurant, perched above Nanaquaket Pond. A group of 12 Evelyn's customers also got the unique opportunity to dine and chat with Fieri as part of the shoot.
"They were awesome.. kind and respectful," Jane said of Fieri and his crew. "Our customers love Evie's so much, it was the sweetest thing hearing all the cool things they had to say. It was a really good overall experience."
"Triple D" viewers can expect close-ups and critiques of some of Evelyn's classics such as their seafood platter, lobster BLT, sea scallops, chowder, clam cakes and their Buddha's Chocolate dessert (a milk chocolate almond toffee made in house), according to Jane.
According to a Facebook post from Evelyn's, the segment is slated to air in June 2024. "Triple D Nation" airs Fridays at 9 p.m. on the Food Network.
The countdown begins until Evelyn's final day of the season this Saturday, so Fieri made it there just under the gun.
While making his rounds in the region, Fieri also reportedly visited Crazy Burger Cafe & Juice Bar in Narragansett last Wednesday, Sept. 13, and on Saturday morning, Italian Corner in East Providence posted a video to its Facebook page saying "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" was "in the house."
Patti's Pierogis, a Fall River go-to for authentic Polish food, was also the site of an unforgettable — to city foodies anyway — Fieri visit back in 2012. The host pulled up in his cherry red Camaro through a crowd of excited spectators, and shut down the restaurant for three days of filming.
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So far there's no indication the South Main Street spot is part of his "Triple D" lineup. However, Patti's made headlines this week with news that the eatery, the last remaining Polish restaurant in Fall River, is being sold.
If Fieri continues his Ocean State tour, other "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" alum that may pop up on Triple D include Aunt Carrie's in Narragansett, Louis Family Restaurant in Providence, Edgewood Cafe in Cranston, Anthony's Seafood in Middletown, Angelo's Civita Farnese in Providence, and the Mediterraneo Caffe in Providence.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Guy Fieri films segment for new Food Network show at Evelyn's
