Hey Guy Fieri (and the rest of Jersey) – you’re missing out.

I’ve been a fan of Guy Fieri since he won the Food Network’s second (and arguably most successful) season of The Next Food Network Star in 2006. Spiked hair, sunglasses tan lines, a fun attitude and an appreciation for fancy real American food made him stand out amongst the crowd. He was the perfect TV personality to take charge of the network’s Diners Drive-ins, and Dives. The show is in its third year of traveling the country for America’s best Triple D’s, even visiting the great Diner State multiple times over. But through all of the mileage he’s clocked traveling the country, there is a small blip on the diners/drive-ins/dives map (emphasis on the dive part) that remains to go unnoticed. Gyro’s Bob’s in Stanhope New Jersey deserves all of the culinary (yes, culinary) recognition given to the much more popular (and aesthetically pleasing) restaurants showcased on Guy’s show.

Gyro Bob’s is a one-stop shop for good food, a good laugh, and a good lesson in history via faded newspaper clippings. Stealing facts from last year’s Star Ledger review, Crisostomos Dimitrios, now 80 years old, is Gyro Bob. He opened the establishment (with less seats than a high school class room) in 1976 and has been working behind the counter/bar ever since. His no-older-than-14 grandson was behind the counter with him on this day, responding to customers’ questions like a pro. Often times he was translating what his g-pop was saying, as it’s all but impossible to understand Gyro Bob’s still-thick Greek accent. My advice – play it safe. Agree with his questions and you’re guaranteed to leave satisfied.

Although people rave about his gyro’s (another customer was ordering six to bring back to friends in Pennsylvania) and falafel, I went with the Cheesesteak Royale – steak, lettuce, tomato, bacon, onions, potato, peppers, and mushrooms. All of that made to order and shoveled (literally) on to a bun the size of a paper plate. It’s not South Philly nor is it trying to be. A great combination of flavors, it’s evident its creator put thought into this edible beast.

If I don't have you convinced already, let me set the scene for you. Faded newspaper clippings from the 80’s. A Woodstock poster. Pictures of old Yankee Stadium. Eighty year old hands slicing tomato to order. Wood paneling. One guy and his grandson. A ’77 Caddy parked outside. Go – visit – order – eat – enjoy. You’ll be back, I guarantee you that. This was not my first time ordering off the half page Xerox menu, and Gyro Bob knew it. When ringing me up he looked me in the eye and said, “Yo’ be’ he’ ‘for, aight? I recognize yo’.” Assuming he said "You’ve been here before, right? I recognize you” it was clear to see he’s still on top of his restaurant’s patrons.

Yes, he pronounced "recognize" as a three syllable word.

So Guy, take note. Triple D's mission is to showcase America’s restaurants - big, small, clean, dirty, and everything in between – in all of their glory. I urge you to check out Gyro Bob’s before it’s too late. It doesn’t have the seat capacity of Tick Tock or the martini’s of Skylark, but what it lacks in style Gyro Bob's makes up with a devoted, small-town America following and a sincere appreciation for serving up hearty food.