Indiana Restaurants Closed After Appearing on The Food Network

It appears that while some restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives have continued to thrive, others have faced various challenges leading to their closure. The "Triple D effect" can bring a lot of attention, but long-term success depends on many factors.

PHOTO: lib guy fieri

I’m the biggest Guy Fieri fan you’ll ever meet—I even have his autograph tattooed on my arm. So, naturally, I’ve followed every flame-shirted moment of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives since it debuted in 2007. With more than 36 seasons under his belt, Guy has visited hundreds of local spots, tasted countless mouthwatering dishes, and created a massive spotlight for small businesses.

Why Do Some Restaurants Close After Being on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives?

But here’s the question that keeps coming up: Why do some of these featured restaurants thrive while others end up closing their doors? Some folks call it the curse of Triple D. But the truth is, every situation is different.

With Guy Power Comes Great Responsibility

Getting a visit from Guy is like winning the food lottery. The moment an episode airs, the crowds show up—hungry and curious. Guy has said it himself: “It’s a huge responsibility. One owner told me it changed the economic profile of his family.”

Check out this list from the Food Network about what happens behind the scenes: Diners Declassified

T. Merriss / CANVA

Only 9 Indiana Restaurants Featured on Triple D?

Seriously, only nine spots in the entire state? Indiana has so many hidden gems—especially in Southern Indiana—that deserve Guy’s attention. Let’s fix that, Food Network! Here’s a look at a few that made the cut… and what happened next.

Zest! Exciting Food Creations – Indianapolis

Season 12, Episode: “Bar Food and Bon Bons”
Zest! saw big weekend crowds, but weekday business was slow. In 2015, owner Valerie Vanderpool told the Indy Star: “It’s just hard to survive on two days a week.”

Jersey’s Cafe – Carmel

Season 11, Episode: “Fully Loaded”
This local favorite battled tough luck. Road construction on U.S. 31 caused a major dip in traffic. When the owners considered moving locations, their landlord cut their lease short before they had a new place secured.

The Barking Dog Cafe – Indianapolis

Episode: “Signature Twists”
Known for its creative menu (hello, tomato jam!) and dog-friendly charm, this cafe had a loyal following. But a lease disagreement ended the nine-year run. Owners Jeff and Mary Beth Gahimer didn’t want to commit to a long-term lease, so they walked away on their own terms.

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Kentucky Restaurants and Bars Featured on National Television

Kentucky has been well-represented on a number of television series, and not just on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Check out the list:

Gallery Credit: Dave Spencer

LOOK: Here are the 25 best places to live in Kentucky

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Kentucky using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.