I don’t watch much television during the school year, but in the summer months I will indulge. My sister and I love to cook and bake, so if we choose to waste a few hours in front of the tube, it is more often than not likely to be a Food Network selection. One of our all-time favorite Food Network shows is “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” Guy Fieri has been driving into homes across America in his trademark red Camaro since 2006. In the past decade, he has found a place in our hearts. Why?

1. Guy’s unconventional and outgoing personality

A large part of the appeal of “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” is Guy himself. He is animated, quirky, and fun. When Guy invites himself into someone’s restaurant kitchen, he makes himself at home. It’s as if a friend or neighbor has stopped by for a good meal. He doesn’t stand idly by as the chefs who are the focus of each episode create the dishes which put them on Guy’s radar. Instead, he is right beside each chef, walking us through the recipe, before diving in for a taste test.

2. Guy’s appearance

“Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” wouldn’t be the same without Guy and his sunglasses, his somewhat eccentric attire, and his signature spikey platinum hair. How many other chefs would have the guts to wear retro bowling shirts and hoop earrings? Take away all of his wild accoutrements, and Guy would be any other boring, conservative, regular family man.

3. Guy's love for food

Guy is absolutely passionate about each dish that he tastes on the Triple D episodes. He can barely wait to savor the offerings, often burning his tongue as he digs in before the dish cools. And Guy is not shy about his love of food, moaning and groaning his way through!

4. Guy’s belly laughs and catchphrases keep us smiling.

Guy has the kind of laugh that is contagious. And on top of that, he can describe a dish that he is sampling in his own unique style. Something does not simply taste good in Guy’s mind. Instead, it is “gangsta,” while implies that it is not only delicious, but revolutionary. One of Guy’s favorite remarks is reserved for items that are particularly decadent and over the top, such that he proclaims, “we’re riding the bus to Flavortown!” When words are hard to come by even for Guy, he will remark, “shut the front door!”

5. Guy’s choice of establishments

Guy wouldn’t be drooling over the dishes he gets to eat if the food weren’t top-notch. Admittedly, they are not Michelin-star restaurants, but they are great nonetheless. Some are completely off-the-beaten path, restaurants that might go unnoticed were it not for the show. They all share a common theme of being run by hard-working passionate cooks looking to satisfy their customers with home-style goodies.

6. Guy’s back home lessons

Aside from the entertainment value, “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” is an educational experience. Food preparation 101 awaits. You learn how to smoke salmon, roll sushi, or prepare homemade mozzarella. And this is food that you and I can dare to try to prepare, because the show focuses on American-style cuisine and not gourmet offerings. Guy takes us back home to our own neighborhoods, revisiting the ethnic and regional specialties of our youth, so that when we watch “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” we are sitting and eating among friends.