Guy Fieri, a man who has probably used a string of salami as nunchucks before, is opening a spinoff of his critically reviled Times Square restaurant, Guy’s American Kitchen & Bar, in a casino in Pretoria, South Africa. As you may recall, the original establishment was the subject of the most famous restaurant review of all time — a zero star take-down from New York Timescritic Pete Wells. This review did little to deter Fieri from spreading his unique brand of culinary prop comedy around the world: He’s since opened a Las Vegas outpost of the American Kitchen, as well as a casino restaurant in Pennsylvania in the same vein. The pen, it seems, is not mightier than the $15 platter of Guy-Talian nachos with turkey sausage and piquante peppers.
Bonsignor Fieri tells the Sunday Times that this South African restaurant, which is officially Guy Fieri’s Kitchen & Bar, will offer “real deal, scratch-made food, killer cocktails and a rocking good time,” with food and drink offered at “local market prices.” Diners can expect burgers and other populars items from his US establishments, plus South African exclusives like peri-peri wings and grilled sprinkbok loin.
The Food Network Star explains that there’s an even bigger surprise in store for his South African fans: “You know I got to keep it funky in Flavourtown! My South African Kitchen + Bar is gonna have a first for me … a mechanical bull!” Here’s a picture of that big, bad bull:
The official website notes: “Get those cowboy boots out for an evening of line dancing, and shake it up on the mechanical bull for the ride of your life — a perfect choice for a fun night out on the town with friends or family.” This homepage also notes that you have to be 18 years of age or older to enter.
Guy Fieri’s Kitchen & Bar is located in 22-story resort/casino complex called Times Square, so there is a thematic connection to the corn dog whisperer’s original New York restaurant. If everything goes according to plan, it will open this weekend. Brace.