Thumbs down: Guy Fieri checks out of Santa Rosa restaurants

News that Johnny Garlic's and Tex Wasabi's will remain in operation is something to celebrate. But we give a thumbs down to news that Guy Fieri, the Food Network star of 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,' is pulling up stakes in his local restaurants.|
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD

News that Johnny Garlic's and Tex Wasabi's, two popular Santa Rosa establishments, will remain in operation is something to celebrate. But we give a thumbs down to news that Guy Fieri, the Food Network star of “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” is pulling up stakes in his local restaurants.

The spike-haired chef who brought us Rockin' Lava Shrimp and the Jackass Roll has added real spice to Sonoma County life. Fieri originally filed to dissolve the Johnny Garlic's Inc., a seven-restaurant chain he founded in 1996 with Steve Gruber, who also partnered with him in opening Tex Wasabi's three years later. But he has instead agreed to sell his shares in both operations to Gruber, who has pledged that the operations will “evolve and grow.” That's at least worth a toast.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.
Send a letter to the editor