Memphis restaurant Trap Fusion wows Guy Fieri on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'

Guy Fieri enjoyed a taste of Memphis on his famed Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" on Friday.

"I told my friends I wanted to try some true Memphis food," said Fieri during the episode's introduction. "They said, 'What about a place doing Memphis and Caribbean together?' I said, 'That's my kinda place.'"

Trap Fusion in Whitehaven was the destination he was talking about.

What did Guy Fieri try at Trap Fusion?

Caribbean lamb chops and oxtails were the two dishes Trap Fusion owners Jason Gardner and Markeith McCoy cooked for Fieri.

One bite of the lamb chops, and Fieri said, "The one thing this lamb is not missing is flavor. You have packed it in there, my friend. It's like 10 buddies going to a concert in a Honda."

The oxtails were another hit. "It's more Southern, it's a good braised oxtail with just a little kick of Caribbean flavors," said Fieri, adding it was delicious.

McCoy said those two dishes are two of their most popular items.

"In the city of Memphis, lamb has become very popular on most menus. I wanted to create a dish that had a hint of Memphis barbecue with a twist," Gardner said. "Oxtails are one of my favorites dishes, and my dad and I share a special love for authentic Caribbean food and Memphis needed a great oxtail."

Gardner said both dishes were chosen by Food Network and recommended by the customers.

"I’m still in disbelief and truly grateful for the experience," Gardner said. "These two dishes are from the heart, and both are made with love and a bit of Memphis."

Trap Fusion: Soul Food with a spin

Trap Fusion features from-scratch, healthier versions of soul food with influences of Cajun and Caribbean fare.

The small, Black-owned restaurant opened in May 2019 in Whitehaven at 4637 Boeingshire Drive. A second location opened in Cordova at 670 N. Germantown Parkway, Suite 14, in late 2020.

McCoy and Gardner said they were thrilled and honored to have been chosen by Fieri.

“When I was informed that Guy wanted to visit Trap Fusion, I instantly knew our hard work and dedication to our craft had not gone unnoticed," Gardner said. "To be recognized on a national scale was our dream as small business owners rooted in our celebrated Whitehaven community. Memphis has been historically known for great cuisine and it’s truly an honor to be recognized amongst other great restaurants of our city.”

McCoy added that even the announcement of the show boosted business.

"Being on the show so far has created an uptick in business," McCoy said. "We have began to see a steady stream of new customers that immediately become repeat patrons and that’s the Guy Fieri effect."

Memphis Restaurants: Trap Fusion: What to know about Memphis restaurant on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'

Will more Memphis restaurants be on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'?

Until Friday night, it had been 11 years since a Memphis restaurant has been featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

Trap Fusion was the first to be featured from a group of restaurants Fieri visited in mid-September.

Fieri reportedly filmed at seven Memphis restaurants on his recent visit. Air dates from the remaining six restaurants have yet to be announced.

How to watch Trap Fusion on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives'

The episode titled “Southern, Western & North of the Border" is described on FoodNetwork.com as: “Guy Fieri's digging dishes from across the map. In Buffalo, Wyo., it's scratch-made Italian that's hitting all the flavor notes. Then, in Calgary, Alberta, a Venezuelan spot is keeping it fresh, tasty and gluten-free, while in Memphis, Tenn., a Southern-Caribbean mashup is serving oxtail and lamb chops with extra spice.”

The episode will re-air on Food Network on these dates:

• Dec. 16 at 11 p.m.

• Dec. 23 at 5 p.m.

• Dec. 30 at 3 a.m.

It is also available on streaming services.

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer. 

If you want to keep up with the tastiest news in the Bluff City — like the story above, sign up for our Eat Drink Memphis weekly newsletter for a hearty serving of stories on everything from restaurants to recipes. You can sign up here.

Trap Fusion

Two locations: 4637 Boeingshire Drive and  670 N. Germantown Parkway, Cordova

Online: trapfusion901.com

Hours: Noon-7 p.m. Monday; noon-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; closed Sunday

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Trap Fusion on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: What Guy Fieri said