Six Sacramento-area restaurants battled on Guy Fieri’s new Food Network show. Here’s who won

One of the best bites in the Sacramento region can be found at a longtime hot dog operation, according to Food Network.

The Hotdogger at 129 E St. in Davis was crowned the winner of the first episode of “Best Bite in Town” for its chicken Thai sausage with Thai salsa. This is food connoisseur and superstar Guy Fieri’s newest venture.

As of Tuesday morning, restaurant representatives were not available for comment.

Best known as the longtime host of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” Fieri has helmed a series of shows and specials, including “Guy’s Grocery Games,” “Tournament of Champions” and “Guy’s Ranch Kitchen,” and launched several restaurants.

Fieri’s latest project is “Best Bite in Town,” where he dispatches actor and TV presenter Noah Cappe and a revolving lineup of chefs to “explore the local food scene in cities across the country,” according to a news release.

“For years, I’ve been rollin’ out to towns big and small lookin’ for joints serving up amazing dishes. But no matter how many miles I put on the Camaro, I just can’t fit ‘em all into (‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’),” Fieri said in the release. “So, I’ve called in my buddy Noah Cappe and the Bite Club to help me out and they are hittin’ the road to find some killer small-town dishes on their own.”

Fieri serves as executive producer on the show.

The Davis episode

In the first episode, which aired Sunday, April 7, Fieri sends his pal Cappe to Davis in “search of some killer small-town dishes.”

Cappe teams up with chefs Tiffani Faison and Jet Tila (the Bite Club) and samples dishes from the city’s six most popular restaurants.

The episode concludes with a culinary competition filmed at Central Park, 301 C St. in Davis, according to Davis Farmers Market.

“It’s more than just finding the best bite in town,” said Cappe, whose credits include “Good Witch” and “The Bachelorette Canada.” “It’s about celebrating the heart and flavor of each community.”

The Hotdogger beat Japanese restaurant Hikari Sushi & Omakase, restaurant and brewery Sudwerk Brewing Co., restaurant and bar Tommy J’s Grill & Catering, dessert company Handheld Sweet & Savory Pies, and poke restaurant Zumapoke & Lush Ice.

You can catch the Davis episode again on Saturday, April 20..

The Hottdogger in Davis

Founded in 1984, The Hottdoger remains in its original brick-and-mortar on E Street.

The family-owned business locally sources its dogs and buns because a “wiener is just a wiener without a great set of buns,” according to its website.

Outside its physical location, the business serves its food at Davis schools, apartments, birthday celebrations, weddings and the Davis Farmers Market.

THE MENU

The Hotdogger’s menu is vast, with hot dog and sausage options like the $9 Hot Italian assembled with mild Italian-style pork and sausage, and the $8 Veggie Tofu Dog served on a sprouted whole wheat roll.

Specialty dishes like the $10 Gut Bomb with hot salsa and the $10 Guac Dog with guacamole are designed for the adventurous eaters.

Fries range from $4 to $6 depending on the toppings.

Two types of potato salad ($3), chili ($4) and chips ($2 to $3) are also on the menu.

Which other cities are showcased?

Davis isn’t the only Northern California city on the list.

In a later episode, Cappe joins forces with chefs Aarti Sequeira and Joe Sasto to check out the best restaurants in Placerville.

The episode is slated to air for the first time at 9 p.m. on Friday, April 26.

The rest of the show finds Cappe and his crew exploring the dining scenes in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Joplin, Missouri; Paducah, Kentucky; Clarksville, Tennessee, and on New Haven, Connecticut.

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