Dad’s Kitchen on Freeport Boulevard, known for its appearance on “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, has been quite the go-to spot for Curtis Park natives.

Owners Christine Collins and Julio Peix bought the restaurant in 2008 and have since shot to fame with the help of their chef, Luis Becerra, and the Dad’s Burger – a bacon-crusted patty with bleu cheese crumbles and a Aleppo chili spread.

“Our chef, Luis, created the burger when we opened. His idea was that people like bleu cheese, and people like bacon, so we made a bleu cheese bacon burger,” said Dad’s manager Ryan Tubbs. “The Aleppo chili plays well with the bacon and bleu cheese, it brings out a great spicy, smoky flavor.”

Ashley Herrera, a server at Dad’s Kitchen, said she believes they can contribute most of their success to the praised patty.

“The Dad’s Burger is what we are known for most,” Herrera said.

First timer Mark Zampino agrees and came to Dad’s after seeing it on the Food Network.

“We’re coming here because Guy Fieri reviewed it and we make a point to visit any place that he has been to,” Zampino said. “We’re going to try the bleu cheese and bacon-crusted burger. (You) can’t go wrong with that.”

The restaurant features other items, including beer-battered onion rings, the meatloaf sandwich and the Hot Blonde sandwich with organic chicken, avocado and swiss cheese.

Although there are a lot of meat dishes, vegetarians also have options at Dad’s Kitchen such as the veggie burger made from quinoa.

“As a vegetarian, I feel that there are plenty of options to modify the food,” Herrera said. “A lot of vegetarians come in and they are able to get something good to eat, considering we are known for a burger.”

As well as vegetarian options, Tubbs said the restaurant also makes accommodations for those with special dietary needs.

“Every single one of our burgers can be gluten free,” Tubbs said. “We buy quality products, the chicken is organic, we use grass-fed beef, and everything is made in-house.”

Not only do they specialize in these health conscious foods, but Dad’s has also recently added an impressive bar.

“We rotate handles constantly, everything changes all the time,” Tubbs said. “We have 30 taps. The bar is a recent expansion; we’ve had that for six months. We have happy hour all day on Tuesdays and Wednesday to Friday from 2-6 p.m. All pints are $4.”

Dad’s is expanding with a new location in Fair Oaks this December, on the corner of Hazel and Sunset Avenues.

Kaitlin Bruce can be reached at [email protected]