Pinky's Westside Grill

"Look for the bright-blue building on the corner with the American-flag-wrapped VW beetle on the roof. That’s Pinky’s, a great spot in Wesley Heights for a casual lunch or dinner when you want big portions of comfort food. The decor is quirky in a cheesy-yet-lovable way: They have a concrete triceratops, a painting of Guy Fieri on the host stand, a lifesize green alien statue with a fairy wand, and a small photo of Dale Earnhardt taped above the thermostat. The food combinations are equally bonkers. Try the corn dog-battered fried shrimp, or The Velvet Elvis, with peanut butter, spicy honey, cream cheese, banana, and bacon sandwiched between texas toast. The weirder here, the better." - tess allen

"Look for the bright-blue building on the corner with the American-flag-wrapped VW beetle on the roof. That’s Pinky’s, a great spot in Wesley Heights for a casual lunch or dinner when you want big portions of comfort food. The decor is quirky in a sort-of-cheesy, yet lovable way: They have a concrete triceratops, a painting of Guy Fieri on the host stand, a lifesize green alien statue with a fairy wand, and a small photo of Dale Earnhardt taped above the thermostat. The food combinations are equally bonkers. Try the corn dog-battered fried shrimp, or The Velvet Elvis, with peanut butter, spicy honey, cream cheese, banana, and bacon sandwiched between texas toast. The weirder here, the better." - Tess Allen

"The restaurant is fun and rollicking. Between the dinosaur in the parking lot and the Volkswagen Beetle on the roof, Pinky's Westside Grill seems like a perfect candidate for Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives," and for good reason—it's been on the show twice. The menu leans heavily on the frier: waffle fries drenched in pimiento cheese, burgers rising three patties tall, fried pickles, corn dogs, hush puppies, and more. Bring the kids and let them eat whatever they want—you'll earn parent-of-the-year status." - Nancy DePalma

"This funky dive (complete with a pink Christmas tree at the West Morehead Street location during holiday time) has a penchant for making fried salads feel healthy. Grab a tahini salad packed into a paper food boat. It’s stacked with mixed greens, red onion, cucumber, heaps of feta cheese, tomato, pepperoncini, toasted sesame seeds, and four crispy falafel cakes, plus creamy tahini on the side. All that’s needed is some plastic silverware." - Katie Toussaint

"Pinky’s claim to fame came with its feature on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. As for its potential to gain a following with the pre-game crowd, Pinky’s menu is filled with a variety of local craft beer pitchers like Birdsong Brewing Company’s Higher Ground IPA, and fried goodness like Pimp’n Fries (waffle fries slathered in homemade pimento cheese) and fried Greg’s Pickles (dill pickle chips fried and served with ranch dressing). The “healthier” sports fans can dig into popcorn chicken salad and tahini salad (topped with fried falafel cakes)." - Remy Thurston