Driftwood Boynton Beach Lands on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — Chef Jimmy Everett’s Big Night

Driftwood Boynton Beach is about to step into the national spotlight. Specifically, on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 9 p.m., Chef Jimmy Everett’s farm-to-table New American kitchen will hit screens nationwide on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. Moreover, the episode — “From Bunny Chow to Chicken Oysters” — takes its name in part from one of Driftwood’s most popular dishes, and as a result, South Florida foodies are already lining up to celebrate.

However, for our local burger and food festival community, this is bigger than a TV moment. In addition, Chef Jimmy already knows the Bites! Network competition stage well — because he competed at our sister event, the Florida Tacos, Wings & Desserts Battle. Therefore, we are hopeful he’ll bring that same fire to the Boca Burger Battle next.

Driftwood on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — May 8 at 9 p.m.

Guy Fieri’s flag-planting in Boynton Beach is rare. Although Triple D historically focused on classic roadside diners and dives, the show has expanded its lens to include creative, locally driven kitchens like Driftwood. Therefore, the inclusion is a nod to how seriously the South Florida dining scene is being taken on a national level.

Furthermore, the episode title — “From Bunny Chow to Chicken Oysters” — features Driftwood’s signature Fried Chicken Oysters, the dish many regulars will tell you is the menu’s quiet showstopper. Therefore, set your DVR for Friday, May 8 at 9 p.m. on Food Network.

Who Is Chef Jimmy Everett?

Chef Jimmy Everett’s story is South Florida through and through. First, he was born and raised in Lake Worth. In addition, his first restaurant job was at Atlantis Country Club at age 15. From there, however, his climb was anything but local.

Eventually, Everett moved to New York City and worked in some of the most influential kitchens in the country. Most notably, he served as opening executive sous chef at Marea, Michael White’s Michelin-recognized Italian seafood restaurant in Manhattan. Subsequently, he sharpened his craft in Hong Kong and Los Angeles. Finally, he made the call that defines so many great Florida chefs — coming home.

In 2017, Jimmy and his wife Ilia Gonzalez partnered with award-winning Boynton Beach mixologist Freddy Schwenk and opened Driftwood. Furthermore, the trio built a restaurant designed for the neighborhood — fine-dining technique without the fine-dining stiffness.

What Makes Driftwood Boynton Beach Worth the Drive

Driftwood is at 2005 S Federal Hwy, Boynton Beach, FL 33435. Importantly, the concept is New American with a farm-to-table backbone — local farms, coastal Florida ingredients, and globally inspired techniques pulled from Chef Jimmy’s NYC, Hong Kong, and LA chapters.

Specifically, the signature dishes that locals (and now a national TV audience) keep talking about include:

• The Driftwood Burger — the comfort-food anchor on a menu of culinary creativity
• Fried Chicken Oysters — the dish the DDD episode title pulls from
• Chicken in Dumplings — Southern-leaning, deeply seasoned, signature
• Shrimp n’ Grits — Florida-coast spin on the classic
• Local Fish Ceviche and Local Swordfish with bok choy and local mushrooms
• Cornbread with blueberries and buttermilk ice cream — the dessert that almost outshines the entrées

Additionally, Chef Jimmy and Sous Chef Tommy Coombs run a seasonal three-course Summer Prix Fixe for $55 — and as a result, it’s a smart way to taste their range without ordering across the menu. Consequently, Driftwood currently sits at 4.7 stars on OpenTable across 670+ verified diners.

From Florida Wing Battle to (Maybe) the Boca Burger Battle

Here is where it gets fun for our community. First, Chef Jimmy is already part of the Bites! Network family — because he competed at our sister event, the Florida Tacos, Wings & Desserts Battle, where he showed exactly the kind of bold, technique-driven cooking that Boca Burger Battle judges look for.

Naturally, the question is the obvious one — will Chef Jimmy and the Driftwood team bring an off-menu burger build to Boca Burger Battle 2026? Currently, we are in active conversation with them and hopeful the answer is yes. Moreover, if it happens, it will be one of the most anticipated chef debuts of this year’s Battle.

Either way, this is a chef worth following. Therefore, if you love what Chef Jimmy does at Driftwood, you’ll love what 18 South Florida chefs do at the Boca Burger Battle. Specifically, original off-menu burgers you cannot get anywhere else, all in one night.

How to Watch + How to Eat at Driftwood

First, to catch the episode, tune in Friday, May 8, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Second, to eat at Driftwood, reservations are strongly encouraged — so book through driftwoodboynton.com. Finally, hungry for more Boynton Beach burger picks while you wait for Friday night? Our Best Burgers in Boynton Beach roundup includes Driftwood plus nine other top spots.

Taste the Top of South Florida in One Night

If Chef Jimmy joins the 2026 lineup, he’ll be in serious company. Specifically, the Boca Burger Battle is South Florida’s longest-running burger competition. Furthermore, it is one of the only nights of the year you can taste 18 original off-menu burgers — built by 18 of the region’s top chefs — all in one place. As a result, tickets are limited and the event sells out every year.

Photos: Chef Jimmy Everett portrait and Driftwood Boynton Beach logo provided by the restaurant. Original reporting by the Palm Beach Post first highlighted the upcoming Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives episode.