Loulou's Griddle in the Middle appears on Guy Fieri 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.'

I love Loulou's Griddle in the Middle (372-0568) for its tiny, old-world wharftop spot—just a sit-down counter, with a view of the harbor next door, and a few booths next to it.

I love Loulou's for the kitschy saltshakers and kitschier decor.

I love Loulou's for clam chowder so hot and tasty I eat it so fast it's still steaming by the last spoonful.

I love Loulou's for the daily specials like the fried prawns and sea bass tacos I had Wednesday night (with some clam chowder).

I love Loulou's for the unrepentant personality popping out from the menu ("Comfort food special: usually something that is treadmill worthy") the and the San Francisco 49er tattoos on Chef Benito Carrillo's forearms.

I love Loulou's for the calamari ($8.75), griddle cakes ($6.95-$9.25) and al fresco breakfast seating.

But most of all I love Loulou's for its sweet loyalty to its customers. Exhibit A is the love poem dedicated to longtime die-hard Henry Morris, who passed a way last year.

In other words, there's a lot to love, but it's the love I love most.

Guy Fieri caught a whiff of that love as he was filming a variety of spots for his wildly popular Diners, Drive-ins and Dives locally—including Rosine's in downtown Monterey—so he made a stop at Loulou's last time he was in town for Pebble Beach Food & Wine this spring.

(It's not the first time he's been caught smelling what I'm spooning. Last time Fieri stole my idea for a grocery store reality show.)

The episode that stars Loulou's airs tonight (Friday, June 6) at 10pm on the Food Network.

Required viewing for local lovers of the best things about diners.