FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Regular viewers of the Food Network undoubtedly know Guy Fieri. As host of “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” he travels around the country scouting eateries the rest of us might enjoy.

The question is, would anyone really go out of their way to sample the food he recommends?

Yes. Roger and Jane Holm of Lakeview, Minn. are among a growing number of people who take such accolades to heart. They elevate it to the next level, however, by going that extra mile — make that miles — seeking out the places featured on Fieri’s show.

The retirees began their culinary road trips one year ago, and had already managed to dine at 57 independently owned burger joints, sandwich shops, hot dog stands and greasy spoons before arriving on the Eastern Shore last week, where they made it an even 60.

The Holms enjoyed appetizers and pecan-flavored beer at Manci’s Antique Club (Episode 408 — “Better than Ever”) in Daphne on Thursday then stopped by The Gumbo Shack (Episode 403 — “Bar Food”) in Fairhope that evening for bowls of shrimp gumbo and jambalaya. On Friday, they wrapped up this leg of their odyssey by having lunch at Panini Pete’s Café and Bakeshoppe (Episode 308 — “Real Deal Fast Food”) in downtown Fairhope.

All three restaurants were profiled on separate episodes of the popular cable television program.

“We were thinking this would just be about eating food in restaurants,” Jane said. “It’s turned out being about people. We’ve made some good friends.”

The personable pair have been self-proclaimed foodies and roadies for many years. They’ve toured 49 U.S. states on motorcycles (surprisingly, Alaska was not among them) and nine Canadian provinces.

“Even then I was researching restaurants,” Jane said. “We looked for the places where the pickup trucks were parked, and the seats are split. They’re concentrating on the food.”

Now they travel by car, carrying a digital camera, checklist and two extremely thick notebooks jammed with photos, menus, autographs and notes chronicling their grand adventure of calories and cholesterol.

Jane said, “We had a trip kind of planned. We needed a stress release, and we said ‘let’s see how many Triple D places we can hit.’ We route our trips now based on where the Triple Ds are. We go where we want to because we want to.”

The Holms began their first trip in California, visiting various parts of the state. When they had a few DDD stops under their belt, they were contacted by Page Productions, producers of the show, and asked to take along a video camera for a brief time and tape program updates to air later.

“We talk and eat and talk and eat,” Jane said. “It’s fantastic.” Roger agreed, adding, “It’s fun.”

They met Panini Pete’s owner Pete Blohme during the taping of a “Best of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” special. It was Blohme who hosted the couple at each of their Baldwin County stops.

Roger said of that chance encounter, “Here comes Pete with beignets. It was a treat. It was a real treat … This has got to be one of the basic food groups — one of the required groups on the food pyramid. They have got to be near the top.”

Blohme surprised them again when they visited his shop by serving up a tray of his now famous breakfast delicacies topped with lit candles commemorating the occasion of their milestone visit. He also showed them how to ride the Segway PT (personal transporter) he often uses to zip around town.

After polishing off a few beignets, they then munched on a pair of his signature paninis.

“People have come in and said they’ve been to 10 restaurants from Guy’s show, and I say ‘you rookies,’” Blohme remarked with a wide smile. Jane and Roger laughed at the thought they are considered seasoned veterans of the quest.

All three believe Fieri’s sincerity is one of the reasons so many clamor to restaurants he likes, benefiting not only those businesses but also nearby retailers and attractions.

“The camaraderie between the restaurant owners and Guy is so real,” Jane said. “The friendship is so real. The widespread effect is huge on the restaurant and the community.”

Blohme said, “He’s got a legion of fans who will come out and spend a lunch or spend an evening. It’s so much more about relationships.”

Having your restaurant selected for a segment on the half-hour program indeed translates into cold, hard cash. The congenial Fairhope restaurateur said has seen yet another sharp increase in business at his French Quarter shop since he recently appeared a third time on the network.

Blohme was the sole guest on the May 17, “Guido’s Neato Panini” episode of Fieri’s other program, “Guy’s Big Bite.” He and Fieri prepared Blohme’s roasted turkey panini with homemade mozzarella that the spike-haired cooking show host has dubbed “The State Bird of Flavortown.”

“This went to a whole different level,” Blohme said. “We were already up 30 percent this year.”

Most restaurant owners are happy about the increase in traffic the program has generated, and are more than happy to talk about it. The Holms often spend two to five hours chatting with them or their managers when they visit.

“Owners are really proud of what they’re doing,” Roger said. “Everyone’s been really happy we’ve come into their restaurant, and we’re happy to be there.”

Blohme is naturally thrilled as well. Referring to the positive feedback he has received because of the televised exposure, he said, “If you’re a working actor and you’re handed an Academy Award one day, you say ‘Wow! This is really special.’ This is what this is like.”

Roger retired from Hewlett Packard nine years ago, and Jane spent many years of her career in the mortgage and real estate business. They have a grown son and daughter, as well as six grandchildren (one girl and five boys) they adore.

Both say they also love the Eastern Shore, particularly the expansive view of Mobile Bay and the abundance of songbirds and shorebirds. Before they headed toward the Florida peninsula for the next leg of their latest journey, the Holms were asked why they are devoting so much time during their golden years to this pursuit.

“We’re healthy and we’ve lost so many friends in the last few years,” Jane said. “We decided to do this now. It never gets old.”

She continued, saying, “There is no hidden agenda. We’re having a blast. It’s something we needed in our life.”

Roger added, “I get so energized and pumped up. I can’t wait to go to the next one.”