Guy Fieri’s Flavorful Visit to Lakeland: Cigars, Tequila, and Culinary Excitement
Over 50 cigar enthusiasts were treated to an exclusive experience with the renowned celebrity chef and entrepreneur, Guy Fieri, in Lakeland on Wednesday. Fieri was in town to promote his Knuckle Sandwich cigar line at the Tinder Box located at 2981 Canada Road.
Jeff Norton, who co-owns the business with his wife, Lynne, expressed their excitement at having Fieri choose their store for this special event. Attendees enjoyed a delightful autumn evening on the patio, where they had the opportunity to have their cigar boxes signed by Fieri, take photos and videos with him, and even sample a shot of his Santo tequila, creating a cross-promotional synergy.
Fieri, reflecting on his journey, shared, “Out of all the things that people ask that I wanted to be — I’m a cook from Northern California, and I love smoking cigars and I’ve always had a subscription to Cigar Aficionado. I said, ‘One day I’m going to be on that magazine.’” He recently graced the cover of the magazine’s July/August issue, a testament to his dreams becoming a reality.
In addition to the cigar event, Fieri and his crew are currently in the Memphis area filming episodes for his popular Food Network shows, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and “Triple D Nation.” He spoke highly of Memphis’ burgeoning food scene, emphasizing how it continues to evolve and diversify.
As reported earlier this week, Fieri and his crew have been spotted at various locations in the Memphis area, including Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana and Wiseacre Brewing Co.
Tinder Box is owned by Jeff and Lynne Norton, with Lynne’s parents originally opening the store at the Mall of Memphis in 1981. Lynne, who joined the business over two decades ago, explained its origins, saying, “My dad was in the Navy, and he was a big pipe smoker. And when he retired from the Navy, that’s what he wanted to do was open a Tinder Box.” The business has since expanded, with locations in Collierville, East Memphis, Downtown, and Lakeland.
Today, the stores specialize in pipes, pipe tobacco, cigars, and accessories like cutters, lighters, and ashtrays, focusing exclusively on premium, hand-rolled cigars while eschewing products like vapes and CBD. Patrons are welcome to bring their own adult beverages to the lounge-like store, which does not sell alcohol.
Fieri’s Knuckle Sandwich cigars, blended by the esteemed Espinosa Cigars family in Nicaragua, come in three primary blends — Connecticut, Habano, and Maduro, representing light, medium, and full-bodied options. These cigars made their debut around two years ago, and Fieri’s deep passion for cigars is evident in the meticulous blending process.
Among the attendees at the event were Collierville resident Jeff Ryu and his daughter Mia, both avid fans of Guy Fieri. Mia, in particular, expressed her excitement about meeting him and proudly displayed a Flavortown sticker on her Volkswagen bus.
Looking ahead, Fieri’s schedule includes the official grand opening of his first Mid-South restaurant, Guy Fieri’s Tunica Kitchen & Bar at the Horseshoe Casino in Tunica. Additionally, he will make a stop at Buster’s Liquors in the University of Memphis area to sign bottles of his Santo tequila.