Anthony Bourdain Says These Are The Most Underrated Food Cities In America
Anthony Bourdain is one of those guys that has been around the block world a few (hundred) times. He's traveled all over tasting anything and everything that comes his way, and documents it for the world to see in his epic (and accurately named) show, No Reservations.
Considering he's a grad of the Culinary Institute of America and is an overall badass in the food world, he took his eating prowess and knowledge to a new avenue: Reddit. During an AMA this week, Bourdain talked all things food and traveling, bt what most interested us was his tips for the most underrated food cities in American eating. Those cities included:
Nashville
Asheville, NC
Charleston, NC
Minneapolis, MN
(Plot twist) Los Angeles
Los Angeles was definitely a surprising pick, considering it's one of the most prominent food/scene areas in America. However, Bourdain notes, "I think Los Angeles is wildly underrated; it was famous for years and appreciated for its strip mall food, it's Korean and Mexican and Latino food. But man, some of the restaurants that have been opening in the last 10 years are really really good." (He's probably talking about Jesse Tyler Ferguson's spot, Terrine.)
Among others on the list, Bourdain calls out Nashville's bustling BBQ scene that is often lost against bigger BBQ behemoths like Texas and Kansas City. One other important note about Nashville: beware the famous hot chicken.
"And if you're considering going to Nashville, by the way, please notice that Nashvillians themselves don't eat the extra-hot fried chicken," Bourdain says. "They know better. Unless you've got three or four days to spend in a bathroom, I really advise against that."
I could imagine that Bourdain has had some other terrifying experiences throughout his adventures, considering the fact that he mentions he used drink ANY drink that ANYONE offered to him while out. Anything.
"Fans would come up to me and offer me shots of tequila and I would actually drink them. I am still here and alive today because I don't do that anymore."
Now that he is older, calmer and regularly lunches with Obama and his 9-year-old-daughter, he has turned over a new leaf. And contrary to popular belief, he has no qualms about making a reservation for a restaurant.
"I'm like super organized, I'm a list maker, and I have a schedule. I'm not one of those people who calls a restaurant at the last minute and says, "Do you know who I am?" I plan ahead. I do make reservations. And I always show up for them."
H/T: FoodBeast
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