Mitch Wagner's Tumblblog

Anthony Bourdain's street food street cred

I’ve been watching No Reservations, chef and writer Anthony Bourdain’s travel show, where he goes around the world sampling local cuisines and activities. I watch it a few minutes at a time on TiVo, while (appropriately enough) taking work breaks for snacks and breakfast and lunch.

He recently did shows where he visited the American Southwest, and Chicago.

On the one hand, he seems to legitimately love street food, and peasant foods, and other cuisines developed by centuries of poor people exercising creativity with cheap ingredients.

On the other hand, he made it to 50 years old without ever having a patty melt. Or Chicago deep dish pizza.

By the way, Bourdain’s book Kitchen Confidential is one of the most inspiring books I’ve ever read. I love his passion for cooking, and being a restaurant chef.