Anthony Bourdain Food Trail is Coming to New Jersey

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:11 PM ET, Fri February 22, 2019

For those who would like to experience at least a little bit of the fabulous Anthony Bourdain lifestyle, a new food trail has been created in the famed chef's honor.

The Anthony Bourdain Food Trail features 10 of the restaurants the legendary personality visited for a 2015 episode of his CNN show "Parts Unknown," according to numerous news outlets.

Stops on the trail include Frank's Deli, in Asbury Park, a place where Bourdain was shown speaking with customers while eating a sub sandwich filled with provolone, salami, boiled ham, pepperoni, and hot peppers.

Hiram's, in Fort Lee, is yet another location on the trail. The restaurant is famed for its deep-fried hotdog. Yes, you read that right, deep fried. Who knew that was a thing.

Apparently, it was a favorite of Bourdain's who revealed he had been regularly visiting Hiram's since the 1950s, stating "I come here to feed my soul."

Bourdain spent his childhood in Leonia, New Jersey. With that in mind, New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Moriarty sought to recognize the food icon with the food trail.

"There's no question that Anthony's road to fame was not an easy one," Moriarty said in a statement when introducing his resolution to create the trail. "Even after international fame, he never forgot his Jersey roots. Each episode, Bourdain brought his homegrown wit, charm, and sense of humanity to his viewers. He became a New Jersey food icon. It was heartbreaking for his fans and for those who knew him in Leonia to find out of his passing. A designated trail of his favorite dining spots is a fitting way to honor the memory of one of New Jersey's best-known chefs."

Additional locations on the trail include Donkey's Place in Camden, which is known for its poppy seed buns, which Bourdain labeled "sublime." Another not to miss spot according to Bourdain, was the seafood-focused Dock's Oyster House in Atlantic City. (Order the stuffed lobster dish, it's what Bourdain ate.)

Bourdain's goal behind all of the New Jersey restaurants featured was to reveal a different side of the state, one that tourists wouldn't necessarily find on their own, local restaurants were lesser known.

State lawmakers unanimously approved the food trail in late January, the Asbury Park Press reported. However, there is no official date set for when the trail will be launched.

The restaurants and eateries are located throughout the state, on Long Beach Island, Atlantic City, and in Asbury Park. There are also stops in south and north Jersey in Camden and Fort Lee.

The participating restaurants include: Kubel's (Barnegat Light), Hiram's Roadstand (Fort Lee), Knife and Fork Inn (Atlantic City), Dock's Oyster House (Atlantic City), Tony's Baltimore Frill (Atlantic City), Tony & Ruth Steaks (Camden), Donkey's Place (Camden), Lucille's Country Cooking (Barnegat), Frank's Deli (Asbury Park) and James' Salt Water Taffy (Atlantic City).

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