Los Angeles in 2017 was the perfect canvas for a deeply political and culturally rich episode of Parts Unknown. In Season 9, Bourdain bypassed the Hollywood glitz entirely, choosing instead to focus almost exclusively on the immense impact of Mexican and Latino culture on the city. The culinary scene he highlighted is the true lifeblood of LA: an incredible, sprawling network of late-night taco carts, historic Olvera Street stands, and brilliant, highly elevated modern Mexican dining. Bourdain’s angle was a fierce defense of the immigrant workforce that sustains the American restaurant industry. He wanted to show that the heart of Los Angeles beats in its vibrant, working-class neighborhoods and in the flawlessly executed mole and carnitas served on its streets. If you want to eat the very best, most authentic food in the City of Angels, you have to follow this exact map.
The great Anthony Bourdain left his mark everywhere he went. When his death was announced to the world in June 2018, media throughout the globe chimed in and listed all the great things he had done for their respective city. Whereas before, tourists would shy away from exotic foods, thanks to him, travellers now go the extra mile to find and try local bites. With this in mind, here are all the restaurants Bourdain visited and the dishes he tasted when he shot Anthony Bourdain Los Angeles for his show, Parts Unknown Season 9 Episode 2 (originally aired April 30, 2017):
READ MORE: MUST-VISIT FOOD FESTIVALS ON AMERICA’S WEST COAST
DISH – Mole Negro and Barbacoa de Chivo
WHAT IS IT?
Mole Negro – black mole with more than 30 ingredients; Barbacoa de Chivo – barbecued lamb or goat until it is falling apart perfectly.
WHERE IS IT?
Gish Bac
4163 W Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA, United States
READ MORE: CALIFORNIA : HOTELS FOR SPORTS LOVERS
ANTHONY BOURDAIN LOS ANGELES NOTES
Gish Bac serves specialties from the city of Tlacolula de Matamoros in Oaxaca, Mexico.
DISH – Mulitas
WHAT IS IT?
Tortilla on the grill, topped with marinated meat and cheese, topped with another tortilla, flip, and serve.
WHERE IS IT?
La Reyna
2000 E 7th St
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
READ MORE: KOREATOWN: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED BY ANTHONY BOURDAIN ON PARTS UNKNOWN
ANTHONY BOURDAIN LOS ANGELES NOTES
In Parts Unknown Los Angeles, La Reyna was featured as a late night eatery on 7th Street. It is now reported to be closed.
DISH – Taquitos
WHAT IS IT?
Beans with machaca, spicy breaded beef sauce and cheese rolled up in a tortilla, fried, smothered in avocado sauce, and jacked with chile guero, garlic, tomatillo and cilantro.
WHERE IS IT?
Cielito Lindo
E-23 Olvera St
Los Angeles, CA, United States
ANTHONY BOURDAIN LOS ANGELES NOTES
Cieito Lindo is a small stand that has been serving Mexican food since the 1930s. It is famous for its taquitos.
DISH – Grilled Chicken, Charred Branzino and Crispy Pork Tacos
WHAT IS IT?
Grilled Chicken with chipotle cream sauce; Charred Branzino with summer squash and sautéed Poblano peppers; Crispy Pork Tacos with black garlic mole and sacs of uni.
WHERE IS IT?
Trejo’s Cantina
1556 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA, United States
ANTHONY BOURDAIN LOS ANGELES NOTES
In Parts Unknown Los Angeles, Anthony Bourdain visited Trejo’s Cantina in Hollywood where he sampled green, healthy, light, locally-sourced and tasty versions of Mexican street classics.
DISH – Camarones Borrachos
WHAT IS IT?
Shrimp sautéed in butter and garlic over high heat, with cilantro and crushed peppers, finished with tequila.
WHERE IS IT?
Mariscos Chente
4532 S Centinela Ave
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
ANTHONY BOURDAIN LOS ANGELES NOTES
Mariscos Chente and its house special, Camarones Borrachos (drunken shrimp), were featured in Parts Unknown Los Angeles. It is now reported to be closed.
DISH – Chicharrón, Lamb Neck Tamal, Camote, and Foie Gras Rabanada – Anthony Bourdain Los Angeles
WHAT IS IT?
Chicharrón – cured and salted skin on pork, cooked sous-vide for 36 hours then deep-fried and served with elephant garlic mojo, and radish sprouts; Lamb Neck Tamal – tamales with slow-cooked lamb neck, oyster mushrooms and queso Oaxaca; Camote – Okinawan sweet potato filled with pork (ears, tails and snout) and topped with piloncillo syrup; Foie Gras Rabanada – brioche with foie gras and piloncillo.
WHERE IS IT?
Broken Spanish
1050 Flower St
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
ANTHONY BOURDAIN LOS ANGELES NOTES
Broken Spanish is a modern Mexican restaurant in the heart of downtown LA, known for its own take on Mexican classics. For example, their take on pan dulce resulted to Foie Gras Rabanada, where butter and sugar is replaced with foie gras and piloncillo.
DISH – Carne Asada Taco, Tacos Lengua, and Tacos al Pastor – Anthony Bourdain Los Angeles
WHAT IS IT?
Carne Asada Taco – slow-grilled marinated beef served with beans on a tortilla; Tacos Lengua – beef tongue braised in garlic and onions; Tacos al Pastor – stacked guajillo chli-rubbed pork shoulder slices with your choice of toppings.
WHERE IS IT?
Tacos Indiana Street Cart
1470 E 4th St
Los Angeles, CA, United States
ANTHONY BOURDAIN LOS ANGELES NOTES
Tacos Indiana’s cheap but satisfying taco cart found on 4th and Clarence Streets in LA.
This Los Angeles episode stands as one of Bourdain’s most direct and passionate political statements regarding immigration and the vital role of Mexican culture in America. It was historically significant for shining a massive spotlight on the chefs, line cooks, and street vendors who are the unsung heroes of the culinary world. He used the incredible food of LA to argue forcefully for respect and recognition for the Latino community. The episode is a brilliant, delicious tribute to the true soul of the city. Skip the velvet ropes, hit the taco trucks, and taste the real Los Angeles.
