As Anthony Bourdain once said, “to know Jersey is to love her.” Now, the state is paying homage to the legendary chef with a new food trail.
The Anthony Bourdain Food Trail includes 10 of the restaurants he visited for a 2015 episode of his award-winning CNN show, “Parts Unknown.”
While he may be best known as a the chef who made his career in New York, Bourdain was a Jersey native through and through.
The trail (which was funded by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism) pays tribute to Bourdain’s childhood growing up in Leonia, New Jersey, and summers spent at the Jersey Shore.
It’s a droolworthy journey into some of the best spots to eat in NJ…
Here’s the 10 locations on the trail:
Kubel’s (Barnegat Light)
Bourdain grew up eating clams at the Jersey Shore, so this seaside restaurant, a Long Beach Island tradition since 1927, was a natural.
Hiram’s Roadstand (Fort Lee)
“This is my happy place,” said Bourdain about this Fort Lee institution. Hiram’s has been slinging classic “ripper-style” (deep-fried) hot dogs since the 1930s.
Tony & Ruth Steaks (Camden)
Authentic local spot serving cheesesteaks and breakfast sandwiches in Northern Camden.
Donkey’s Place (Camden)
Try the cheesesteak that Bourdain claimed “should be a national landmark.”
Frank’s Deli (Asbury Park)
The place to pick up overstuffed sandwiches on the way to the beach. “As I always like to say, good is good forever,” according to Bourdain about Frank’s.
Lucille’s Country Cooking (Barnegat)
On his travels through South Jersey, Bourdain discovered this throwback lunch counter serving homestyle food in the Pine Barrens.
James Candy Company (Atlantic City)
With his typical candour, Bourdain said, “I hate sweets, but I’m a sucker for nostalgia” when visiting this boardwalk institution.
Knife & Fork (Atlantic City)
With delicious seafood, steaks and an extensive wine list, this is a true Atlantic City foodie landmark.
Dock’s Oyster House (Atlantic City)
“Dock’s Oyster House, an establishment that survived Prohibition, the Great Depression, two world wars, numerous declines and rebirths—still here, still great.”
You’ll appreciate Bourdain’s words as you sample from the daily oyster selection.
Tony’s Baltimore Grill (Atlantic City)
Open since 1927, this is another AC icon. Bourdain was “very sentimental about Jersey Italian.”
