#AnthonyBourdain #AnthonyBourdainhome #AnthonyBourdainFoodTrail

Today we are in Leonia, New Jersey just outside of NYC at the Childhood home of the late great Chef Anthony Bourdain. Anthony grew up in the state of New Jersey in the quiet suburb of Leonia. It would appear from the cute house in the pretty little neighborhood that the world traveling chef and best selling author had a "normal" childhood. He would even say in one of his shows, when revisiting the Jersey Shore, "What was I so angry about as a kid, I grew up in paradise." He had parents that loved him and a younger brother Christopher. Tony Bourdain would spend his summers at the Jersey Shore and took a handful of trips to France to visit relatives. After visiting the house Tony grew up in, Doodle the Travel Bug followed the Hudson River north to Hyde Park. This scenic town is home the The Culinary Institute of America or the CIA. The Culinary Institute of America is possibly the best culinary school in the country and it happens to be Chef Anthony Bourdain's alma mater. Tony Bourdain worked in the kitchen of The Lobster Pot and other seafood restaurants as a dishwasher as he went to Vassar College. But Bourdain loved the energy of working in a kitchen and that is what inspired him to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York in the Hudson Valley. Anthony Bourdain graduated with a masters in the Culinary arts in 1978. Bourdain loved his culinary school and would often go back to visit for talks or to film one of his many travel shows. He would go on to inspire countless students of the CIA Culinary School. After his death, The Culinary Institute of America would dedicate their main hall to Chef Bourdain, by hanging his pictures, quotes and accomplishments. And renaming the hallway Les Halles. Les Halles was the name of Anthony Bourdain's Manhattan restaurant where he was the executive chef. The CIA also sells his books in their gift shop and have a giant mural on the outside of the student dorms.
We would then head back to the Garden State of New Jersey to do the Anthony Bourdain Food Trail. "To know Jersey is to love her."

Anthony Bourdain, the celebrity chef, author and TV personality, loved New Jersey. Jersey was "home," t He ate his way through the Garden State on an episode of his award-winning CNN travel and food show "Parts Unknown" (Season 5, Episode 5) — a show better known for exotic than homey locales. His brother Christopher Bourdain would join him at many of the spots. And after his death in tribute the state of New Jersey officially dedicated the restaurants he visited in that episode, There are 10 in total, we hit 8. The Anthony Bourdain Food Trail.

A great place to start is in Fort Lee, New Jersey at Anthony Bourdain's beloved Hiram's. Hiram's has been serving up hot dogs and hamburgers since the 30's. Anthony and Chris's dad would take his boys here growing up. Hiram's is just minutes from the Bourdain Home. Anthony Bourdain said on the show that he was proud that he convinced his daughter that these were the best hot dogs around. And that he travels the world to feed his stomach but comes to New Jersey to feed his soul.

Next is Donkey's Place in Camden, New Jersey. Donkey's is known for their New Jersey Cheese Steaks. And it is here where Tony Bourdain states these are the best cheesesteaks even better than Philly. And we could not agree more! Grilled steak, ground onion, spices, and American cheese on a poppyseed roll could be my death row meal.

James Salt Water Taffy - Anthony and Christopher Bourdain go to Atlantic City Boardwalk to James's Salt Water Taffy. Bourdain is not a sweets guy but to him this is nostalgia and he can't resist a bag.

Kubel's is next in Barnegat Light, NJ. This is a comfortable family restaurant that serves fried fish and clams.

Tony Ruth's Steaks in Camden New Jersey

Lucille's Country Cooking Luncheonette in South Pines New Jersey. No missing this roadside dinner with the carved Jersey Devil out front.

We did not make it to but there is also,
Allegro Seafood Grill Newark, New Jersey

Frank's Deli & Restaurant Asbury Park, New Jersey

Dock's Oyster House Atlantic City

Knife & Fork Inn, Atlantic City

This was a fun trip to take. We were big fans of the great chef and we never will understand how it all ended. We recommend the documentary Roadrunner to anybody looking for some kind of closure. Anthony Bourdain's death was and is hard for me. I've envied his life from a far and my heart breaks for his family.

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