Anthony Bourdain A Cooks Tour Season 1 Episode 17: Los Angeles My Own Heart of Darkness

Los Angeles, CA: New York chef, Anthony Bourdain, descends into the culinary underbelly of his metropolitan nemesis, Los Angeles, where he experiences the trials of celebrity fame and the joys of West Coast cuisine.
The #1 food writer and television presenter in the world, and star of Travel Channel and CNN, Anthony Bourdain reinvented the food travel genre. In his groundbreaking first television series, Bourdain travels around the world indulging his taste for local cuisine and eccentric characters. You never know what he'll say, who he will meet, or what they will have for dinner.
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[@thesteezandthemuffin]

If you’re going to LA you need to find a random street hot dog vendor and get the classic LA dirty dog w/ grilled onions and peppers bacon wrapped. It’s the best

[@ARCSTREAMS]

whatya talkin bout they practically put everything but the kitchen sink in those dogs he had, all he had to do was tell them give me a dirty dog and they would do the same

[@hostilebogeyinbound]

Jesus, Dude. I binge watch old AB videos at least once a year and it never ceases to amaze me how utterly awesome he is. RIP you crazy bastard.

[@user-wp5qo6qg7q]

lol same

[@wrzlygummidge]

well said Man

[@newemail6257]

Me too

[@stephanos3029]

I love how he hams up the NY accent once he’s in enemy territory

[@braydens5224]

His prediction of his death was spookily close. Except a few details, and in France. RIP to this legend! I wish he was still around. I am blessed I have not watched every single one of his shows yet

[@ARCSTREAMS]

am currently binge watching cooks tour then parts unkown and no reservations, think i almost seen all his cooks tour episodes and some from the other shows but its been so long im enjoying the ride

[@ResidentRaccoon]

IT WAS A BIT! Golly... anytime the guy talks about death, some pseudo intellect is going to cherry pick the low-hanging fruit like they've made some genius connection..as soon as I saw the intro , I knew I'd only have to go about 2 comments down to find this comment

[@lubnaqureshi2853]

I think it is an intelligent observation. Bourdain's "joke" was eerie. In retrospect, it was disturbing how often Bourdain joked about suicide.@@ResidentRaccoon

[@sgtjarhead99]

RIP, Tony. Never realized how much I appreciated you until you were gone.

[@luisramonmanzano]

I been marathoning for a month omg RIP

[@bjpeterdelacruz7091]

@@luisramonmanzano RIP to Mark Peel as well. I can't believe both men in this episode passed away.

[@mansurbotellafraga1817]

I love how he describes food with both sexual and religious adjectives

[@RivetGardener]

"I'm a bundle of deeply held prejudices, morbid fears and apprehension..." Well said Chef, Well said. That sums up most of us and our lives if we are self-aware and introspective no? If you have not read his book Kitchen Confidential, I recommend it. If you will read one book in 2023, read this one.

[@GoTraveler]

Kitchen Confidential is a great book. Thanks for watching, Rivet!

[@schadenfreude7184]

The thing about Oki-dog is that you can limp over there, with a pocket full of nickels and lint. They'll figure out a way to feed you (off menu).

[@commentingisawasteoftime7195]

@-B it was an iconic hangout in the early LA punk scene for a reason

[@horrhiunioj507]

Yummy

[@Mauisnake]

in an otherwise gentrifying west hollywood, oki dog stays the same and the people that patronize it do too

[@m33lover]

One name...Henry Rollins.

[@Samurai78420]

I've never been there before. Next trip to LA, that's happening. Seems weird and I love that.

[@MsJanetWood]

1:55 It's exactly how it happened! Except that he died in Paris, France. How sad. So, so sad! May he rest in peace! 🌺

[@MsJanetWood]

@@dustyoldhat You're right. He died in Kaysersberg-Vignoble, France.

[@JoseRodriguez-ek6wc]

How sad it must be not die in the land you love in your city new York ❤ 😔😔 i don't really understand how can you make that decision to take your own life so sad rest in peace Anthony bourdain 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@or529]

In all the years I watched Mr. Bourdain's many cooking/traveling programs one thing I did notice from this episode and the many more he did on L. A. He loved L. A. Why because he realized it is not the tinsel town version, but with real everyday Joe's &, Jose's, being the most common. We are truly a beautiful melting pot of many wonderful flavors; steming from all parts of the world. It's wonderful, in one day you can delight in many of those simple complex flavors. Mr. Bourdain, Thank you for realizing that & showing it to the world.

[@Rockerlady]

Amen!

[@comontoshi]

In Cali we be cool! 👾

[@ryanj7517]

Odd he speaks about dying in his hotel restroom. A lot of foreshadowing now that we have the luxury of hindsight.

[@muditjoshi7960]

Was thinking the same thing..

[@sandtoy11510]

This series was filmed in 2001, I seriously doubt he spent the next 16 years thinking about offing himself before doing it.....

[@markaldous195]

noticed that too..

[@sharoletyoung294]

Noticed that

[@hwanjung8230]

@I C oh so Tony foresaw that his gold digger was going to be cheating or leaving him for a younger guy?

[@marcleblanc7021]

Pretty spooky the intro to this is how his life did turn out. RIP Anthony rest btother!

[@samiamLatina]

I know I was thinking the same. But you see how he said that the industry sales him a dream and turns out to be a nightmare then you go into a dark place. Wow

[@JohnFoley1701]

It’s weird to watch a travel doc from 20 years ago when you lived there at that time. It’s utterly unrecognizable and familiar at the same time.

[@Corpsefiend_666]

I felt the same way also

[@comontoshi]

I lived in “L.A.” for 25 years still miss the place . . . been 35 years since I moved away. 😑😘

[@mztweety1374]

What a legend ..I pray he found the peace he couldn't find in life...

[@donjuan8914]

I doubt there was much peace in hanging himself.

[@elgrancamaron]

@@donjuan8914 You'd be surprised

[@billmoyer3254]

@@elgrancamaron tell us deathguru

[@ants9151]

I think he has

[@skontheroad]

Watching them shopping, I have the urge to go there right away and trace his footsteps until I can experience every bite! I would LOVE to go there!! Problem is, I live here. But it isn't THERE. Can't go back in time, even though I was transported for 20 minutes. Thanks Anthony--we miss you, Big Guy! Apparently, more than you could have imagined. 😞😓

[@xochitlbk]

Looking back on this series, really seeing the morbidity of his perspective of life. Appreciative of that perspective though. People really need to talk about the poetry of death as much as they do about life.

[@joshuanezat4394]

I think it’s influenced further by how much he loathes LA haha

[@jasons4425]

Yup! Read the Cook’s tour book..deep glimpse as well

[@yashiroyagami1897]

Actually he is describing LA, thats a strange place...

[@thekeystone7963]

Have you watched any of the Parts Unknown series? Most are just sad. Not like the real Tony that you see throughout No Reservations.

[@Chonchey]

So he’s a New York suicidal?

[@D3cker1]

I miss you Tony... you were a gift to humanity.

[@revitalbergershloman8188]

You had visions about your death so many years ago. what a sad loss to the world and not just foodis world May you rest in Peace

[@andyt9181]

You're gonna die too, visions or not. Focus on his positive legacy.

[@GammaRayBOOM]

This made me feel like I’m watching “Spike Spiegel” on a food quest in L.A in an episode of Cowboy Bebop 😄

[@Kagome12987]

This is hilariously accurate and so glad I wasn't alone in this thought.

[@elsiemarina2572]

I love this man..So interesting..Every second he keeps your attention peaked..He was an original..We miss you Mr Bourdain x

[@rsohlich1]

very much so. No one like him

[@jimireynoldsmusic]

Piqued not peaked

[@samsontabu4524]

Legends don’t die, they rest

[@caperbabylone]

like a good steak

[@billhanna2148]

The dude can WRITE and he's the Full Monty .. the whole natural package.. to begin with.🙉💪🙏

[@tycoon1661]

"I have nothing to lose". He was sending a message

[@user-vf4fv9fy3c]

Sorely missed. I love his work and outlook on different cuisines and cultures.

[@124Musick]

My only gripe with this is that even though he claims it Los Angeles, he bare scratched the surface.

[@levydeez]

Says at start hes not the right man

[@SummerDream222]

They do have amazing doughnuts in LA, omg I miss the little mom and pop shops too. I don’t get why people say LA doesn’t have a decent food culture? It’s got everything and so many different amazing places! I still think about some of the food I had there, and it’s been over a decade!

[@GoTraveler]

Totally agree! Here's some good spots: www.discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/the-best-donuts-in-los-angeles

[@mindakahn9964]

I can’t watch it. I miss him so much. We are all real people out here and we loved him. He was the walking embodiment of cool and dangerously sexy. I miss his no holds barred insightful comments.

[@lrodriguez9315]

Oh my god get over it snowflake

[@ouiouisoundsdelish8380]

I had a dream in which i was at an overlook and the crew from No Reservations stopped to see as well. We looked out over the city and barely recognized it through the murk. Not too much later Bourdain died. Everything still feels unresolved

[@anaisl3515]

I'm sad he didn't get to try an LA-dog from the senoras who sell them outside clubs and shows :(

[@aldossnow3703]

They’re nasty 🤮

[@anaisl3515]

@@aldossnow3703 someone doesn’t get out much xP

[@aldossnow3703]

@@anaisl3515 wtf does that even mean ? Whenever my friends those disgusting hot dogs they get sick. So dirty

[@anaisl3515]

@@aldossnow3703 you smells like nickels bruh

[@aldossnow3703]

@@anaisl3515 just like your mom

[@Paty_Olvera_28]

Me dolió verlo en la escena del hotel..no sabes cuánto te queríamos 😢😢!

[@maggiewisdom9464]

Tail of the pup was the best hot dog store i the world. Can’t believe it closed and Pinks stayed open.

[@bjpeterdelacruz7091]

RIP Anthony Bourdain and Mark Peel. I can't believe both men are no longer with us.

[@konradsashin8041]

“I regret I only have one life to give to my network”-a comment made in jest in 2000, takes on so much more meaning when we know he’s gone

[@lubnaqureshi2853]

I like Bourdain as a chef more than as a world traveler. The kitchen inspired his best writing.

[@Beechgoose1]

In our hearts Forever

[@StephenPhen]

Thank you for posting these episodes! So fun to watch again and introduce other people to them.

[@AlaskaPirates]

This is such great content. Classic.

[@MIKExMASSACREx]

Don’t know how he spent all that time in LA looking for good food but didn’t visit one Hispanic restaurant or taqueria

[@antoniobanderas9769]

May be el Gallo Giro or there’s many choices of good food in SAN Pedro

[@gunn3rman]

He does on his other shows. One of the great things about him having so many programs

[@victoriaredsky3859]

After that grand blowout In Puebla who would want Next Best??

[@MyHentaiGirlNeko]

@@victoriaredsky3859 original is always better, local taste

[@williampatience9524]

If I'm in a different city I always go for ethnic food and Mexican 🌮 is my favorite.

[@nl3712]

Fantastic flashback series. Thanks for reposting these episodes

[@ImRefraction]

thank you for these i love Anthony so much, RIP

[@mamabear62anv99]

My favorite story teller .... miss him .... RIP

[@nodrama490]

A Cooks Tour was the best series

[@canna.biniods]

i love cooking and never really knew who AB was growing up, watching these so many years later it makes so much sense why he was respected and forever holds a legendary name.

[@armesisp3201]

New episode! Thanks!

[@Ajfluke93]

Thanks once again good sir!!! I thanketh you for your great deeds

[@jessicaperry7277]

Well, now I’m looking up the blood orange hollandaise cuz I love both of those

[@feztheaimless]

love this man

[@MyNameRS]

He missed the Weiner Factory in the valley. Loved that place.

[@dpclerks09]

I'm sure it's already been noted somewhere in these comments, and I'm relatively sure it's intentional, but does anyone else get there being a roundabout air of "Californication" by RHCP during the song starting around 20:07? That's one of the things that I miss about this series. The somewhat obvious callbacks to popular hits of the day, and of decades past to somewhat heavy-handedly imply the pervading sensibility of a segment.

[@ryanspivey8969]

I can hear it. I was thinking I heard Tom Sawyer at 2:16 too

[@komegranate6101]

I love this episode

[@feastmode7931]

18:00 a wild Jonathan Gold appears! RIP to the great critic and Pulitzer winner.

[@thekoreantraveler]

nice

[@Combo_Slice]

As a native Angeleno I can say that we've embraced simplicity in hot dogs ages ago. Nobody here messes w avocado on a hotdog outside of copycat South American style hotdog. Not that there's anything wrong with that

[@arnoldrivas4590]

Or just head for the old ladies on the street corners with their bacon wrapped hot dogs.

[@antoniobanderas9769]

In my opinion the Best hot dogs 🌭 in Tijuana & the Sonoran Desert 🌵 dogos in Mexico 🇲🇽 better to the NY or Chicago dogs

[@nood1e236]

Dodger Dog, mustard and onions for me.

[@roblucero85]

Love the way tiny smokes with no care

[@Nowaythanks]

Still a hero to me in my culinary career. ❤

[@thesweeples3266]

Career? LoL

[@conqueringlion420]

Yeah We miss you Tony, writing from Los Angeles

[@JoeGelman]

Bourdain and Shaloub! In the same room!? Yes, please.

[@eddiesanchez2293]

My dad was a chef miss him n you Mr Bourdain❤

[@sixtyonenine]

Watching cuz I miss his show

[@GoTraveler]

Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoy.

[@wandagonzalez4407]

Y o y did u leave us! Love and light Anthony Bourdain 🙏🏽💕

[@chriscabcabin557]

Man....miss him.

[@peterl47]

best intro of any episode

[@mdr6294]

We miss you Anthony! RIP

[@alanjimenezchirinos7254]

He lived a rich and interesting life. thanks for sharing!

[@keithanpitcher9275]

Sauce maltise reference...best day ever!

[@stunnermane5775]

This guy came to LA so cal and went to hot dog places????? What lmao. Gotta go get tacos and burritos man…. Or dinner.

[@jeffdawson2786]

The fear of being lured. Hilarious.

[@mercurygriffin1523]

> “I’ll have my next hot dog free of any adulterants” > orders “fajita dog” in next scene

[@Gr13fKvlt]

I love you Anthony.

[@willowens1438]

I miss him so much

[@jonvia]

The foreshadowing is downright spooky at 1:58

[@ShaunC-s.c.]

Bourdain is hilarious

[@MyKeeP81]

california does hot dogs better than nyc. those mexican street cart dogs wrapped in bacon are heaven. im from cali and live in nyc so i would know

[@antoniobanderas9769]

Exactly I tried NY or Chicago dogs and In my opinion in TJ & the Sonoran Desert 🌵 Mexico 🇲🇽 Dogos the best .

[@zekelucente9702]

Tony you missed The Apple Pan in this episode, but if I remember correctly you did go there. The best burger ever.

[@conqueringlion420]

We all miss you Tony✊

[@juanitarichards1074]

Man, if I ate a fraction of what Anthony did I'd be a little short fat blimp. I stay away from carbs and sugar these days and my appetite is so small I can't get through a full meal of anything, but I'd love to try small samples of everything he loved.

[@anthonyduran7659]

Dope fiend on a mission. You wish you had a fraction of this dude's zeal.

[@debbiezullo7056]

Legend❤

[@temabu69]

I miss him😥

[@nellysmiles6041]

Never noticed just how dark he was. That opening was rough.

[@PR-nq4dt]

I own an exact 68 mustang convertible same color, engine, black interior that he's driving. 😁

[@DrewWillson]

troublingly crunchy is my new standard

[@benkeel2966]

Could watch this guy all day. Miss him.

[@Zennofobic]

Tony Shalhoub very cool. Big Night is the best foodie movie.

[@taakotuesday]

If I had a nickel for every time Tony Shalhoub has made a surprise appearance in a popular food journalism series, I'd have 2 nickels. Which isn't that much, but it's weird that it happened twice. (the other one is an Eater video about an italian restaurant in NYC)

[@christianramirez22222]

So sad to see this now. He is a legend and a predictor of his sad future. RIP!

[@samiamLatina]

When he called the fruits and vegetables sexy lol

[@MrDickharder]

Next time ill go for teryaki steak burrito.Something normal.Hahaha,the guy was awesome)

[@mathewtoll6780]

The foreshadowing is strong in this one

[@gregnix]

Watching his show makes me want a cigarette, I'm past one year. Dammit...

[@RemnantCult]

Hey, I'm in the same boat. Just think about how it made you stinky and unsociable. It just isn't cool to be a smoker anymore and the buzz just doesn't seem fun anymore once you've been off for a year.

[@phillipsmom6252]

@@RemnantCult I like being stingy snd unsociable. Puff, puff

[@sleepingninjaquiettime]

He's about as morbid and sarcastic as any other cook I've seen his age.

[@triciameyers2180]

Seems like he saw it coming.

[@FrankieJEnno]

R.I.P ab Safe travels

[@jacobgill4808]

That hot dog burrito is about as appitizing as an olive bisque...lol

[@LJRoss-zv8hw]

I highly recommend Oki Dog.

[@pregnant9574]

8:54 did he say clam legs😂

[@ethanfuller2960]

how did he come to LA and not eat mexican food

[@nancy9704]

Exactly! LA Mexican food is the absolute best!

[@Yarmox]

This was in the early 2000s, not saying the mexican food scene wasnt there but it wasnt hyped the way it is today.

[@phillipsmom6252]

Wasn’t popular back then.

[@andrewattenboroughtwothumb4697]

rip Tony we miss you mate

[@Neppy1414]

oki dog thing looked pretty good👍

[@Lioninthenight]

Fascination with death. A lot of people can relate.

[@Ramekink]

A variation of "Guacamole Hotdog" is actually the most eaten fast food item in Chile: The "Completo".