Anthony Bourdain Food Trail May Be Established In New Jersey

The shocking death of chef, author, and television personality Anthony Bourdain on June 8 touched the hearts of many. Bourdain traveled the world, from Hanoi to Hawaii. But he was raised in Leonia, New Jersey, and an assemblyman in that state is seeking to recognize the food icon and the local restaurants he visited.

New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Moriarty introduced a resolution on June 18 that would establish the Anthony Bourdain Food Trail, highlighting the 10 New Jersey eateries Bourdain visited in a 2015 episode of his CNN food and travel show, Parts Unknown.

"There's no question that Anthony's road to fame was not an easy one," Moriarty said in a statement "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."

The New Jersey eateries that would be included on the trail are Kubel's in Barnegat Light; Hiram's Roadstand in Fort Lee; Knife and Fork in Atlantic City; Dock's Oyster House in Atlantic City; Tony's Baltimore Grill in Atlantic City; Tony and Ruth Steaks in Camden; Donkey's Place in Camden; Lucille's Country Cooking in Barnegat; Frank's Deli in Asbury Park; and James' Salt Water Taffy in Atlantic City.

A tourism food trail is a collection of related restaurants promoted as a group that tourists may want to visit. Other well-known food trails include New Mexico's Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail and the Mississippi Seafood Trail. Whether or not this trail is approved, Anthony Bourdain will be remembered for decades in the food world, thanks in part to these 11 ways he changed it forever.