New Jersey's Anthony Bourdain Food Trail Has Opened

Before Anthony Bourdain was a world-famous chef, author, or food and travel documentarian, he was just another kid growing up in New Jersey. Earlier this year, Food & Wine reported that Bourdain's home state would honor the late television personality with a food trail tracing his favorite restaurants. And that trail is now open.

Bourdain was born in New York City in 1956, and spent most of childhood living in Leonia, New Jersey. He often revisited the Garden State in his books and television shows, highlighting the state's classic diners and delis and the seafood shacks of the Jersey shore.

Immediately following Bourdain's tragic death on June 8, 2018, New Jersey assemblyman Paul Moriarty proposed an official food trail featuring some of his favorite eateries. The trail draws from the New Jersey episode from season 5 of the CNN series Parts Unknown. In it, Bourdain traveled to several towns throughout the state, including Camden, Atlantic City, and Asbury Park, and sampled fare like cheesesteaks, salt water taffy, oysters, and deep-fried hot dogs.

The food trail was approved following a unanimous vote in January, and the trail was officially inaugurated last week. Among the stops included on the trail:

1. Frank's Deli // Asbury Park

1. Knife and Fork Inn // Atlantic City

1. Dock's Oyster House // Atlantic City

1. Tony's Baltimore Grill // Atlantic City

1. James' Salt Water Taffy // Atlantic City

1. Lucille's Country Cooking // Barnegat

1. Tony & Ruth Steaks // Camden

1. Donkey's Place // Camden
2. Hiram's Roadstand // Fort Lee