Anthony Bourdain, the world famous traveller and CNN food critic recently tasted Waffle House for the first time. The verdict? Waffle House is nothing short of "marvellous."
Bourdain's long career in the food and travel industry has taken him to countless countries where he gets to eat the finest food in the most rural settings. Because of his strong taste buds, he is very opinionated when it comes to food.
It was a shock to learn that Anthony Bourdain hasn't eaten at any Waffle House location with his history with food. Because of this, Emmy-nominated Southern Chef Sean Brock took Bourdain to a South Carolina Waffle House for the CNN series, "Parts Unknown."
While Bourdain hasn't visited Waffle House until the latest episode on the CNN show, Brock, who is from Charleston, has been a patron since childhood since he said he enjoys watching his food being prepared. Because of this, Brock knows enough about Waffle House and told Bourdain to try their pecan waffle. He then showed the food critic how to properly eat the waffle, which is by slathering butter into very grid of the waffle, and afterwards soaking it in syrup.
After the experience, Bourdain said Waffle House is "indeed marvellous." In the opening of the Anthony Bourdain Waffle House video, the famous chef called the familiar diner a "yellow beacon of hope" for the "seriously hammered."
In addition, he appeared as fascinated by the late-night popularity of the chain.
Bourdain added that "customers of all races, creeds and degrees of inebriation seem welcome. It never closes and is always there for you."
It's also a "place of safety and nourishment" for all, Bourdain said.
The Anthony Bourdain Waffle House experience ended with Bourdain and Brock exchanging a dialogue which references a famous French restaurant in California.
"That's good," Bourdain said while eating his waffle.
"You don't come here expecting The French Laundry" ... "you expect something amazing," Brock replied.
"This is better than The French Laundry," Bourdain said.
Perhaps the worst that Bourdain has eaten is fermented shark in Iceland, beating maggot fried rice as well as raw seal eyes.
There are 2,100 Waffle Houses in the U.S.
According to AJC.com, Waffle House began as a small strip of land between Avondale Estates and Decatur. The chain reportedly has a museum at its original location. At its 1000th store, which is a couple of blocks away from the original one, they have all-you-can-eat waffles.
"Parts Unknown" Season 6 ended with the Waffle House episode. Repeats can be watched on CNN or at their website, according to Cinema Blend.
Watch the early moments of Anthony Bourdain's first Waffle House experience below.
