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Bourdain: 'We Got It Wrong' About New Mexico Frito Pie

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Hillary Dixler Canavan is Eater's restaurant editor and the author of the publication's debut book, Eater: 100 Essential Restaurant Recipes From the Authority on Where to Eat and Why It Matters (Abrams, September 2023). Her work focuses on dining trends and the people changing the industry — and scouting the next hot restaurant you need to try on Eater's annual Best New Restaurant list.

Anthony Bourdain has corrected a factual mistake he made in his assessment of New Mexico's beloved local dish Frito Pie on the most recent episode of Parts Unknown. Bourdain said the dish — chili served in an open bag of Fritos at Santa Fe's Five & Dime General Store — was made with "Canned Hormel chili, and dayglo orange cheese-like substance." The Associated Press reports that the restaurant makes its chili from scratch. Bourdain's spokesperson tells the AP: "He admits that 'we got it wrong' about the chile ... And we'll try to correct it for future airings." Earlier reports from the AP call Bourdain a "famed taster" and don't have comment from Bourdain or his team.

Though Bourdain described the Frito Pie in the episode as feeling "like you're holding a warm crap in a bag," he also said the dish was "delicious." In a statement published by the AP, Bourdain says: "Contrary to the impression left by some reports of the show, I, in fact, very much enjoyed my Frito pie in spite of its disturbing weight in the hand. It may have felt like (expletive) but was shockingly tasty." On Twitter, Bourdain reiterates his line of thinking: "I like to eat them just fine. Holding them in the hand, however, feels ?disturbing." Below, the video segment in question:

Video: Anthony Bourdain tries Frito pie


· Anthony Bourdain Admits Mistake on NM 'Frito Pie' [AP]
· Anthony Bourdain tries Frito pie [CNN]
· All Anthony Bourdain Coverage on Eater [-E-]

Five & Dime General Store

58 E San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501