Bourdain’s ‘Parts Unknown’ Premiere Is an Ode to LA’s Latino Community

To kick off the ninth season of his hit travel show Parts Unknown, Anthony Bourdain spends some time eating and drinking his way through the Latino communities of Los Angeles. In a new clip on Explore Parts Unknown, the show’s online counterpart, Bourdain remarks: “We’ve done a show here before and we’re doing it again. But this time, we’re going to pretend that nobody lives in LA but Mexicans, Chicanos, and Latinos.”

Tony’s dining companions on this trip include Machete star Danny Trejo, Broken Spanish chef Ray Garcia, tattoo artist Mister Cartoon, comedian Al Madrigal, and OC Weekly editor Gustavo Arellano. In some of the teasers for this new episode, you can see Tony and his pals eating taquitos at Cielito Lindo on Olvera Street, and barbacoa and moles at Oaxacan staple Gish Bac Restaurant.

Tony and his crew also take a look at the crucial roles that LA’s undocumented immigrants play in industries throughout the city. These Angelenos make up approximately 10 percent of the city’s entire population. While pondering the future of President Trump’s immigration policies, Bourdain asks: “What would happen if anywhere near 10 percent of the workforce were no longer here — particularly since they are rather overrepresented in those fields that most of us are in no hurry to enter? What’s the problem here?”

The Los Angeles episode of Parts Unknown premieres at 9 p.m. EST/PST on Sunday, April 30 on CNN. Check out Explore Parts Unknown for clips from the episodes, plus essays and dining guides related to the Los Angeles show. And stay tuned for Eater’s recap of the best lines from the Parts Unknown premiere immediately following the show.

• Explore Parts Unknown: Los Angeles [E]
• All Coverage of Anthony Bourdain [E]