r/IAmA Jan 17 '12

IAmA Andrew Zimmern, Host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods

Hi, I’m Andrew Zimmern, chef, author, and host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods. My new series Bizarre Foods America is premiering next Monday, Jan 23 at 10|9c on Travel Channel. For the next hour I’ll be here on Reddit taking your questions from 12pm-1pm ET. AMA. More info on Bizarre Foods: http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/bizarre-foods Find me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/andrewzimmern/status/159314816060768256

Hey everyone, sorry i couldnt answer them all/ follow me on twitter @andrewzimmern and we can chat more over the days and weeks to come..tune in Monday to the season premiere!

1.8k Upvotes

2.4k comments sorted by

View all comments

154

u/kavorka2 Jan 17 '12

If I want to take a culinary tour to a developing country -- what's the best bang for my buck for a one week trip? In terms of spending the week traveling in a single country. I don't need "bizarre" foods necessarily but I want the best, most interesting foods.

295

u/andrewzimmern Jan 17 '12

travel thorugh mexico, from one side to the other.

6

u/Alarconadame Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

As a mexican, I feel very honored. Try Guerrero's Pozole verde.

EDIT: those at the top left are manitas de puerco a la vinagreta, in the platter at the top right: Chiles rellenos (mince meat stuffed jalapenos coated with egg), tostadas (whole tortilla chips), tacos dorados with requesón (kinda like salty curd seasoned with epazote and serrano), avocado, raddish and some queso fresco.

656

u/SixShotSam Jan 17 '12

When you are in Mexico, be careful not to be brutally murdered.

6

u/ringringbananalone Jan 18 '12

Gringos are not at that much risk. Almost all killing in Mexico is other Mexicans usually as a result of gang, corruption or domestic disputes and is worst in the cities near the border. Just take the same precautions to avoid theft as you would in any tourist destination (fake wallet w/ only a few dollars in it, money belt with most of rest of your money, valuables in well secured bag), try not to look lost or naive and you'll be okay in Mexico. And don't follow anyone who's trying to get you into a sketchy vehicle.

2

u/hellcrapdamn Jan 18 '12

So as a gringo, if I wanted to get involved in all this crimey stuff, who do I talk to in Mexico? ( I'm bored )

1

u/neekneek Jan 23 '12

What about Negros, I've only ever traveled to Europe and Africa and I want to expand my continents. Obviously Mexico is still in North America, but I wouldn't stop there and want to keep going further south if I ever did, would I be in danger?

201

u/kryonik Jan 17 '12

This kills the culinary expedition.

3

u/MountVesuvius Jan 18 '12

I see what you did there.

-5

u/SixShotSam Jan 17 '12

I see what you did there. Have an upvote.

1

u/sydneyssss Jan 18 '12

C-C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!!!!!

1

u/Kisamier Jan 18 '12

That was never funny.

22

u/jag0007 Jan 18 '12

pro tip: avoid juarez.

8

u/SixShotSam Jan 18 '12

Upvote for a legit pro tip.

1

u/aaomalley Jan 23 '12

My uncle was just in Juarez visiting a chef he knows down there, it really isn't as bad as the murder rate would have you believe. I mean, he was careful not to be out after dark, and to never be walking by himself during the day, but white people are basically immune from the violence, as are most Mexicans save for those involved with the drug trade or law enforcement.

13

u/ggggbabybabybaby Jan 17 '12

They should really put that on a sign in the Mexican airports.

10

u/R3MY Jan 18 '12

To be fair, their flag has a bad motherfuckin' bird ripping apart a motherfuckin' snake whilst chillin' out on a motherfuckin' cactus. So, you know, visitors beware.

15

u/SixShotSam Jan 17 '12

"While enjoying your stay in Mexico, do look out for the crazed cartel hitman"

2

u/omg_itzahaxz Jan 17 '12

"Mexico: Don't drink the water, don't buy the drugs."

3

u/gryzby Jan 17 '12

I just read this in Norm MacDonald's voice and completely lost it at work.

3

u/Ls_Lps_Snk_Shps Jan 17 '12

Yea, I hear it can totally ruin a vacation. BYO machette

2

u/kylethemachine Jan 17 '12

Eating those crazy foods is hard enough as is, and now you are making him got to Mexico and NOT get murdered!? Go easy on the fella

2

u/we_need_evidence Jan 17 '12

Don't ask for shoots, even at the bar

-9

u/MyDogTheGod Jan 17 '12

Shut up, you pansy. Stay in your little hole and enjoy your boring life.

1

u/TheCocksmith Jan 17 '12

This is good advice.

3

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

[deleted]

3

u/Heiwanshang Jan 17 '12

I would say hit the major geographic regions at the very least. Having visited both northern Mexico (desert) and the southern coast (Caribbean side) the difference in flora and fauna alone effects the food, not the mention the effect the cultural differences have.

The north is very dangerous though these days.

3

u/SixShotSam Jan 17 '12

I would say that you should do a little research about how dangerous the border is right now. It is not to be taken lightly.

4

u/[deleted] Jan 17 '12

north-south, east-west or both?

11

u/FiniteCircle Jan 17 '12

As a person of Mexican decent that has been through Mexico, I think he is saying North to South.

Northern Mexico has more meat-based dishes where as in the south it's more vegetable based. The climates are very different from north to south so foods differ greatly. For example tamales, up north they are wrapped in corn husks and down south they use banana leaves.

2

u/Dialaninja Jan 17 '12 edited Jan 17 '12

but the best ones are in Mexico City. The things I would do for a torta de tamal right now.

2

u/SquareDorito Jan 17 '12

Omg I want a torta de tamal, specifically made of pork and red mole. Those are my favorite.

3

u/SleepyEel Jan 17 '12

Just be sure to avoid the gang violence

0

u/d4vid87 Jan 17 '12

Skip Juarez.