It Happened On a Street Corner in Mexico

By No Reservations Crew on January 5, 2009 10:32 AM | Permalink | 18 Comments

By Alexandra Lowry

As the newbie on the crew I knew that it would take some time to gain Anthony Bourdain's respect. No Reservations is entering it's fifth season and the man has met and worked with countless different people … and like every job that involves being accepted as "part of the team" (and no, there is no I in team) you have to earn your medal of honor, you have to gain your place in the ranks.

After my first shoot in Chicago, which had gone very well thanks to the guiding hand of Chris - my boss and long time Tony friend - Mexico was next. My second shoot, with veterans who between them have racked up well over 40 episodes. I was going to have to step it up somehow. I had heard through the grapevine that it may take a while for Tony to look me in the eye. This was true, but it did eventually happen ... So how, and when, would I make it to the next level? Beyond eye contact to perhaps a conversation or even a shared joke or two…? What would I have to do to gain his respect, and be able to call myself a member of the No Reservations crew and really mean it?

It happened on a dark street corner in Puebla around 8pm local time … After a long day shooting with our friend Carlos and several of his family members, we all stopped for tacos at his favorite roadside stand. There were several different choices of meat, including tripe, tongue and sausage. Everyone it seemed was waiting for the chorizo… As 12 hungry people clamored for the same taco varietal, it happened. She said it softly at first and I thought no one had heard her. "Ojo?" That's eye right? She took the tongs and sure enough an eye appeared from the boiling pot of meat. I was starving… I saw my opportunity and took it. From my place at the back of the hungry group I fearlessly raised my hand. "Uno de ojo por favor".

And that was the moment I gained Bourdain's respect. From my left I heard him: "Wow, that's really impressive…" And then as the rest of the crew slapped me on the back and told me how impressed THEY were with my order another comment: "Somebody raised you right". Puffed up with pride, I hungrily ate my eye taco (the only one of our crew to do so I might add) knowing that something had changed and that hopefully Tony (as I now like to call him) and I would go on to have a beautiful working relationship … Thanks Mum and Dad for raising me right. And if you ever have the option - go for the eye. It was quite delicious.

Tags: bourdain , zero point zero , crew , blog , anthony bourdain , no reservations , mexico , travel channel , travel

18 Comments

1

miss j - January 05 2009 @ 1:43 pm
the things you have to do to impress the boss. LoL. I would rather embraced tony's lack of respect than eat the eyeball. Another taco de chorizo por favor.
2

Paul Drake - January 05 2009 @ 9:17 pm
Dear Mr. Lowry,

I have certainly enjoyed "No Reservations" over the years and wanted to thank you for all the work you guys have done to put together such a good show (there aren't many these days).

I was just talking to my wife (from Belize), and we were wondering if you guys have ever thought about doing a show in Belize? I think you would find that between the cuisine (Caribbean/African/Central American influences), culture, and natural wonders (Mayan ruins, Rain Forest, and 2nd largest Barrier Reef/3 Atolls), there would be plenty for you guys to create an awesome, unique show. It's close enough to the States that it would probably be cheap to produce, too.

At any rate, my wife's family has unique access to remote parts of the country both on land and on sea (where normal tourists do not/can not go).

Should you ever decide on doing a show in Belize, please feel free to contact me and we would be more than happy to show you and your crew around (e.g. her family owns www.belizerays.com) the "untouched" parts of Belize.

Sincerely,

Paul Drake
3

Tracey - January 05 2009 @ 9:40 pm
Are you now relegated to eating eye everywhere you travel with Mr. Bourdain's crew? I'd like to say I'd have the, er, guts to try it , but something about the texture makes me all weasy.
Congrats on grabbing the attention of your boss, tho.
4

Karen - January 05 2009 @ 11:30 pm
Nicely done, Alex. It's men like you that I use as examples for my students - manly men who aren't afraid to do whatever it takes to move forward to their next level, whatever that may be.

As a teacher in a low income area, I work with many male students who have no positive male role models in their lives, if they have a male in their life at all. Since I'm NOT a guy I don't have the ability to pass on the crucial elements of becoming a man of quality. I beg borrow and steal examples of men with positive characteristics and share them with my students as much as possible. I will be sharing your willingness to step out of your comfort zone. They'll LOVE it. Eating eyes - can't top that with young men.

Thanks for being a great example and for sharing about your experiences. Keep it up!!
5

llcwine - January 06 2009 @ 10:06 am
Alex,
I too am impressed, and hope that I too will have the fortitude to sample such a delight someday. Keep up the good work, and keep on blogging.
llcwine
6

james - January 06 2009 @ 12:05 pm
As a stagehand myself i know what it's like to finally be one of the boys. you guys do great work. wish i was there.
7

smoking spirit - January 06 2009 @ 5:13 pm
if you need an idea for a story i would recomend nepal, you could go on a trek hunt for big foot and eat yak meat along with visting world history sites and freek street. if you need a guid i can set you up bc1900@yahoo.com
8

frankie banks - January 07 2009 @ 12:41 am
i recently found out that you guys are going to be in detroit for the week. detroit is the type of city you really need somebody who knows the ins and outs to show you around. im a dj/ music producer that has lived in detroit (the city not the suburbs where most "detroiters" claim to be from) my whole life. i have a loft in eastern market (the largest urban farmers market in michigan) and think i would really be able to show you a side of detroit you wouldnt be able to get with your average tour guide. would be happy to show you some hidden gems...from ford/ gm dive bar hangouts to d'mongos speakeasy to the heidelberg project (a must must see!)
please contact me. for more info on me just google the name...frankie bank$
9

Vince - January 07 2009 @ 4:04 am
Here's another Detroit plug, although I feel bad adding it to the ojo thread - eating eyes from a roadside stand - well played. Here's a couple under the radar Detroit leads - happy to help facilitate if interested: This weekend the biggest auto show in the world starts with the largest single night charity event in the world on Friday (NAIAS Charity Preview - glitzier than you might expect). Detroit is home also the boat that delivers pizzas and mail to the 750-1000 foot freighters that cruise the great lakes (it pulls right up next to them - and they throw down a rope - seriously). There's great smuggling history with the distillery in Windsor and an easy border with secret docks along the river. Then there's the salt mines upon which it is built... coney island sauce and lots of highly regarded food too, although very few ocular food stands this time of year.
10

jennifer Bakka - January 07 2009 @ 9:52 am
awe, Come on!!! Please tell us where you'll be in the Detroit are!!! We want to see you!! You can come and eat at my house!! EVERYBODY!!! I will amke Michigan food!!Make sure you get a Detroit Coney Dog!!!
Love ya!
11

Gary M. - January 09 2009 @ 7:46 pm
Now that's what I call earning the respect of your boss the hard way! I personally don't think I could have done what you did so you DESERVE Tony's respect after that! Good for you and keep up the good work!
12

sean - January 10 2009 @ 7:53 pm
you guys are going to love the detroit segments. national coney island 4 life bro. lewis's elegents club. the original olive garden and mexican fiesta for the combo burrito (so good) they guys even went to cheli's chilli bar with kid rock and tried both types of chilli. MUST SEE TELEVISON!!11ONEone!!1
13

Diane - January 12 2009 @ 11:48 pm
Am I missing something?
You are an Alexandra rather than and Alexander right? Welcome to the No Reservations Team and to their fan club. Can't wait to read more about the new season. The crew should post more often!!!
14

Connie - January 17 2009 @ 11:42 am
This is my 3rd attempt at making a comment. I will try again.
You were a brake guy eating a foreign eyeball. How do you know what kind of eye it was?
15

Connie - January 17 2009 @ 11:44 am
dang, it took it with a typo O. I meant brave. eeekkkk, I wish I had proofed it.
16

Mitchell Hellman - January 19 2009 @ 6:17 pm
So, the way to catch Tony's eye is to eat an eye. Well, here's lookin' at you, kid!
17

Kat - January 22 2009 @ 6:24 pm
ALEXANDRA is a WOMAN's name for the last few posters who seem to be more than a little confused...
18

David - January 28 2009 @ 5:54 pm
Sycophants blossom where insecurity lies. I'm sure you're good, but no confidence shows. You gotta eat an eye to be up to snuff?

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