Yesterday, we were in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhood, hunting down ingredients for a dulce de leche ice cream I'm making for Thanksgiving. We stopped at a taco truck at 30th and International, in the parking lot of Goodwill. As we're sitting on the tailgate finishing off our grub, we notice a skinny grey-haired guy in a black leather jacket waiting in line at the taco truck, with his back to us. "That guy kinda looks like Anthony Bourdain," says my better half in between bites.
"He does, sort of," I say through a mouthful of al pastor. I go back to my burrito. Then I notice that there's a guy with a tiny DV camera roaming around the parking lot. And he's filming the guy that looks like Anthony Bourdain.
Wait a minute. Can it be?
I finish off my burrito and wonder aloud, "Do you think that's really him?" We get up, wiping grease and sour cream off our chins and head over for a closer look. I walk toward "Anthony Bourdain" laughing at myself for even thinking I'd bump into Anthony Bourdain at a random taco truck in Oakland. I come around his right side, and as I turn to face him, I say the only thing I can think of at the time.
"Holy shit, it's Anthony Bourdain."
I know... smooth like butter, right? I can't believe that's what jumped out of my mouth. The thing is, I didn't really think it was going to be him. And I had taco grease on my shirt.
He looks over at me, and gives me that half smile that celebs are so good at giving. I'm guessing it means "Don't bug me."
I extend my hand, and he reaches out to shake it. Meanwhile, he's talking to a woman who's scribbling in a notebook. He gives me a little nod. "Enjoy your tacos," I say.
Anthony Bourdain has freezing-cold hands.
And he wears a gold thumb ring.
The carnitas tacos and al pastor burritos at Mi Grullense are delicious.
[Some Googling reveals that Bourdain is in town to do a book signing at Stacey's today. Book info via Amazon.]
This post was mentioned in the 11/20/07 edition of Tablehopper, an excellent Bay Area food & wine newsletter.
