The sandwich shop Anthony Bourdain worshipped

Anthony Bourdain left a significant mark on the culinary world, always taking food enthusiasts on a journey that explored the intersection of food and culture, whether it meant traveling to the far corners of the world or venturing out into his own backyard. Notably, he was a passionate advocate for the Seattle food scene.

In an interview with Seattle Times, Bourdain labeled the Pacific Northwest “…one of the most exciting, if not the most exciting areas of the country to eat.” But that wasn’t just lip service to the area. Bourdain loved to frequent one sandwich shop in particular.

The celebrity chef went on to reveal that Salumi is the sandwich shop he worshipped and loved to eat at. Bourdain quipped, “That is a holy place for me. I love that place. I’ve jokingly said, but I’m half serious it should be a UNESCO site. It should be a landmark.” While that seems like hyperbole, Bourdain doubled down on his praise for this eatery that is part of the Batali dynasty, telling Eater Seattle, “If you’re going to wait in line for an hour and a half any place in this world, you’d want to do it at Salumi.” What is it about Salumi that had a chef like Bourdain heaping such praise on it?

Love for cured meats
Bourdain made a pilgrimage to Salumi in 2007 for an episode of his Travel Channel show “No Reservations,” and from the moment the food passed his lips, he was a convert. Salumi was founded by Mario Batali’s mom and dad, Armandino and Marilyn, and the shop quickly gained a cult following for its cured meats. If you love salami, mortadella, and pancetta, then Salumi is a place where you, too, might encounter nirvana.

During Bourdain’s visit to the shop, he received a hands-on lesson about curing meats. Bourdain’s love for Salumi’s meats was genuine, and during a subsequent visit, Marilyn Batali gave Bourdain a custom-cured prosciutto which he was all too happy to accept.

While Salumi’s ownership has changed hands, the fact that the only thing piled higher than the meats on the hot and cold subs served up by the owners is the validation of its goodness suggests that there must be something to it. Yelpers have given this famed deli 4.5 stars out of 5.

If you take a look at the braised porchetta sandwich – braised pork shoulder in Salumi’s signature spice blend, along with Calabrian chili chimichurri, roasted onions, and pickled peppers – that may be all the only bellwether needed.