Ali Khan
FT: Are there any
more written works in the
making, such as a new blog or
possibly a book?
I have just added a new category to Bang for
Your Burger Buck, called “Taco Spotting” that puts
a spotlight on the taco truck world. Soon I’ll be
doing the same for sandwiches as well with the
aptly named “Sandwich Spotting.” With Texas
style BBQ going national right now (everybody is
doing brisket), I’m toying with the idea of a book
that will start as a blog series all about BBQ in
Texas. Each post will be a visit to a certain BBQ
town/mecca like Lockhart where I’ll look at not
only the food but the culture and phenomenon
that many of these celebrated BBQ
joints bring to the table.
FT: What can we expect from
the new season of Cheap
Eats? Any spoilers?! Will there
possibly be an international
version?
I don’t want to give too much away but I will
tell you that we will be visiting 13 cities that
are “below the radar.” The food scene is blowing
up everywhere these days with more cities
celebrating their food culture: new school and
old school. I’m extremely excited and proud to
be putting the spotlight on fresh faces in the
culinary world and putting more cities on the
foodie radar.
FT: You’ve proven that good
food can come at a great price,
but what about traveling? Do
you have any travel tips for
budget-conscious travelers?
What are some things you do/
precautions you take to stay
on track during your travels?
Who you need to talk to is my wife - she is a
vacation GURU! We are all about airbnb and
VRBO. Also a big fan of all-inclusive resorts in
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Mexico, especially back in the LA days. What we like to do is mix
up a vacation by staying in a nice hotel for a few days, as soon as we
arrive, and then move on to a rental with a kitchen, so that we can
prepare some meals and pick and choose the ones to go out to. I love to
cook so part of the vacation for me is finding local food in restaurants
and markets. Going to supermarkets in Mexico (beachside) is a trip:
super fresh seafood and imported foods from countries like Spain
become more common. We all have to live within our budgets but I’m
all about taking a longer vacation. Even if it means less room service,
it’s worth it!
FT: If you could travel anywhere in the
world for the sole purpose of trying the
local food, where would you choose to go?
Why?
Tokyo/Japan. I would have said Mexico City but since leaving LA,
I miss the sheer volume of Asian foods that define LA’s food scene.
Years ago, a food writer friend of mine told me that the Japanese way
of being relentless about perfection translated into pure heaven in the
kitchen. When they take on any cuisine, they strive for perfection on
the plate. Borderline obsessive? Perhaps. But when it comes to food,
so am I.
Season 2 of Cheap Eats will premiere
on Cooking Channel on December 1st
at 10pm ET/7pm PT.