Anthony Bourdain’S La Steakhouse Obsession: Why Chi Spacca Still Sizzles

Anthony Bourdain’s Love Letter to LA’s Meat Mecca

Yo, if you’ve ever tuned into Anthony Bourdain’s no-nonsense takes on food, you know the late culinary legend had opinions hotter than a Santa Ana wind. While the ‘Kitchen Confidential’ author famously rolled his eyes at brunch culture, he was all heart-eyes for certain bites - think fancy sushi, greasy burgers, and, of course, a killer Bloody Mary to wash it down. But when it came to dining destinations, one LA spot kept popping up in his convos: Chi Spacca, a carnivore’s dream tucked into the heart of Los Angeles.

Bourdain wasn’t just dropping casual shout-outs. He straight-up sang Chi Spacca’s praises in multiple chats, including a memorable 2016 interview with New York magazine’s Grub Street. He reminisced about a ‘massive, meat-centric dinner’ that basically turned his taste buds into a Hollywood blockbuster - complete with epic salumi spreads, a beef and marrow pie that stole the show, and a Tuscan T-bone that was pure perfection.

‘That steak, man, it’s a work of art - sourced beautifully, aged just right, and rested long enough to hit peak flavor. It’s the kind of thing you can’t rush,’

Bourdain reportedly told Grub Street, summing up why Chi Spacca wasn’t just a meal, but an experience worth savoring.

Chi Spacca Today: Still Serving Bourdain’s Faves

Fast-forward to now, and Chi Spacca - located in the trendy Melrose Avenue area (a stone’s throw from Hollywood’s glitz) - is still dishing out the kind of plates Bourdain raved about. Unlike some of LA’s snootier spots where snagging a reso feels like winning the lottery, getting a table here is surprisingly chill, even on short notice. That’s right, no need to call in favors or name-drop to get in on the action.

Even better? You can still order the exact vibes Bourdain lived for. That salumi plate, perfect for sharing with your crew, runs about $40, while the beef and bone marrow pie clocks in at $68. The steaks - think big, bold cuts that could feed a small entourage - hover between $200-300, so yeah, it’s a splurge. But hey, this is LA - go big or go home, right?

For those not ready to drop red carpet-level cash, Chi Spacca’s got some wallet-friendlier ways to soak up the SoCal steakhouse energy. Check out their Monday and Tuesday night smashburger for just $20 at the chef’s counter - total first-date material. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, their pig’s head dinner (a full-on ‘ode to pork’) is $125 per person, before drinks and tips, for a feast that’s pure Malibu-style drama.

Why Chi Spacca Keeps LA’s Food Scene Buzzing

Chi Spacca isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a vibe, a testament to why LA’s dining scene is always on fire. Bourdain saw it as a spot where time - that unbuyable ingredient - mattered as much as the meat itself. That philosophy still holds, whether you’re slicing into a perfectly rested steak or just soaking in the atmosphere with a burger in hand.

For foodies chasing a taste of what made Bourdain tick, this place is a pilgrimage worth making. It’s got that raw, unfiltered passion for grub that mirrors the city itself - a little gritty, a lot glamorous, and always unforgettable. So, next time you’re cruising through LA, swing by Chi Spacca and see why it had a culinary icon hooked.

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