Anthony Bourdain was not one to mince words. Whether communicating his distaste for brunch or showering praise for pasta he tasted in Italy, Bourdain was a reliably vocal source of tips for travel, adventure, and food. While appearing on a 2012 episode of SiriusXM’s “The Opie & Anthony Show,” Bourdain referred to Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen and Bar in New York City’s Times Square as a terror dome, commenting, “I’m fascinated by the Guy Fieri terror dome they just opened,” he told the hosts, “600 seats, something like that.” Bourdain explained that the massive establishment included a gift shop and criticized the high prices of menu items like hamburgers and french fries.
Upon opening the restaurant, Fieri made use of his celebrity status and association with Flavor Town. T-shirts, travel mugs, and an assortment of Fieri’s books were sold inside the restaurant for captivated fans to take home. A menu filled with dishes drawing from his brand — Guy-talian Nachos and Guy’s Famous Big Bite Caesar — plus bright drinks that were described to assault the senses were served in rooms decorated with photos of rockstars, cars, and guitars. “When people come to the restaurant, I think they’ll get a really good understanding as to what I am as a chef and as a person,” Fieri told the New York Post before the restaurant’s opening. It is clear that visitors, and Bourdain, got the picture.
The restaurant that failed to capture the heart of New York
After opening, Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen and Bar received a devastating review from a food critic. The restaurant didn’t even squeak out a single star of praise. The restaurant closed in 2017 after a 5-year run. A writer for Entertainment Weekly had likened the restaurant to a “temporary immersive art installation,” while the New York Post published a piece titled “Good riddance to Guy Fieri’s Times Square tourist trap” upon the news of its demise.
For those who might still want to feast on some of the meaty sandwiches at Fieri’s place and appreciate the kind of cooking tips Fieri serves, Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen and Bar continues to dish out burgers, BBQ, and plates of finger food across the United States and around the world. Locations in Dubai and Cancun in addition to restaurants set up in casinos and major cities make up one branch of a fleet of Fieri restaurants that continue to operate. So, if you missed your chance to visit the Manhattan “terror dome” in person, you can still get a sample of the experience elsewhere.
