“The rise of the stewfluencer is more than a TikTok trend. It’s a way of life.”
Food
The Messy Reality of Feeding Alaska
“After Trump threatened Canada, a writer discovers the uncertainty of the state’s food supply chain.”
Hot Dog University
“Different zip codes, different lives, but somehow, they all trace the same strange road back to a place called Hot Dog University.”
99 Problems: The Ice Cream Truck’s Surprising History
From crime panics to TikTok, summer’s favorite vehicle has driven a bumpy road.
How America Got Its Baby Back, Baby Back, Baby Back
“Chili’s was once a relic of the ’90s. Then it blew past its competitors—and conquered casual American dining. In its Texas test kitchen, I saw how.”
I Tracked a Wild Salmon From Sea to Plate — What I Learned Surprised Me
“An eye-opening adventure through Alaska’s wild salmon supply chain, from nets to knives to the dinner table.”
Thomas Keller Asked Me to Leave The French Laundry. It Turned Into My Most Extraordinary Night as a Critic.
“There’s a slight quaver in the chef’s voice, and he tells me he is nervous. This is not something he is accustomed to doing, he says — asking a critic to leave.”
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
Recommending stories from Mariana Serapicos, Camille Bromley, Devon Fredericksen, Georgia Brown, and Sarah Golibart Gorman.
Fried Fish & Family Affairs
“When the way ahead isn’t clear, the solution, sometimes, is to eat.”
