With the recent release of the seventh season of Netflix's Somebody Feed Phil, Phil Rosenthal continues his mission to inspire viewers to leave their couches and explore the world. Throughout the show's 41 episodes, he has visited 40 different dining destinations, including Mexico City, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Santiago, Chicago and many others. Somebody Feed Phil serves as the spiritual successor to Rosenthal’s PBS series I'll Have What Phil's Having, which follows a similar format: Rosenthal travels to various locations, enjoys a plethora of dishes and finds humor in everyday situations. Ahead of his visit to Chicago for An Evening With Phil Rosenthal at the Chicago Theatre on May 4, Time Out spoke with the star about a variety of topics.
On why somebody should feed Phil:
Rosenthal didn't grow up in a home that was particularly focused on culinary pleasures. Due mostly to modest beginnings, his family ate what they could afford, which sometimes meant fast food.
"I just loved fast food because, first of all, it was marketed to us as children. God knows what that did to us. It had fat, flavor, salt and sugar—things I didn't get at home."
Rosenthal’s perspective changed dramatically after a childhood trip.
“So we went on a trip once when I was nine years old. That was the first time we've ever been anywhere. And we went to Atlanta, Georgia, for a family bar mitzvah. And my cousin took me to a place that we didn't have in New York called 7-11. And they had a Space Age-looking machine there that made regular drinks and Coca-Cola into Slurpees—I think it’s called a Slurpee. I had two sips of a Coca-Cola Slurpee, and I literally said to myself, ‘I have to travel more.’”
On encouraging your kids to travel:
Rosenthal recalls a particularly sweltering summer day his family spent at Disney World.
"It was hot and crowded with really long lines. I remember my mother turning to me and asking, 'You like this?' And I said, 'This is the best day of my life.'" He elaborates, "What Disney does, I think, is inspire a love of travel in a child because, if you think about it, you're actually visiting different lands, different worlds even. They're magical, imaginative, wonderful, sometimes even cultural.”
On his favorite restaurants in Chicago:
Rosenthal has visited Chicago numerous times, including for an episode of Somebody Feed Phil, and has his favorite dining spots.
“I've been to Monteverde now several times. I love it. I think it's one of the best Italian restaurants anywhere. [Chef] Sarah Grueneberg has that magic touch, and everything she blesses us with is delicious, right? So few people have that.”
“I've been to Alinea many times, too, and I've been to all [Grant Achatz’s] restaurants: Next, Roister, the bar—The Aviary. Absolute genius, right? Chef Grant Achatz is amazing.”
Rosenthal acknowledges that there is more to explore and plans to visit Tre Dita, Birrieria Zaragoza, and Asador Bastian the next time he has a chance.
On FX’s The Bear:
In the Chicago episode of Somebody Feed Phil, Rosenthal dines at Al’s Beef. A few years later, The Bear—a show centered around Chicago's Italian beef—became a global sensation.
“I’ve seen The Bear, but Courtney Storer, who is the creator’s sister, is the culinary consultant on the show and a phenomenal chef in her own right. The show is magnificent. The show, I think, has gotten even better in season two, and got deeper, and more resonant and more hopeful and positive, and I'm just in love with The Bear.”
On his nationwide tour:
Rosenthal is in the middle of a 25-city tour dubbed An Evening With Phil Rosenthal, which includes a stop at the Chicago Theater on May 4.
“I love to tell people that message me and ask, ‘What is this live show? What do you do?’ And I want to tell them, ‘You buy your ticket. You get into the theater—the Chicago Theater—and the lights go down. And a spotlight comes out on the stage. I walk out, sit down, eat a sandwich and then leave. Goodnight, everybody.’
“People actually think that because the TV show is called Somebody Feed Phil, they will watch me eat. But what happens really is we show a five-minute highlight reel. And then I come out with a moderator, and we chat for about half an hour to 40 minutes. And the next 40 or 45 minutes are spent with the audience—all Q&A. And that's my favorite part because the questions are sometimes hilarious in and of themselves. But every question does form a story. And the whole evening is really about storytelling.”
On if he had to create a Chicago show:
Amidst series like Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med, Rosenthal sees potential for another show.
"CHICAGO FOOD! I really think you could do a whole series. I swear to God, I could do multiple episodes in Chicago and not even scratch the surface of the great food scene."
On why traveling and exploring are important:
“It brings us all together.”
And in classic fashion, just like on Somebody Feed Phil, the interview ends with a joke to Rosenthal’s father, Max.
"Why do museums always have yogurt in their cafes?
“Because it's very cultured."