In short
David Archuleta discusses snacks and food memories tied to his upbringing (Utah, Miami, Honduran heritage), his American Idol backstage experience, and his current snack preferences—especially peanut butter and “burnt cookies.” He also comments on food culture shifts (Instagram presentation, Yelp review authenticity) and Utah-specific staples.
Guest backgrounds
David Archuleta is a singer and author known from American Idol, Hannah Montana, and iCarly. He grew up Latter-day Saint (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), later coming out as queer/bisexual.
Key claims
He argues “burnt” cookies are best for dipping in milk; peanut butter is a go-to (ice cream drizzle, cereal mix-ins, dipping dark chocolate). He says Yelp reviews are often gamed with discounts/fake reviews, so he relies on photos and customer satisfaction. He believes cooking reflects “energy” and passion.
Notable examples
funeral potatoes with cornflakes; tres leches made from cake mix; Totino’s Pizza Rolls (not allowed at his house); Cuban sandwiches and mame shakes in Miami; Taco Bell menu changes (lost value menu items); Vietnamese spring rolls in Little Saigon.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VODavid's Journey to Writing
1:11 to 1:29
David Archuleta discusses his journey to writing a book and its inspiration.
“Takarnak is your destination for elevated classics, from perfectly fitting jeans to timeless tees and button downs you'll wear on repeat.”
David's Journey to Writing
1:31 to 3:05
David Archuleta discusses his journey to writing a book and its inspiration.
“Okay, first of all, thank you for joining us today.”
Growing Up with Food
3:05 to 4:50
David shares his upbringing and food experiences in a Latter-day Saint family.
“I'm sorry, because I do love, I'll veer off for a snack.”
Memorable Snacks and Meals
4:50 to 6:06
Discussing favorite snacks and meals from childhood, including unique recipes.
“And yeah, I think it's just like something that was easy to make.”
Culinary Upbringing in Two States
6:06 to 7:09
Exploring the diverse food experiences from growing up in Miami and Utah.
“So funeral potatoes have come up at Delish.”
Fast Food Favorites
7:09 to 8:14
David talks about fast food culture and favorites from his childhood.
“did you have like good food in the house?”
Behind the Scenes of American Idol
8:14 to 13:32
David shares his experiences and food options during his time on American Idol.
“And then we moved to Utah when I was six years old.”
Backstage Food Experiences
14:01 to 15:00
David shares his experiences at American Idol and backstage food options.
“I want to say it was something like that.”
Favorite Foods and Morning Routine
15:01 to 16:36
Discussion about favorite Mexican foods and David's morning meal prep.
“That's where it's at, or the taco stands.”
Cereal Choices and Nostalgia
16:37 to 18:39
David discusses his cereal choices and nostalgic childhood breakfast memories.
“And wheat has a decent amount of protein in it.”
Show all 19 chapters
Menu Changes and Fast Food Memories
18:40 to 21:15
Conversation about discontinued fast food items and menu changes over the years.
“This is a real issue, I honestly have to say.”
Perceptions of Food and Aging
21:16 to 23:03
David reflects on how perceptions of food change with age and experiences.
“It's so, that was so dirty of you, Del Taco.”
Restaurant Reviews and Experiences
23:04 to 24:40
Discussion on leaving restaurant reviews and the impact of customer service.
“I mean, you don't look a day over 27 is what I'll guess.”
Energy in Cooking and Passion
24:41 to 26:36
David talks about the energy and passion put into cooking and food.
“What's the worst review you've ever left for a restaurant?”
Restaurant Attitudes and Culture
26:37 to 28:00
Exploration of restaurant culture, attitudes, and customer experiences.
“But there's like love that's put into it.”
Adventures in Restaurant Choices
28:00 to 30:31
Discover the joy of venturing out to new restaurants and the anxiety it can bring.
Adventures in Restaurant Choices
30:35 to 31:03
Discover the joy of venturing out to new restaurants and the anxiety it can bring.
“Back to school season can be tough on parents, but choosing a snack you and your kids can both get behind doesn't have to be.”
The Impact of Food Presentation
31:04 to 35:06
Explore the cultural shift in food presentation versus taste in dining experiences.
“since Instagram, where people are like, wow, this food looks so good.”
Guilty Pleasures and Unique Snacks
35:07 to 39:36
Learn about personal snack preferences and unique local treats from Utah.
“So I'm going to, I'm going to ask you a couple of Spitfire questions.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Hey friends, Olivia from OLLI. Between new routines and the ultimate group project known as parenting, you need science-backed solutions that work with your life. That's where OLLI comes in. Start your mornings off right with Maltese made to support nutrition and immune health. Choose from our lineup of gut-supporting probiotics, and we've got occasional sleep support to help the whole fam chase their big dreams. Head back to class with the number one gummy supplement brand. Stock up on OLLI.com today. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
0:30Mmm, my burnt cookies. Take them out of the oven. Put a dash of milk on it. You're so good. My burnt cookies. I'm gonna ask for two, please. Maybe, or maybe three. Hi, and welcome to Snacks, the show where we dig into the snack obsessions of your favorite stars. I'm Jo Saltz, the editorial director of Delish, and today our guest is someone you'll definitely recognize from American Idol, from his days on Hannah Montana and iCarly, but he's also an author, an incredible singer, and he's got a lot of bones to pick with a lot of different snacks. Please welcome David Archuleta. Just like a perfect homemade recipe, every great wardrobe starts with great staples.
1:16Takarnak is your destination for elevated classics, from perfectly fitting jeans to timeless tees and button downs you'll wear on repeat. With new arrivals dropping daily, there's always something fresh to discover. Visit teenup.com. We'll be right back.
1:35Okay, first of all, thank you for joining us today. I'm so happy you're here. I'm actually a fan. I watched your American Idol days. And now you have a book that I'm super excited about. Tell me about the book and tell me how it came to be. Oh, gosh. Well, I was encouraged by one of my friends to write a book. we were talking she had just written a book as book as well I'm I'm glad my mom died Jeanette McCready and she said um she's like have you thought of writing a book and I said I haven't she said if you're open to it I would love to make an introduction um to you with my team that I wrote my first book with and do you like sour watermelons um I want to find out you're going to try it right now.
2:23Go for it. Go ahead. Should I try it right now? Yeah, yeah. Are you kidding? Okay. Yeah. And then you can finish your story. Snacks always interrupt. Snacks always beat stories. You've never had a sour watermelon? I think I have. You know what? They're like so good. You know what? I think someone I knew taught me to eat these mixed with popcorn. Oh. Mm-hmm. Wow. I've actually never heard that. And it tastes really good. It's It's rare that someone can stump me with a snack. I've never heard of sour watermelons and popcorn. And it's good? Yeah. Are you a sour candy fan? Not normally, but I think they've grown on me.
3:04Let's get back to the story you were telling. I'm sorry, because I do love, I'll veer off for a snack. So anyway, so Jeanette was telling you she wanted to make an introduction. And so then it just sort of spirals from there. Yeah, she made the introduction, and I started working with them, and voila, the book. A lot of people had asked me about my upbringing, because I grew up a Latter-day Saint, like Church of Jesus Christ, Latter-day Saints, or Mormon. And then I came out, you know, I came out as queer or bisexual. and they everyone was like we weren't expecting you to come out right you're supposed to be like a good Mormon like what is this about and my point was well why can't I be a good Mormon and be queer because that's what I've always been it's just I've always had to I felt like I always had to fight her to push it down or hide it and it just it got to the point where it just didn't make sense to do that anymore yeah well it's nice that you had an outlet to be able to do that and tell the story the way you wanted to.
4:11Tell me a little bit, because this is snacks, you have to tell me about growing up, Morbin, and what that was like from a food experience. Was like food and gathering around the table very important? It was great. My, well, my mom, she is from Honduras, from Central America, so she would make things like carne con papas. She would make these things that she would call fritas. It was just fried dough, like that she would toss in sugar, but that was a snack she would make for us. What kind of dough? Like a, like a thick, like bread dough or was it like a churro kind of batter? I don't know. Just like flour, like a flour thing.
4:48She would cut it. It looked kind of like a, like similar to a pretzel, but not quite. Yeah. Yeah. And you just break it off and eat it. And yeah, I think it's just like something that was easy to make. So she cooked a lot growing up. No, she didn't. She didn't like cooking. um but when we would do like the church activities she still doesn't love cooking but she'll do it for for her kids because she's like i love you guys so she'll make me eggs and i'll make eggs but that's like she'll make carne con papas which is meat and potatoes she'll make sopa sometimes like chicken like caldo like chicken soup uh she'll make spaghetti at like basic things like that she should make she had tried making pizza a few times as well um but at the church things like in utah we would have potlucks and we would have dutch oven like nights where everyone would bring like their dutch ovens and it was so good like i mean i'm i I do feel like that church experience is like where people have some of their best food memories.
5:59Yeah. And that was the case for you. Oh, yeah. In Utah, I mean, oh, I was in heaven with the funeral potatoes. Okay. So funeral potatoes have come up at Delish. Our managing editor, Lindsay, brought it to our attention a few years ago. She's from Kansas. And so she was saying funeral potatoes. Honestly, we had never heard of it before. Interesting. And so we do actually have a recipe for them, but then we made them in the kitchen and they were ridiculously good. Like I could eat like a whole tray of them. Oh, I wonder if it's the same thing. Well, what was your experience with peanut cheese? Like shredded potato with cheese and cream.
6:37And sometimes you put cornflakes on top. Yes, crunchy top. Yes, that's what it is. Like who on the planet Earth decided cornflakes on potatoes was a thing that needed to happen? Whoever did it, I want to kiss them on the lips. I just, it's brilliant. Do you make funeral potatoes to this day? Have you ever made it? No. My mom has made them. Oh, okay. Because she saw how much we liked them. So she had tried making them a few times. Oh, just divine. What was the, what's the food that sends you back to your childhood? Did you have like a good, if your mom didn't cook, did you have like good food in the house?
7:12Like good snacks and stuff? You know, not really. You know, I like, she would buy a lot of frozen meal things. So like things like corn dogs or like the little pizza bites. I loved the pizza bites. Oh my God, like bagel bites? Or like Tostino, like the Tostino pizza bites, like the rolls. Yeah, like the little roll kind of, oh my gosh, I loved those. By the way, you have a great house. Like, this is great stuff. These are, like, class A snacks as far as I'm concerned. Oh, good. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like a Totino's. Am I saying it right? Totino's? Totino's Pizza Rolls. I did not have Totino's Pizza Rolls in my house.
7:51We were not allowed to have those. Oh, shoot. I know. But I'll take it. My mom would just make whatever was quick and easy because she didn't like cooking. Right. So if it wasn't Wendy's, like, dollar menu, it was those things. but um but she would make the spaghetti what else would oh she would make tres leches as well oh my god wow that is a special treat yeah did she make a good one yeah it was great i mean she just like do like the cake mix and then just pour a bunch of like milk and condensed milk on it oh but it's like cake mix box mix tres leches yeah that's awesome like honestly there's nothing better than box cake mix honestly i just feel like it's like one of the great gifts to the culinary world and like to put milk on top is a really good yeah so good so so then you end up on american idol which is wild to me how old were you can i talk about just really quick before that when i was little in florida cuban sandwiches and mamay shake was another thing that was so so tell me So you went from Utah to Florida.
8:59I was born in Miami. And then we moved to Utah when I was six years old. But we would go back for the summers to Florida to visit family. Got it. Okay. And so Miami, what was your food experience like there? Because that is actually a really great food, a very great and diverse food experience. What was your experience there? What do you remember? The Cuban sandwiches. So good. And the mame shake. What is that? Tell me. So mame is a type of fruit that they would make shakes out of. Mame. Can Sarita throw me? I'm like, what is the type of fruit? It's like a brown. It's brown on the outside, but it's kind of like a reddish meat flesh on the inside.
9:41It's like a papaya? Oh, okay. Oh, papaya smoothies are so good too. And so they would make shakes and smoothies out of this. Yeah. My mom would buy some of the frozen pulp sometimes just so we could reminisce. It wasn't quite the same, but it was still really yummy. So fun. You had a really like dynamic, I feel like you had a really dynamic culinary upbringing. I guess so, because I had Miami and Utah. Yes, but also to have a mom from Honduras, which, you know, is a really, is a great food culture. I feel like they always, like, they bring a lot to the table. But I do find it interesting, though, that, like, still in the context of Utah, which I guess is Mormon, there was no alcohol, right?
10:26No, no alcohol, no tea. No tea. And so were you, like, was it a soda culture like you see now on, like, television? Yeah, big time. Even back then? Mm-hmm. So lots of, so what was that like for you? Soda and sweets. so there'd be a lot of chocolates and i mean soda what else um cookies but soda cookies are what is that cookie company uh crumble yeah yeah yeah crumble yeah yeah they used to have one called like chip they have a like the cookies were like the big thing and then soda took over wait so cookie so you guys have because i feel like the country went through a big cupcake surge Right like there was like all these like cupcake shops opening sprinkle sprinkle But then crumble came in chipped also came through but now I feel like there's soda shops So there was was the that so that wasn't a thing when you were growing up It wasn't until maybe like around when I was on American Idol is when I started noticing Noticing it right but like we used to be I think before that like my friends and I used to love going to get hot chocolate Oh.
11:33So before soda, shops were a thing. We would just go to get hot chocolate. Like, were there hot chocolate shops? There was, like, a Belgian waffle place that would sell hot chocolate. There would be coffee shops that would sell hot chocolate. I'm, like, kind of, I should not be shocked about hot chocolate, but it's interesting when you have to get really creative about engaging people in new food ways, which I'm sure Utah has to do because they're not luring people the way in so many other parts of the country. They're luring you with booze and all that stuff. Cinnamon rolls were another big thing.
12:11Rolls in general. Yeah. Like Cinnabon, but better. Yeah. Because they'd be like, what is this place? I always go and it's a great sandwich shop and they sell huge, thick cinnamon rolls. Oh my gosh. Pizza. like just things that were a lot about like gathering people together I think that was very Utah-esque yeah but like and was it a big fast food culture I don't know like did you did you go to I mean you said Wendy's yeah I mean just my family because of not cooking right yeah we would go to Wendy's dollar menu a lot and I would get like a good junior bacon cheeseburger a lot of times are you a frosty fan I would get sick a lot though yeah frosties are another big thing And those were huge for my family, at least.
12:57I don't know about everyone else in Utah. I feel like it was, though. I mean, Frosties were big in my family, too. And we were Jewish. So I think Frosties are just like... They're just great. Just they're like a universal unifier. Did you ever dip your French fries into the Frosties? Yes. Yes, because I'm not a monster. That is the way you should do it. And now it's like I get really annoyed by all the new flavors of Frosties. Because I was like, no, Frosties are chocolate. Chocolate, yes. I don't need vanilla. I don't need... I don't know, just like chocolate. This doesn't taste as good. No, it's just like, it's not the same.
13:29Okay, so I, now I want to get to your American Idol days. Because, so how old were you when you went on American Idol? I was 16 and 17, yeah. That must have been a wild experience for you. It was. And like, okay, so I always have, I, every time I have someone on, I ask about craft services. So I want to know what was it like behind, backstage on American Idol? Like, was there food? Was there stuff to eat? Was it snacking? Were you sitting with everyone else? Like, what was it? What was the experience? I'm trying to remember what we would get. I want to say, did we get Baja Fresh or something? I want to say it was something like that.
14:03And we'd also get like sandwiches and wraps from somewhere, I don't know, or veggie trays and salad. So there was always food back there. Yeah. Were you hanging with the other like contestants back there? Not as much because I had school and I was the only persons who still had to be in school in the top 12. There are some people in the top 24, but no one else that was a minor made it into the top 12. Interesting. I spent a lot of time with my studio teacher. That must have been really fascinating for you to be in the midst of all of this with so many other people who are older. Yeah. But I do love the idea.
14:42I just want to fantasize about American Idol backstage and Baja Fresh. Because, by the way, also, Baja Fresh, totally underrated. I feel like Chipotle gets all the glory, but Baja Fresh was like delicious. I don't know if you were a fan. Are you a Mexican food fan? Oh, I love Mexican food, but I love street tacos. Oh. I love the taco trucks. That's where it's at, or the taco stands. Do you have a favorite one? Oh, I mean, I just like going wherever there is one. Yeah. So if I see something on the corner, I'll go grab some. I do like tacos del venado. I love them. And so you live in LA now? I do, yeah.
15:20Do you consider yourself a foodie? Do you consider yourself like, really? I do. Okay, on a scale of one to ten. Yelp is like my favorite app. Really? So like what's your, so describe a normal food day for you and then, I mean we're going to take it one step further. But like you get up, what's your morning? My morning, it just depends. Oftentimes I will make eggs. And that's like the only thing I'll make aside from maybe a sandwich or I'll make a bowl of cereal. Okay, we got to dig in. How do you take your eggs? I just make them scrambled. I'll add garlic powder, onion powder. I'll add cayenne pepper, some sea salt, and some...
16:02Sometimes I'll add... What's that other orange one? Turmeric? Turmeric, yeah. And then what's your cereal? By the way, nothing is more defining than your cereal choice. Yeah, it's a lot of pressure. This is going to be very bland. I'm ready. I like, I mean, I try to get a decent amount of protein and like, so I'll get Ezekiel brand cereals. Yep. But I do love Honey Bunches of Oats. So good. And sometimes I will treat myself to Reese's. The Reese's Puffs? Yeah, Reese's Puffs. Another great one. but a lot of times I'll just eat the the not frosted but the just square wheat oh the frosted the frosted not the frosted ones just the um uh shredded wheat oh kashi I do like kashi yeah they have like the the berry filled wheat yes shredded wheat that's yummy so you're a kashi fan I do like kashi and they have good like protein options like the cereal with soy in it or whatever.
17:05And wheat has a decent amount of protein in it. Yes, it does. Lots of fiber. Yes. But I do feel like Honey Bunches of Oats is also like that's a sleeper hit. I used to go to Target specifically because it was the last place that would sell it sometimes. And it was the Rice Krispie Treat cereal. Oh, wow. Not Rice Krispies. Not Krispie Rice cereal. It was the Rice Krispie Treat cereal. Which is like the clumps. Yes. how did that get onto a shelf it's just like they're like you know what you know what kids need in their mornings marshmallows they need more marshmallows i i don't i'm not huge on the rice crispy treats but the cereal there was something about it that sugar differently yes clumps of sugar that's what it was it was did you eat that as a kid pleasure yeah gosh your mom was cool you have to tell her i like i wish she had like that that's cool like a cool mom bought like rice krispy treat cereal well my mom loves sugar so we used to get cornflakes and she would add bananas and sugar to it oh my gosh yeah that's how my grandma would do it we would get frosted flakes too but it just tasted different when you put actual sugar actual sugar and bananas in it oh yeah i don't do that anymore but it was it's definitely a throwback i like i honestly feel like if we could campaign to get kellogg's to bring that cereal back please that would be great david is here for you i will be the spokesperson for it because why was it continued discontinued but also like nothing hits better though than when they bring something we were just talking about this on another interview about like when like taco bell discontinues something and they bring it back for a limited time yes yes yeah and they bring it back you went right straight there you had that cute up my favorite really what was your wait that was your taco bell order yeah it used to be the nacho cheese chalupas before that but i kept getting sick after eating those so of course i went to cheese aguardita crunch oh my god wait what's not the same as it used to it's not the same be bigger it used to be juicier whatever sauce they would put in it it's still good but just not as good as it used to i just feel like we need to engage taco bell fans to agree with you because i do feel like there's probably some people there's definitely a red thread out there about the tostadas talk about what happened to the tostadas yeah what did it used to be like a fresh you just like some bean spread on a tostada and it was like fairly healthy yeah eat and you put some hot sauce on it no not anymore not anymore now everything's got a Dorito same with Del Taco Del Taco got rid of their value menu okay I have a Del Taco is not a thing that we have on the east coast so that is strictly a California thing and so I I know nothing about Del Taco but like given the choice between Del Taco and Taco Bell what are you picking well I used to say Del Taco through and through now Taco Bell because Del Taco got rid of their best menu their value menu which they would have their snack quesadilla cheese like Like snack, cheesy quesadilla, and what else?
20:16Tacos al carabon that they got rid of. Like so many of the good things. And I go and it's just not the same. This is a real issue, I honestly have to say. I think it's just like parts of getting old. Like you see things change. I'm like I'm to that age where I see things and I'm saying it's not like how it used to be. That's what it is. Back in my day, they had the value menu. This was literally a year ago. A year and a half ago, they discontinued the value menu. I'm very upset about it still. Don't you feel though like I feel like this when it comes to things like um like if I visit my childhood like the things that I had in my childhood or whether it's like I go back to the my elementary school or whatever and you're like this hallway used to be gigantic and now it's tiny and I can like touch both sides of the walls.
21:02I feel like that with food sometimes too where I'm like god I remember this being bigger and more awesome and maybe it It was just like, because I was a kid and I don't really remember it the way it was. And I wonder if that's your experience with Del Taco. Although it sounds like they just deleted an entire part of the menu, which is devastating. It's so, that was so dirty of you, Del Taco. What's your McDonald's order? Do you go there? I'm not crazy on McDonald's. What about you? What do you, even though they did bring up back their snack wraps, but only crispy chicken. I want my grilled chicken snack wrap.
21:37I just feel like Dave does a lot, a lot of, we have a lot of things to say. I feel like we could make this a whole episode of just like, in my day. I want my honey grilled chicken, like the honey mustard grilled chicken snack wrap from McDonald's. Oh, I, what's my order? I like a chicken McNugget. Chicken McNugget. I'm just like a, I love the barbecue sauce. Anything that's like, I basically, my favorite thing in McDonald's is the barbecue sauce. And so everything that is a vessel for that French, I'll do French fries in it. Okay. In the barbecue sauce. In the barbecue sauce. So McDonald's chicken nuggets over Wendy's chicken nuggets?
22:11I have to be honest. I don't have a ton of experience with Wendy's chicken nuggets. I will say they probably are a superior nugget. Because McDonald's are not known for their chickeniness. But I feel like Wendy's feel more chickeny. Definitely. Is that a weird thing? I love Wendy's chicken nuggets. I can't hop on board. sometimes I guess I'll order them but it's like it's because nothing else is around and nothing else is open are you a chicken nugget fan like are you generally like a chicken finger kind of person I do like I like chicken fingers but I try to stay away from too many fried deep fried things because it gets me bloated oh you're you're a good I burp a lot yeah well you're this is age and not just but I like it makes me gassy so no I get it I get it and I feel like I this is the thing with like we're I guess now that you're gonna and now you You know, now that you've reached the ripe age of, you know, 22 or whatever.
23:08No. I'm 35. No, no. I mean, you don't look a day over 27 is what I'll guess. Thank you. But I do feel like, you know, once you hit your 40s, then you're like, you can't need anything anymore. It's not fun. But I want to get back. That's why the gym is so important. I know. Working out, you got to do it. Keep it moving. Just put treadmill on incline. Nothing else. If you're afraid of the weights, just get yourself in there and put the treadmill on incline. 100%. Yeah. And then get a giant order of chicken nuggets. Protein. Good serves of protein, actually. 100%. Wait, so tell me. Not too many calories.
23:40I want to come back to how Yelp is your favorite because are you a big explorer of restaurants? So you like to try new. I do. And so what's your attack plan on that? How do you venture out? What are you looking for in a new restaurant to try? I look for overall satisfaction from customers. I look at pictures. and see if it's appetizing because sometimes especially in late like over the last yelp i feel like is not the same as again like in the last seven to eight years as it used to be everyone started seeing like oh like we can use this for promotional skills and stuff so it's not genuine it's not just your average user commenting and leaving their experience it's everyone go comment and if you get if you leave a like or on our yelp or good review we'll give you a discount or we'll give you something and a lot of their friends, because they know how important reviews are, they'll just, you'll get a bunch of fake reviews.
24:37Yeah, yeah, yeah. And so it's just like, ugh. So you have to look at the pictures. Do you leave reviews when you go? I do. Interesting. Yeah, I do leave reviews. That gives me stress. Do you leave bad reviews? Yeah, sometimes. What's the worst review you've ever left for a restaurant? You don't have to name the restaurant, but what's the worst thing you've said about a restaurant? There was one time where the order was so rude. The person, and it was just next door. It was closed, so that's why I went to it. But they were disrespectful. They were yelling at everybody. And I just, I ordered, and they were getting mad at me.
25:13And I was like, you know what? I was like, I don't, actually, I don't want to even, I don't even want my food. Because if this is the energy you put into what you create, I don't want to pass that on to me. because sometimes there have been places where I'm like, one time I was in Chile, because I was a missionary in Chile for two years, a Mormon missionary, and we were eating at one of our church members' houses and eating empanadas, and I was like, these are the best empanadas I've ever had. I was like, there's something different about them. I was like, where are these from? And he was like, let me get you the card for them.
25:46I got the card, and so I went. I was like, I had to try these empanadas. There's something different about them. She's like, oh my gosh. She's like, for me, it's not even just a business. She's like, it is my passion. She said, when I'm making the dough even, she's like, I feel like something come open and channel through me. And I put that into my empanada making. And I was like, I can tell. I feel it. And I was like, that's why I traveled out of my way to come to this place to eat at them. And so you can tell. Like I feel like it's music when you put a certain energy into a song or to singing into your craft or into your art.
26:26Yeah. Even art pieces. Like you can tell what it looks good, but it doesn't have that substance and that feeling and energy that's put into it. And I feel like cooking is the same way. Yeah. That's why it's like a home cooked meal hits differently than, you know, like a fast food restaurant, even though fast food restaurant can still hit because it's convenient. But there's like love that's put into it. it's so interesting because there's that right and i'm sure la is filled with so many great places where the energy is really good and the people feel passion and i bet that's why like tacos in a taco truck right like they just like these are people who are like are like just want to do great things for people on the street right but then it's the places that have attitude or the places that are like really snobby or like turn you away that like always get so much like play in the world.
27:20I don't know. Like I just like that dichotomy of like snobbery or like exclusionary like attitude is just like so off-putting to me in the restaurant world. And I feel like it's for the exact reason you're saying it's like that energy just sucks. Yeah. Just takes the joy out of eating. But some people like to feel like they're better than everyone. yes yes and so their customers also want to feel better than everyone else so like oh we can go here and other people can't and it's not about the food it's about being in a place that feels clubby and clicky and exclusive yes so you went in and you were like forget i don't even want this food i don't want you i said i said you know what i don't want i was like don't even run my card i don't want because they haven't started making it yet and she the lady threw my card out he's like fine get out of here i was just like like this i was like she clearly has undealt like wounds but like she's lashing out on her customers and this is not okay and it closed down shortly after that because i was not the only person who complained but that was the worst review i ever gave i mean seems deserved but i do feel like i'm curious what makes you venture because i'm someone who's like a creature of habit like i have my places i i like to try new places but i get like anxiety of opening myself up to new i'm just like i don't know i'm always like i'm very i'm someone who's like very much about i don't want to waste a meal and so i'm like i'd rather know that i'm going to get something i love rather than risk getting something new and having a not good which is a terrible way to live um but i'm curious for you that you're less of a creature of habit and you like to venture out and do and try new i do i mean sometimes when you're running and you just have to you have to just grab something you know what works yeah but like if there's like an adventure an opportunity I love the adventure I like exploring and be like what is it gonna be like I like the surprise what's the last great restaurant adventure you went on the last great one I went on was a couple not just a couple evenings ago with my stylist Andrew I was in little Saigon with him he's Vietnamese and he took me to this restaurant and it was just oh incredible Vietnamese food is so fresh and I can't remember what everything was named but we got these little it was just so good oh my gosh we like where you make your own spring rolls so you like get the little circle thing and you dip it in the water and then you just get the pork and the the mint leaves and the lettuce and you wrap it it was so good that's so fun and whose idea was it to go it was andrews my stylists and he he loves introduced he's like food is my love language i was like i love that it's your love language because especially vietnamese food it's just great so did you leave a review i didn't because i was so tired that i didn't i didn't even know what the place was called he just i just drove and he's like it's right here it's in this
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31:02Can we talk about one thing that I've also, it's been hard for me to find good food because since Instagram, where people are like, wow, this food looks so good. You start posting, it's become a lot more about the presentation of the food. Yes. Like what looks good on a reel or in a picture rather than how it tastes. Yes. And sometimes you'll be spending a lot of money on it and it's the presentation, but sometimes you just want to taste good food. Yes. And sometimes you get food that's presented well and tastes good, but I feel a lot of places now care more about how it will look. Because, you know, the rise of mukbang and like the way it looks while someone's eating it rather than the way it's tasting while you eat it.
31:45It's very interesting. It's a very interesting shift in culture. Where do you stand on taking pictures of your food? I am a I'm an addict to it. I do it like almost every meal. Really? Yeah. Do you post? Yeah. Huh. Yeah. I'm one of those. Interesting. Has anyone ever judged you for that? Your friends give you a hard time? No, not everybody. they're just like oh like you're it's of course you millennial would take a picture of your of your food and I don't care I'm like you know what it's not for you it's for me because I like to remember how good this meal tasted and every time I look at that photo I relive my experience and encourage and then if people want to go they're like oh what is that I'm like let's go you want it look good to you good that's like the point too like I want to get my feelers of who would be into something like that so I can take them there I don't hate that I don't hate that for you.
32:38I feel like it's funny. It is a very like city thing. Like I live in the suburbs in outside of New York. Nobody's taking pictures of their food out there, but like New York, definitely New York city, people are taking pictures of their food. And I think it's to your point. It's like to show where they've been, to show who they're with to whatever. So I do feel like it's definitely probably an LA thing, but I'm laughing only because - I've done it since Utah. Really? Since Utah. I lived in Nashville for eight years. I did it, or I lived outside of Nashville. So is it like more of a personal catalog for you?
33:08Yeah. And do you actually revisit those pictures? Sometimes I take pictures of my food and I'm like, delete, delete. Really? I love it. I put a lot of them on Snapchat. So you just recently got into sour candies. So what kind of candy are you? What kind of candy person are you? I like dark chocolate. I have thoughts about that. It's a very sophisticated palate for someone who likes dark chocolate. I don't know why. I do feel like not everybody likes dark chocolate you're right you're right but like always even as a kid no I used to like milk chocolate and I don't know there's just a point where I got older and the bitterness was just hitting a spot on in my mouth yeah that I really that you were into I was into it does like that's an older thing to try my daughter's always like man this is gross so I like peanut butter too I do feel like the um that sophisticated palette I feel like you have to, you can't be a kid.
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34:07Kids who like dark chocolate are, I would think, weird. That doesn't make any sense. But what kind of, like, what's your go-to snack now? What do you eat, like? I love, well, if I'm rewarding myself, because I try not to get it too much, but I love just vanilla ice cream, and I drizzle peanut butter on it. Oh, that's a good snack. Sometimes, I love peanut butter in general. Really? There's, like, these little dark chocolates I was gifted from someone, and I'll dip them in, or like drizzle them in peanut butter as well. I just love peanut butter. And sometimes I'll even put peanut butter in my cereal.
34:42I love peanut butter. It's so good. And I mean Reese's Puffs, as you said before. I mean, obviously case in point. Okay, so ice cream with peanut butter. When you are recording, like do you have a snack that you go to when you're like in the zone of like music? Not really. Just more like an herbal tea with honey in it and lemon when I'm recording. Huh. I like that for you. I like that for you. All right. So I'm going to, I'm going to ask you a couple of Spitfire questions. Okay. And then we're going to like, and then we can wrap up. Okay. All right. Snack that matches your current era as an artist.
35:21Creme Brulee. Ooh. Creme Brulee. Tell me why. Well, I wrote a song about it that came out last year. so it's about a sweet taste of a you know a sweet dessert creme brulee you gotta crack it open though to get to the good stuff that's a good one very chic okay guilty pleasure snack that you don't tell anyone about guilty pleasure snack I mean maybe the dark chocolate dipping that in peanut butter that's the first time I've ever said that so you literally like take pieces of dark chocolate Like the old, do you know that was an old commercial for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups back in the day? Back in the, oh my God, I'm going to age myself.
36:02Back in my day, they had this ad that was like a man taking a candy bar and dipping it in peanut butter. And they say that's how a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup was discovered. Now that's what you do. Okay. That's what I do. The most Utah snack. What do you think is the snack that says Utah the most? Well, I feel like soda has dominated that take now with swig. But, I mean, funeral potatoes, I feel like that's pretty Utah-loved. Or like green jello, apparently. Lime? Jello. Like a green lime? I don't know. Just jello in general apparently is a pretty big thing. Was that for you? Was that like something?
36:45I wasn't in love with it, but I loved my funeral potatoes. I will say that. And rolls, I think they do really like rolls. I do feel like rolls are universal. Why are they so good? Cinnamon rolls in particular. Cinnamon rolls, yeah. I need to find out what that place is called in Utah that has these really good rolls. I just feel the world, I think cinnamon rolls instantly make the world a better place. um my last question is you tell us that you love burnt cookies explain well yeah my mom she would say she's like I'm not I'm not the best at cooking and baking and she would try like I remember her trying to make homemade bread because all the other Utah moms did it and she put it in it just wouldn't rise and she's like oh forget about it but she'd make cookies and I loved them burnt really and I would go to other people's places and they're like oh we're gonna throw these away they're burnt i'm like what are you talking about that's the best cookie to dip in the milk and suck the milk out of it you like that burnt like charcoal-y it's not like too charcoal-y i just feel like it's a crispy cookie and it tastes delicious are you crispy versus chewy yeah i love both but i just love me a crunchy cookie and i was talking to my because i was like why would you throw away those cookies and because it's not like overly overly burned because when i I don't think of burnt.
38:12I think of like black. No, no, not that. I mean, but sometimes I'm not opposed to a little bit of it. But like dark brown, oof, just so good. You like those thin ones? You like thick ones? Any. I just love chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Yes. Oh, heaven. Oatmeal chocolate chip, I think, is the best cookie. Could you quickly write a verse about burnt cookies? About burnt cookies? I'm like, do I get like a copyright on this? Um, uh, it was like, um, like, my burnt cookies, take them out of the oven, and, um, put a dash of milk on it. Like, my burnt cookies. Um, give me, I'm gonna ask for two, please.
39:11maybe or maybe three uh i don't know it's so good got me sweaty now so good oh my goodness it's so funny no god bless um i've loved having you and i love connecting about this thank you so much for being here and also like really i appreciate your openness i am we're super excited about your book and we're wishing you all the best and we're gonna look for your name on yelp reviews going forward. Thanks so much for joining Snacks. Make sure you like, subscribe, and follow wherever you get your podcasts. And check us out on social media at Snacks Podcast.
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From the publisher
In this episode, David shares his love of dipping chocolate in peanut butter, improvises a song inspired by his mom's famously burnt cookies, and opens up about growing up in a Mormon community, coming out, and embracing his authentic self.
From nostalgic family memories to sweet treats and meaningful life lessons, David proves that food has a way of bringing every story to the table.
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