Detroiters remember Anthony Bourdain after his apparent suicide

(WJBK) - Shock and sadness at the death of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, who died by suicide at the age of 61.

FOX 2 spoke with Detroiters who met Bourdain when he was in town to film his award winning hit show "Parts Unknown."

"He was raw," said Adolph Mongo. "He was straight up no chaser."

Not unlike the drinks Anthony Bourdain imbibed at Eastern Market's Cutter Bar in season 2's eighth episode. The covert culinary destinations of Detroit were revealed when Bourdain threw one back with Mongo, a longtime Detroit political insider.

Or when he bit into succulent soul food whipped up by Rochelle Jones at her east-side home. Or when he consumed the magical simplicity of the Coney dog at Duly's Place in southwest Detroit with owner Martin Gojcaj.

Beyond the blissful beauty of eating good food also on display, was who Bourdain was.

"When he came by, he was a pretty humble dude," Gojcaj said. "He just looked like a regular customer when he came in."

"He was just like a regular old person like he knew me for years," said Jones. "And he talked, we laughed, joked, ate and we had a good time."

"Great guy," Mongo said. "Listen, he was just a regular guy."

MORE COVERAGE: Anthony Bourdain: 'Detroit looks like nowhere else. Detroit looks like mother****in' Detroit'

A celebrity, chef, author and storyteller who could ingratiate himself with anyone.

"He was an honest guy because he was real with me," Jones said. "I was like are you sure my greens were good and he was like 'I swear to you, yes they were.'"

Bourdain was found unresponsive in his hotel room Friday. He was there working on an upcoming episode of his award winning series when he reportedly took his own life.

"People look at him and say he's got everything," Mongo said. "You know what, he's a celebrity and everyone loves him. Whether you have a billion dollars or a dollar, everyone has these demons they have to deal with.

If you do need help you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).