The Burning Man noodle shop so popular it’s taking reservations for 2020

The Michigan-star rated restaurant, The Bitchin' Noodle Shop. The Michigan-star rated restaurant, The Bitchin' Noodle Shop. Photo: Theresa Christine Photo: Theresa Christine Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close The Burning Man noodle shop so popular it’s taking reservations for 2020 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

"You'll need a reservation," the restaurant's host advises me in a firm tone. The man, covered in a layer of taupe dust, pulls out a book to write down my name and adds with a snort, "What, you think you can just walk in?"

Actually, yes, I sort of do — I'm at Burning Man, after all. Here, you go by "Playa time," meaning you're never late nor early, and people welcome you warmly with bear hugs instead of handshakes. Bitchin' Noodle Shop does things differently, though. The Michigan-star rated restaurant (not to be confused with Michelin) promises hot, fresh pho to those who can stand a little sass from the staff and are willing to set a time to come back. In a place where people wander with the principle of immediacy in mind, stopping to make future plans at a dedicated date and time feels strange. But that's exactly what Alexander Rodriguez wants.

"Good things come to those who wait," he says with a sly grin. Rodriguez, who goes by "Slut Star" at Burning Man, decided to bring Bitchin' Noodle Shop to the Playa for the first time this year. His husband, Luis Garcia or "Little Spoon," helps him run logistics at the 11-seat restaurant which is part of the theme camp Couch Burners.

"A lot of people don't have the patience," Rodriguez explains. Even as the distinct scent of lemongrass and garlic wafts through the street and happy patrons buzz with chatter behind the shoji doors, potential diners still believed the reservation system was a joke. "But that's what I love. It's almost like Burning Man is a mirage, and you don't know whether to believe or not believe if you stick something through. If you come back, though, I promise I'll hold your reservation."

The annual gathering in the desert is a feast for the senses — vibrant LED rainbows light up the sky and music blares at nearly all hours of the day. Exquisite flavors, however, prove a little harder to come by. It's not something you can really plan to encounter; instead, you just happen to find yourself at the right place and the right time for a memorable meal. Bitchin' Noodle Shop offers hungry Burners the opportunity for a reliable full-fledged restaurant experience, complete with servers and ornate pho bowls. All they have to do is return.

Rodriguez, a teacher for 15 years, wanted to gift Burning Man with the kind of nourishing food he eats himself during a dusty week in the desert. Rather than greasy grilled cheese sandwiches and too-salty beef jerky, he sought ingredients which would provide nutrients and energy in the depleting environment that is the Black Rock Desert.

Of course, coming from Miami, he and Garcia had to source ingredients locally and plan well in advance. "We were really concerned about how we were going to get fresh ingredients on the Playa," mentions Garcia. Last year, he researched Burning Man's outside service suppliers and found a couple which work closely with the casinos in the Reno area. They provided Bitchin' Noodle Shop with fresh vegetables and high quality food for the week.

Considering the logistical nightmare a restaurant in the middle of the desert poses, Rodriguez and Garcia didn't encounter any major setbacks with Bitchin' Noodle Shop. As with any establishment serving food at Burning Man, they had to obtain a health permit from the state of Nevada prior to the event. Volunteers from Couch Burners gladly filled the 6 staff spots every day, and many came from a food industry background which made things run even smoother.

"To be honest with you, the biggest challenge has been dampening the enthusiasm. On Thursday, my crew woke me up at 8 o'clock, and they were listed to work at noon. I was like, 'What are you guys doing?'" Rodriguez laughs.

The enthusiasm didn't just come from camp volunteers, either. Burners loved Bitchin' Noodle Shop so much that ingredients ran out by Thursday afternoon. Perhaps the only surefire way to get a seat that last day was to take advantage of their newly enacted "nude for noods" rule which let naked guests bypass the line. Rodriguez recalls walking into his restaurant full of undressed patrons, only to then welcome the health inspector who arrived to rate the shop's cleanliness.

"We're compliant, and we're very happy," he says. "In fact, the inspector was thrilled because he'd seen so many restaurants on the Playa, so it was something different for sure."

Rodriguez and Garcia look at 2019 as a grand experiment for the restaurant and are already brainstorming a more robust reservations system, an expanded menu which might include dumplings, and they have dreams of a pho art car which could serve Burners wandering around deep Playa on chilly nights. Without a doubt, Bitchin' Noodle Shop will return to Burning Man, but make sure you get your reservation in early.

"We sold out due to popularity, but you can leave a reservation for 2020," Rodriguez adds. "I already have eight people."

Theresa Christine is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. Twitter: @itsmetheresac