"In America, I would say New York and New Orleans are the two most interesting food towns. In New Orleans, they don't have a bad deli. There's no mediocrity accepted"

Mario Batali is referring to the 2 cities in America that have the most interesting food scenes. He is stating that New York and New Orleans are the two cities that stand out in terms of their food offerings. He is also saying that New Orleans is especially noteworthy since it doesn't have a single bad deli. This is a testimony to the quality of the food in the city, as there is no space for mediocrity. This quote talks to the high standards of the food in New Orleans, and the overall quality of the food scene in both New York and New Orleans. It is clear that Mario Batali has an excellent appreciation for the food in both cities, and he is motivating others to experience it on their own.