Rebels Without a Cause
I have to admit, I’m a little bemused by this “food fight” – as reported by the Sun Sentinel – between the Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, AZ and the Heart Stoppers Sports Grill in Delray Beach, FL. The owners of the two restaurants are duking it out over who “owns” the right to serve up massive amounts of unhealthy, fat-and-calorie-laden food, in an atmosphere that pokes light-hearted fun at… being in an intensive care unit.
Based on the info in the article, it seems to me that the Heart Attack Grill has a pretty good case. The differences between the H.A.G (the original) and Heart Stoppers appear to be pretty superficial, so – in the end – I expect Jon Basso (the H.A.G’s owner) will emerge victorious from the fray.
Nonetheless, it’s hard for me to feel any sympathy for either party involved. From where I sit, the entire concept these restaurants are based on is repulsive. The underlying attitude is that dying from lifestyle-related diseases is a joke. That grown men would fight over the right to market this particular “idea” is really sort of grotesque.
This “freak show” angle was reinforced farther down in the article:
While the Heart Attack/Heart Stoppers dispute winds its way through court, each seems to have tapped into a fascination with overeating and unabashedly high-calorie foods.
“There’s a rebellion against gourmet restaurants and healthy food establishments,” Kain said. “And that’s why there’s so much interest on television.”‘
On Wednesday, the Travel Channel’s Man v. Food comes to Shula’s Steak House in Miami Beach for a live episode. Host Adam Richman, who travels the country in search of regional foods and then challenges himself to break eating records, will attempt to consume a 48-ounce porterhouse.
On the Food Network, Guy Fieri has become famous for showcasing some of the country’s most high-calorie food on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. ESPN’s live broadcast of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest is an Independence Day staple.
It’s created a new kind of foodie, folks who go out of their way to sample high-fat fare wherever they go.
Here in South Florida, blogger Sef Gonzalez eats his way across the region as The Burger Beast. He’s eaten everything from the Big Sloppy (he gives it 5 out of 5 stars) at Charm City Burger Company in Deerfield Beach to The Heart Attacker half-pounder (3 1/2 out of 5) at Heart Stoppers.
“At some point, everyone retaliates against something,” said Gonzalez. “Every time you turn on the news — which is probably why I don’t watch the news — it’s ‘This is good for you!’ and ‘This is bad for you.’ Sometimes you should just throw everything out the window and eat what you want.”
Do tell. In Sef Gonzalez’s case, he looks like he’s on track to “retaliate” his way into a real intensive care unit – which is neither cute nor ha-ha-ha funny, despite what Heart Stoppers and the Heart Attack Grill pretend.
People can eat what they want – I, for one, have no plans to try to stop them. But there’s something seriously twisted about the notion that gluttony = liberation from some sort of oppressive health regime. If that’s what joints like Heart Stoppers and the Heart Attack Grill are selling, then I ain’t buying. If this is what “rebellion” looks like, then the people who operate, patronize – and above all – lionize these establishments (and overeating in general) are rebels without a cause.
February 12, 2010
Rebels Without a Cause – http://blog.ultimatefatburner.com/2010/0…
February 13, 2010
Stupidity is what I see here. How stupid do you have to be to eat all the bad food you can possibly eat, at one setting. It’s hard enough to eat right with some of the foods we have available today, but to overeat “bad” foods on purpose. That’s just stupid.
As far as the “fueding eateries” I could care less who wins!!!
February 14, 2010
It seems an attempt to showcase individuality by being polemical and politically incorrect. Proud of themselves though they may feel, going for public recognition from a society in which kids may soon not outlive their parents because of obesity related deaths is terribly misguided, not to mention sort of pathetic. Isn’t there something else worth their time rebelling against?
February 15, 2010
Rebellion is the word used by a blogger to describe his opinion of what may be happening. In reality, these guys (HAG & HSSG) are just very good PR guys. In reality, they are fighting over the “look” of the place. Much like Hooters and Wing House several years back, the issue boils down to “sex sells” and the attire of the staff. While they do a great job of promoting their places and their hi fat foods being served by scantly clad “nurses”, the majority of what they sell is the same as most other restaurants, from Denny’s to McDonalds, to thousands of other establishments at all quality levels. These guys are doing the same thing, but are promoting what we perceive to be as “disgusting” food wrapped in a honest description served by “sexy woman”(used loosely based on website photos). Sure, they are selling a something most of us don’t want, but step back and ponder – are they being more or less honest than many of the supplement providers out there trying to sell their product?