Important legal issues in the world of foodstuffs coming out of Massachusetts, USA. Is a burrito a sandwich? That was the question debated in the courtroom as 2 competing restaurants argued their takes. The issue arose as a Mexican food restaurant seeked to lease space in a local shopping mall in Boston. This mall allready had a sandwich shop and their lease had a clause that disallowed any other sandwich shop from becoming a tenant of this shopping mall. Expert testimony was given by many including Cambridge Chef Chris Schlesinger who said: "I know of no chef or culinary historian who would call a burrito a sandwich. Indeed, the notion would be absurd to any credible chef or culinary historian.". The judge's decision came down to the tortilla v. bread argument and the dictionary definitions of both names.
Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Locke said in his written decision: "A sandwich is not commonly understood to include burritos, tacos and quesadillas, which are typically made with a single tortilla and stuffed with a choice filling of meat, rice, and beans".
Will there be an appeal? It is not known as of yet. We encourage readers to post their takes on this using the easy/no registration needed "comment" link below.
The Fat Pride Times has gotten word that an establishment in Arizona called The Heart Attack Grill is serving four patty/four cheese slices/four bacon strips and more burgers. We have been unable to verify this as of yet, but there is a link below with some more info and a photo of said burger.
8,000 Calorie Burger Report
On the "hot" end of the bar, we found steamer trays filled with sausage and scarmbled eggs, aside a "make your own waffle" iron.
SUMMARY- the opportunity to have a good substantial breakfast was very clear. Choices were adequate, and conditions were clean and pleasant. This FPT staff member enjoyed the meal very much. 5 stars.
Undisclosed location. FPT correspondent was embedded to prepare the following outstanding fieldwork report.
Kitchen was found to be clean and sanitary, with hand washing stations and multiple sinks.
Refridgerator #1(of 2) was is short supply, but it was late in the week, just before re-supply. There are legends of large freezers in the north wing, filled to the hilt with the bags of sausage and eggs seen here.
Overview of dining area and prepared breakfast bar. We found the fat-chef statue to be creepy, to say the least. However, his pronounced belly was a comforting sign of hearty goodness.
The first items offered were juice and coffee. Area was clean and well stocked, with Minute Maid apple juice, and orange juice. Dispensers were wiped down and clear
of any sticky mess.
Yogurt and cereal were the next offerings, along with hot tea, cocoa, and oatmeal. 3 types of dry cereal were ready to be dispensed.
TO BE CONTINUED - STAY TUNED
Halloween night in Aurora, Colorado:
The Fat Pride Times Board of Directors has handed down a decision regarding the 2005 Readers Photo Contest. The Board found probable cause to believe someone or someones voted under different names and therefore we cannot declare a true winner.Instead, everybody wins and we are building a sperate webpage that will showcase every photo from 2005 that was submitted. Stay tuned for the link.
We have received various complaints from reputable readers that there may have been some unfair voting behavior in the 2005 Best Reader Food Photo Contest that closed last night.We are bringing in our people to investigate the votes cast and will have more information in the following days regarding this disturbing issue. Respect to all those who sent in photos over the year.
Bertranndo, the Fat Pride Times graveyard shift staff member, is a fine and respected man around here and he proved it once again with a nice website find we were unaware of: "The Council on Size & Weight Discrimination". Bertranndo can always be counted on for finding news that we can all use.
This organization is out of New York and up front they tell you what they stand for: "The Council on Size & Weight Discrimination is a not-for-profit group which works to change people's attitudes about weight. We act as consumer advocates for larger people, especially in the areas of medical treatment, job discrimination, and media images." (quote from their official site). The site is loaded with loads of useful information and they are fighting the good fight since 2000. Respect.
Here is their basic organizational info from their webpage:
Council on Size & Weight Discrimination, Inc.
A not-for-profit advocacy organization working to end
discrimination against people who are heavier than average.
PO Box 305 Mt. Marion, NY 12456
Phone: 845-679-1209
Fax: 845-679-1206
Email: info@cswd.org
Website: www.cswd.org
Council on Size & Weight Discrimination
The staff would like to encourage all of our readers to please be generous this Halloween and give out full size candy bars - none of those so-called 'fun-size' little ones. Show your pride.
Respect
Bill Manweh - American Chili Cheese Dog Platter
Franchi - Argentina BBQ
Bruss - UK Monster Cake
Barnabus - Oregon Surf & Turf
Darkstar - USA Smokin' Beef Brisket
Jackball Canadian Cuisine - Salmon & Rice
Please show respect for all of these fine dishes by voting with a comment for your pick for best of 2005. Also respect for the many other fine submissions we received during the year.
Umpqua brand ice cream is a favorite here at the Fat Pride Times test kitchen. They make a great tasting, quality product in many nice flavors. Recently, we tried a tub of the Chocolate & Peanut Butter flavor. Sounded great as the lid claims it is loaded with peanut butter chips. It was an 8-1 ruling from our staff that it was actually the opposite of that. Please view the tub photo above and feel free to post a comment regarding if you see "loads" of peanut butter chips in the ice cream. We will be contacting the company in hopes of engaging them in some dialogue regarding what we feel is a major issue. We also assume that Umpqua will handle it and make things right - like all their other offerings.
Senator Snowe of Maine, the largest lobster producing state in the USA is really rallying against the so-called Langostino Lobster - which is actually mushy crab meat. As you expected this is about the money. Olympia Snowe told the FDA " 2-inch shellfish known as "langostino lobster" is an imphostor to the real thing". Rubio's Mexican Grill, a lame California restaurant chain was sued last year by customers for using the less expensive langostino inplace of genuine lobster in its "lobster burritos". Senator Snowe also sniped this about the FDA behavior on this foodstuff issue: "It will be remiss in its duties if it continues to allow restaurants or other entities to perpetuate this hoax at the expense of Maine's lobstermen and America's seafood customers."
The staff at The Fat Pride Timesis a strong opponent of mislabeling and deception of foodstuffs. We have hired an extra employee to travel to Maine and will be reporting back as this issue plays out. If, and when, we need your support - please join in and fight for what is right.
We were recently contacted by an associate from Bunim/Murray Productions (Starting Over, Real World) in Los Angeles regarding an open casting call for those of the regalia. Below is some information regarding this in more detail:
Are you a BIG person?
Are you PROUD of who you are?
Are you TIRED of the American obsession with weight?
Care to show the world how you feel in a fun location for five days?
Bunim-Murray Productions, the company that brought you shows like
The Real World, & The Simple Life, is producing a new tv show.
We are looking for energetic and fun people who are comfortable
with their weight and have personalities that would be great for TV!
For more information, contact Adam at(818)613-2076 or contact us about the show via email to:asaltzberg@bunim-murray.comWe are proud to list below the definitive list on the internet at this time:
Having recently found a source for the authentic "Swedish Fish" jellied type candies, the staff here decided to stage a battle royale to determine pound for pound which jellied fish was the true champion.
The photo above was taken at the night before weigh-in in a casino meeting hall booked by the promoters. As in most profesional sports press, each fish used heavily logoed backdrops from their brand name endorsers.
The knock-off brand "Ju Ju Fish" was pitted against the authentic "Swedish Fish" in a four-flavor, eight round old-fashioned fish fight.
As most here predicted, the "Swedish Fish" just pummelled its way to victory over the "Ju Ju Fish" in a TKO decision in the third round.
