the best sandwich in America (Rutgers' grease trucks)

[cthomer5000]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/best_sandwich

'Fat Darrell' Crowned As Best Sandwich

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NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - It started early one morning in 1997 after a night of partying, when Darrell Butler was a Rutgers University sophomore with little money and a craving for chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks and french fries.

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Now the "Fat Darrell" has been crowned the best sandwich in the country by Maxim magazine. Maxim's September issue, which lists the top 10 sandwiches, hits news stands Tuesday.



Fat Darrell — named for its caloric content, not Butler, a 160-pound physical trainer and aspiring actor — was conceived as a way to save money by combining the creator's various cravings on one bun.



"Separately, they would have cost me, like, $12.75, and I was on a college budget," Butler, 26, of Eatontown, told The Associated Press. He combined all three foods into a single order.



"So, I'm standing there eating it, and all of a sudden the guy standing behind me says, 'That thing that guy's eating looks pretty good, can you make me one of those?' And, it was like a movie scene, the next 10 people order the same thing. So, I'm like, 'Whoa!' like I think I might be onto something. And the guy is like, 'Hey, man, this is cool.'"



That guy who assembled the sandwich was Abdul Eid, working in an R.U. Hungry food truck, parked in a campus lot in New Brunswick, catering to beer-soaked undergraduates with the late-night munchies.



Eid now runs R.U. Hungry Grill & Pizza, a store he was able to open in part due to the success of the $4.75 Fat Darrell, the flagship of R.U.'s "Fat" line.



"I have the 'Fat Mojo,' which is exactly the same thing as the 'Fat Darrell,' but with honey mustard instead of marinara sauce," said Eid, 34, a native of Beirut, Lebanon.



Maxim's runner-up was "The Nuke," an artery blocker at the Staggering Ox in Helena, Montana, that combines ham, roast beef, turkey and three cheeses.



Laura Gilbert, a Maxim senior editor, said the Fat Darrell's inception was a factor in its top ranking.



"It just has that element of drunken ingenuity that our readers like," she said. The magazine caters to young professional men.

[GrantDawg]

Chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, and fries on a sandwich? No.

[General Mike]

The Fat Knight is my favorite. I don't like fries on my sandwich tho.

[Blackadar]

yum!

[SteelerFan448]

Anyone have the full list? Primanti Brothers cheese steak is awesome with steak, cheese, coleslaw and french fries on fresh bread. Doesn't get any better than that. It is the original sandwich with fries on it afterall.

[Logan]

Simply amazing.

My ability to lay off these after freshman year was key in losing 130 lbs. No comment on how much was gained because of them :).

[miked]

I'm a big fan of the Fat Moon or Fat Koko. Although sometimes it was just too much at 2AM and I went for the:

Cheesesteak...especial for you my friend.

[Logan]

"One Fat Bitch no veggie!"

Sammy (Just Delicious)

[Franklinnoble]

Brilliant. This guy should get a Nobel prize or something...

[cthomer5000]

Chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, and fries on a sandwich? No.
you aint lived.

My personal favorite is the Fat Indian:

mozzerella sticks, falafel, lettuce, tomato, onion, tahini sauce on a roll.

damn thats some good shit. :)

[Logan]

Brilliant. This guy should get a Nobel prize or something...

No Nobel, but he, along with the other 10 or so places that sell them, is rich as shit. One guy Jimmy owns 2 trucks, 3 pizza joints, and just opened a huge new bar, all in about a 4 block radius around Rutgers.

I just realized...this award and publicity is terrible. Completely kills my future plan of opening up a place in basically any other area of the country and selling them there.

As an FYI...people come from literally hundreds of miles away to get these sandwiches. A lot of times you'll see a group of frat guys who are making the trip just for the hell of it.

[cthomer5000]

Brilliant. This guy should get a Nobel prize or something...
they're all variants on the original "Fat Cat" 2 burgers, fries, lettuce tomato onion all on a roll.

[cthomer5000]

just opened a huge new bar, all in about a 4 block radius around Rutgers.
Did he open this at what used to be the "Hamilton Inn" aka "My Three Sons"?

That run down shit bar at the corner of Hamilton & high? (I think it was high anyway, inbetween Plum and Division)

I heard rumours about that. If so, it's DIRECTLY across the street from my old place.

[Logan]

You are correct. It's called J.J.'s. Huge place. Two separate rooms playing different music and an outside area too.

[Swaggs]

Anyone have the full list? Primanti Brothers cheese steak is awesome with steak, cheese, coleslaw and french fries on fresh bread. Doesn't get any better than that. It is the original sandwich with fries on it afterall.

They obviously haven't tried Primanti's., although I go for the turkey, egg, cheese, slaw, and fries, myself. I wish one would open up down here in Durham, because I miss them.

[ageofquarrel]

They should name a sandwhich there, Fat Squirrel Feces. Those trucks are filthy. You might as well eat the dirt off the ground in front of the truck.

[Super Ugly]

Oh man, I miss the grease trucks and those crazy Turkish dudes who ran them ...

[k0ruptr]

that sounds hella good.

[Esquared1]

Anyone have the full list? Primanti Brothers cheese steak is awesome with steak, cheese, coleslaw and french fries on fresh bread. Doesn't get any better than that. It is the original sandwich with fries on it afterall.

I've been a lifelong Steeler fan, this sandwich was the highlight of my trip to Pittsburgh. It was much better Now I must return and see Heinz field!

[korme]

dude, you guys need to eat penn station and get a philly cheesesteak, or italian.

heaven

[SteelerFan448]

They obviously haven't tried Primanti's., although I go for the turkey, egg, cheese, slaw, and fries, myself. I wish one would open up down here in Durham, because I miss them.

Heck, I wish there'd be more around the Pittsburgh region. They have a ton of sandwiches, the fish one is really good too. It is definitely a must if you ever go to a Steeler/Pirate game or just come into Pittsburgh.

[MikeVic]

This is off-topic, but seeing as how this was from "NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.," what exactly is Brunswick? There's a province in Canada named New Brunswick, and now I find out a city in the U.S. also has that name... was there an original Brunswick?

[GrantDawg]

This is off-topic, but seeing as how this was from "NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.," what exactly is Brunswick? There's a province in Canada named New Brunswick, and now I find out a city in the U.S. also has that name... was there an original Brunswick?
I don't know, but he made a mean stew.

[lighthousekeeper]

sounds like a bunch of us on this board went to rutgers. role call?


PS: 7 years in n.b. and not 1 fat cat.

[General Mike]

sounds like a bunch of us on this board went to rutgers. role call?


PS: 7 years in n.b. and not 1 fat cat.

I went there for 2 years, but didnt graduate because I have personel issues that derailed me. I grew up my whole life within 5 miles of College Avenue tho.

[cthomer5000]

5 years in NB, 4 1/2 of those in school.

[Marmel]

Can we start making fun of your football and basketball programs now?

[General Mike]

Can we start making fun of your football and basketball programs now?

The same football program that kicked Syracuse's ass last year, and who beat your basketball program in '03.

[cthomer5000]

Can we start making fun of your football and basketball programs now?
You'd better hurry with the football, because at the end of the season you're gonna be quiet as a mouse.

[Marmel]

I'm not a big football fan to be honest, hardly ever watch, but c'mon, you guys are going to hang your hats on one win compared to a few Big East Titles? Sure, we are not the same team we used to be, but even when we sucked last year, we at least mananged to go 6-6. Has Rutgers had a winning season in the past 10 years? And what have you won, 3 BE games in 5 years?


And I won't even justify talking basketball.

[ageofquarrel]

sounds like a bunch of us on this board went to rutgers. role call?


PS: 7 years in n.b. and not 1 fat cat.

Im not from NB just hanged out there alot. When the melody bar and handy st did shows.

[Super Ugly]

I was an exchange student there for a year, and I went back to visit a bunch of times. I worked in Brower, too ...

:::ducks:::

[Swaggs]

I have heard a lot of noise from Rutgers fans this season. I am a WVU fan, but I'd like to see Rutgers improve for the good of the conference. Honestly, what are the fans/alumni/students hoping for this season, record-wise?

Looking at their schedule, I see a few games where they should be the favorite (New Hampshire, Vanderbilt, Kent State, and Temple). But beyond that, I can't see them winning more than one or two games beyond that. Is a 5-6 or 6-5 season going to get people excited there or are folks expecting an 8 or 9 win season?

[cthomer5000]

6-5 minimum this year.

[cthomer5000]

I was an exchange student there for a year, and I went back to visit a bunch of times. I worked in Brower, too ...

:::ducks:::
I also worked at Brower. The breakfast shift SUCKED.

[Pyser]

ive lived down the shore and up by nyc...so ive spent my fair share of time on 18 late at night...and just about anything from those grease trucks is fan-f'in-tastic.

[General Mike]

6-5 minimum this year.

Yep. Wins over New Hampshire, Kent State, Vandy, Temple, Navy and UConn. Throw in one upset and I'll be a happy camper.

[cthomer5000]

Yep. Wins over New Hampshire, Kent State, Vandy, Temple, Navy and UConn. Throw in one upset and I'll be a happy camper.Exactly. I see the first 5 you listed as near certainties. Then there are about 2-3 potential wins, and only 1 or 2 near certain losses.

I think 8-3 isn't out of the realm of possibility. 5-8 wins is the range for this year. I think we may seriously be talking Bowl game late in the season.

[Logan]

This is off-topic, but seeing as how this was from "NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.," what exactly is Brunswick? There's a province in Canada named New Brunswick, and now I find out a city in the U.S. also has that name... was there an original Brunswick?

There's also a North, South, and East in NJ (no West)...

Rutgers will go 8-3 this year. The WVU game has the potential to be a monster (hell of a day for my brother to have his wedding :D ).

[ISiddiqui]

Fat Darrell is a good sandwich, but I always prefered the Fat Koko. Yum....

Rutgers will go 8-3 this year.

Dude, you have to start laying off the cheap beer (well, at least when you post) ;).

[ISiddiqui]

Oh... and I went there for 4 years for undergrad.

Anyway, I think 6-5 at best. Though I don't have high hopes for it.

[Logan]

Dude, you have to start laying off the cheap beer (well, at least when you post) ;).

How'd you know I just got back from a night in LBI? :)

Wins I'm sure of: Kent State, New Hampshire, Vandy, Temple, UConn, Navy

Wins I'm pretty sure of: Syracuse, Michigan State

Have a shot against: WVa

Tough away games: Pitt and BC

It's as simple as that. :)

P.S. Currently a Senior (moving back in to my place tomorrow), and unfortunately, graduating on time.

[miked]

RU Rah Rah
RU Rah Rah

Lost 10 pounds freshman year because of Brower...used to wait for the Knight Room to open. Was once banned from Brower for 1 week because of a "demonstration" or something I thought was quite funny. Lived in Tinsley, was told at the end of Freshman year could not live in University housing for the next year due to too many write ups. Lived on Bartlett St. for 3 yrs and had many parties.

Upstream Red Team
Red Team Upstream

[MrIllini]

central illinois has the horseshoe
burger, turkey or chicken...covered with fries...smothered with cheese sauce

or the stack
biscuits, burger, scrambled eggs, hash browns, top it off with some sausage gravy

yummy shit

that fat darrell sounds good too

[ISiddiqui]

Wins I'm sure of: Kent State, New Hampshire, Vandy, Temple, Navy

Wins I'm pretty sure of: None outside of those 5

It's as simple as that ;).

Perhaps we beat Syracuse of UConn, but many more than that? Nah.

[Marmel]

Wins I'm sure of: Kent State, New Hampshire, Vandy, Temple, Navy

Wins I'm pretty sure of: None outside of those 5

It's as simple as that ;).

Perhaps we beat Syracuse of UConn, but many more than that? Nah.


I think Rutgers will drop at least one out of the bunch from Vandy, Temple and Navy. 3 or 4 win season seems likely. 5 a possibility.

[Swaggs]

I think Rutgers can expect to win against Kent State, New Hampshire, and Vanderbilt. They should beat Temple and Navy, but I will be suprised if they don't get "upset" by one of these five teams.

I can see them upsetting another Big East team or possibly Michigan State, but I don't see them winning more than one of these games.

I think winning 2 games in the Big East and going 4-1 out of conference would be a great season for Rutgers.

[Logan]

I think Rutgers will drop at least one out of the bunch from Vandy, Temple and Navy. 3 or 4 win season seems likely. 5 a possibility.

Please post your insight as to why you feel this way. All you have offered up so far is our reputation.

We're returning 18 starters to a team that won 5 games last year against a much tougher schedule. Granted, we lost our two starting corners, but Eddie Grimes has plenty of experience, and Derrick Roberson and Joe Porter are giving a good battle for the other spot. Jarvis Johnson will lead that secondary, and he'll show why he is a legit NFL prospect.

After last season, Ryan Hart has proven that he is a legit Big East QB. He's going to crush all school passing records, and he has even more talent to throw to this year, as besides Tres Moses and Shawn Tucker, Willie Foster, Orlando Kane, and Marcus Daniels should all be heavily involved in some aspect of the offense.

Our running game will continue to dominate. Leonard is nothing short of a monster, and when Hairston was healthy he showed what he could do. IMO, we have the best RB combo in the BE. The offensive line is a concern on paper, but it was last year too...when they opened up holes for the RBs and kept the pressure off Hart.

Defensively, our front seven is excellent...the best mix of guys that we've had in my lifetime. Not only are the guys who are penciled in as starters good, but the backups could be major contributors as well. When Big Nate Robinson is on the field he'll be a difference maker.

Our biggest problem last year, and in the last few years, was the kicking game. Joe Radigan had a nice year last year as a true freshman, and if you want to go by practice, another true freshman, Jeremy Ito, looks like he will finally be our answer at K. I have a friend who helps coach the receivers, and he says the team loves watching him practice because he kicks the shit outta the ball.

Plus, we have the best young coach in all of football :).

There, you now have my Rutgers 2004-2005 preview. You say 3-4 wins is likely, with 5 as a possibility. I'll set the number at 5.5 and take the over. Small wager?

[ISiddiqui]

Plus, we have the best young coach in all of football

Funny, I was hearing the same thing about Terry Shea back when we won 5 games in my Sophmore (or was it Junior) year :D.

[cthomer5000]

To me, the the jury is very much out on Schiano's "coaching" skill. He's clearly an excellent recruiter and perhaps motivator, but has baffled me multiple times with his lack of adjustments or decision making in-game.

Still, I think he's good enough (and has good enough assistants) that as the talent level rises we'll keep winning more games. But I don't know how many games he'll be the difference maker in. I'm hoping he continues to grow into the job.

Again, 6-5 minimum this year. I'm thinking 7-4 and a bowl game is very possible.

[Alf]

Even some french board member went to Rutgers.... I went to Rutgers in 92-93 as an internship graduate, or was it 93-94 (hint, that year the Bulls were facing the Knicks in the East finals before shutting Barkley's Suns)

Additional remark : That is the first time I finally associate board member "General Mike" with Rutgers, call me stupid...

2nd additional remark : I used to hang around "Cafe Newz" a lot. Is this place still there ? I used to chat a lot with the manager as he was from Lebanon and spoke French

3rd remark : the waiter of the "posh" restaurant in front of the railway station (can't remember the name) was also speaking french and offered us a cocktail at his place and a "I pay for everything you want to eat or drink" night.

[cthomer5000]

Cafe Newz is not ringing a bell to me. Where was it located?

I know which restaurant you're referring to, although the name escapes me right now. It was right around the corner from the book store, and across the street from the train station.

[General Mike]

Cafe Newz is not ringing a bell to me. Where was it located?

I know which restaurant you're referring to, although the name escapes me right now. It was right around the corner from the book store, and across the street from the train station.

I dont know if the restaurant was the same name back then, but it's La Fontana right now.