Let’s face it. Sex sells. I mean, who (other than most of our girlfriends) wouldn’t want to eat a hamburger here?
Photo credit: Outhouse Rag
Photo credit: examiner.com
But there’s a fine line between having a sexy nurse serve you a hamburger (or anything else for that matter) and glamorizing public health burdens like obesity or cardiovascular disease.
Photo credit: AP via Fox News
Blair River is dead (possibly from pneumonia according to news sources). That is unfortunate.
From the article at Fox News:
Jon Basso, the restaurant’s founder, teared up a bit Wednesday when he was asked about the 29-year-old’s sudden death.
“We all have a very, very brief time on this earth, and the measure of a man is how he leaves the world after he’s been here, and I can tell you Blair River was my friend,” Basso told MyFoxPhoenix.
Many criticize the eatery that offers meals in excess of 8,000 calories. They feature huge hamburgers, milkshakes and fry their fries in pig lard. A sign in front of the building reads, “Caution. This establishment is bad for your health.”
Basso says he expects the criticism, but the message beneath the outrageous menu is one of caution. Even some diners agree — it’s your choice to eat there or not to eat there.
“We are absolutely guilty for glorifying obesity, it’s what we do, but if you stop and think about why we glorify obesity and come into the Heart Attack Grill diet center I think you’ll get it,” Basso told the website.
What a ridiculous crock of bullshit. The Heart Attack Grill glorifies obesity to make money. There’s is no hidden altruistic meaning behind it.
Remember The Fat Boys?
The Human Beat Box (Darren Robinson) died at age 28 of a heart attack.
Sexy girls are awesome. Obesity and cardiovascular disease suck.
It’s not funny and it’s not something to glamorize under the banner of personal choice.
I will never set foot in a Heart Attack Grill. I hope none of you will either.
See also:
iPhonECG turns the iPhone 4 into a cardiac event monitor
Another restaurant to avoid is Red Robin. Eating 2 KFC Double Downs (i.e. fried chicken buns with cheese and bacon in the middle) has less sodium and fat than most of the burgers and fries at Red Robin…food for thought indeed.
The heart attack grill rocks!!!! I can’t wait to go back and see nurse kiki! Key word is moderation, however I would like to someday finish the quadruple bypass ( the four pattie burger meal) just so I can have a picture of the girls taking me to my truck in a wheelchair.. The 8000 calories are worth the ride
Technically speaking, a heart attack at 29 due to obesity is not a public health burden. His life time medical spend is less than probably 99% of the population. Let’s face it 600 pounders are a literal burden for emergency responders but they are not a financial burden.
His passing is a tragedy to his family but to blame it on a restaurant is farcical. He was born with free will and exercised that free will to his long term detriment. But don’t use his unfortunate experience for your own propaganda.
Can’t agree with Grant more.
It’s a shame he died at 29. However, as stated in the article, you have the CHOICE to ear there or not.
The owner made a choice to open the business. He did not then stick a gun to anyone’s head and force them to eat there. People made the choice to do so.
You don’t have to like it, and that is your choice. But you express that choice by not eating there and explaining the dangers to people. Not by laying the blame for a man’s death at the feet of one place. If the Heart Attack Grill wasn’t around, he would have lugged his big ass somewhere ass to eat.
disgusting.
Without the costumes no one would eat there…or at Hooters for that matter. Think about it. The only difference between Hooters and Applebees is the neckline (And Applebee’s superior beer selection). Few people actually vote with their wallets, instead getting caught up in the theater that is sex advertising. If the waitresses at the Heart Attack were 572 lbs, would you eat there?
The food has nothing to do with it in my opinion, just another “entrepreneur” wrapping mediocrity in lingerie. How lazy.
Food for thought, the Heart Attack Grill is blatantly advising that it is unhealthy and you should not eat there often. Unlike many other restaurants that have horrible for you menus disguised as good food. At least they are honest and face it, if folks are going to eat like reckless pigs they will do it at any location they choose. I myself am looking forward to a chance to visit for the novelty of it. I would be lying that hot waitresses dressed like naughty nurses is not part of the allure. I am honest with myself and appreciate a location that is honest with its customers. Freedom of choice, America is great.
I don’t blame the Heart Attack Grill for killing Blair River (although they certainly didn’t help him). I blame them for exploiting Blair River and making light of the death and suffering associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease. The fact that Mr. River is dead at 29 does not mean that obesity and cardiovascular disease are not public health burdens. By that tragically flawed logic a disease that wipes out children would not be considered a public health burden. Regardless, the price tag for obesity and cardiovascular disease is in the hundreds of billions so it’s a moot point.
Would you hold a drug dealer responsible for selling drugs to to a person that resulted in their death? I would and society does everyday. If personal choice were a credible argument then there would be many more dealers on the street.