Friday, August 20, 2004

My Heart Will Go On.

My Heart Will Go On....and On... and On... to muh Fat Koko.

Going to college at Rutgers brought many unique experiences that other colleges did not provide.

I was proud (tongue firmly planted in cheek) to see my University President make it to the front page of national magazines after uttering what many construed to be a a racial slur. It got so tense on campus that a staged sit in was planned for a nationally televised basketball game. Good times.

But nothing... and I mean nothing compares to the Grease Trucks. For those not in the proverbial "know," the Grease Trucks are a group of Roach Coaches/Food Carts that are harbored at the end of the main street that runs through Rutgers College. They provide nourishment and a break from the monotonous dining hall fare for those that dare to eat there.

The Grease Trucks served other purposes as well. It was a place to congregate after the frat parties and the bar hopping. It was a place to meet back up with your buddies after you tried so hard all night to get that hot girls phone number. It was a place to hopefully meet back up with that girl that you were afraid to talk to early. It was a place to hang.

Providing a place to hang out was secondary however to the food that the trucks served. They served the regular sandwiches such as cheeseburgers, grilled, cheese or a BLT. They offered appetizers like mozzarella sticks and chicken fingers. They also offered the FAT sandwiches.

When I was an actual student, there was only one FAT sandwich, but the year I left and immediately afterwards, the FAT sandwiches exploded to where there are probably over a 100 different kinds now. FAT sandwiches are essentially a long roll with a mishmash of ingredients all in that roll. The original fat sandwich was the FAT CAT. This was a sandwich that comprised of two cheeseburgers, lettuce, tomato, ketchup and french fries all on the one roll. It was a monster sandwich and ideal when you did too many cement mixers.

Over time, the sandwiches began to get more wild and wacky. There was the FAT ELVIS. This was a regular lamb meat gyro sandwich with all the fixings and had mozzarella sticks and fries thrown into it. Then there is my favorite FAT sandwich -- the FAT KOKO. It was a pizza steak (steak, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce) with mozzarella sticks and french fries. Truly a masterpiece.

I now offer you the reason for this blog. Maxim Magazine recently reviewed sandwiches from across the country and decided on their favorite sandwich -- the winner? The Fat Darrell.

The Fat Darrell contains chicken fingers, fries, and mozzarella sticks as its main ingredients. It is a genius sandwich and it has given national attention to a type of sandwich that is long past its due.

I offer those that know the sandwiches a huge smile. Those that do not know the sandwiches or are naysayers of a New Jersey institution... I offer you a simple hug. You really don't know what you are missing.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fat Darrell = manna from heaven if you're in the right condition for it (slightly buzzed at 1am) or horrendous blob of disgustingness if you're not (stone-cold sober at any time of day). It is my favorite Fat sandwich (even though some people think it's really funny to hear me order a Fat Beach, and I oblige). -- Brian's honey

Anonymous said...

although i spent the same 4 years at rutgers, i never had a "fatty". not even during the subsequent 3 years when my little sister was there. i realize that i'm missing out. one day i will have one. you've given me some good options! but i did indulge in the grease trucks: they were the first place i ever had a cheese steak! i will say, though, i thought it was better the year before we got there when the trucks were spread out along college ave. you didn't feel like you were picking one over another that way. also, they had one that served chinese food. mmm....dumplings....lo mein....soup....mmmm....grease trucks....thomas sweet...stuff yer face....mmm....
mara