Tag Archives: heart attack grill

Sugar, Sugar

Posted on February 20, 2012 by
sugar

Last week there was a report about a patron of the Las Vegas-based Heart Attack Grill suffering a massive heart attack while consuming the restaurant’s famed “Triple-bypass Burger.”    It would be funny if it weren’t so awful, but it is clearly the height of irony.  I have written a few articles about the Heart Attack Grill (see here and here) mainly tongue-in-cheek but with a serious bent; but when you see an article like this, it is hard to say anything other than,  “coulda seen that coming.”    That issue of personal responsibility is a huge theme when it comes to poor eating behavior.  Typically, others look at the offender and say, “well, they shoulda known….they shoulda controlled their eating habits, serves them right…now pass the French fries.”

From an academic standpoint, however, that issue of diet-related personal responsibility is in question. Well-known physician and researcher, Robert Lustig, a leader in the UCSF Department of Pediatrics and the Director of the UCSF Center for Obesity Assessment, Study and Treatment believes there is more to the story.  This is a guy who has made a career of studying and treating … (read the rest)

Posted in Consumer Engagement, Health and Wellness, Healthy Eating, Preventive Health, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sister Christian, Oh the Proxy Has Come

Posted on March 31, 2011 by
mcnuggets

Since I’ve started writing this blog (I’m sorry, I refuse to concede that “blogging” is a real verb), readers often send me articles that might spur additional posts.  A recent one came from Annette Bianchi, partner at Vantage Point Venture Partners (colleague, friend and cool Bernese Mountain dog owner) entitled,  “The Sisters Bite Into McDonalds,” probably in response to the post I wrote about the Heart Attack Grill a few months back.

For those of you following the mega-burger trend, I am sad to report that the Heart Attack Grill’s 29-year old 575 pound spokesman recently died quite suddenly.  The conjecture is he died from pneumonia complications after having the flu.  While his obesity has not been directly linked to his death, the poor guy made his living eating the restaurant’s Triple Bypass Burgers.  Obviously the death of a young person (or any person) isn’t funny, but I have to think that the company’s business strategy of giving anyone weighing over 350 pounds free food isn’t exactly the path to a long-term customer base.  On the other hand, I guess if they eat for free it’s better if … (read the rest)

Posted in Girls Rule!, Health and Wellness, Healthcare, Preventive Health, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Never Eat More Than You Can Lift

Posted on November 17, 2010 by
Can I Help You...to an Ambulance?

Never Eat More Thank You Can Lift;  that’s a quote from Miss Piggy and how appropriate to this particular missive.

Some of you may recall my Baconator post from back in July; it is one of my most popular posts and people continue to read it regularly.  But I must say that I am feeling very insecure about that post now as I clearly missed the big story.  Compared to what you can order up at the Heart Attack Grill in Phoenix, AZ, the Baconator is decidedly so last year (or maybe so last meal).

My friend and assistant, also named Lisa, pointed out this article to me, which profiles John Basso and his cardiology themed restaurant.  The Rainforest Café has jungle animals, the Hard Rock Café has guitars, and the Heart Attack Grill has portable defibrillators, diners dressed in hospital gowns and waitresses dressed as naughty nurses (that in itself might give some patrons a heart attack).  They give child diners candy cigarettes to go with their meals.  Nice touch.  I’m guessing that even the Marlboro Man would be impressed by that level of chutzpah.

The signature meal at … (read the rest)

Posted in Health and Wellness, Healthcare, Healthcare Policy, Healthcare Reform, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment