The Fat Sandwich Phenomenon
Analyzing this indulgent monstrosity
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The world of culinary creations knows no bounds when it comes to complete indulgence. There have been some obscene concoctions that challenge us to push the limits of what we consider edible.
The idea of what food is now can include some very interesting items, to say the least. One such oddity is the fat sandwich. This culinary freakshow of a sandwich has been popularized by a restaurant called The Fat Shack™
These sandwiches are constructed from ingredients such as a Philly cheesesteak with chicken fingers, jalapeno poppers, and mac n cheese. Some are even stuffed with mozzarella sticks and onion rings all shoved into a bun. Fat sandwiches can include a variety of sauces and toppings like cheese and bacon or ranch dressing.
At first, the chef in me was appalled by the idea of the fat sandwich, but the twelve-year-old in me, sitting in the middle school cafeteria, began to understand the appeal.
We all knew the kid that put ranch dressing on everything from burritos to pizza and chicken nuggets, fat sandwiches were made for those guys.
In my world, there is nothing wrong with any of the ingredients on a fat sandwich, individually. After all who doesn’t love deep-fried appetizers from time to time, but to combine every kind of appetizer in a sandwich may be taking it too far for my liking.
The Fat Shack™ is cashing in on the same idea as Taco Bell’s “fourth meal” concept, targeting a particular group of individuals that may or may not have “the munchies”.
This group of people is likely to have multiple food cravings at once, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of these sandwiches don’t have pink popcorn and cotton candy stuffed alongside the boneless wings and mac n cheese. It is only in an altered state of consciousness that all of these foods consumed together would even taste good.
If you have been reading my content for any length, you should know by now that I love a good origin story and the fat sandwich is no exception. Let’s go back in time to find out how this culinary Frankenstein was created.
It’s the late 1970s in New Brunswick, New Jersey. You’re a college student at Rutgers University and like most college students you are broke and looking for something to fill you up.
You stumble upon a food truck that smells deliciously disgusting. You have found the “grease trucks”. These trucks were serving up cheap sandwiches that were piled high with everything from chicken fingers to onion rings.
They were usually affordable and very filling, so filling in fact that you could probably get 2 meals for the price of one. These caloric behemoths gained instant popularity amongst the droves of hungry college students looking to fuel their random late-night food cravings.
As fat sandwiches grew in popularity so did the variations, each with its unique combination of ingredients. These variations had names like the Fat Elvis, Fat Knight, and The Fat Beach, which highlight the depraved inventiveness of their creators.
What is the appeal of the fat sandwich? After all some menu items at the Fat Shack™ can be higher in calories than an entire day’s worth of food, with some sandwiches weighing in at well over 2,000 calories.
The psychology of indulgence is most likely responsible for the creation and subsequent success of the fat sandwich. These sandwiches aren’t just about satisfying our hunger they are all about total satiation. They get right to the core of our primal desire for excess and more. Eating one of these isn’t just having a meal it’s akin to completing an endurance challenge.
Fat sandwiches have become a culinary icon just like the cheeseburger or nachos. The grease trucks that birthed this phenomenon have become iconic landmarks themselves, etching their place in the collective memory of a generation.
As with any emerging culinary trend that straddles the line between complete deliciousness and pure insanity, there will be some criticisms and considerations when it comes to the fat sandwich.
Health advocates argue that these sandwiches epitomize unhealthy eating habits and contribute to the growing obesity epidemic. The astronomical calorie counts, saturated fats, and sodium levels in these creations are undeniable concerns that warrant consideration. At the same time, delicious unhealthy foods can make life a whole lot more interesting.
Proponents of the fat sandwich argue that it is not intended for regular consumption but rather an occasional indulgence. I think that most people are reasonable enough to agree with this sentiment. Moreover, these sandwiches are so calorie-dense that no reasonable person could ever argue that this is any kind of healthy food.
The Fat sandwich offers a taste of food rebellion for the average individual and a gastronomic challenge for the adventurous eater. Get ready to unleash your inner glutton and set sail on an extreme culinary adventure. Enjoy responsibly!
“The food problem is a flavor problem. For half a century, we’ve been making the stuff people should eat–fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unprocessed meats–incrementally less delicious. Meanwhile, we’ve been making the food people shouldn’t eat–chips, fast food, soft drinks, crackers–taste ever more exciting. The result is exactly what you’d expect Mark Schatzkerpect.” —
Some credit needs to be given to Blondie creator Chic Young, my brother would make what he called ‘Dagwood sandwiches' which were carefully constructed, huge and amazing!
Back during the college (and punk) days, maximizing calories was task #1. Nothing else mattered nearly as much as stretching my dollar for the highest amount of food, so this clearly would have appealed to 19 or 25 year old me.
I certainly see the appeal to nostalgia.
There's also an awesome "I shouldn't be doing this" thing that I started noticing during my early 30s that I really enjoyed, so I'm sure these things will continue to be popular, and I'm sure I won't want any of them.