Matthew U.
Yelp
Honestly, who hasn't heard of Heart Attack Grill? When it first opened it was all over the place. Mostly you hear about it now on one of those outrageous food shows. One that points out how much food you can eat in a single sitting. Note to self, come in here knowing exactly how much you are going to eat.
Much like any restaurant, there is a gimmick here that draws you in. Mostly, if you are on the outside hesitating on whether to come in it is the bright red neon that states if you are over 350 lbs. you eat for free. Most people see that, what I saw was the smaller, bright red neon sign under it that stated, 'OPEN get your fat ass in here.'
Once inside you are told the rules of the restaurant, enter through a turnstile, and are ushered into a waiting room. A lot of their gimmick here is that they rely on the 'heart attack' portion of the name. You are made to think that you are in a hospital. In the waiting room area you don a hospital gown, if you don't want to, you are shown the door. While being tied up in your gown you also get to enjoy a show on the screen.
When your party is all set you are escorted to your table and your 'nurse' comes by and gives a rundown of the rules once again. See they are all about the rules here. Those rules are that you eat what your order or you will be punished and publicly humiliated. Yes, that's right, you will be paddled in front of the whole restaurant if you do not finish your burger (sides don't count, at least that is what we were told).
Our nurse, Courtney I believe here name was, was blunt when answering. However, that is part of the gimmick as well. Honestly, everything in here is a gimmick. Wine? You get it in an IV bag. Shots? Nope, sorry, you don't get them in a shot, you get it in a pill bottle. Over the top mixed drinks? Those come in shots.
I went with a single. I wasn't going to overindulge here. The patties are half pound and huge. Topping can be customized, but I went with how it is made. Cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, chili. I also ended up getting a side of chili cheese fries. I made sure to tackle the burger first. Not too shabby, nothing to rave about, but it definitely was filling. Just to be sure, I made quick work of the side of chili cheese fries as being paddled in public is not my thing.
While you eat you are entertained by in house music videos made by the staff that work within. It comes off as a bit corny, but honestly it did keep your mind involved with the experience. If you are up for it, you can also partake in karaoke here. The stage overlooks the whole space and is right above the bar.
Few quick things, the 'nurses' are allowed to talk to you with a bad bedside manner, but they don't go all out. Cash only. They say it is because they don't want you to die while you eat, but I understand. Definitely tip in here. You may not be coming here for the food, but you are coming here for the experience.