Weird food news roundup

By Emily Weiss Fri., Jan. 13 2012 at 9:11 AM

Categories: Weird Food

The Christian Science Monitor

A more literal way to go to the dark side ... if you live in France

Since the Hot Dish's excellent series, 12 dishes under $12 has probably been tempting you to ditch your New Year diet and indulge in truffled crepes, duck liver pâté, and the Pat Starr, we thought we would do you a favor and curb your appetite a bit. Here's a roundup of recent weird food news from around the globe, most of which will get your stomach churning rather than your mouth watering.

Wikimedia Commons

The cupcake in question was in a sealed jar

1. Woman gets even with TSA for confiscating cupcakes
In response to the TSA confiscating her red velvet cupcakes in the Las Vegas airport, Rebecca Hains has retaliated in a very 21st century way: She created a Facebook page. Hains had her cupcakes taken away by airport security due to the consistency of the frosting, which an agent claimed could be considered a gel. Before confiscating the cupcakes, which were packed in sealed jars, the TSA agent reportedly said to Hains, "These look delicious." The Hot Dish feels this adds unnecessary insult to injury, even though it's technically a compliment. You can follow Cupcakegate on the TSA blog.

2. World's worst customer breaks a server's finger for giving bad service
The customer's complaint? That the server at Florida eatery Club Colette brought the bill to the table. For shame! The Palm Beach Daily News reports that the unnamed server told police the customer became irate, grabbed his hand, and twisted his fingers. He went to a clinic the next day complaining of pain, and X-rays revealed a broken finger on the server's left hand. He is reportedly now seeking legal action. The Hot Dish hopes this server presents his hospital bill in a similar fashion.

Quick Restaurant

Whose side are you on?

3. Fast-food chain creates Star Wars-themed hamburgers
In honor of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace being released in France (prepare for some seriously late-to-the-party Jar Jar Binks-hating from your French friends), the European fast-food chain Quick is releasing a "Dark Vador" burger and a Jedi burger. The Dark Vador burger features peppers and a spicy sauce on a dyed-black bun. The Jedi burger features mozzarella cheese. We're a little disappointed they didn't take a cue from Yoda on the Jedi burger. Surely a green bun would be just as unappetizing as a black one, right?

Wikimedia Commons

Man's best friend can now enjoy indulge in a specially made brew

4. Dogs now have their own beer
A UK pub is serving beer that is specially made for dogs as a part of the canine-catered Sunday supper menu. The Daily Mail reports that the Brandling Villa, a Newcastle pub originally designed to serve people, is expanding its audience to a relatively untapped market in terms of full-service food and drink: dogs. The bar has always been dog-friendly, but the owners decided that instead of getting a measly bowl of water, there should be more options for their furry guests. The pub's Sunday supper menu includes a roast (of what?) covered in cat-flavored gravy, something called "Eggs Ladybird," and non-chocolate desserts. Apparently the beer is not palatable to humans and "tastes of beef" (we've had some smoky ales along those lines too), but is growing in popularity among dogs. Pet owners can even get a six pack to keep at home for the steep price of $20.

5. Use a taco, go to jail
And lastly today in the weird food news round up, Buzzfeed released a rundown of the 30 best taco-related crimes. It's weird how many of these are familiar to us: people being assaulted with tacos, armed robbers stealing tacos. But our favorite headline: "Sleeping Florida Man Arrested in Drive-Thru, Offers Cops Taco as I.D. From Inside Burning Car"