An unofficial greeter for The Heart Attack Grill, a Las Vegas restaurant that specializes in fat-laden bad-for-you burgers and fries served by sexy nurses, has died of a heart attack. 52 year-old John Alleman collapsed outside of the restaurant and was taken to the hospital where he was treated for several days. He died on Monday, February 11.
The restaurant issued this statement on its Facebook page, "To all who've given hopes and prayers for
John's struggle in the cardio vascular unit, it ended humanely this
morning at 10am. Dr Andy and Dr Jon were at bedside as John slipped into
the next world. WE LOVE YOU BROTHER!"
According to the Las Vegas Sun, Alleman "had a genetic predisposition for cardiac problems, as both of his parents died of heart attacks in their 50s" but loved the Heart atatck Grill so much he ate there every single day, stopping in after his work as a security guard to eat, mingle, and act as the "unofficial" greeter of the restaurant that might have contributed to his demise. "Patient John", as he was called, was never an employee of the Heart Attack Grill, but was pictured on their menu and merchandise.
This isn't the first time the restaurant, which offers free food to
anyone weighing in at over 350 pounds and features a burger and a pack
of Lucky Strikes on its menu, had its share of people falling ill - or
dropping dead.
In March 2011, " Gentle Giant" Blair River died
of flu-related pneumonia. The 575-pound restaurant spokesman, who was
featured in a Heart Attack Grill commercial spoofing diet programs, was
just 29. Last February a man was wheeled out of the restaurant on a
stretcher complaining of chest pains.
Heart Attack Grill owner
Jon Basso, who wears a lab coat and goes by "Dr. Jon", is not planning
on changing the heart-unhealthy menu any time soon. Basso, who is
collecting money for Alleman's funeral (and will match the donations dollar-for-dollar), told the Las Vegas Sun,
"(Alleman's death) isn't going to stop us from what we're
doing. People have got to live their lives."
Last year, Basso told ABC News that he cannot stop serving his artery-clogging menu in a bizarre statement, "I think it would be immoral to stop. We have blood on our hands at this point."
Anyone wishing to contribute to Alleman's funeral fund can email Basso at [email protected].
Here's the tribute video made by Heart Attack Grill for John Alleman:
Watch Heart Attack Grill owner Jon Basso tell ABC News that he has "blood on his hands" here:
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