WTF Tex Wasabi

Published on Monday, August 16, 2010, by Lessley Anderson / Edit Post

I can't stop thinking about the NY Times Magazine profile of Food Network star Guy Fieri. Here is specifically what has been haunting me. This quote:

"Mr. Fieri, with partners, runs three branches of an Italian-American pub called Johnny Garlic's; and two hybrids of California-style sushi and Southern barbecue called Tex Wasabi's. Johnny Garlic’s serves dishes like Cajun chicken pasta Alfredo; a signature dish at Tex Wasabi's is found in the 'gringo sushi' portion of the menu: the Jackass Roll, filled with pulled pork, avocado, and French fries.

"'A lot of people who like sushi don’t really like raw fish or seaweed,' he said. 'So I make what they do like.'"

The picture, here, is of sushi with brisket in it. Who are these people who "like sushi" but don't like raw fish or seaweed, and what does that even mean? What is it that they do like about sushi? Is it the rice?

Image source: Flickr member rick under Creative Commons

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COMMENT

  • I'm not a fan of hot rolls or fried rolls. The simpler the fish and fillings, the happier I am. I would be concerned that the beef would be too chewy for the roll; it's hard to get the melt in your mouth texture for brisket that real BBQ joints specialize in.

  • Sushi rolls were never "very healthy." You're getting a big dose of carbs no matter how you look at it, and probably a big dose of salt (soy sauce), sugar (unagi sauce), maybe some fat (crispy rolls). Does that mean they're not delicious? Of course not. As someone who loves both nigiri sushi and sushi rolls with raw fish, cooked fish, vegetables, and anything else you can pop in there, in...+READ

    Sushi rolls were never "very healthy." You're getting a big dose of carbs no matter how you look at it, and probably a big dose of salt (soy sauce), sugar (unagi sauce), maybe some fat (crispy rolls). Does that mean they're not delicious? Of course not. As someone who loves both nigiri sushi and sushi rolls with raw fish, cooked fish, vegetables, and anything else you can pop in there, in addition to BBQ, that brisket roll sounds pretty damn tasty if you ask me.-COLLAPSE

  • It's a completely ridiculous recipe, yes, but it's apparently the one that got him his job on Food Network.

  • Odd, take a very healthy food and add cream cheese and french fries to it. LOL!

  • I think luniz has it.

  • I have actually eaten the barbecue sushi at Tex Wasabi and, honestly, it's pretty good. One of the rolls includes french fries, which gives it an interesting crunch. The fact that the restaurant's concept is "barbecue and sushi, together at last" should be a pretty good indication as to what you're getting yourself into by stepping through the door.

  • no it's not the rice, it's the cream cheese, tempura, soy sauce and wasabi that they like.

  • Sushi does not equal raw. Sashimi is raw.

  • Whatever blows your skirt up...

  • i for one cant stand nori, but have no problem with raw fish(even if it isnt in alot of sushi)

  • There is a lot of non-traditional sushi that I enjoy. I went to a party where they served White Trash Rolls: maki rolls with a filling of fish sticks and cole slaw, with a squiggle of tartar sauce on top.

  • "Sushi" refers to the vinegared rice