02.05.08
Vote Obama Today And Eat Fiore’s Soon
Obama came to North Jersey yesterday to ask for my vote. Well, he wasn’t asking for my vote. He was asking for New Jersey votes. But he promised he’d end the war, end the mindset that got us into war, provide universal health care, fund schools, and put a chicken in every pot (he didn’t actually promise that last one). And he promised to do it by the end of his first term.
Maybe he can do it. Probably he can’t. But at least he’s saying he’ll give it a try which more than I can say for any other candidate.
The Kennedys were with him! Teddy and Caroline both. Plus Obama is a GREAT speaker, inspired and inspiring, so I ate up every word he said. And so did this little blonde boy, proving to me beyond a doubt that Obama is not just “the black candidate” like the Clinton campaign would have you think.
Obama was introduced at the Meadowlands by Travis Bickle himself (Robert DeNiro) so that was enough for me. That and the fact that Obama is “embarrassed” that we are even having a debate in this country about whether or not we should use torture. “Embarrassed” is the word I’ve been using this whole time.
But if I’m going to cross the river to the Jersey side, I’m not just going to attend a rally for a guy I decided to vote for six months ago. I’ve got to do some chowhounding. And if I’m going through the Lincoln Tunnel, Hoboken is the place to be.
The sign at the border of the city says “Birthplace of Frank Sinatra and Baseball.” So it must be one of the best places on earth. And my friend Adam Wade who works with me and my bro at NBC Sports did a hilarious video on a tuna and mozzarella sandwich at Fiore’s. I’d been meaning to get there for a long time.
Fiore’s is my kind of place: Established almost a century ago; Windows fogged up because they’re making mozzarella fresh all day; Signs on the walls that clearly haven’t been changed at least since the 50s.
Unfortunately the tuna sandwich of which Wade spoke is only on Fridays, but that’s okay because it gives me a good excuse to go back. I didn’t get a chance to dig into the amazing looking vat of oversized squid or stuffed peppers while I was there either:
I did get to try two different sandwiches. They have you pick out your own bread and bring it to the counter where a super nice guy in a grandpa hat makes your sandwich to order.
The proscuitto and sopressata with fresh mozzarella and red peppers was great. Fiore’s mozzarella is softer, wetter, and squishier than any I’ve ever had. And I’ve had ‘em all over the world (stretched Godfather reference). It had clearly been made within minutes of going onto my roll. I would have brought home a ball of it, but I just ate a ball from Joe’s Dairy on my block the day before, so I used my will power . . . and got a ball of smoked to change things up.
The special of the day – smoked ham with fresh mozzarella and gravy – blew my freaking mind. I went to sleep tasting it in my head, I dreamt about it all night, and I woke up thinking of it.
That part of Hoboken was so old school Italian. Satrialle’s Pork Store came to mind. I’d bet Guilliani. Or McCain now. But even the Italian civic club next to Fiore’s loved Obama.
And if you’ve got those guys on your side, you’re going places. Seriously. I’d have to imagine this is the first African American presidential candidate for whom they painted their windows. Obama has these old Italians, the Kennedys, and little blond children all pulling for him?!?! Plus he’s got Travis Bickle and Famous Fat Dave. This guy can win. So long as you remember to vote today.
Fiore, 4th St and Adams, Hoboken NJ
Barack Obama, www.BarackObama.com
zeep said,
February 5, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Right on Dave, well done. That sammich looks divine – and Mr. Obama definitely has my vote. Keep writing!
Smeck! said,
February 6, 2008 at 6:08 pm
It thought the main goal of the US government was to look into whether the Patriots cheated or not… At least thats what my congressman tells me.
I’m voting for Nader.
Administrator said,
February 6, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Dude, the Nader rally we went to at the Garden in 2000 was WAY more exciting overall than this Obama rally. But that’s because DeNiro can’t compete with Bill Murray and Teddy Kennedy can’t compete with Eddie Veder. But Obama can speak a whole lot better than Nader could, and he was right about a whole lot more things.
Big Mama said,
February 6, 2008 at 9:39 pm
No, no, no. Not Nader. He’s nothing but an egotistical spoiler. Big Mama says it’s time for a woman in the White House. Especially one who can clean–up after that is.
John said,
February 7, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Dave-
Postings are getting scarce… glad to see a new one. Fiore’s… now that is a GREAT mozz… I still remember the first time I tried it… in 2005, when I was still working on the NYSE, there was this guy Bobby. Bobby knew how to eat, like most of the guys I knew down there, so when he came to me with the mozz and said to try it, there was no hesitation. It was, as you have described, incredible- soft, maleable, the right amount of salt to balance out the sweetness of the milk… As I melted on the counter, Bobby laughed and said “Yeah- my girlfriend is a school teacher… she has today off so I told her to go to drive some in from Fiore’s”… Have you ever heard such a romantic tale of true love??
Thanks for reminding me to get back to Fiore’s, Dave… another great post
WADE said,
February 7, 2008 at 11:01 pm
you made my day dave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hope ur doing well.
Jim Long said,
April 3, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I was having hotdogs for lunch and Googled “Chicago Hotdog” and after viewing some very appetizing photos at various sites I stumbled onto famousfatdave – and I loved how you told the story of your visit to the food place in New Jersey with all those photos. If you’re ever in San Francisco check out the two leading Italian delis – Lucca’s and Molinari’s, you’ll love ‘em. There’s nobody on their staffs, though, that look as authentic as that guy in your pics cutting the mozzarella…I’m actually emailing you from Newport, Rhode Island – no famous delis here but lots of fresh seafood right off the boat!