Hello West Village….
I so don’t want to interrupt romance week but sometimes life yanks the pashmina right off your shoulders. Yesterday we were accused of “serving up tasty sandwiches and exploitation racism” specifically for the naming of our spicy Korean BBQ sandwich, The Fu Manchew. You can see/add to the convo @eatunderground. (If ur really hungry I wont be offended if u skip to the menu, but here comes the meat)
I interrupt romance week not to defend our choices but b/c twitter is a hit and run forum where people can say virtually anything, often hurtful, to and about anyone. At it’s best, it’s #fun and #funny and can open up discussions between #peoplethatmightnototherwiseconnect. Clearly it’s promotional tool we actually like people and like connecting and tweeting and socializing. So in hopes of connecting/discussing, if you know us or have an opinion (shout out to#NewYorkers) let us know how you feel about a 20th century cultural stereotype referenced, skewed, punned into a 21rst century sandwich?#makesandwichnotwar
Back to The Pashz:
We’re not above a Tuesday titter especially during romance week. Today’s contest is a bit harder than yesterday’s. If you like winning, be the 1rst in the shop to identify the painter of this lovely baroque beauty and the sammy of ur choice is on the house:
“Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye”
delivery: 212-255-9155
Today’s Menu
Arroz con Pollo
Cheddar Jalapeno Mac & Cheese
Soup
Loaded Baked Potato
Red Curry Red Lentil
Tomato Basil
Salad
Chicken Spinach & Endive w/Pear, Dried Cranberries, Ricotta Salata, Cranberry Vinaigrette
French Lentil w/Shaved Parmesan, Tomato, Arugula, Balsamic Vinaigrette
Marinated Kale w/Brussels Sprout, Butternut Squash, Walnuts & Shallot Vinaigrette
Chopped Kale Caesar w/Garlic Croutons, Parmesan, Grated Hard Boiled Eggs
Sandwiches
(includes bag of chips & a Pickle Guys pickle)
The Fu Man Chew: Grilled Korean BBQ Chicken, Kimchi Chi Slaw, Sriracha Mayo, Whole Wheat Square
The Eporch: 12 Hr Braised Pork w/House BBQ Sauce, Red Onion Jalapeno Relish, Sesame Seeded Brioche Bun
The St Luke: Buttermilk Battered Chicken Breast, New Pickles, Brioche Bun w/ Choice of Chipotle or Rosemary Horseradish Mayo
The Is What It Is Wich: Chicken Salad w/Blue Cheese, Dried Cranberries, Apple, Walnuts, on Toasted Everything Bagel
The Jerk Fish: Jerk Grilled Tilpaia, Pepperonata, Watercress, Jerk Habanero Mayo
The Squashbuckler: Butternut Squash, Manchego, Sauteed Kale, Chipotle Mayo, Pressed Country Sourdough
The Nuyorican: Sofrito Braised Chicken Wrap w/Sweet Plantains, Peppercorn Mayo, & Avocado
The Smokey Robinson: Smoked Short Rib & Sirloin Burger, House Remoulade, ThickCut Bacon, Vermont Cheddar, Confit Tomato, Brioche Bun
The Greenburger: Herbed Turkey Burger, Grilled Tomatillo, Sweet Potato & Leek Stroestrings, English Muffin
The Po Girl: Fried Sustainable Laughing Shrimp, Thai Chili Aioli, Green Papaya Salad, Coconut Toasted Baguette
The Margherita: Fresh Tomato, Mozzarella, & Basil on Grilled Grandaisy Bakery Olive Oil Bianca Bread
The Charro: Crispy Eggplant, Tomato Fennel Sauce, Basil Pesto, Mozzarella, Warm Toasted Hero
Sweets & Treats:
Chocolate Crinkle Cookie
Yellow Cake w/Chocolate Frosting
Judy the Whore Brownies
Better Being 940.com
out of curiosity … why did you name it the Fu Man Chew?
I’m incensed by your lack of racial sensitivity, cultural awareness, and plain good taste. The Fu Man Chew sandwich is not just a fun name for a tasty treat. Your response to the complaint via twitter is deplorable. Instead of issuing an apology and indicating that you didn’t mean to offend anyone (BY THE WAY YOU OFFENDED PEOPLE), you decide to go on a less-than clever rant about your other sandwiches. Is the Smokey Robinson sandwich offensive to Black singers? No. But calling a sandwich a Mammy or Uncle Tom would be offensive to Black people.
The historical significance of Fu Manchu was to incite fear of Asians, namely the Chinese, and then show the impotence of their men against America’s strong white men. To name a sandwich after such a figure is disgusting! Also, way to utilize mark of the plural as Albert Memmi coined.
I am thoroughly disgusted and frankly pissed off.
Admit your fault and stop posting crap like racism, stereotypes, and cultural supremacy are cool and funny.
First of all… I’d like to know why is it “denigrating stereotype” or “tasty sandwich” as the headline? When it’s not difficult at all to be both (which you clearly have decided to do). I just don’t understand why, as a growing young business that is clearly the result of a diverse group of talented individuals coming together, that you would decide to keep a name that clearly alienates and offends some of your customers. Like why? You don’t think you can come up with something more clever than a vicious swipe at an entire people’s culture as the title of your sandwich? Really? I doubt that. I don’t even come close to being that naive. I believe it’s one of two things. You’re either too lazy to dream up another name… Or, you actually are just totally ok with marginalizing an entire section of your customer base. I’d like to imagine it’s closer to the former than the latter, please don’t prove me wrong.
I thought the Fu Manchu was a mustache and thought the name of the sandwich was clever. After learning its true significance, I change my mind. It’s ok to be wrong and have to change. It’s a humbling process but you’ll be better for it in the end. I hope you guys change the name of your sandwich be aide I’ve tilt changed my mind on growing a musclemustache.
In that case, the Hot 97 tsunami parody wasn’t ignorant. Abercrombie & Fitch should come out with more t-shirts that say “TWO WONGS DON’T MAKE A WHITE” and rappers should continuously discuss how they are “BLAZIN’” and how their eyes are low like “ASIANS”.
How can you be THIS insensitive?