Let's Get a "Fat Ho"

Before we begin this journey I must tell you this; much of this post comes from information in the local paper, The Waco Tribune-Herald. I have provided links to many of the articles and blog posts. Unfortunately, you must have an account with their website to view some content. I apologize in advance if some links I have provided do not function properly.

Names can be misleading. Titles can be too. The title of today's blog is not as it seems, thankfully.

Let's put'er in reverse and go back to Thursday March 17, 2011. An article appears in the "Order Up!" blog; one of the staff blogs at the Waco Tribune-Herald entitled, "Businesswoman unveils Fat Ho Burgers in Waco". The article reveals that Lakita Evans was putting the final touches on her new business venture, Fat Ho Burgers, in Waco, TX. It seemed humorous to me at first.

Then it seemed to take on a life of it's own. On Friday March 18, 2011, staff writer Michael W. Shapiro penned an article for the Business Section of the Waco Trib titled, "Provocatively Named Burger Joint To Open Soon". In the article the owner said she got the inspiration for the name of her restaurant from a burger joint in California. I did some checking and I can't find anything about it. I did find a Fat ASS Burgers in Arizona and The Ultimate Fat Ass Burger Challenge in Orlando, Florida though. The closest thing I could find in California was Fatburger. Maybe she was a little mistaken. It happens. Fat Ho Burgers and Lakita Evans even made it to the Waco Trib's Weekly Recap of Opinions, Thoughts and Viewpoints on the next day with the following, “It’s making people smile. This world is too serious.”

Yes, it made a lot of people smile, laugh, take notice, and take offense.An article in the Waco Trib dated Tuesday March 22, 2011 reports that some are taking disapproval to the name, even suggesting that the name be changed; not just folks from Waco, but as far away as Los Angeles. Lakita said this about the name of the restaurant, “It’s not talking about women. It’s just funny.” She went on to comment, “They can say what they want. Everybody in America is a critic.” Yes they are!

Opening day was also on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Fat Ho's opened to "Huge Crowds" according to the "Order Up!" food blog. Today we even learned some of the offerings at Fat Ho's like a "Supa Fly Ho with Cheese" or a "Fat Chicken Ho." My favorite is the "Sloppy Ho Brisket." And if you can figure out where they're going with this you will certainly appreciate the kid's meal, better known as the "Tiny Ho Meal."

The next day the Trib offered more on the opening; this time adding a few customer comments and more about the name controversy. This time we learn that a local radio personality, Shane Warner, was at the restaurant in support of the business.

After several days of doing "land office" business, we learn from the Trib that reviews for the food at the restaurant are "mixed" and the sudden buzz from the controversy may be taking its toll and causing food quality and service time to suffer. Nevertheless, that isn't keeping some from thinking about bigger things. Take for instance John Day, spokesman for Lake Charles, LA, based Viral Business Consulting group. They seem to think that there is potential here, maybe even "franchising." Hmmmm! Just think, "Coming to your town. A Fat Ho!" Yeah, I see the potential there.

WAIT!!!!!! Maybe they should rethink the whole franchising and name thing here. In the Trib's Letters to the Editor on Monday, March 28 writes in and comments that they thought it was the name for a new Chinese place. Made sense to them. Might make sense to others.

A mere 11 days after all this started, (Remember, the first article appeared on March 17) we learned on the Order Up! blog that the restaurant has a website, a Twitter feed, and yes.....a song by Quentin "Q" Moore. Click here for the song. Unfortunately, while preparing this post I tried the website and it appears to be non-existent now. Bummer!

By April 20, there have been several more letters and comments in the Letters to the Editor section of the Trib. I won't bother with them here. But, I guess business is good in April because the Order Up! blog informed us that Fat Ho's has a new sign. It seems that "You Are What You Eat." Alrighty then!

A little over a month and this lady has already had tons of free advertising; newspaper, local radio, local TV, and yes even some national TV. By now I'm kinda thinking Waco needs a new slogan to spur more tourist traffic. How about, "Visit Waco....Get a Fat Ho!" That seems to work on so many levels.

On May 12, Fat Ho's hosted Quentin "Q" Moore, the author and performer of the "Fat Ho" theme song. Not sure how that went. But by June 1st, we learned that vandals had torn down the Fat Ho sign. Not looking good here is it? (No, this is not what I meant in the title. It's not time to get a "Fat Ho" yet!)

At this time I am reminded of mountain climbing. I mean, you start at the bottom, claw your way to the top, and what happens? You're at the peak. Where do you go from there? Can't go up. Can't stay at the top of the mountain, too cold. You go down. Sometimes you can go down nice and easy. Sometimes, oops.... you miss a step and go down fast.

(Now, cue the Let's Get a "Fat Ho.")

On June 17 we learn that Lakita Evans was arrested on June 15 for Outstanding Traffic Warrants. Fortunately, she was released after paying her ticket. Guess she can start back up that mountain now.

While researching this I discovered that there are, at present, 23 Facebook pages devoted to Fat Ho's, (The place in Waco. Not the other kind).

© 2011 Barry T Horst

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