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• Fat Sandwich chooses Champaign for second location

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Cole Lewko and Adam Pearlman, co-owners of Fat Sandwich Company in Champaign.

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Fat Sandwich Company »
Address: 502 E. John, St Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 328-5035
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It’s 2 a.m., and the announcement comes over the intercom that the bar is closing. Patrons shuffle out like a herd of cattle, and their stomachs automatically start to rumble. Cheesy pizza, crispy chicken fingers and juicy cheeseburgers all sound equally appetizing, so how does one decide?

Fat Sandwich Company, located at 502 E. John St., opens this week with the intent to satisfy the internal conflict of the drunken mind. According to co-owner Cole Lewko, the restaurant is “the place to go after a night of drinking.” Sandwiches like the Fat MotherClucker and the Fat Sorostitute are stuffed with buffalo chicken bites, mozzarella sticks, pizza bites and other favorite late-night munchies. Ravenous customers can now fulfill their multiple cravings in just one bite.

Lewko and partner Adam Pearlman came up with the idea for Fat Sandwich Company after graduating from Penn State in 2006. As they watched their fraternity brothers put on suits and ties for their 9 to 5 jobs, the two friends decided to try their hand at the restaurant business.

“We didn’t want to join the rat race and work in a cubicle,” Lewko said. They opened their first restaurant at the University of Oklahoma about a year and a half ago. Success at Oklahoma prompted Lewko and Pearlman to open a second restaurant. After touring more than 50 college campuses, they decided on their John Street location.

Fat Sandwich Company is open every day from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. All sandwiches are served on an 8-inch amoroso roll, which is specially shipped from Philadelphia. Lewko insists that the sandwiches are not messy because they are tightly rolled.

“It’s like a brick of deliciousness,” Lewko said.

Not only does Fat Sandwich Company offer loaded sandwiches but they also sell burgers, chicken wings and wraps. Lewko said the Chicken Donut is a favorite. It is a fried chicken patty with American cheese squeezed between a glazed donut bun. Patrons who feel like they haven’t eaten in decades can try the Big Fat Ugly Challenge. For $25, they can get a sandwich consisting of two rolls, four cheeseburgers, a double cheesesteak, a chicken cheesesteak, gyro meat, grilled chicken, bacon, sausage, mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, chicken nuggets, mac n cheese bites, fried mushrooms, jalapeño poppers, pizza bites, onion rings, hash browns, American cheese, mayo and ketchup. If the individual can eat it in less than 15 minutes, they’ll receive their meal for free, receive a T-shirt and get their name on the wall. Lewko said that out of 70 people who have attempted the challenge, only three have succeeded.

“We try to think of ridiculous things and go with it,” Lewko said.

Fat Sandwich Company delivers through EatCU and CampusFood. Beer, liquor and cigarettes are served in the restaurant and are also available for delivery. For $3, customers can order a 32 oz. draft beer in a large plastic mug with $2 unlimited refills.

“It has a good location,” said Kathryn Scott, a junior in elementary education. “If they’ve been successful at other campuses, I don’t see why they won’t be successful here.”