Heart Attack Grill's 'Spokesman' Suffers Cardiac Arrest While Waiting Outside

An unofficial "spokesman" for Las Vegas' infamous Heart Attack Grill suffered cardiac arrest while waiting for a bus in front of the restaurant over the weekend.

John Alleman, 52, who was often seen outside the restaurant encouraging passers-by to go in and sample its fatty fare, was taken to an area hospital and died on Monday after being removed from life support, restaurant owner Jon Bassotold the Las Vegas Sun.

The 180-pound Alleman, who worked elsewhere as a security guard, was the restaurant's second unofficial spokesman to die over its two-year history. Blair River, a 575-pound 29-year-old fan, passed away in March 2011.

Basso said Alleman loved the Heart Attack grill, a medical-themed restaurant that made headlines for offering a Guinness Book record-breaking 9,982-calorie, 3-pound Quadruple Bypass Burger stacked with bacon, cheese, onions, and sauce.

The grill is also known for its extra-thick milkshakes and fries cooked in lard.

The restaurant's ironic motto is "taste worth dying for" and diners don surgical gowns as they select their meals.

Though he was unpaid, Alleman's photo was prominently displayed on the restaurant's menu and merchandise, and Basso said Alleman could be seen outside the restaurant every day encouraging would-be customers to come in.

"He never missed a day, even on Christmas," Basso said. "People just loved him. He connected with people in a real way."

Though Basso would once in a while offer Alleman free meals for promoting the restaurant, he said Alleman always paid for the many burgers he ate there.

"He never wanted a handout from anyone. He always insisted on paying," Basso said. "He lived, ate and breathed the Heart Attack Grill."

There have been several other cases of people who reported health issues after attending the restaurant.

Last February, a man eating an artery-clogging 6,000-calorie Triple Bypass Burger had to be treated after he started sweating and shaking.

Two months later, a woman was hospitalized shortly after eating a Double Bypass burger, but it was unclear if her medical condition was related to the unhealthy meal.

Basso told the Sun that Heart Attack Grill had no plans to change its menu.

"The grill is where you can be yourself. We accept people as they are," he said.

Basso said the restaurant would close for Alleman's funeral.

Related links:

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