RIVERFEST

FOOD

It's no mystery: Spammobile draws fans wherever it roams

By MAI HOANG of the Journal Sentinel staff

Sunday, July 21, 2002

Waukesha -- Some people just love Spam.

No, they aren't fond of annoying electronic junk mail.

This Spam they grew up with. They passed it on to their kids. They recommend it to their friends.

This Spam is the pork-and-ham product created in America more than 60 years ago that you either love or hate.

This weekend, fans of the mixed-meat product in a can will be able to pull out their Spam tales when the Spammobile stops at RiverFest during a national tour.

Spam promotional items will be available, including samples of Spamburgers, T-shirts, magnets, cookbooks, beach balls and coupons.

There are three Spammobiles criss-crossing the county.

Brian Callerame, field marketing manager of the Spammobile coming here and a self-proclaimed "Spam Guy," said the truck, which is shaped like a large blue Spam can and has a big smiley face on the front bumper, attracts a lot of attention on the road.

"It blows me away, when I'm driving my truck, how many people are endeared to Spam," he said.

Callerame, who drives the Spammobile all over the east coast, said he has loved Spam since he was a child. While on tour, he has met many loyal Spam fans.

During the tour, Callerame said, he met a man who identified himself as a Korean War veteran from Oklahoma.

On the battlefield, the man said, he tucked a can of Spam in his uniform so it wouldn't freeze. At one point, he was shot at, but the bullet was deflected from his heart by the can. That night, the man recalled, he and his buddies shared the can of Spam that saved his life.

Along with the Spammobile, the following food choices will be featured at Jewel-Osco RiverFest this year:

Alfresco Grill: Cheeseburger, chicken breast sandwich, Chicago- style hot dog, Italian beef sandwich, shrimp boat and clam platter, fries, chicken drumsticks and corn dogs.

Bombay Bicycle Club: Chinese chicken salad, coconut beer shrimp, appetizer combo, Buffalo wings, chicken Caesar salad, spinach- artichoke dip, blackjack burger and chicken sandwich.

Elegant Farmer: Cider-baked ham and cheese sandwich, slices of apple or summer berry pie with ice cream and/or caramel sauce, fresh fruit and cookies.

Fazoli's Restaurant: Breadsticks, pizza, lemon ice.

Koepsell's Popcorn: Popcorn (buttered or plain), snowcones and licorice ropes.

La Casa de Esperanza: Tacos, nachos, torta, tostadas, tamales and combination entrees.

Lemon Chill: Lemon, strawberry, raspberry and watermelon chills, gourmet pretzel, chocolate frozen banana, licorice rope and Pixie Stix.

Niko's Gyros: Gyro sandwich, chicken shish kebab on a pita and baklava

Pacific Orient: Egg roll, Chinese fried chicken, spicy Singapore noodles and chicken fried rice.

Rose Subs: Ham and cheese, roast beef, tuna, turkey, Italian, double cheese and Rose-works sub sandwiches, chips, pickle and cookie.

Saz's Banquets: Italian sausage sandwich, barbecue pork sandwich, sour cream and chive fries and mozzarella marinara.

Thunder Bay Grille: Jambalaya-Cajun rice and sausage, crab- stuffed mushrooms, teriyaki pork chop sandwich, mozzarella sticks, sour cream and chive french fries.

Ultimate Confections: Hand-dipped ice cream bar, chocolate- covered strawberries, cherry cordials, turtles and dipped pretzels.

Waukesha Sister City Association: Roast corn on the cob and peanuts.

Wisconsin Machine Shed: Cheeseburger, prime rib sandwich, Buffalo- style chicken strips, baked potato soup, beer-battered pork tenderloin, melts, fries and fish fry.

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