Posted on 07/20/2004 7:19:49 AM PDT by BluegrassScholar
It was love at first bite back in 1972 when Don Gorske of Fond du Lac ate his first Big Mac.
On Monday, he ate his 20,000th McDonald’s Big Mac and still relishes every mouthful.
Gorske, who has gained nationwide fame through his daily habit of stopping for a couple of Big Macs and keeping count, was surrounded by about 200 fans and curiosity seekers, and had microphones and camera lenses stuck in his face as he reached a McMilestone in his unusual avocation.
Gorske handed out red lapel buttons and McDonald coupons as he greeted guests before helping cut a green ribbon signaling the rededication of the West Johnson Street McDonald’s store and then settling down to a Big Mac washed down with Coca-Cola.
“It usually takes 16 bites to finish a Big Mac,” he said, “and no, you cannot have the carton (containing the celebrated sandwich) because it’s not for sale. You can’t buy it from me.”
By that count, Gorske has taken 320,000 McBites since he started eating the sandwich that has been the main component of his diet since May 17, 1972.
Most of those sandwiches have been prepared at the Military Road McDonald’s restaurant, but local franchise owner David W. Rause of Valley Management Inc., Neenah, persuaded Gorske to help rededicate the West Johnson Street restaurant after a recent remodeling. Rause owns three McDonalds in Fond du Lac and one in Lomira, as well as several in the Fox Valley.
“Did you have to buy that one?” asked someone in the crowd as an employee delivered the sandwich and drink to Gorske’s table.
“How’d it taste, Don,” asked someone else. “Great. They’re always great,” Gorske responded.
Gorske commented last week that one of his co-workers at the Waupun prison once said, “Don enjoys every Big Mac as though it is his first.”
“He’s the champ. There’s no one in his league. No one even on the radar,” Rause said, calling Gorske one of McDonald’s most faithful customers.
Television crews from VH1 on both the East and West coasts interviewed Gorske on the weekend and filmed the anniversary party, along with several other media from around the area and state.
Taking 3-D photos was Kerry Martin of Madison, who saw Gorske in his cameo role in the independent film, “Super Size Me,” and drove to Fond du Lac. “Only in America,” said Martin, shaking his shaggy head.
Lisa Wondra-Tarrant, general manager at the crowded McDonald’s, commented that she’d never seen the place as crowded and that kitchen crews were standing by, hoping to sell a record number of Big Macs after Gorske finished eating his 20,000th one.
should have a BARF alert! 20,000 unburgers, yuck...
Flatliner in training.
Poor dud, there are a lot better burgers out there. It may be time for wendy's to have an intervention.
Geez, I hope he eats some real food or at least takes some vitamin supplements... I like some fast food burgers, but that stuff is toxic!
Fon du Loc... isn't that where Tom Daschle, er... I mean Lord Farquaad lives?
Heh...I don't imagine there are many who'd WANT to compete.
I don't think I've had 20 Big Macs in my lifetime. Maybe not even 10...I can recall the last one I had, and it was five years ago or so. And it wasn't tasty.
20,000? The mind boggles.
Oh well.... just as long as he doesn't try to jump on the "I'm fat, I think I'll sue Mickey D's" bandwagon, who care what he does to his arteries...
I saw pic of him, he is so thin he can call Calista Flockhart fatso. Go figure, I look at a snickers my belt get tighter.
No word on his health and weight?
Is Michael Moore Back in the News again?
I saw this guy in the movie "Supersize Me." They visited him in his hometown on his quest for 20,000. Glad to hear he pulled it off.
I saw him on TV a while back. He claims his cholesterol is quite low, although I'd like to know how many times he got food poisoning, or at least the trots, after 20,000 of those gut-bombs.
I can easily imagine him saying that in the voice of the Simpsons 'comic book store guy' character...
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