Slobby Robby
Slobby Robby. The name says it all. The lifetime Tucsonan is a real character. He is owner of Generation Cool, 404 N. Fourth Ave., an '80s and '90s themed boutique and arcade, where his snack bar doles out free pizza every Saturday night to loyal customers. He is definitely known for eating more than cooking, however he is also infamous for throwing big food themed parties at Hotel Congress under the name EAT. A self-proclaimed local hot dog connoisseur, he has his own hot dog namesake at Fourth Avenue Deli (The Slobby Dog).
What was the first dish you had that changed your perspective on food?
Fried Snickers, man. That changed my whole perspective on the world. I never even thought of putting dough around that shit and frying it. It's genius.
What are you eating these days?
I live around the corner from Culver's and quite often I sneak out of the house and go eat cheese curds in their parking lot real quick ... then come back home for dinner.
What was the first dish you remember cooking?
When I was young my mom let me help bake the chocolate chip cookies. I ate like six spoonfuls of the dough and got really sick. Now I get nostalgic and think about my mom whenever I get sick from eating too much.
What concept, ingredient or food trend does everyone seem to love, but you just can't stomach?
I have never eaten raw fish in my life and not thrown up. Sushi is my kryptonite. Plus, who deep deep down really wants to swallow some seaweed? Nobody.
What chef, with us or passed on, would you most like to cook or eat dinner with?
Well, the Swedish Chef seems like he knows how to party ... and Chef Boyardee has that smooth playboy smile ... but I would have to go with Raekwon the Chef from Wutang, because he "cooks up the marvelous shit to get your mouth waterin.'"
What city, other than Tucson, is your favorite place to eat?
Firenze! Florence-fucking-Italy man. It seems like any spot I walk into there serves the greatest things I've ever laid mouth on. I am quite partial to Tuscan food. I highly recommend Trattoria Anita near Il Duomo; they have a Spaghetti Carbonara that I would kill Giada (De Laurentiis) for.
Speaking in junk food terms, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
That's too easy. Lucky Wishbone, all day. Get three extra sauces and drench those leathery steak fingers until your vision gets blurry. A real Wishbone baller gets the burger on the garlic toast though.
Top three Tucson restaurants?
Without getting all fancy: Mi Nidito for Mexican. Vivace for Italian. Kingfisher for Seafood.
With a figurative electric chair in your immediate future, what is your last meal?
One order of Ranch Fries from eegee's; two chili dogs from Pat's; three carne asada tacos from BK's; four Kobe sliders from Zinburger; five slices of Pistol Pete's Pizza; six wings from Rocco's ... grab me a chocolate chip cookie while you're at the register too, Copper!
