TUSCALOOSA, Ala. “Alabama has a way of immortalizing its heroes.
Nick Saban’s statue stands a stone’s throw from Bryant-Denny Stadium alongside other coaching legends on the university’s Walk of Champions. The hand and footprints of Alabama football team captains are cemented in the walkway leading to Denny Chimes. Other former greats have had their images eternalized on the canvases of Daniel Moore paintings that populate homes and businesses across the state.
That’s all well and good, but Alabama basketball forward Charles Bediako currently finds himself being honored in ways he can actually appreciate.
The 7-foot centre, nicknamed ‘Angry Chuck’ for his passion on the pitch, is now the namesake of a sushi roll who shares his immense stature.
Earlier this year, Charles Morgan, the owner of famed Tuscaloosa Chuck’s Fish restaurant, came up with the idea of customizing a sushi roll in Bediako’s honor. With the help of the starting center, sushi chef Yoshie Eddings created the “Angry Chuck Roll”.
The final item on the menu is a puffy version of Bediako’s favorite order, the restaurant’s “Donkey on Crack Roll,” which is fried and made with yellowfin tuna, shrimp, cream cheese, green onion, salsa and salsa. avocado and spicy sauce. The twist comes in the toppings which include a baked scallop and crab stick, the restaurant’s downtown sliced beef, Japanese mayonnaise, sweet soy sauce, sriracha sauce, and jalapenos.
“I told them to spice it up a bit, and then they surprised me a little bit,” Bediako told Tide Illustrated. “It was good for sure. It certainly met my expectations. The biggest surprise was the thick slices of steak on the sushi.
“It’s a pretty big sushi role, and I’m a pretty big guy, so that’s fine with me. Also, since people call me Angry Chuck, there had to be something spicy in it. I like spicy foods, so it really shows a bit of my taste and flavor.
Like its namesake, the “Angry Chuck” is very difficult to deal with. According to partner owner Chris Eddings, Yoshi’s son, the roller weighs at least a solid pound and can feed two people. For those wondering, Bediako took it down all by himself.
The new dish will set customers back a whopping $45. However, unlike the rock-bottom options inside the Coleman Coliseum, it’s worth it for Alabama fans looking to celebrate a big win.
“It’s huge and can definitely be shared,” Chris said with a laugh. “It’s fantastic too. There’s so much to do, but it’s going well.
Interestingly enough, Bediako is far from a sushi connoisseur. The Brampton, Ont., native doesn’t even remember trying it until Alabama assistant coach Bryan Hodgson took him to Chuck’s on his first day on campus last year .
“Still to this day, sushi isn’t my favorite dish,” Bediako admitted. “I don’t know what it is though; at Chuck I love. … It was a nice surprise to have a scroll with my name on it. I was honored that they did something with my name.
Bediako may not be the last Alabama basketball player to see his name on the menu. According to Chris Eddings, Chuck’s is considering offering a roll for head coach Nate Oats, who frequents the restaurant.
“Coach Oats is a big fan of fresh fish from our seafood market on the coast,” Chris said. “I imagine any roll we would create for him would involve a nice piece of fried fish in the sushi roll. Maybe a yellowfin tuna or a grouper.
Bediako also hasn’t finalized a recipe for his head coach but has a suggestion.
“There must definitely be some kind of warmth,” Bediako said. “He definitely has a fiery side. You’ve probably seen that on the pitch with his competitiveness. Whatever they come up with, I’m sure it will be good.
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