Spring Break
Cheesy Clinton returns to Tuffy's as late-night snack
Ben Garbarek
Issue date: 12/5/06 Section: Campus
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After a brief hiatus, the renowned Cheesy Clinton is once again featured on the Tuffy's menu for those looking for a late-night snack.
The Cheesy Clinton disappeared after Tuffy's closed as a late-night venue.
According to Tina Rotundo, executive manager at Tuffy's and Haines Food Court, the Cheesy Clinton was only offered as a "third shift item" and was a victim of the earlier closing times.
For those unfamiliar with this Miami culinary tradition, a Cheesy Clinton consists of a slice of pizza placed in the middle of a grilled cheese sandwich.
The Cheesy Clinton was created by a late-night manager at Tuffy's in 2003. According to Ian Ballard and Dush Ratnayake, both student managers at Tuffy's, an extremely intoxicated student, named John Clinton, attempted to order "a slice of sausage pizza and a grilled cheese," however this student was slurring his words so badly that Vicky Curler, the manager that night, heard "a slice of sausage pizza in a grilled cheese."
Puzzled by this request, the manager gave the student his order and placed the slice of sausage pizza in between a grilled cheese sandwich.
The student enjoyed this new creation so much that he continued to come to Tuffy's and order this unique item. Gradually Clinton and his friends ordered this culinary masterpiece until it was dubbed the "Cheesy Clinton" and became a fixed item on the Tuffy's menu.
According to Ballard, the return of the Cheesy Clinton was spurred by comments during the past year of its departure and the number of students purchasing pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches in order to make a Cheesy Clinton on their own.
"I completely stopped going to Shriver after they stopped making them," said Pat Deignan, a Miami junior. "But now that it's back, I'll probably go back because it's a good alternative to Bell Tower."
Other students shared the same sentiments.
"I quit going to Tuffy's to protest their earlier closing times," said Josh Poling, a Miami junior, "but now that the Cheesy Clinton is back, there's a good chance I'll go more."
However the Cheesy Clinton isn't the only new item at Tuffy's.
New this year at Tuffy's are calzones, new cappuccino flavors and patty melts.
The Cheesy Clinton is only served after 10:30 p.m. at Tuffy's and Haines Food Court in the Shriver Center. Tuffy's is now open from 7 a.m. until midnight daily and Haines Food Court is now open until 3 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Cheesy Clintons are priced starting at $3.16 for a slice of cheese pizza in a grilled cheese.
For those seeking other pizza toppings, a Cheesy Clinton with these extra toppings will be priced at the cost that slice of pizza plus a grilled cheese sandwich.
