Yo ho ho and a brisket of rum

Sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and get back to work. Although I have been eating better and maintaining a more physically active lifestyle while filming the I’m Not Trying to Be an Underwear Model documentary, sometimes I can’t help but smile when a different job comes calling. I’ll take any excuse possible to fit Strands Café’s (Map it!) Bacon Rum Brisket Sandwich into my diet. This beef brisket is slowly oven-cooked for more than 12 hours before it is shredded and smothered in a sauce of bacon, bacon fat, chili powder, white wine vinegar and rum. The sandwich has a sensational tang with a swift kick that’ll easily remedy your downtown lunch-hour cravings. The crusty French bread attempts to soak up the divine sauce and rendered meat, but I don’t think even a ShamWow could do an adequate job. You might burn through more than your share of napkins with this sandwich, but it is worth it. And you can always do like I did and opt for the salad on the side instead of the sweet potato chips.—Jay Ducote