![\"130213-John-Alleman\"](\"https:\/\/animalliberationpressoffice.org\/NAALPO\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/130213-John-Alleman.jpg\")
<\/a>A 54-year-old man who spent his days touting the greasy pleasures of the Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas has died of an apparent heart attack, the restaurant\u2019s owner said.<\/p>\nJohn Alleman was waiting for a bus outside the downtown grill last week when he collapsed, Jon Basso told NBC News. Alleman was hospitalized for several days, but died on Monday at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, a spokeswoman confirmed.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s the second unofficial spokesman for the unabashedly unhealthy restaurant to die in the past two years, according to press reports.<\/p>\n
For the past 18 months, Alleman spent part of virtually every day at the grill, standing outside the doors, urging customers to come in and try the restaurant\u2019s renowned \u201cCoronary Dog\u201d or a side of \u201cFlatliner Fries.\u201d The place is known for flagrantly fattening entrees, including the “Quadruple Bypass Burger” that weighs in at 9,983 calories.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did it for free,\u201d Basso said. \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t accept a dollar. He wouldn\u2019t even accept a free burger.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alleman was relatively slender, but had a family history of heart disease, Basso said. He apparently lost both of his parents in their early 50s. He is survived by a brother, Paul Alleman, who also lives in Las Vegas, records show.<\/p>\n
He is the second unofficial spokesman for one of Basso\u2019s restaurants to die, according to press reports. Blair River, who stood 6-foot-8 and weighed 575 pounds was known as the \u201cGentle Giant\u201d at the Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, Ariz., according to the Arizona Republic newspaper. He died in March 2011 from complications of flu-related pneumonia. He was 29.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Alleman was known at the Las Vegas restaurant as \u201cPatient John,\u201d a nod to the grill\u2019s hospital-themed gimmick where waitresses clad in skimpy costumes are called \u201cnurses\u201d and Basso refers to himself as the \u201chead surgeon.\u201d A caricature of Alleman is a staple on Heart Attack Grill menus, clothing and other merchandise. His real job was as a security guard at a local skyscraper, Basso said.<\/p>\n
Basso seemed shaken by Alleman\u2019s death in a telephone interview. He said he was with Alleman before he died and didn\u2019t know quite what to do with a bag of Alleman\u2019s clothing and personal belongings a hospital staffer told him to take home.<\/p>\n
The grill will go on, said Basso, who was fielding media calls during a bartending shift on Tuesday. A former owner of a diet center, he said he grew tired of lying to people about weight-loss. The restaurant may have another spokesman, but, for now, Basso said he was missing his friend.<\/p>\n
\u201cNormally, I\u2019m a lot more jovial,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By JoNel Aleccia NBC News A 54-year-old man who spent his days touting the greasy pleasures of the Heart Attack Grill in Las Vegas has died of an apparent heart attack, the restaurant\u2019s owner said. John Alleman was waiting for a bus outside the downtown grill last week when he collapsed, Jon Basso told NBC … <\/p>\n