Mario Batali Still Visits the Jersey Stromboli Shop Where He Got His Start

Years before he became one of the biggest chefs in New York City, Mario Batali was just another college kid making stromboli sandwiches at a local bar and grill. Last night, Batali explained to Jimmy Fallon that he still pays a visit to that sandwich parlor — Stuff Yer Face in New Brunswick, NJ — once a year. Apparently, the restaurant now has “weird little shrine” to the celebrity chef with candles.

During his Tonight Show appearance, Batali told a newly-mustachioed Fallon: “It’s a great place — the strombolis come in two sizes: large and huge. And it’s fantastic, it’s fresh food, made to order. It’s exactly what fast food should be.” When Jimmy showed Batali a photo of himself rolling stromboli back in 1981, the chef quipped: “Right then I was just trying to get through the shift and make sure my 32-inch waist was still 32.” Here’s the clip:

Later in the evening, Batali also hosted a special edition of the always-entertaining Secret Ingredient challenge. During this bit, Fallon, Ashton Kutcher, Liam Payne, and Vanessa Hudgens ate soup dumplings filled with Jaegermeister, pizza topped with marshmallow fluff, and anchovie-flavored gelato. Watch the hilarity ensue:

• The Tonight Show [YouTube]
• All Coverage of Mario Batali [E]