Latest news with #Shaq
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
We blind tasted 17 rotisserie chickens from Bay Area restaurants. Here's how Costco ranked
There are 17 rotisserie chickens spread out on the table. The skin on the birds ranges from pale and caramel to burnished and charred. Some are speckled with herbs, many are trussed and two come with a wedge of citrus. One chicken, No. 11, is half the price, juicer and nearly twice the size of its peers — like Shaq standing next to any celebrity. The San Francisco Chronicle Food & Wine section conducted a blind taste test to find the Bay Area's best rotisserie chicken. The team fanned out across San Francisco and the East Bay, procuring chickens from restaurants, butchers and grocery stores, and then bringing them to the Chronicle newsroom. That means birds from Costco and Gus's Community Market went up against chickens from restaurants like RT Rotisserie and Daytrip Counter, the newest in the flock. The panel of judges consisted of myself, restaurant critic MacKenzie Chung Fegan, wine critic Esther Mobley, assistant Food & Wine editor Caleb Pershan and food reporters Mario Cortez and Elena Kadvany. On one day — internally referred to as 'chicken day' — we sampled all 17 chickens at room temperature, one by one, with senior Food & Wine editor Janelle Bitker on carving duties. We took note of saltiness, appraised aromatics and analyzed distinguishing seasonings. We loved schmaltzy, crisp skin and abhorred the rubbery ones. We wanted meat rich in moisture and dreaded when a piece was dry. 'My mouth is the Sahara desert,' Fegan remarked thirstily about test subject No. 1. We rated each on flavor, juiciness and skin. A good chicken excels in all of those categories, which influence the judge's overall score, on a 10-point scale. The findings show that restaurants typically make better chickens than markets and butchers; they often use higher quality birds. Also: We need to be eating more Peruvian-style chicken. Any discussion of rotisserie chickens must include price, since the food is an affordable staple for many families. Bitker weighed every pollo and calculated the price per pound. Note: Some birds came with complimentary sides and sauces (more on that below), so the comparison is imperfect. The most expensive, at $20 per pound, came with two sides; without them, the priciest chicken was $12.63 per pound. Generally, the more expensive chickens performed better, with one giant exception. I don't think I can look at another chicken for at least a month. Without further ado, these are the top 10 rotisserie chickens in the Bay Area. Daytrip Counter is the new casual chicken spot from the folks behind the acclaimed, now-closed Daytrip in Oakland. Brined in a vinegar solution and injected with schmaltz, the chicken scored high for flavor, but the group was divided on matters of skin and juiciness. Fegan noted that the skin was not fully rendered. Mobley found it to be dry, but Cortez thought the thighs were juicier. 9. Guerra Quality Meats Score: 5.58. Price: $6.69 per pound The West Portal butcher shop had some of the crispiest skin of the congregation — so crispy and schmaltzy that it earned my only perfect score for skin. Fegan, meanwhile, liked the skin but not the flavor of the meat. Pershan observed that this was a runt of the litter. The expert trussing of the bird from Little Original Joe's, the takeout counter and market in West Portal, caught everyone's attention. Flavor-wise, however? Cortez deemed it 'boring' and Mobley thought the skin too salty. Fegan described it as 'very middle of the road.' 7. Market Hall Score: 5.81. Price: $9.95 per pound The caramelized, glazed skin on the bird from Market Hall, a specialty market and deli in Oakland, caught Fegan's eye. But the panel couldn't agree on the flavor: Mobley tasted garlic, I detected paprika and Fegan noted a barbecue-like taste. (The marinade includes those ingredients plus a ton of thyme.) Kadvany issued bonus points for its 'shreddy texture.' Cantoo is a Venezuelan-Chinese restaurant in the Tenderloin known for its mountains of fried rice and rotisserie chicken, tenderized with a beer brine. Mobley loved the skin and savoriness, while I found it to be rich and ham-like. 5. Souvla Score: 7.13. Price: $12.63 per pound Souvla, the casual Greek mini-chain restaurant, sells a limited number of whole feta-brined birds every day online. Kadvany called out the tenderness, as did Mobley, noting the flesh as 'buttery.' I liked its citrusy tang, and Cortez and Pershan raved about the garlicky skin. The casual chicken arm of the Rich Table operation, RT Rotisserie, earned points from Fegan for presentation, with the buttermilk-brined bird's evenly cooked, well-burnished skin. Kadvany and Mobley ranked it as their favorite for skin. Nearly everyone perked up at the presence of the fried garlic garnish. This local Peruvian restaurant chain's chicken ranked as the second most flavorful, pleasing (and perplexing) the judges with its earthy spice. Fegan wondered if it was za'atar while Mario was reminded of 'taco seasoning.' I knew it was a Peruvian-style chicken upon first taste of cumin. 2. Costco Score: 8.53. Price: $1.16 per pound This chicken was by far the juiciest, practically dripping with moisture, and stayed warm longest. The value also must be noted: The price disparity between Costco and every other place was cavernous, nearly five to 20 times cheaper than the rest at $1.16 per pound. However, there is one big caveat: The oversized fowl is only available to those with a Costco membership, which starts at $65 per year. It seemed like a shoo-in for gold, but an underbird left the warehouse chicken in the dust. 1. Rooster's Peruvian Rotisserie Score: 9.28. Price: $10.66 per pound Rooster's makes the Bay Area's best rotisserie chicken! The low-profile Peruvian restaurant, which opened last year in the Mission District, delighted the board with its bird's juiciness and lovely skin coated in a flavorful, cumin-forward spice mix, which some noted was also well-distributed underneath the skin. We all nearly clapped upon first trying it. It scored high marks across categories, with some voters like Cortez and Pershan even giving it a perfect 10. Most of the voting body was unfamiliar with Rooster's, but now its legend will be solidified as the David that defeated the Goliath that is Costco. A final note on sauces In order to keep the tasting blind, we held off on sauces until after our final tabulations. By the sixth chicken, everyone's eyes darted to the sauce island, a plate stacked with small containers. We licked our lips at the prospect of moisture. Many chickens are designed to be enjoyed with — and improved by — condiments. Daytrip Counter's chicken performed averagely, but the restaurant shined bright when it came to sauces. The five judges (and Bitker) placed Daytrip's spicy chile-lime butter and tart lemon tahini in their top three choices — nice foils to the richness of the schmaltzy chicken. Some packed heat: The spiciest was Rooster's rocoto sauce, but it only appealed to Cortez and me. Others believed it to be too spicy and unbalanced. The crowd favorite? RT Rotisserie, especially its creamy chimichurri, followed by the smoky chipotle yogurt. What rotisserie chickens did we miss? What other foods do you want us to taste test? Should I go to therapy after eating so many chickens? We want to hear from you: Email me at
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Shaquille O'Neal Cut a Ferrari in Half So He Could Fit In It
Shaquille O'Neal - otherwise known as Shaq, Diesel, and a handful of other nicknames - is almost larger than life. But we aren't just talking about his incredible basketball track record or nearly half a billion-dollar net worth. He's physically a huge guy, weighing over 320 pounds and standing just over seven feet tall. When you're a man of that stature and means, well, sometimes you improvise. In a recent interview, Shaq confessed that he bought two Ferraris - one "real" and one salvage - before trying to splice them together in order to accommodate his frame. There's a surprising tale of ups and downs behind the decision. But what about Alfa Romeo? Ficili, also the head of Alfa Romeo, has confirmed that Stellantis will review its strategy, too. He didn't share further details about this, as it seems like the automaker is focusing on Maserati first. We should know more by the end of the month. Alfa Romeo is currently struggling, not only with sales but also with the development of its upcoming products. Specifically, the next-generation Stelvio, Alfa's best-selling model, is in doubt since the company backpedaled from its full-electric lineup strategy, now heading to a hybrid path. However, a new post today suggests something new will be revealed next week: Of note, 15% of Alfa Romeo's sales are from America, the world's second-biggest automotive market. Again, tariffs will play a significant role in both automakers' business plans, for which Stellantis hired the consulting firm McKinsey.
Auto Blog
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Shaquille O'Neal Cut a Ferrari in Half So He Could Fit In It
The beyond famous NBA star claims it was his 'worst purchase' Shaquille O'Neal — otherwise known as Shaq, Diesel, and a handful of other nicknames — is almost larger than life. But we aren't just talking about his incredible basketball track record or nearly half a billion-dollar net worth. He's physically a huge guy, weighing over 320 pounds and standing just over seven feet tall. When you're a man of that stature and means, well, sometimes you improvise. In a recent interview, Shaq confessed that he bought two Ferraris — one 'real' and one salvage — before trying to splice them together in order to accommodate his frame. There's a surprising tale of ups and downs behind the decision. Ex-Shaq owned Ferrari F355 Turning two Ferraris into one wasn't an outright disaster, at first When Shaq was quizzed about what his 'worst purchase' was, he didn't hesitate. He immediately recounts his experience trying to fit himself into a car wearing the prancing horse badge. 'I bought two Ferraris,' he starts. 'I bought a real Ferrari. I bought a salvage Ferrari. Cut my real Ferrari in half, took pieces of the salvage Ferrari to stretch it, and then realized I couldn't fit.' He goes on to say that taking the top off permanently gave him about five inches of additional headroom, which was barely enough to fit. Incredibly, the star says it 'worked out good,' until Florida weather managed to get the better of him. Oops! We're unable to load this content right now. View directly on Instagram So, what happened? 'I didn't read the weather report, and I went to Miami from Fort Lauderdale. And on the way back, it started raining, and the whole car got flooded out,' Shaq said in the interview. So, the car actually worked, drove, and accommodated him, only to be thwarted by rain. Now for the second mystery: Is Shaq referring to his silver on black F355 that sold on Bring a Trailer just a few years ago, or a separate vehicle? That silver car had an unreported wreck that came to light during the most recent sale, which reportedly salvaged the car. Where did the 'real' Ferrari go, or is there another permanently topless Ferrari out and about? Ex-Shaq Owned Ferrari F355 Ex-Shaq Owned Ferrari F355 Shaq's a known car guy, and sliced Ferrari fits with some of his more intriguing car purchases From the F355 to slammed Cadillac Escalades on 26-inch wheels and customized Chevrolet Express vans, Shaq has owned a little bit of everything. His collection even included a permanently topless Mercedes S-Class convertible with suicide doors, a metalcrafter-modified Gallardo that's twelve inches longer than the regular car, and everything in between. With money comes means, and we're not surprised at all that Shaquille O'Neal spent double to buy the Ferrari that he wants. Final thoughts Y'know, we have to wonder if the boys in Maranello would put you on the no-fly list for trying something like what Shaq did today. Perhaps we should just be grateful. Since we don't see similarly sized NBA high-flyers making modifications like Shaq did, we have to assume the Italians figured out how to make cars that fit their high-rolling and tall-standing clientele. About the Author Steven Paul View Profile
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Why Shaquille O'Neal decided to join the Reebok executive team
Shaquille O'Neal was a dominant force in the NBA, a 7-foot-1 gentle giant who shattered boards, racked up four titles and left an indelible mark as one of the best centers in basketball history. But since his retirement in 2011, Shaq has shown that his impact goes far beyond sports. Now, in the business world, from offices and boardrooms, Shaq is focused on remaining the most dominant ever. Beyond his impressive height, one of O'Neal's most distinguishing traits is his sense of humor. In the 'Power Moves with Shaquille O'Neal' Netflix series, which premiered on June 4, he acknowledges that his mindset is '80% humor and 20% seriousness' when it comes to running his businesses. That doesn't mean he doesn't take his responsibilities seriously. In fact, he believes that some people tried to exploit his outgoing nature when he first started his business ventures. 'Yes, a lot of people try to take advantage and that just drives me to do more things,' O'Neal told L.A. Times en Español. He is accustomed to people trying to exploit his perceived weaknesses. 'They always said, 'With the way he shoots free throws, he'll never win a championship.' OK, maybe that's true, but I'm going to dominate the game so much that free throws don't even matter.' He brings the same mentality to his position at Reebok, where he is president of basketball — a position he assumed in 2023 — and is leading a push to bring relevance back to a brand that once bet on him to be a star. 'When I went to Nike, they said, 'Yeah, we wanted to give you your own sneakers, but we gave them to another guy.' And I said, 'Excuse me? To this guy?' And then when I went to Reebok, they said, 'We believe in you, we're going to give you your own shoes,'' O'Neal recalls. That loyalty was not forgotten. Today, 30 years after signing with Reebok as a player, O'Neal is back, not to launch retro updates of his shoes, but to make decisions, train a new generation of athletes and reshape the brand's place in a fiercely competitive market. Shaq didn't join Reebok's executive team just for nostalgia's sake. His vision is clear: Take a chance like they took a chance on him in the 1990s. 'They took a chance on young Shaq. He took a chance on young AI [Allen Iverson]. He took a chance on young Shawn Kemp. And we turned the plan into a dominant number two. Never number one, but never number three,' O'Neal explained. With that logic, the former player decided not to bet Reebok's current NBA marketing budget all on one superstar. 'I wanted to go the traditional route. 'Hey, let's go for Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander]. Let's go for Jaylen Brown.' But when you talk to agents, these guys want big numbers. ... You're going to spend 85 or 90% of the budget,' O'Neal said. His team — including his son, Shareef — convinced O'Neal to invest in emerging talent with a strong social media presence and a mindset of their own. Case in point is WNBA Chicago Sky player Angel Reese, who signed with Reebok in 2023. 'Angel reminds me of AI. She's going to do it her way, the way she wants to do it. She doesn't care what anyone else says,' O'Neal said. He sees Reese not only as a great athlete, but as an influential figure who embodies the disruptive spirit he wants to restore in the Reebok brand. O'Neal isn't just impressed by what he sees on the court. He's looking for something more. 'I'm looking for someone who isn't getting the recognition he deserves,' he said. 'We live in a world where, once they get noticed by one or two guys, they stick with them forever.' He said he was underestimated in his early days. Despite being selected with the first pick in the 1992 draft and making an immediate impact with the Orlando Magic, he said during early career business meetings 'they never looked at me. They always looked at my manager. It was like, 'Do you think he understands business?'' That prompted him to study business administration and management and get serious about his financial education. 'I just thought, 'Let me get a degree ... so you know I understand that I'm in charge of my own destiny,'' O'Neal said. Now, as president of Reebok basketball, he also values athletes' family ties, their work ethic, their environment and their desire to represent something bigger than themselves. 'I like the people, the moms, the dads, the coaches. People want to be represented in a certain way,' O'Neal said. He doesn't presume to have all the answers. He admits he's had to adapt and learn. 'It's just about challenges. I've always been one to step up to meet them. ... I had to learn a lot, learn about this business,' he said. To appeal to the broadest group of customers, he has relied on a close circle of advisors that includes his son, Shareef. 'I had to bring in my son to help me identify with the crazy Generation Z, because they do what they want. They follow their own path. They have their own rules,' O'Neal said. While still a strong, determined figure, O'Neal has learned to accept feedback from others. 'I don't think my best quality is listening,' he admits. But in his new role, he's had to let go of some of his old-school style and trust his team. O'Neal was one of the most dominant players the NBA has ever seen. Now he's one of the most successful athletes in the business world. His investment portfolio includes franchises of businesses such as Papa John's, Five Guys, 24 Hour Fitness and his own line of products and apparel. He also holds commercial endorsement contracts with brands such as Icy Hot, The General insurance and Carnival Cruises, among others. But his business success has not been linear. 'On the road to success, there are many failures and you simply have to try to have more successes than failures,' he said. His secret has been to surround himself with skilled people. 'I have great teammates,' O'Neal said. 'My friend wins a championship by herself. It's called delegation.' Shaq has turned his image into a global brand, but he insists the key has been staying true to his values. It all revolves around his family. 'I am who you think I am. I realized I couldn't have done any of this without my family and their blessings,' he says. He said his faith and personal values help him manage the impact of his success. 'I said it about seven years ago, never call me famous,' O'Neal said. 'Celebrities are jerks. I just want to be a normal person. I'm a respectful person. I love kids. I love the elderly. I love helping those in need. I love making people smile. So the answer to the question of how I keep my feet on the ground, you know exactly how I do it: Salaam-alaikum [Peace be upon you], brother.' Long before he joined he executive team, O'Neal played a major role in Reebok's success. In the early 1990s, while Nike and Adidas were building giant empires, Reebok bet on O'Neal and Iverson, and managed to position itself as a serious alternative, especially among urban youth. But over time, the brand lost ground. Now, with O'Neal leading the renaissance of its basketball division, Reebok wants to regain that lost space. It doesn't intend to compete directly with Nike or Adidas for big stars, but to create an ecosystem of its own. 'It's not about a gamble. It's about making the right decision,' O'Neal said. O'Neal has been many things: NBA champion, most valuable player, All-Star, entrepreneur, commentator, DJ, actor, honorary police officer, philanthropist. But perhaps his most powerful facet is that of a man who builds bridges, pushes others and constantly reinvents himself. This new movement, he says, is strategic and personal. He is enjoying a reunion with the brand that believed in him and an opportunity to return the favor by helping Reebok connect with customers. This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Zach Randolph denies giving DeMarre Carroll $10K for sneakers: "That's a little too much cap in your rap"
Zach Randolph denies giving DeMarre Carroll $10K for sneakers: "That's a little too much cap in your rap" originally appeared on Basketball Network. It's well-known that many NBA players lead lives of excess and luxury. With wealth flowing into their accounts at an astonishing pace, they often find themselves unsure of how to manage it all. Often, they spend it on luxurious houses, cars, and designer shoes. Advertisement According to NBA veteran DeMarre Carroll, this was the case with his former teammate on the Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph. If Carroll, a 6'6" forward who played 11 seasons in the league, is to be believed, Z-Bo gave him a wad of money to purchase a pair of all-white Air Force 1s — a staple in a hooper's wardrobe. Believing it was a test from the veteran who mentored him during his rookie season, DeMarre spent a significant amount on multiple pairs, estimating he had about $6,000 remaining. Later, he recounted how Z-Bo, impressed by his effort to fulfill the request, rewarded him with an additional $4,000, bringing his total to $10,000. Zach took time on "The Big Podcast with Shaq" to refute DeMarre's story, saying he would not want to toss around large amounts of money like that. A bad business move When DeMarre joined the NBA as Memphis' 27th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Zach was already making a hefty salary of $16.5 million per year. While he was not frugal, he emphasized that his former rook's story was an exaggerated fabrication. He sent Carroll on plenty of errands and tasks, but he never once handed out $10,000. Advertisement "Everybody asked me that, bro. Come on, man. What kind of business move is that?" Z-Bo said with a laugh. "DeMarre, please quit telling that lie. You my little bro. I love you, bro. But come on, man." Nike Air Force 1s, especially the white-on-whites, are a staple in the NBA. They're comfortable, stylish, and versatile enough to match any outfit. However, Randolph found it ridiculous that anyone would believe he would hand out six grand to buy one pair. "I'm going to give you $6,000 for some damn Air Force Ones? Come on, little bro. I want you to make your story sound good, but that's a little too much cap in your rap, man. God damn," Zach stated. Related: "I can't think of a better person to do it" - Scottie Pippen on Michael Jordan presenting him at his Hall of Fame induction Even Shaq was impressed when he heard the story The podcast host Shaq has had his fair share of extravagant spending throughout his career. From customizing cars to generously buying whatever strangers desired, he has indulged in a wide range of costly ventures. However, even O'Neal couldn't believe someone would spend that much on one pair of shoes. Advertisement "I heard that story, I was like, 'Damn, $10,000?' I only gave five. Only gave five!" Big Diesel chimed in. Zach understood what DeMarre was trying to do, but believes he went overboard. While he appreciated the effort to make a good impression, Zach couldn't help but refute such an outrageous claim. "Man had made a hell of a story up. I said, '$10,000?' I know he tried to make his big bro look good, but that's just a dummy move right there," Randolph stressed. Many NBA players do stupid things with the money they make in the league. Z-Bo, though, was a lot more responsible with his. Related: Marc Gasol names the post players who gave him hell as a rookie: "Z-Bo and Al were the two toughest guys I had to guard" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
