'Humanely Killed' Beer-Can Pigeon Is An Inspired April Fools' Joke

By Anthony Todd in Food on Apr 1, 2013 4:40PM

April Fools' Day is our least favorite "holiday." We're gullible and easily embarrassed. But occasionally a parody prank of such genius comes along that we're happy that April 1 has rolled around again. Today, we have the Chicago Reader's esteemed (and James Beard Award-nominated) Mike Sula to thank for the one glimmer of brightness in this prank-ridden day.

On the heels of the article about Squirrel eating that earned Sula his Beard nomination, it only makes sense that he would try eating other common pests, right? Which is why he actually almost got us with this article headlined "Beer-Can Pigeon: It's What's For Dinner."

The best April Fools' jokes are the ones with just enough plausibility that you have to give them more than one glance. With Elizabeth selling foraged meats to rich diners and urban hunter/gatherers moving to the top of the food world, we could almost believe Sula's tale of the unlimited food supply (not to mention the satisfaction from killing off some of the little buggers) to be found in pigeons. There are even quotes from experts!

The giveaway? "I was able to source a flock of humanely killed city pigeons—I won't say where—but let's just say they won't be keeping anyone awake anymore." Plus an obligatory reference to our city's favorite spirit. "Instead, I cut the tops off a bunch of aluminum cans half filled with Malort, along with some oregano and thyme, and dunked my pigeons in headfirst. An hour over gentle indirect heat and these birds were falling-off-the-bone tender, just in time for Easter dinner."

Go read the whole article - it's worth it. Be sure to click the links.