Eater David in Brooklyn sent me a note about Trongs. They're a device meant to allow you to pick up and grip messy foods without getting your hands dirty.

I haven't tried them myself, but they seem intriguing. Or, more accurately, they seem awful and wonderful at the same time. Watch the video:

I agree that messy hands can be annoying. However, I think there's an argument to be made in favor of touching these foods that goes beyond "getting dirty is part of the fun."

When you caress a Buffalo wing or rib, you're also probing for especially tender areas, gauging meat and fat density, and conducting tactile surveillance before going in for the bite. That's a crucial part of the eating process that can't be underestimated.

As for breading chicken breasts, I don't see as much benefit to touching the meat, so in that case, Trongs seem more advantageous. And in general, I always applaud attempts at eatovation.

What do you think?