Watch CBS News

Video of UConn student's rant about mac and cheese goes viral

STORRS, Conn. - A University of Connecticut student was arrested on Sunday after a profanity-laced tirade sparked by the student union's refusal to serve him jalapeno bacon macaroni and cheese.

In a nine-minute video recorded by a bystander, Luke Gatti, 19, insults, argues with and shoves the manager of the Union Street Market in the UConn Student Union after he was apparently denied service for entering the food court with an open container of alcohol.

"You can't come in here with an open bottle of booze," says the manager. "Think about it."

"Can I have beer here?" Gatti asks someone off camera.

"No," comes the reply.

"Why not? Is this America?"

"How old are you?" asks the manager.

"Nineteen."

Multiple workers ask Gatti to leave and he refuses.

"Just give me some (expletive) bacon jalapeno mac and cheese," he says. "I'm very hungry, man."

Despite repeated insults, the manager of the food court remains calm. It is only when Gatti shoves the man for the second time that another worker intervenes, wrestling the teen to the ground. A UConn police officer arrives, handcuffs Gatti, and then takes him outside.

Gatti is charged with breach of peace and criminal trespass and is due in court on Oct. 13.

CBS affiliate WFSB reports that Gatti has been in trouble with the law before. He was reportedly arrested twice while a student at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.