The Craziest Food Challenges in the U.S.

If you thought scarfing down four slices of cheese pizza in one sitting was a challenge, guess again.

Sep 24, 2013
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We've all encountered the run-of-the-mill food challenege. You eat 5 hot dogs in 5 minutes and you're gifted with a $20 bill. But forcing 5 hot dogs down your gullet seems like a light snack when you consider eating an 80oz. steak or a 22in. chili dog.

Americans might get flack for rising obesity rates, but maybe that's because we've confused dinner with a sport. And, who are we to argue with competition-starved Americans? Sit down, loosen your belt, and dig into The Craziest Food Challenges in the U.S. Indigestion and clogged arteries definitely included.

15. The Kitchen Sink Challenge

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Location: Universals Hard Rock Cafe,
Address: 6050 Universal Blvd.
Website: hardrock.com
Number of people who have completed the challenge: 1 winner
Quantity of food: 10oz. Angus burger with bacon, cheddar cheese, onion rings, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle horseradish with a side of french fries, a fried pickle, and a slice of "Kitchen Sink" cake
Prize: Your meal is on the house

14. The Pho Garden Challenge

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Location: The Pho Garden, Calif.
Address: Various locations around California
Website: phogardensf.com
Number of people who have completed the challenge: 200 out of 1,000 have succeeded
Quantity of food: 2lbs. of rice noodles and 2lbs. of combination beef (brisket, meatball, plank, steak, and tendon) with broth
Prize: Your photo will be taken, the meal will be free, and you'll receive a hand painted trophy

13. The Acme Oyster House Challenge

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Location: The Acme Oyster House, La.
Address: Locations in Louisiana and Florida
Website: acmeoyster.com
Number of people who have completed the challenge: 150 people attempted, 120 won
Quantity of food: 15 dozen half shell oysters (180 oysters) in 60 minutes
Prize: Your oysters will be half off, your name on will be placed on the wall and you'll receive a T-shirt and a hat if the challenge is completed. The oysters are free if the house record is beat.


12. The Widowmaker Challenge

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Location: Bananas, Fla.

Address: 924 North Mills Ave.

Website: bananasdiner.com

Number of people who have completed the challenge: Only 2 have attempted

Quantity of food: 22-inch chili cheese dog covered in onions and jalapenos, 1lb. of French fries, and 1lb. of baked beans

Prize: A t-shirt and picture posted on restaurant's website

11. The Baronator Challenge

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Location: The Baron's Pub, Va.
Address: 185 North Main St.
Website: allmenus.com
Number of people who have completed the challenge: Several attempts, no wins
Quantity of food: 3lb. burger on a 1lb. bun consisting 2lbs. of cheese, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and other condiments with a side of 1lb. fries.
Prize: Your meal is on the house

10. Davy Jones Locker Challenge

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Location: Port Royal Grille, N.Y.
Address: 591 Main St.
Website: portroyalpubandgrille.com
Number of people who have completed the challenge: 4 winners
Quantity of food: 2 stuffed fish filets, fried clams, and steamed mussels, 6 skewers of shrimp, 4 crab-leg clusters, 2 sides of your choice, and a soup or salad
Prize: Your meal is on the house


9. The 11-Pound Carnivore Pizza Challenge

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Location: Big Pie in the Sky, Ga.
Address: 2090 Baker Rd. 
Website: bigpieinthesky.com
Number of people who have completed the challenge: 7 teams of two have succeeded
Quantity of food: 11lb. carnivore pizza with extra meat
Prize: Your name goes on the restaurant's website and you're rewarded $250


8. The Bacon Bomb Challenge

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Location: Paddy Long's, Ill.
Address: 1028 West Diversey Pkwy. 
Website: paddylongs.com
Number of people who have completed the challenge: 5 wins, 85 losses
Quantity of food: 5lbs. of ground sausage, pork and beef mixed with spices, wrapped in brown sugar bacon
Prize: A t-shirt, a spot on the Wall of Fame, and a free bacon bomb


7. The Full-o-Bull Challenge

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Location: Cowtown Diner, Texas
Address: 305 Main St.
Website: cowtowndiner.com
Number of people who have completed the challenge: Nearly 175 contestants have tried and failed
Quantity of food: 64oz. chicken fried steak with Texas portion sides of mashed potatoes and toast
Prize: Your meal is on the house and you'll receive a t-shirt that says, "I came to Cowtown Diner hungry and left Full-o-Bull"


6. Free 80oz. Steak Dinner Challenge

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Location: Thorny's Steakhouse & Saloon, S.C.

Address: 600 South Kings Highway

Website: thornys.com

Number of people who have completed the challenge: 47 contestants, 1 winner

Quantity of food: 80oz. steak dinner, baked potato, side salad, and a yeast roll with butter

Prize: A free steak, a t-shirt and your picture on the Steak Wall of Fame

5. The Inferno Soup Challenge

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Location: Nitally's ThaiMex Cuisine, Fla.
Address: 2462 Central Ave.
Website: nitallys.com
Number of people who have completed the challenge: Many have attempted, few have succeeded
Quantity of food: 48-ounce bowl of soup containing broth, veggies, peppers, and 12 kinds of spicy peppers from around the world
Prize: $1000


4. Pancake Challenge

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Location: Seiad Valley Store and Café, Calif.
Address: 44719 California 96
Website: users.sisqtel.net
Number of people who have completed the challenge: 7 people over the course of 15 years
Quantity of food: 5lbs of pancakes with butter and syrup
Prize: Your meal is on the house

3. Fat Sal's "Big Fat Fatty" Sandwich

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Location: Fat Sal's Deli, Calif.
Address: Locations in both Los Angeles and San Diego
Website: fatsalsdeli.com
Number of people who have completed the challenge: Between 700 to 800 orders, only 2 professional eaters finished
Quantity of food: 27" long, 12-pound sandwich consisting of cheese steak, cheese burgers, pastrami, chicken fingers, bacon, mozerella, fried eggs, jalapeno peppers, fried onion rings, chili, marinara, and fat sauce (whatever that is)
Prize: A free sandwich and the chance to name it

2. The Zellagabetsky

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Location: Kenny and Ziggy's Delicatessen, Texas
Address: 2327 Post Oak Blvd.
Website: KennyandZiggys.com
Number of people who have completed the challenge: 3 winners (including Shaquille O'Neal)
Quantity of food: 3 1/2- to 4-pound sandwich layered with six deli meats on special cut rye bread with corned beef, pastrami, turkey, roast beef, salami, tongue, and swiss cheese with cole slaw, russian dressing, and red sweet pepper 
Prize: A slice of cheesecake

1. The Doc Roger's Burrito Challenge

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Location: Nacho Mamma's, R.I.
Address: 76 State St.
Website: nachomamasri.com
Number of people who have completed the challenge: 57 attempted and all failed
Quantity of food: 4 1/2lb. to 5lb. burrito, your choice of ground beef, pulled pork, chicken, or veggies. All toppings are selected prior to challenge by the cook.
Prize: If you finish within 30 minutes, you'll be rewarded a trophy, a t-shirt, and the opportunity to name your burrito. If you're not successful in 30 minutes, you will be rewarded $25 for your efforts.


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