Oysters Challenge

      Louisiana is one of my favorite places to visit. It use to be one of the many places I have lived in my life, but it is special because just outside of New Orleans was my first home. Regardless, of a wonderful Football team (Who dat?)and the crazy festive of Mardi Gras, Louisiana is known for their food and culture.
     the Acme Oyster House has multiple Locations throughout Louisiana and they offer one of the most unusal eating challenges I have come across. The contestant has to eat 15 dozen oysters in one sitting. Lets do the math, 1 dozen is 12 oysters, so 15x12=180 oysters. I lover oysters, but even I'm questioning how many I can eat in one setting. According to the rules:

Challenge: Eat 15 dozen oysters (180) in one sitting .
Time Limit: Must average 7 dozen an hour, can’t sit there all day.
People: 1
Prize: Free (or discounted) Oysters, Name on the wall, T-shirt
Rules: According to the website the only rule is you have to eat them in one sitting by yourself, but ask your waitress for official rules

The website also makes mention that this challenge was featured on Man vs. Food. But, the funniest thing was all the people who had completed the challenge and went on to eat a couple more dozen oysters. The record was set in January of 2012 by Brad Sciullo for eating 43 Dozen or 513 oysters in one setting. Each dozen cost 11$ normally, but if you eat 15 dozen then they cost 5.50$ . The only way to get it for free is to beat the record of 43. Good luck.

The Olympic Burger Challenge

     Afton, Wyoming is a small town of country folks that are perfectly content with life despite never wondering beyond the states border. Afton is dear to my heart because my mother grew up there. She can't stand the small town atmosphere and now prefers the big city while my dad who grew up in big cities is sick of the noise and prefers the country.
       Regardless, this small town is home to the Rulon Burger challenge at Rulon Gardner's Burger Barn. The restaurant is owned by the legendary Rulon Gardner who won a gold medal in wrestling during the 2000 Olympics. He did this by beating Alexander Karelin from Russia, who hadn't lost over 13 years. I've personally never met him, but my aunt went to high school with him in his hometown of Afton.
      The challenge is to finish a 1.5lb burger, basket of fries, and a 44-ounce drink in 20 minutes. Perhaps the coolest thing about beating this challenge is getting a a signed Rulon Gardner Olympic Champion T-shirt and their name on Rulon's Wall of Fame.So far the best time has been 8 minutes, 23 seconds since the restaurants opening in 2004.
     This is definitely a challenge I am excited to try within the next few months when I visit my grandma up in Afton. For anyone heading north to Jacksonhole remember to stop.

The Inferno Soup Challenge - Never been Done!

      Nitally's is debatable the most inhumane challenge I have heard of. It is a Thai-Mexican restaurant in St. Peterburg Florida that offers a soup so imaginably hot that supposedly no one has ever finished it. Originally, the owners offered 150$ to anyone who could do the challenge, but since no one has yet to ever finish the entire bowl, the prize has raised up to 1000$. 
    The soup uses Ghost Peppers, perhaps the hottest eatable ingredient  known to man. It is about 100 times hotter than a Jalapeno pepper. It is "a pepper so dangerous the Indian government considered using them in non-lethal hand grenades".
       Nitally's restaurants website list several regulations before a participant can even compete. 1) be 18 or older. 2) be in good health and of a sound mind. 3) no getting up from your seat. 4) Must be sober. The bowl must be Finished in 30 minutes to earn the respect of being the first to win 1000$. However, if you fail then the penalty is a 49.99$ bowl of the most miserable soup imaginable. Too any brave souls willing to try it, we salute you.

Tacos

      Poblanos is a Mexican bar and grill in four different locations (Clearwater, Bradenton, Johnson City, Bradon) in Florida. Although I use to live in Florida for a number of years, I never have had the opportunity of trying their food. Regardless, next time I fly back there I'm going to have to try their 20 Tacos in 40 Minutes challenge.
      Contestants given a plate full of 10 tacos at a time. Only 13 people have finished the challenge to win the lavish prize of a paid-meal, T-shirt and photo. this surprised me cause this challenge seems like something I'd be willing to try and willing to bet that would be relatively easy. The reigning champion is posted on their website with a record of 31 Tacos in 40 minutes. 

their website posted the RULES:

1. Must eat at least 20 tacos in 40 minutes to qualify.
2. Cannot leave the table at any time during the contest.
3. The tacos are served 10 at a time.
4. The plate must be cleaned out.
5. If 20 tacos are eaten, then we will pay for the tacos and you will get a Poblano's shirt.
6. Your photo will be on out Taco Contest Wall, website and facebook
   
7. You are disqualified if you cannot keep them down.

Man v. Food: Big Juds

Living in Provo has tons of advantages and activities to do as a college student but, it is lacking what BYU Idaho has at it's back door. Big Juds is a tasty burger place that has several locations throughout Idaho. When I have visited my sister at school she took us to try their delicious burgers. Note, they come highly recommended. Although, there 2 lb challenge burger may not be as grand as some of my previous post, it is more doable than what is expected from other challenges. Try it!

Salt Lake City Crown Burgers

As far back as I remember, one of the traditions my family had when we would fly into Utah was eating dinner downtown at Crown Burger. We all looked forward to enjoying a pastrami burger after an exhausting four to five hour flight from Texas. Crown Burger is an amazing restaurant with burgers so delectable that your mouth will start watering before you even come within a mile of the restaurant. There are several scarce location throughout Utah and unfortunately I am not as close as I would presently like to be to one. It is seriously one of my favorite burger places I have ever enjoyed.As far as I know there is no challenges associated with the burger place, but it is still a note worthy eatery that deserves commendable attention.

TurBaconEpic Thanksgiving - Epic Meal Time

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It is a time when everyone enjoys the company of loved ones. There is no meal that can compare to this yearly feast (except for Christmas ham which comes close).
      Epic Meal Time is a series on YouTube that gives a whole new meaning to "A LOT" of food. In the video they prepare a Thanksgiving feast which is comparison to some of their other meals, is quite small. Although there is no official challenge stated in their videos, it is apparent that they are trying to make their meal as big and grand as imaginable. Some of their other videos include them making lasagna with up to 45 Burgers from various fast food chains too a 35 gallon sundae. I'm not sure how they afford all the food and if they even manage to eat half of it, but it is really fun to watch regardless. Happy Thanksgiving.

The Cinnamon Challenge

     This food challenge doesn't cost anything and doesn't take that much time to try, but be careful not to choke. All you need is 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.The official rules may vary in time limit, but I say if you can even get the cinnamon down than you officially beat the challenge. The problem is, the cinnamon drys up one's mouth, making it very difficult to swallow.
     I did this challenge with a group of people and everyone gave up quickly except for me. After about 15 minutes of trying to put it down, I was able to get the cinnamon moist enough in my mouth. However, I really had no intentions of eating a clump of cinnamon from that point forward.
       Check out Glozell on YouTube. In this video she attempts to do the cinnamon challenge. She does all these random food challenges and they will have you rolling on the ground.

Voodoo Donuts

      I first heard of Voodoo donuts while living in Oregon. my mom sent me an email telling me about this strange doughnut shop that she had  seen on the food network.There are only three locations, all of which are in Oregon. Two in Portland, one in Eugene.
     When I first went to the shop I was surprised at how plain the store was. However, the donuts are what really stood out because of the random toppings and odd shapes of some of the donuts. One doughnut alone is 1.50$ (which is considerably more expensive than the average doughnut), but I quickly found out if you buy the "day old donuts," then you can buy a box of 30 for 5$. I'm not exaggerating, they literally give you a bucket full of donuts.
      
       As a missionary I would buy one every week and make it a goal to pass all the donuts out while talking to people. That proved to be a difficult challenge.I kept one bucket in my car for days and it smelt like a heavenly bakery, but after several days I was so disgusted with the smell that I gave up on donuts.Voodoo donuts is a must for anyone desiring sweets. My favorite doughnut is topped with Oreos and drizzled with peanut butter. They are the ultimate donuts in size and uniqueness.

The Burger Challenge

Everyone loves a burger. They go with any dinner or lunch. Call me crazy, but one of my favorite places to get a burger is McDonalds. Call my friend crazy, who claims he has never had a hamburger. Regardless, everyone has a favorite burger place, but have you ever dreamed of a burger so big that it would fill every appetite you've ever dreamed of.

This burger from Mallie's Sport Grill and Bar (Southgate, MI) is the ultimate burger. For $400, one can order the "Absolutely Ridiculous Burger" (pictures above). It is 134 lbs. of ridiculous to be exact. Few have attempted the challenge. A group of thirty journalists attempted and barely scratched the surface. The burger is topped with cheese, bacon, and all the fixings.

Finally in 2009, Mallie's set a Guinness World record. For a price as big as the burger ($499.00) you can get a 185 lb burger (picture to the right). However, if your planning on ordering this burger you better call in advance because it takes 15 hours to cook the meat and 8 hours for the bun.
If this is too much then maybe you can take on Mallie's smaller hamburgers which weigh between 12lbs to a 1/2 lb.

The Kong Kone!

     The first time someone told me about Macey's Kong cone, I didn't know what they were talking about. They motioned with their hands to accurately represent the stack of ice cream that accompanied the cone, but I was accustomed to extreme exaggeration. However, fate brought me to a Macey's grocery store one night. I decided to go for a Kong cone cause it was only $1.50, which in my mind meant very little since I normally was accustomed to paying $4 or more for a standard ice cream cone.
     As the employee made my cone before my eyes, I was bewildered as it grew and grew as ice cream piled on top. He then handed me at least half a foot long cone. I just looked at the guy and asked expressionless, "you serious?"
    This cone is not a specified challenge, but it is a ton of ice cream none the less. The only one out of the group I was with that managed to finish was a girl. I ate three quarters and felt well above satisfied despite the shame of losing to a girl. It's good ice cream and it sure is an experience in itself if you can finish it.

Omelet Challenge

      From the picture one might initially think "that's a funky looking pizza." However, it is an abnormal super pancake. How super? Try 25 fluid oz. of pancake + 2 cups of country potatoes + 1 cup of cheese + 4 (1cup) choices of multiply other toppings such as bacon, avocado,onions, bell peppers, etc, to create the dreamlike omelet. It is big enough to feed 4 to 6 people, but in order to qualify and attempt to beat the challenge, one has to walk this road alone. Seems reasonable since most challenges only involve a single proud soul, whom in most cases will quickly be humbled regardless of finishing or not. Yet to add to the difficulty a time limit of 45 minutes is taxed to the challenge. Don't choke on the food because a prize will be awarded upon completion. Including a free T-shirt, a coffee mug, a picture on the wall of fame and best of all, the meal is free ($32.99 value).

    Batter Up Pancakes is located in Fresno California and unlike I-hop, you can try a pancake with butterfingers, Oreo's and other delectable candies on top. Sounds delicious! Check out their site at:

http://www.batteruppancakes.com/

The Steak Challenge

     Anyone from Texas or anyone who has ever known an avid Texan, knows that the great lone star state is built on a love of  steakhouses. My uncle came down to visit Texas officially (other than the airport) last Christmas and is still talking about a Houston steakhouse that he went to called "The Taste of Texas". Texans love there steakhouses so much that they need it everywhere they travel, so don't tell me you haven't been  to a Texas Roadhouse.
     Remember, everything is bigger in Texas. So naturally, Texans want a big steak. The 72 oz. challenge is at "The Big Texan" restaurant up in the panhandle of the state in a city called Amarillo. A normal large portion of steak at any steakhouse in comparison is 32oz. on average. So this steak more than doubles that expectation. However, If you can complete the challenge it's free.
     The steak challenge originated with the opening owner R.J. "Bob" Lee, who was trying to fulfill the appetite of the hungry cowboys who were ranching all day long in the blistering heat. One cowboy ate 4½ pounds of meat after proclaiming boastfully that he was so hungry he could eat the entire cow. From that day forth the challenge became a stereotypical reminder of why everything in Texas is bigger.

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    Unfortunately, like most food challenges there are additional edible components other than the steak that needs to be finished. Including a baked potato, salad, dinner roll and shrimp cocktail. Thousands have tried and learned the lesson the hard way, "don't mess with Texas". While on the other hand few have actually succeeded.  Best grab your horse and cowboy up, this is one difficult challenge. The question is though, "are you Texan enough to try it"?
www.bigtexan.com

Playing with Food

      By definition a food challenge can fit anyone's personal preference but, I simply think it is a way to enjoy food more because you are playing with it. At a younger age I was guilty of mixing as much food as i could into my glass of water to blend the most horrific cocktail imaginable. It was difficult to get more than three or four ingredients before my dad would pop me over the head and tell me to "stop playing with my food". Regardless, this was a challenge that the imagination of a young kid made up with the objective to make the worst blend possible.
    Today, there are many food challenges that do not require you to go to a restaurant to eat a 20lb burger. For instances, the gallon challenge which requires one to drink an entire gallon of milk in an hour. Some tack on the additional obligation of running a mile after drinking it but, you are strongly unlikely to finish it before you lose it. I watched from a distance as several people tried it and failed miserably. This challenge is not for the faint of heart and not by my recommendation but, it is notable.
     Most people say it is impossible but, I have seen someone once finish a gallon and a half in an hour but, the guy was 6'5 and probably 280lbs. Online the fastest someone claims to have done it is in about 42 seconds. Anyways, just another one of those playing with your food challenge ideals. Have fun with it.  

Hardy's Hot Wings

      I had scarcely been out a month on my mission in Bend, Oregon when without much choice I was forced to taste some of the hottest, scorching, wings imaginable. Why such inhumane wings were created and why anyone within their right senses (other than falling to peer pressure) would attempt such a feat, is still unclear to me. The objective was simple, 15 wings in 15 minutes but, the execution was unthinkable.
     Even before the wings left the kitchen the smell alone struck my nostrils painfully causing my eyes to water. I sat across from one of my unfortunate friends who innocently accepted the challenge only to have increasing remorse as the wings approached our table. The waiter sat our baskets before us and I knew it was nothing more than a death sentence. A twisted smile came across the waiters face as the stop watch in  his hand clicked before I had my last words.
     Immediately, both of us dived into our baskets taking no thought of retreat but, keeping the motivation that every wing eaten is one less torment to finish. The trick was to eat fast with no thought about the repercussions.
    "How is it" I barely managed to choke out to my red faced miserable friend who had sauce smeared across his mouth.
    "Just like fast and testimony meeting" he joked but, the tears that ran down his eyes lacked humor.

     It was quick but, not painless, as I finished the last wing just short of beating my friend. Both of us gasping for air and emptying the water cups that lined the table on our behalf. I thought to myself, "if I can get through that than two years will be a piece of cake".

Challenges on Television.

      The tenth season of Hell's Kitchen just reached it's climax with another lucky individual claiming the right of passage as a head chief at their own restaurant. For any who may not be familiar with this show, it is a reality series that takes 18 random chiefs that compete in various food challenges by cooking and running a kitchen. Yet, the most notable reason for watching the show is Chief Gordon Ramsay who yells constantly at the disorder and lack of skill among some of the less professional chiefs.
     Regardless, this is not a typical food challenge one would normally try unless you considered yourself a luck of the draw to participate on the show but, the reasons I bring it into attention is the fact that it involves food and competition. An entire reality show was built on the foundation of  being rewarded ones very own restaurant but, only if they can out cook and out perform all 17 other competing chiefs. There are many other reality competition shows that involve people competing with food such as Chopped, Cupcake wars, or Man vs. Food.
     Now, I personally am not as big of a fan of the food network as my mom but, a lot of these shows are very enticing. Watching people cook doesn't sound that interesting but, each show offers their own critical, humorous, ways of presenting the subject of cooking, eating, and competing. These shows are all food challenges that are worth a glance if not a faithful reviewing.