Not only has New York-New York hosted Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Championship (an official qualifying round of the Nathan's Famous worldwide hot dog eating circuit) for twelve-straight years; we are indeed also home to some eating contests of our own. In a city that prides itself in being replete with "tallest," "biggest," "most expensive"-type epithets, not to mention a plethora of "all-you-can-eats," it makes sense that we'd be home to a food challenge or three.
We'll start with one that's been around for 18 months or so, but which we only just discovered in the course of looking for something else (isn't that always the way?) Graziano's Pizza (8410 W. Desert Inn) is the continuation of a family-run pizza tradition that began in 1969 in New York. Their 24" Monster Pizza Challenge has recently been upgraded from 8 to 10 lbs of dough, mozarella, sauce, veggies, and meat ("to make it more of challenge. The challenge is to eat it with the help of a friend and so far, many have tried -- including one solo contestant who made it down to the last two or three slices and had to call it quits -- but only a half-dozen or so have succeeded. Successful contestants are rewarded with a T-shirt each, their photo in the Hall of Fame, and ... two large pizzas (ha! presumably you don't have to eat them the same day). Be warned, if you try and fail, that's about $45-worth of pizza you're looking at.
Next up, the "Bomb Burrito" at the Sahara's NASCAR Café. This 24-inch, six-pound entrée ($19.95 and intended for six to eight people), is free if you can handle it solo. If you succesfully devour the guacamole-and-cheese-slathered monster you get it for free, you're also rewarded with two unlimited coaster passes to Speed: The Ride (probably wise to let that burrito settle a little before looping the loop), plus a T-shirt proclaiming you "Conquered the Bomb." Fail and, in addition to the $19.95 tab, you have to take a picture with an extra small, pink T-shirt that says "Weenie."
The Longhorn Casino (5288 Boulder Highway) serves a one-pound "Monsterburger" and a 1 1/2-pound, 22-inch Vienna hot dog (a local bakery was recruited to make special buns). Both sell for $9.99 and that's not waived if you finish 'em, but you do get a certificate.
Last but not least, at the other end of the foodie spectrum, Brand Steakhouse at the Monte Carlo is home to Chef Brian Massie's "Ultimate Steak" challenge. A entrée available for two (40 ounces for $92), for four (80 ounces for $178), and for six (120 ounces for $267), it's served with potato gratin and two signature sauces and if you eat the 120-ouncer all by yourself, it's on the house.
So far, we're aware of two people having completed the challenge (both of them pros on the competitive-eating circuit). You can watch one of them in action here on RawVegas.TV. When we asked Chef Massie if he'd ever tried it himself, he replied in the negative and that he had no intention of ever trying.
The only other Las Vegas eating challenge we've come across was the Big Daddy nine-pound Barrick Burger, which was served at the Vegas Club's Upper Deck in a 12-inch bun with a half-head of lettuce, two tomatoes, two onions, four pickles, mayo, mustard, and 12 slices of American cheese. It sold for $49.99 but that venue closed some years ago now. If anyone has come across a challenge we're unaware of, please let us know.
