Joey Chestnut sets Big Texan 72 oz. record

March 26, 2008 at 9:11 am by ojrifkin · More posts about:Amarillo, Big Texan, Joey Chestnut, Podcasts

Frank Pastore, former Cincinnati Reds pitcher and current radio talk show host, reports in his blog that Joey Chestnut broke his record for the Big Texan’s 72 ounce steak and side items. Chestnut’s mark was 8 minutes and 52 seconds, breaking Pastore’s 21 year old record of 9 and a half minutes.

update A podcast of Frank Pastore’s appearance on the Hugh Hewitt show is available. Pastore’s segment starts around the 18:50 mark.

Comments (40)

40 Comments »

  1. Rhonda Evans said

    March 26, 2008 @ 9:26 am

    Congratulations Joey!

  2. A. Nonymous said

    March 26, 2008 @ 10:01 am

    So, I take it that the IFOCE restaurant challenge ban is no longer in effect.

  3. I said

    March 26, 2008 @ 10:27 am

    so did the ifoce take back the challenge ban??

  4. A. Nonymous said

    March 26, 2008 @ 10:40 am

    It’s a shame he didn’t do it a couple days later – a one month suspension would eliminate him from the Stockton Asparagus contest.

  5. FuriousPete said

    March 26, 2008 @ 11:16 am

    Can’t wait to beat that record!

  6. not realy said

    March 26, 2008 @ 11:17 am

    Joey Chestnut droped from rankings.

    http://www.ifoce.com/rankings.php

  7. not realy said

    March 26, 2008 @ 11:19 am

    Joey chestnut ban from IFOCE.

    http://www.ifoce.com/news.php?action=detail&sn=583

  8. Rhonda Evans said

    March 26, 2008 @ 12:13 pm

    Guys, anyone who knows anything about the rules at all know that IFOCE-contracted eaters are prohibited from participating in eating challenges, except with prior approval. Many eaters have eaten in challenges WITH that organization’s blessing–Tim Janus, Humble Bob, Eric Booker, Pat Bertoletti, and now Joey. I’m certain there are many others I’m not mentioning.

    But if an eater just takes it upon himself or herself to eat at an event outside the organizational umbrella without obtaining prior approval, that eater is risking his affiliation with MLE. It seems simple enough to me. Some of you are just trying to stir up dust; most know better; all should know better.

  9. I said

    March 26, 2008 @ 1:52 pm

    no you are wrong rhonda…never did the ifoce say you could do challenges with prior approval…that is how you can do other contests, with prior approval, but the ifoce never said anything about any way to get around the so called ban…i think thats why ifoce eaters hate it so much because the ifoce said ban with no way around..

  10. anonymous said

    March 26, 2008 @ 1:55 pm

    Rhonda cut the caps with “IFOCE” “MLE” and contracted eaters blah blah. Like you are some devoted officer with those people. There are no rules its all about stealth marketing and its people like you that put big smiles on the faces of these jokers that run the show when you make them feel twice as important as they really are. How come M-F you are all over this site and weekends you become non existant ?

  11. I said

    March 26, 2008 @ 2:15 pm

    hey anonymous lose the m-f shit because that can go for anyone..hey that is true for me too..maybe rhonda only has access at work or free time m-f or whatever..you are grabbing for something that is stupid

  12. eatchugmore said (Registered December 16, 2007)

    March 26, 2008 @ 2:56 pm

    Well Pete, that’s a good challenge, let’s see if you can do it, good luck!

  13. annoymus said

    March 26, 2008 @ 3:09 pm

    Joey can do what he wants and will not get banned because the Sheas can make money off him. But let another low level ranked eater do the same and look out for the suspensions to fly.

  14. Rhonda Evans said

    March 26, 2008 @ 4:12 pm

    Maybe I elect to have a life outside of CE on the weekends. You should try it too. It broadens horizons and opens minds. All competitive eating blogging and nothing else make eatfeats addicts grumpy and narrow.

    Said another way, I refuse to become a weekend “assaholic.” That’s one who needs the constant company of various anonymous-blogging a**holes to quench his thirst for stupidity.

    Okay, (I said), apparently you know more than I do. But I won’t change my belief about what I know to be the spirit and intent of the “ban.” Nothing I said is untrue.

  15. Rhonda Evans said

    March 26, 2008 @ 4:15 pm

    Joey did nothing wrong. If you were where he is you’d do the same. You are just wallowing in your own disgruntlement. Wake up and go for a dog!

  16. New York said

    March 26, 2008 @ 4:40 pm

    Let’s all go and try break the record right now

  17. Pete's Voice said

    March 26, 2008 @ 5:28 pm

    It would seem that Rhonda will stick up for any IFOCE member with Big Gun’s like Dr Big Time and Pete The Philly Guy

  18. Rhonda luvs Brian said

    March 26, 2008 @ 7:22 pm

    Rhonda/George:
    Today you say this:
    But if an eater just takes it upon himself or herself to eat at an event outside the organizational umbrella without obtaining prior approval, that eater is risking his affiliation with MLE. It seems simple enough to me. Some of you are just trying to stir up dust; most know better; all should know better.

    Back when you where trying to smear Joey this is what you said:
    Rhonda Evans said,
    February 22, 2008 @ 8:46 am

    I’m sure most every IFOCE eater would welcome Joey getting an agent, because that would likely mean not only his “departure” from the IFOCE, but his not being authorized to compete in IFOCE events. This, in turn, would mean more prize money available to MLE eaters in any contest where Joey would normally appear.

    George:
    You are such a sneak and a liar. It’s a shame.

  19. Anonymous said

    March 27, 2008 @ 1:07 am

    Rhonda luvs Brian is Joeys brother and hes crazy.

  20. Anonymous said

    March 27, 2008 @ 1:11 am

    I think Rhondas right. If Joey was not part of the I.F.O.C.E. there would be more money for all other eaters.and what eater would kick away that oppertunity?

    Do you really thing R.E.. is George Shea?

  21. Rhonda Evans said

    March 27, 2008 @ 7:21 am

    Thanks everyone who uses my name as part of their name. As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I’m actually blushing …

    For Rhonda Luvs Brian: I’m glad you cut and pasted my remarks. First, those statements are not diametrically opposed. Second, I currently have much respect for Joey, and it has grown over the past year.

    Third, and most importantly, your “sneak and liar” remarks epitomize what’s wrong with the management of your organization today. You, as a manager, don’t try to improve your lot in the endeavor of competitive eating. You take pride in trying to poke holes in the only professionally run eating organization today–the IFOCE, or MLE. Reflecting on 4+ years of that behaviour, where has it gotten you?

    Not only do those mudslinging tactics not work, their only purpose is to harm and degrade, and that occurs only out of jealousy, because you don’t get the acclaim MLE does. It’s a shame the real eaters in your organization have to suffer because of it. They’re good people and talented eaters who ask for very little and probably receive even less.

    The Sheas, on the other hand, while I disagree with some of how they operate, I respect the fact that MLE got to be where it is today by focusing on the positive, looking forward, and not berating extraorganizational eaters as you do.

    There should be a lesson here for you, but because your logic is so off-kilter, you will regard any change in attitude as admitting you are a sneak and a liar. That’s too bad.

  22. Rhonda Evans said

    March 27, 2008 @ 7:24 am

    For Rhonda Luvs Brian,

    If I WERE George, after reading what you “wrote,” I would say in front of a live nation-wide audience, “I have never been so emotional since my dog gave birth to her first litter. Thank God not one of them was a chow hound!”

  23. Rhonda Evans said

    March 27, 2008 @ 7:40 am

    Oh, one more thing: remember that thread that was started last week, Rhonda Luvs Brian? Well if Brian were to do a song about you, here are some title suggestions:

    1. Chaos in the kennel.
    2. I’m “tick”-ed off … I lost yet again.
    3. I was eatin’ and my canines fell out.
    4. The bitch is mine.
    5. He’s “ear”-ily despicable.
    6. When it comes to CE he’s the runt of the litter.
    7. That 12-inch bone is my ruler.
    8. Alpo has “nuthin” on that sweet pickle.

    I have many … so many … more.

  24. I think i know said

    March 27, 2008 @ 10:55 am

    chowhound is mentally deranged and goes off into these tirades every now and then. Its obvious after reading those alias hateful remarks against the shea’s that he needs alot of help. By the way do you think Brian runs eatfeats?

  25. Gentleman Joe said

    March 27, 2008 @ 11:33 am

    Rhonda,

    Aice is more ‘mom & pop’ than the ifoce. If you want to say professional, so be it.

    The eaters who compete in Aice events do NOT suffer. Some eaters who might be distant table enders in the ifoce, receive respect, consideration, ‘sponsorship’ & the like from Aice, that you do NOT receive in, or from the ifoce.

    Having eaten in many contests held by both organizations,(& the apparently defunct Eatorf) as well as many independant events over the years, I am uniquely qualified to give a reasoned opinion on both (or nearly all) organizations strengths & weaknesses.

    I’ve had very public disagreements with the ifoce & some much less public ones with Aice.

    The ifoce does what it does, Aice does what it does, & I think both are reasonably content with where they are, have been, & will be in the future.

  26. Rhonda Evans said

    March 27, 2008 @ 1:20 pm

    GJoe I believe what you say to be true … overall. But Mr. Chapman expresses a lot of resentment towards and dissatisfaction with the IFOCE / MLE.

    Whatever the IFOCE does is their business and has no effect on independent eaters, and vice-versa for the AICE. So there should be contentment. They’re two different animals–the “Mom and Pop,” just for funzies, picnic-like organization that is the AICE, and the more business-like, money-driven IFOCE. (I won’t use the word, professional, here.)

    I personally think they can coexist quite nicely. But the top dog always seems to be the one to have a bone to pick about this (no pun intended–really). Overall I think that deep inside Arnie’s a good person with admirable traits. But many of his comments are “jack-assish,” childish, and mean-spirited.

    That’s what I don’t like. I can’t speak for anyone else … only me.

  27. Rhonda Evans said

    March 27, 2008 @ 1:35 pm

    There is no way Brian Seiken “runs” or is behind eatfeats. I mean … like … the man’s making an album, working full time, and running his own site. The people behind eatfeats must spend every waking hour managing the site, given the Fort Knox-like wealth of information posted and updated on a continual basis.

    And as far as Brian and I being one and the same, maybe in a past life, but surely not in this one. Also I think his attempt at trying to don my jeans would last all of about 2 seconds. Anyway, I don’t relish strange men trying to get in my drawers–10 years ago, maybe, but not today.

  28. Voices in Rhonda's Head said

    March 27, 2008 @ 1:51 pm

    Are My Panties On Too Tight ? I seem to be full of animosity.

  29. anonymous said

    March 27, 2008 @ 2:50 pm

    If you look at the pic of brian from early 70’s from the show i think that if he wore 4 pair of pants he would still look like a stick. He appears more frail than sonya. Was he on crack or just not fed?

  30. joey b said

    March 27, 2008 @ 3:04 pm

    R.E. I usually agree with most of your comments, but I must disagree with the idea that MLE has only focused on the possitive. How is banning aice members from Wing Bowl, a home grown philly tradition, focusing on the possitive?

  31. Rhonda luvs Brian said

    March 27, 2008 @ 3:17 pm

    Once again, Rhonda. Who are you to call aice a “Mom and Pops” org?
    Except for Bertenelli, Chestnutt, and maybe Sonya, I think that AICE eaters Hickman, Gilbert, and Rubber Gut would give any of the rest of the IFOCE eaters a run for the money.
    Even Menchetti— he’s much better than when he started with IFOCE

    Rhonda you makes so many knowlegeable inside comments ton competitve eating that only someone who works for IFOCE would be privy to.
    You’ d have to be the biggest idiot on earth (or Brian Seiken) to spend so much time involved in a sport you get nothing from.
    My God, probably 70 percent of the posts are from you or Seiken and his aliases.
    You hide behind the skirt of your name—-
    No one knows you. You love comp eating sooo much and why hide. I’d like to meet you.
    As far as Chapman. Have you ever met him? He’s a great guy.

    Menchetti: One Question?
    What was Mom and Pop about your AICE sposored trip to Japan?

  32. Rhonda luvs Brian said

    March 27, 2008 @ 3:19 pm

    Thanks, Joey B., for actually seeing the truth.

  33. Rhonda Evans said

    March 27, 2008 @ 3:29 pm

    Joey B I said that I do disagree with “some of how they operate” (check above). I have ALWAYS maintained that I did not think it was fair to ban AICE-affiliated eaters from participating. I’ve said this for (almost) the last 2 years right on this site. A few exceptions does not make any organizations “bad” or “evil” or unscrupulous.

    Having said that, the IFOCE is a business–AICE is not–and it was WIP’s decision to go with that business alternative to gain MLE affiliation.

    And everyone in America has freedom of choice. Every potential eater can either play by MLE rules or they don’t have to. No one has a gun to any eater’s head to sign the contract. So if people want to sign and be a part of that organization–great. If they don’t–great.

  34. Bobby said

    March 27, 2008 @ 3:39 pm

    It’s funny because I always figured Chappman was OJ Rifkin. Only he can be so brilliant. I can see him right now on his laptop furiously punching away at the keys of his laptop (I guess him for Windows 2003) with those stupid mangled dog ears flopping all over the place. I wish he’d wash that thing. Nice work OJ Chappman.

  35. Rhonda Evans said

    March 27, 2008 @ 3:59 pm

    ‘ Luvs Brian,

    You said your piece; I’ve said mine. Above in an earlier post on this thread, just today, I said that deep inside Arnie’s a good person with admirable traits, but that many of his comments … are “jack-assish,” childish, and mean-spirited. That’s how you come/he comes across.

    Anyway, my contention is that pointing out faults/imperfections of others does nothing to make us better on either an individual or organizational level–whether it’s you, me, or the next person. I think you know this, but your hardheadedness and unwillingness to let go of your bear hug-like embrace of faults you proclaim MLE to have keeps you from being all you can be. (Hell, you were in the Army, abide by the slogan for pity’s sake…)

    Your goal is (seems to be) to whittle away at the success of others, so that you can come closer to that level. And still, after 4 years, where are you now with that same logic? Again, I think there’s a lesson here.

    I too think Joe, Ian, Goose, and Elizabeth are as good as a couple or three of the IFOCE’s top 10 eaters. I really do. I think Elizabeth is the best of that lot, overall–especially pound-for-pound, but you don’t market her properly. She’s a diamond–not merely hardening coal; use her as such to market your organization.

    Like I’ve maintained many times. It’s amazing when people of any size eat a lot, but I and others (as fans) feel privileged to witness something very special when you see a little 100-110 lbs woman keep up with the big guys, let alone outeat them.

    Food for thought …

  36. Gentleman Joe said

    March 27, 2008 @ 4:17 pm

    It would knock me out like Tyson in his prime if BB was Rhonda or ran eatfeats.

    It would mean he’s a genius & just plays it as though he’s a psychotic self-centered moron.

    I’ve given my thoughts regarding both in the past.

    Arnie probably shouldn’t visit this site. Or, atleast not post, even under pseudenyms. It does seem to get him riled up.

  37. Gentleman Joe said

    March 27, 2008 @ 4:38 pm

    There was absolutely nothing ‘Mom & Pop’ regarding Japan. It couldn’t have been more professional.

    Calling Aice a ‘Mom & Pop’ was not meant to be taken as a negative. Far from it.

    Its where i’ve hung my (top) hat, & i’m happy with that.

    Going back to pickles, I respect some, if not all of the eaters (as eaters & people) who may compete in that event. I above all, understand the want to eat when & where I want, when I want. That said, I do NOT respect there decision(s) to compete in this event.

    Everyone would be better off if someone went to another deli with a pickle championship had an entry fee & had it winner take all, if it couldn’t be truly sponsored.

    Money = respect. Giving out nothing but lunch, after eating pickles for 5 freakin’ minutes, shows utter & complete disrespect.

    If anyone who may feel offended, wants to argue or discuss this off board, as i’ve done in other situations, that is fine by me.

    203-265-7778 H
    203-671-8499 mobile

  38. marketing dept. said

    March 27, 2008 @ 5:31 pm

    Eating talent is not equal to marketability.

    Goose & Rubber Gut, and Chestnut for that matter, very difficult to market.

  39. Anonymous said

    March 29, 2008 @ 2:40 pm

    Here is the video of Joey Chestnut Breaking The Big Texan 72oz steak record!!!!!!!!!!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqwnCWcs_d0

  40. Anonymous said

    March 29, 2008 @ 6:43 pm

    Video of Joey Chestnut setting the Big Texan 72 oz. record!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqwnCWcs_d0

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