Peoria contest ($1000 prize) takes aim at Nathan’s
The PJ Star reports that Todd Rawls of Vertucci’s Chicago Style Eats has high ambitions for the Independence Day hot dog eating contest he is organizing in East Peoria, IL:
“Chicago is, in my opinion, the hot dog capital of the world,” Rawls said. “Everybody knows their Chicago dog. So I’m shocked Chicago hasn’t done this. Well, they’ve had their opportunity. East Peoria’s going to do it, and we’re going to get known. I’d love to be able to see this overtake Nathan’s, and I think it can get done quickly if purse money – the money that can be won by eating – exceeds Nathan’s.”
The contest will start off with $1,000 prize money for the winner, but the eatery is looking for sponsors to increase the pot for next year.
The contest has a page on the city of East Peoria’s web page. Prospective entrants will need to qualify at Vertucci’s Chicago Style Eats by eating as many hot dogs as possible in 9 minutes. The best performances will receive entry into the contest and the qualification fee is $9.99
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Hater said
June 12, 2008 @ 7:10 am
Classy organization, charging contestants for entering your contest. Not a great start to becoming “bigger than Nathan’s”. What’s next – 1/2 price for all hot dogs eaten during the contest?!?
anonymous said
June 12, 2008 @ 8:57 am
The $9.99 might be to keep out the people seeking a free lunch. Such as a Super Paul, or a Beautiful Brian, etc.
HammerTime said (Registered May 20, 2008)
June 12, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
I believe I will be taking part in this one…with all the big names in Coney Island I might be able to walk away with a grand.
tack said
June 13, 2008 @ 7:58 am
Anybody with any common sense should see that the 9.99 must be to keep the non serious contenders out of the mix. Besides 9.99 to get a shot to win a GRAND sounds like a real deal. I’ll be inquiring about this one.
right said
June 13, 2008 @ 9:29 am
I bet GJoe wins it.
Anonymous said
June 13, 2008 @ 10:43 am
I bet Big Joe dont win .
Rhonda Evans said
June 13, 2008 @ 11:39 am
The Gentleman is a world-class eater at most foods, and especially in shorter contests. But I think he’ll admit that HDBs are not one of his better foods and 9 minutes is above his temporal comfort zone.
Joe is adept at handling the weiner, just not at the table.
North Pole said (Registered April 28, 2008)
June 13, 2008 @ 1:46 pm
If G-Man Joe defends his title in the 5th Annual Independence Day Hamburger Eating Championship, he’ll have to hop on a flight to make the hotdog contest by 8pm.
Anonymous said
June 13, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
ha that is the funniest thing i heard all day rhonda
Anonymous said
June 13, 2008 @ 10:01 pm
The last time I check Dale Boone rules in Hotdogs outside the IFOCE
johnny5isalive said (Registered June 24, 2008)
June 24, 2008 @ 8:21 am
This is going to be my first eating contest in about 5 years, but I have never been beaten in the 6 contests that I have entered.I have already qualified for a seat at the Big Dog Challenge and I hope there will be some competition to make it worth coming out of my contest eating retirement.By the way, if you have never had a Vertuccis hot dog they are a delicious 100% all-beef dog that is bun length on a bun that is huge and fairly dense, I wouldn’t expect any eye-popping numbers in this contest.
Eric Larson said
June 27, 2008 @ 2:42 pm
Look for me to win this hands down.
Jobo said
June 28, 2008 @ 11:43 am
…………….I hear Dice man knows a sleeper……………………..
Matt Kelly said
June 30, 2008 @ 11:03 pm
I ate 11 to qualify after eating three meals (one in the car, on the way to the audition). Good luck, everyone.
Eric Larson said
July 3, 2008 @ 2:36 pm
who’s the sleeper? Who’s dice man?
johnny5isalive said (Registered June 24, 2008)
July 5, 2008 @ 11:13 am
I was able to pull off another victory last night in the big dog challenge.The competition was good but I didn’t really eat the last three minutes of the contest and enjoyed watching a couple people doing reversals as they tried to catch up at the end.This will probably be my first and last hot dog competition though, it’s too hard on my body.I am going to stick with chicken wings,which are my specialty.(My best has been 53 wings in three minutes.)Does anyone know how I can qualify for the Wing Bowl?