5 Insane Food Challenges In America

Many restaurants pride themselves on a signature dish, and some of these places love their signature dish so much they decide to prepare it in mass amounts — and then challenge guests to eat as much of it as they possibly can. People from all over the world visit certain establishments to try these crazy food challenges. If they are victorious, they win not only pride, but usually a spot on a wall of fame.

The Cowtown Diner is home to the world's largest chicken-fried steak. If you finish the 64-ounce hunk of meat (which, by the way, is drenched in white gravy and bacon grease), along with six pounds of mashed potatoes and 10 slices of Texas toast, your meal is comped, and you get a T-shirt and a picture on the wall. No word on whether the restaurant will pay for your inevitable quadruple-bypass surgery.

This sandwich could only ever have been assembled in a college town. The "Big Fat Ugly Challenge" involves 20 ingredients, including four cheeseburgers, gyro meat, a pork roll, onion rings, mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers, chicken fingers, and chicken nuggets. If that wasn't enough, for the sandwich to be free, you need to eat it in under 15 minutes. That's right: You have a quarter of an hour to devour what could well be the last sandwich you'll ever eat.

Moose McGillycuddy's on Waikiki Beach boasts the Moose Omelette Omelette. Presumably the double "omelette" refers to the insane amount of eggs: There are a solid dozen eggs in this omelette, as well as bacon, sausage, mushrooms, and melted cheese. If you can wolf it down — and the sides of breakfast potatoes and toast — in under an hour, you get a free T-shirt and a picture on their Wall of Fame. Also, you'll presumably take the best nap of your life shortly afterwards.

The Inferno Soup Challenge at Nitally's ThaiMex Cuisine combines two food challenge components in one: not only is the sheer quantity of food overwhelming, but it is also incredibly spicy. The soup is served in a 48-ounce bowl and contains 12 kinds of peppers from around the world. The spiciest chile used is the bhut jolokia, also known as the ghost pepper. Many have attempted the scorching soup, but few have succeeded in consuming the massive bowl in the time limit of 30 minutes.

Participants may not feel "delightful" after this challenge! At Sushi Delight, guests can take part in the Godzilla Roll challenge, which consists of a six-pound roll filled with various kinds of fish and topped with a special blend of house sauces. Those who complete the challenge in 60 minutes win a picture on the wall, a T-shirt, and, of course, bragging rights.