The 6 Food Challenges in Texas We Don’t Think You Could Finish
Have you ever had the urge to eat a 4.5-pound steak? If that seems too much, why not try a 3.5-pound cinnamon roll? Texas is a place where bigger is often assumed to be better — or at least an opportunity to express some of our state’s famous outsize bravado in food form.
As anyone who has driven Route 66 in Amarillo past The Big Texan and its advertisements for the famous 72-ounce steak knows, there is a culinary subculture in this state that likes to set challenges for eaters and reward them with a free meal or an honorary mention on a restaurant wall. But what are the biggest
and most challenging food gambits in Texas? We compile some of the state’s gastronomic feats, from mammoth steaks to fiery burgers. Join us for a culinary journey through the most audacious and peculiar food challenges in Texas.
72-Ounce Steak Challenge
The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery, Amarillo
Our adventure begins in Amarillo, home to one of America’s most iconic food challenges. Since its inception in 1960, The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery’s 72-ounce steak challenge has lured meat lovers from all corners of the globe, eager to conquer the colossal slab of beef.
The rules are simple yet daunting: Consume a 72-ounce steak accompanied by a shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad, and a buttered roll within an hour. If you succeed, the meal is free. If not, it will cost you $72. Is it even possible to consume that much food in a single sitting? More than 90,000 people have attempted this Herculean task, but a little more than 10% have emerged victorious.
The challenge is as much about strategy as it is about sheer appetite. Some contestants opt for the “speed eat” method, attempting to finish the steak before their stomachs register fullness. Others take a more measured approach, cutting the meat into small pieces and pacing themselves. Regardless of the technique, those who prevail earn a sense of unparalleled accomplishment.
The Four Horsemen Challenge
Chunky’s Burgers, San Antonio
Chunky’s Burgers in San Antonio offers a challenge not for the faint of heart or weak of palate. The Four Horsemen Burger, named after the apocalyptic horsemen, is reputedly the spiciest in the world. This fiery creation features jalapeños, serrano peppers, a habanero sauce, and ghost peppers.
Contestants must devour the burger within 25 minutes and then endure a five-minute “afterburn” period without any relief from milk, water, or other cooling agents. The Four Horsemen Challenge has gained notoriety for its difficulty, and only about 1 in 10 participants manages to keep it down.
The physical and psychological tolls of this challenge are significant. Contestants often experience intense burning sensations and sweating due to the extreme heat. Yet, those who triumph earn a place on Chunky’s “Wall of Flame” and eternal bragging rights.
The 3.5-Pound Cinnamon Roll
Green Vegetarian Cuisine, San Antonio
For years, Lulu’s Bakery & Cafe in San Antonio presented a challenge that lured pastry enthusiasts into the meat-dominated food Olympics world with a 3.5-pound cinnamon roll. This gargantuan treat, approximately the size of a dinner plate, is drenched in a sweet glaze and packed with cinnamon goodness.
Unfortunately, when Lulu’s closed several years ago, sweet-toothed contestants were left without their competition. Thanks to popular demand, Lulu’s son, Mike Behrend, added the cinnamon roll to his menu at Green Vegetarian Cuisine.
If you can’t make it to San Antonio, Green Vegetarian Cuisine will ship its massive cinnamon roll straight to your home. But be careful: The challenge may seem manageable compared to others on this list, but the density and sweetness of the roll are significant hurdles.
Taco Challenge
Juan in a Million, Austin
A culinary tour of Texas’ food challenges wouldn’t be complete without a little Tex-Mex on the menu. Since 1980, one of Austin’s most beloved breakfast joints, Juan in a Million, has been serving classics such as huevos rancheros, migas, and menudo. But what really draws in fans of the East Austin establishment is the Don Juan Taco, a heaping plate of bacon, potatoes, eggs, and cheese that stretches the definition of what most Tex-Mex lovers define as a taco.
The generous — and inexpensive — taco was a hit with hungry college students, who began to compete over who could down the most Don Juans in a single sitting. Considering some customers believe a single taco could feed a family of four, it is quite a feat. The current record is nine tacos in the men’s category and five for the ladies. When Adam Richman, host of “Man v. Food,” pulled up a chair at Juan in a Million, he could only get through four Don Juans.
Toasted Sub Sandwich Challenge
Cheba Hut, Denton
This sub sandwich challenge features a colossal 30-inch garlic herb loaf filled with three types of meat: sliced roast beef, grilled chicken, and crispy bacon. These savory meats are layered
with provolone cheese, fresh sliced jalapeños, and a variety of vegetables. To top it all off, the sandwich is slathered with three distinct sauces: honey mustard, chipotle mayo, and your choice of grape or strawberry jelly. Contestants have 30 minutes to conquer this mammoth meal.
Those who successfully complete the challenge are rewarded with the $36 sandwich meal for free, a sweet T-shirt, and a coveted spot on the wall of fame. Note that this Cheba Hut sandwich challenge is only available at the Denton location.
Beef Noodle Soup Challenge
Bull Daddy Noodle Bistro, Plano
Every Texan knows that the state’s culinary scene has long transcended staples such as burgers, steaks, and Tex-Mex. The diverse and growing urban areas have seen the rise of new cultural influences, from a range of Central American cuisines to large Asian communities. So, it is no surprise that Bull Daddy Noodle Bistro has jumped into the Texas food challenge fray with its Taiwanese beef noodle soup.
Eaters have 30 minutes to down a 6-pound bowl of noodles, beef, and broth that is 10 times spicier than Bull Daddy’s spiciest regular menu offerings. Those who conquer the fiery bowl receive a free meal, a T-shirt, and a spot on the wall of fame.
Texas is full of odd, but delicious, food combinations. Check out our list of appetizers, meals, and desserts made with a true Texas staple — Dr Pepper.
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