Watch CBS News

Hungry? Take On The American Coney Island Coney Dog Eating Challenge

DETROIT (WWJ) - An iconic Detroit coney restaurant is looking for champion eaters.

The second annual American Coney Island Coney Dog Eating Challenge is set for Wednesday, Sept. 5, and registration is open for competitors who are hungry to earn the title of coney dog eating champion.

Restaurant owner Grace Keros said this contest is the real deal.

"You have to eat everything, chili, mustard, onions, the whole thing. The winner last year ate 10-and-a-half hotdogs in 10 minutes, so it's how many you can eat in 10 minutes," Keros told WWJ's Sandra McNeill.

Individuals and teams of four will compete to consume the most coney dogs. This year's winner will receive a newly created Coney championship belt as well as prizes from a variety of local retailers, restaurants and other supporters, including a year of free meals at American Coney Island.

"It gets extremely messy, actually. They were good until about the eighth or ninth hot dog, and when they got to the last one there was chili and mustard everywhere and it was not going down easy," said Keros.

The contest started last year as a fundraiser for the Keros Family Scholarship Fund, which provides college scholarships for students studying culinary arts at Detroit's Golightly Career and Technical Center. Keros said all proceeds from the event will go toward the scholarship fund.

Registration fees are $15 for an individual competitor and $350 for team competitors. To register, call 586-219-0995. For more information, visit www.AmericanConeyIsland.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.