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5 votes (62.5%)
No votes (0%)
No votes (0%)
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3 votes (37.5%)
2 votes (25%)
1 vote (12.5%)
3 votes (37.5%)
1 vote (12.5%)
1 vote (12.5%)

8 members have voted

Wizard
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December 3rd, 2021 at 9:24:19 AM permalink
We haven't had an eating challenge in a long time. In fact, not since April 23, 2017, to be exact. That is the date that our own TomG shattered PokerGrinder's record by eating 150 Chicken McNuggets! Here is the video.


Direct: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cqm9qPPLho

Tom also did the Stackzilla Challenge (see video below) and I believe many others I wasn't around for.


Direct: https://youtu.be/vdmEgeDnDnE

Tom is suddenly interested in doing another one. He has agreed to do the Windy City Sears Tower Challenge. This requires the eating of a 72-ounce beef and sausage sandwich in 30 minutes or less.

As a basis of comparison, the Big Texas Steak Challenge also requires the consumption of 72 ounces of food. That has been attempted 86,556 times with 10,022 people successfully completing it, for a success rate of 12%.

I apologize for the short notice, but Tom is planning to do this tomorrow afternoon at 4PM. He may be interested in taking bets. I am too. Tom is working at the moment, but gave me permission to post this. He will check on the thread when he gets home.

The question for the poll is do you think he can do it?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
billryan
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December 3rd, 2021 at 9:28:43 AM permalink
If Tom thinks he can do it, I'm sure he can.
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unJon
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December 3rd, 2021 at 9:41:07 AM permalink
Quote: billryan

If Tom thinks he can do it, I'm sure he can.
link to original post



This.
The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but that is the way to bet.
ThatDonGuy
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December 3rd, 2021 at 12:22:21 PM permalink
The way he got through Stackzilla, I don't see him having a problem with a 72oz sandwich
Wizard
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December 3rd, 2021 at 12:24:28 PM permalink
Quote: ThatDonGuy

The way he got through Stackzilla, I don't see him having a problem with a 72oz sandwich
link to original post



A 4.5 pound sandwich should be harder. He said the pancake challenge was not that hard.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
ThatDonGuy
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December 3rd, 2021 at 1:04:12 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

A 4.5 pound sandwich should be harder. He said the pancake challenge was not that hard.
link to original post


I have also had experience with both DuPar's pancakes and downtown Chicago beef sandwiches. I'm pretty sure he's got this.
AxelWolf
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December 3rd, 2021 at 4:53:57 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

but Tom is planning to do this tomorrow afternoon at 4PM. He may be interested in taking bets.

Hey guys, tomorrow is pretty short notice, I would like to suggest that you guys put it off for 5 days to a week and give some people time to plan, I feel that more people would be willing to attend if you guys gave more time.

I'm interested in betting on the outcome if anybody is putting up a line.
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Wizard
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December 3rd, 2021 at 5:37:54 PM permalink
Quote: AxelWolf

Quote: Wizard

but Tom is planning to do this tomorrow afternoon at 4PM. He may be interested in taking bets.

Hey guys, tomorrow is pretty short notice, I would like to suggest that you guys put it off for 5 days to a week and give some people time to plan, I feel that more people would be willing to attend if you guys gave more time.

I'm interested in betting on the outcome if anybody is putting up a line.
link to original post



I would prefer to put it off a week too, but it's ultimately up to Tom and I'll go either way.

I'll be the first to say something -- I will offer even money to trusted forum members who think he can't do it. In other words my side is he will. $100 maximum and then I move the line. All bets must be double-confirmed, in other words after an acceptance, I must confirm it and then the other party confirms the confirmation.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
unJon
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December 3rd, 2021 at 5:39:32 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Quote: AxelWolf

Quote: Wizard

but Tom is planning to do this tomorrow afternoon at 4PM. He may be interested in taking bets.

Hey guys, tomorrow is pretty short notice, I would like to suggest that you guys put it off for 5 days to a week and give some people time to plan, I feel that more people would be willing to attend if you guys gave more time.

I'm interested in betting on the outcome if anybody is putting up a line.
link to original post



I would prefer to put it off a week too, but it's ultimately up to Tom and I'll go either way.

I'll be the first to say something -- I will offer even money to trusted forum members who think he can't do it. In other words my side is he will. $100 maximum and then I move the line.
link to original post



Let me know if the No line gets above +200. Would be interested then.
The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but that is the way to bet.
TomG
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December 3rd, 2021 at 8:51:17 PM permalink
Brought about because I somehow have ended up in talks with Netflix about being involved in a project on eating. I think the nugget video played a good part in putting me in contention for it. Put the chance of it actually happening fairly low (10 - 20%), because I have no idea how likely it is to get off the ground and I don't have everything they are looking for. But if it does happen I want to be in shape for it. I only wanted this is a chance to get some practice and hopefully for me to get some good footage as well; then the Wizard offered an incentive. Rampart just backed me off, so only two places I know that are open that treat me well are Main Street Station and Westgate.
ThatDonGuy
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December 4th, 2021 at 10:26:24 AM permalink
Quote: TomG

Brought about because I somehow have ended up in talks with Netflix about being involved in a project on eating. I think the nugget video played a good part in putting me in contention for it. Put the chance of it actually happening fairly low (10 - 20%), because I have no idea how likely it is to get off the ground and I don't have everything they are looking for. But if it does happen I want to be in shape for it. I only wanted this is a chance to get some practice and hopefully for me to get some good footage as well; then the Wizard offered an incentive. Rampart just backed me off, so only two places I know that are open that treat me well are Main Street Station and Westgate.
link to original post


Sounds a bit like Travel Channel's Man v. Food Nation (the fourth season of the original Man v. Food, after Adam Richman stopped doing the challenges himself - he tried the burrito challenge at the old NASCAR Cafe at the Sahara back in 2009).
MrV
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December 4th, 2021 at 1:15:47 PM permalink
The world needs more trenchermen.
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Wizard
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December 5th, 2021 at 5:16:39 AM permalink
Update: We show up at Windy City Hot Dogs and the manager said he needed at least 48 hours notice to do the Sears Tower Challenge. It has been rescheduled until this Tuesday at 4:00.

Instead, we went to the Rampart buffet to see how much weight Tom could gain in a sitting. No money was on the line, just a practice run, you could say. My bathroom scale showed Tom gained 14.4 pounds.

During the meal, we happened upon another challenge -- The Gallon of Milk Challenge. Here are the rules:

1. Tom must drink a gallon of milk within 15 minutes.
2. After finishing the gallon, the clock will reset and he must keep it down another 15 minutes.

We plan to do this one sometime shortly after the Sears Tower Challenge.

Here is a video about it: Why Is It So Difficult To Chug A Gallon Of Milk?
Direct: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWRl4K8dpcY
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
mcallister3200
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December 5th, 2021 at 6:01:46 AM permalink
Ugghhh. Not the milk challenge. I had a couple friends in high school try it. Both vomited.
unJon
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December 5th, 2021 at 6:32:38 AM permalink
Most stomachs are only about half a gallon. Milk (especially whole milk) takes a long time to digest. 15 min, or even an hour for most people, is not enough time to move the first half of a galling out of the stomach to make room for the next.
The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but that is the way to bet.
Wizard
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December 7th, 2021 at 9:08:43 AM permalink
Reminder about the challenge today at 4:00.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
DRich
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December 7th, 2021 at 12:55:05 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Update: We show up at Windy City Hot Dogs and the manager said he needed at least 48 hours notice to do the Sears Tower Challenge. It has been rescheduled until this Tuesday at 4:00.

Instead, we went to the Rampart buffet to see how much weight Tom could gain in a sitting. No money was on the line, just a practice run, you could say. My bathroom scale showed Tom gained 14.4 pounds.

During the meal, we happened upon another challenge -- The Gallon of Milk Challenge. Here are the rules:

1. Tom must drink a gallon of milk within 15 minutes.
2. After finishing the gallon, the clock will reset and he must keep it down another 15 minutes.

We plan to do this one sometime shortly after the Sears Tower Challenge.

Here is a video about it: Why Is It So Difficult To Chug A Gallon Of Milk?
Direct: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWRl4K8dpcY
link to original post



This is an old challenge but I remember it as having to wait 60 minutes without vomiting. Also, it has to be Whole milk.
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ThatDonGuy
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December 7th, 2021 at 5:26:37 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Reminder about the challenge today at 4:00.
link to original post


So...what happened?
Wizard
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December 7th, 2021 at 9:04:42 PM permalink
Quote: ThatDonGuy

So...what happened?
link to original post



Alas, Tom didn't make it. This one had a 30-minute time limit. Tom blamed the defeat on not having enough time and too many peppers on the sandwich. After 25 minutes, he ate about 80% of it and probably could have got to 90%, but he tapped out when he realized he simply didn't have enough time.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
ksdjdj
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December 7th, 2021 at 9:33:04 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

(snip) He has agreed to do the Windy City Sears Tower Challenge. This requires the eating of a 72-ounce beef and sausage sandwich in 30 minutes or less.

As a basis of comparison, the Big Texas Steak Challenge also requires the consumption of 72 ounces of food. That has been attempted 86,556 times with 10,022 people successfully completing it, for a success rate of 12%. (snip)
link to original post


According to the Windy City Sears Tower Challenge link, it is 7.2 pounds (so ~115 ounces?).

The contest is over, but before I read the post on the 2nd page, I would have guessed about a 20-25% chance that he would complete*** it in time (mainly going by the you-tube videos in the OP)

***: For comparison, with out any "eating / training" I would have given myself less than 2% chance to finish it within 30 minutes.

---
Update:
After reading the previous reply, I would have closer to a 0% chance of finishing, because I hate eating pepper quickly.
Wizard
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December 8th, 2021 at 6:06:47 AM permalink
I was indeed incorrect about the weight, it was 7.2 pounds (115.2 ounces), not 72 ounces. Tom ate much more than 72 ounces of it.

Yes, he said the peppers made it tough.



I shot a video, but probably won't bother to edit and upload it.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
ThatDonGuy
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December 8th, 2021 at 7:19:23 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I was indeed incorrect about the weight, it was 7.2 pounds (115.2 ounces), not 72 ounces. Tom ate much more than 72 ounces of it.

Yes, he said the peppers made it tough.

link to original post


Oh, now you tell us the sandwich is 60% larger...still, I would have voted "yes" anyway.
So, peppers are Tom's kryptonite...

Got an "after" picture?
rxwine
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December 8th, 2021 at 7:21:35 AM permalink
The proportion of size in this picture makes the sandwich look about as big as his upper body. Did you do an actual weigh in of the sandwich yourself, or rely on the restaurant.




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Wizard
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December 8th, 2021 at 7:49:13 AM permalink
Quote: rxwine

Did you do an actual weigh in of the sandwich yourself, or rely on the restaurant.
link to original post



We relied on the restaurant, who brought out the scale. They also verified the weight of the scale, which was subtracted. This is all shown in the video, which I probably won't put together.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
billryan
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December 8th, 2021 at 8:55:24 AM permalink
Is that sandwich available besides under challenge rules? It seems like the sort of thing that would make a team-building exercise.
What did it cost?
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Dieter
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December 8th, 2021 at 9:39:57 AM permalink
Quote: ThatDonGuy

So, peppers are Tom's kryptonite...
link to original post



I don't think that should be held against anyone.

Those peppers look more like sport peppers than giardiniera relish, which I prefer on my beef.

Sport peppers are just too crunchy to pair well with the sandwich.
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Joeman
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December 8th, 2021 at 10:20:48 AM permalink
Sorry to hear that Tom came up a little short. There is no way I could eat even 1/4 of that monster in one sitting. However, I do now have a craving for a Portillo's Italian beef sandwich!

This thread made me think about when I went to the top of the Sears Tower (now called the Willis Tower) as a teenager. At the time, it was the tallest building in the world. Today, the tallest is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. At 2,717 ft, it is nearly double the height of the 1,450 ft tall Sears Tower!
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Wizard
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December 8th, 2021 at 10:32:05 AM permalink
Quote: billryan

Is that sandwich available besides under challenge rules? It seems like the sort of thing that would make a team-building exercise.
What did it cost?
link to original post



We tried to walk in and do it on Sunday, but they said "no" and we needed at least 48 hours notice. The manager also pretty much insisted we do it between the lunch and dinner rush.

It cost $50. The manager said we could bring home whatever Tom didn't finish, so one could easily just walk out the door with it after paying and the forfeit would be implied.

By the way, I watched the video footage and the manager said Tom ate 5 to 5.5 pounds of it.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
TomG
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December 11th, 2021 at 11:07:14 AM permalink
It was a good time. Just not strong anymore. I feel like I should finally be saying this is something I used to do. But I think I said that a few times when I tried to do some things like this after the nuggets. I think I do ok with spicy stuff. Just not after five pounds of it. It is like trying to fight two sides of pain tolerance.

Most importantly still in talks with my point of contact involved with the Netflix project. My understanding is that it is about underground eating contests and while it is scripted, they want the eating scenes to be real. I know I can get them very close to the real thing of eating a good amount and the true look of pain. Maybe even better than the true top-level guys. But would still need some magic of cinema. Some other things they are looking for that I am not sure if I will be able to do, but am definitely going to try to get there. As disappointed as I am with this sandwich, it served a good purpose of putting things in perspective and letting me know what I can and cannot do.
ThatDonGuy
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December 11th, 2021 at 12:14:04 PM permalink
Quote: TomG

Most importantly still in talks with my point of contact involved with the Netflix project. My understanding is that it is about underground eating contests and while it is scripted, they want the eating scenes to be real.


In television, this is referred to as "Structured Reality programming" - Shark Tank and Antiques Roadshow are examples of this; there's more to it than "just turn on the camera and record what happens"-style shows.

Is the plan for just one episode, or is turning it into a series a possibility?
TomG
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December 11th, 2021 at 1:16:54 PM permalink
Quote: ThatDonGuy

Is the plan for just one episode, or is turning it into a series a possibility?



From what I can tell, I would guess it would be a Queen's Gambit type series (in terms of length, not necessarily quality).
TinMan
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December 12th, 2021 at 9:45:37 AM permalink
At one time I remember thinking 150 nuggets didn’t seem like much. A few months ago, I ordered a 20 piece McNuggets. I ate them all but felt really gross. I can’t imagine doing much more than that. At least this challenge seems more appetizing than McNuggets. Still, incredibly challenging.
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DRich
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December 13th, 2021 at 3:49:01 PM permalink
Quote: TinMan

At one time I remember thinking 150 nuggets didn’t seem like much. A few months ago, I ordered a 20 piece McNuggets. I ate them all but felt really gross. I can’t imagine doing much more than that. At least this challenge seems more appetizing than McNuggets. Still, incredibly challenging.
link to original post



i think i could do 30 but not any more.
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scolist
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December 13th, 2021 at 4:48:10 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard


Yes, he said the peppers made it tough.



Those peppers alone would give me 3 days of Hiccups!

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mcallister3200
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December 13th, 2021 at 4:52:33 PM permalink
Quote: DRich

Quote: TinMan

At one time I remember thinking 150 nuggets didn’t seem like much. A few months ago, I ordered a 20 piece McNuggets. I ate them all but felt really gross. I can’t imagine doing much more than that. At least this challenge seems more appetizing than McNuggets. Still, incredibly challenging.
link to original post



i think i could do 30 but not any more.
link to original post



I think Djatc just did the challenge so he could AP a free 20 piece and quit.
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