Amarillo Holidays
Only in America – Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo, Texas
The rules are simple; eat your whole meal in 60 minutes or less and your dinner is free – sounds simple, right? The dinner comprises a shrimp cocktail, salad, baked potato, bread roll, and - wait for it - a 72oz sirloin steak. Yes, that is four-and-a-half pounds of prime USDA beef, to be consumed in one 59-minute sitting. Since 1960 almost 60,000 people have attempted to beat the challenge and some 8,500 have succeeded. There have been many imitators, but this is the original home of the 72oz steak.
The oldest person to complete the challenge was a 69-year-old grandmother, the youngest an 11-year-old boy. The current champion is 24-year-old Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, who managed the feat in just less than 9 minutes. Amazing – and at the same time mildly revolting - as this is, it should be kept in mind that Mr Chestnut is something of a star in the speed-eating arena; he rated number 1 in the world by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (yes, there really is such a “body”).
The unofficial record of consuming just the steak element is a remarkable 90 seconds, but that was an adult Bengal tiger!
Important Note: The Big Texan Steak Ranch does have other less demanding items on its menu!
