Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest – Kobayashi vs Chestnut

It’s July 4th weekend which means lots of burgers and hot dogs across America. It also means it’s time for Nathan’s annual hot dog eating contest on Coney Island. From 2001 through 2006, 144-pound Takeru Kobayashi dominated the competition, but last year Joey Chestnut brought the crown back to the states with 66 hot dogs and buns (HDBs) in 12 minutes. Who will take the crown this year? Will Kobayashi reclaim the title or will Chestnut keep it in America? Oh the suspense.

Take a look at the history of the event – dating all the way back to 1916.

9 Comments

  • Ah, “Nathan”, I thought that name sounded familiar!!

    Looking at the history of the event, and at the winning total in the inaugural contest 1916, I think that total (13) about matches my annual hot dog consumption.

  • i’m pretty full after eating 2 hot dogs. i would not cut it as a competitive eater. plus, i like to enjoy my food.

  • I have to ask–What did you use to create the graphic? It looks very NYT.

  • Like Nate, I am impressed by the professional appearance of your graphic. I assumed it was clipped from the NYT. I would also like to know what software you used to make it.

  • thanks, guys. the style might have something to do with my interning at nyt last summer. ok, everything to do with it. i used adobe illustrator to make the graphic.

  • as a species we are obviously improving and evolving. the chart proves it.

  • I can eat 5 chili cheese dogs in one sitting. Maybe I should compete, lol. jk

  • Dude, I saw that contest live on TV two years ago. Cra-zy. They actually eat the bun and dogs separately, dipping the buns in water so they go down quicker. Yum. That’s a great thumbnail pic of Joey Chestnut on the graphic. :)