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Joey Chestnut eats almost anything.
The 17-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion is the greatest competitive eater of all time and once even ate cow brain tacos.
But there are two foods that are not allowed.
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Joey Chestnut prepares to compete in the men’s competition at Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City on July 4, 2025. He returns to compete for a 17th win after missing the 2024 event due to a sponsorship dispute with Major League Eating. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
“The only things that would stop me is if I’m really worried about getting sick,” Chestnut said (apparently no worries about the cow’s brain). “Like raw oysters. I had to be really sure these oysters come from a place where I won’t get sick.”
There are some foods that seem palatable at first, but they present difficulties for Chestnut. Popcorn causes chapped lips and bloating from swallowing air, and Twinkies give a “sugar headache.”
“But if I do my preparations right going in, I’ll be pretty good,” he said confidently.
However, there is one more “oyster”, made from an animal’s – shall we say – body part, which is not on Chestnut’s menu.
“There was a casino that wanted to make Rocky Mountain oysters. And their track record wasn’t good for preparing them,” Chestnut recalled.
Joey Chestnut, winner of the 2021 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, poses for pictures in Maimonides Park in Brooklyn, New York on July 4, 2021. (Brittainy Newman/AP)
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“It’s bull testicles. I kind of turned it down.”
This summer, however, there are tasty treats on the table as Chestnut partners with Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) to visit Minor League ballparks nationwide this season to take on some of the signature dishes that define the club’s community.
Chestnut traveled to Wichita last month to tackle chili buns, a Midwestern dish that is a combination of chili and cinnamon buns. In Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he’ll go with pierogis, and in upstate New York, he’ll try cider donuts. Cheeseburger dogs are also on deck in Reading, Pennsylvania.
“I’m super pumped. Minor League ballparks are always fun, just great atmospheres. I think Minor League ballparks are responsible for Major League ballparks stepping up their food game, so I want to make something good to eat,” Chestnut said.
Defending champion Joey Chestnut competes in the 2023 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York City, on July 4, 2023. The men’s contest was postponed due to thunderstorms, but later took place without spectators in the arena. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
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“There’s going to be some good ones. I think it’s a giant burger they’re building in Birmingham that’s going to be the biggest burger in Minor League baseball. Tacos next week.”
Chestnut goes for 18 Nathan’s titles on July 4.
