Coney dog lovers start training! The 5th Annual American Coney Island Coney Dog Eating Challenge is set for Thursday, September 3.
Registration is now open for the individual competition to determine who can cut the mustard and become the top dog in Detroit. Proceeds from the event’s registration fees, day’s sales and donations will benefit Detroit Police Fund and Detroit Firemen’s Benevolent Fund. Also, returning will be the challenge heat between teams from the Detroit Police and Fire Departments.
Main event participants will compete to see who can consume the most coney dogs – hot dog, bun, chili, mustard and onions – in 10 minutes. The current record held by last year’s champion (2014) Matt Holowicki of Plymouth, is 17 3/4 coneys. This year’s “American Coney Island Coney Dog Eating Champion” will receive a coney championship belt as well as prizes from a variety of local retailers, restaurants and other supporters, including one year of free meals at American Coney Island.
“Our Coney Dog Eating Challenge gets bigger and better and has become one of the many events that our customers and all Detroiters look forward to every year,” said Grace Keros and Chris Sotiropoulos, co-owners of American Coney Island. “We’ve been very fortunate to serve generations of loyal American Coney Island customers for the past 98 years and want to take this opportunity to have fun and celebrate Detroit and its signature dish – the coney dog.”
The event will bring some Detroit-style fun with local “celebrity judges” who will be allowed to give style points to competitors or take points away for excess coney debris left on plates.
The event will take place Thursday, September 3, 2015. At 5:30 pm the Detroit Police vs Detroit Fire/EMT Coney Eating Challenge will take place, followed by the Coney Eating Challenge Main Event at 5:45 pm. The event will be held at American Coney Island on 114 W. Lafayette in Detroit.
$10 registration fee for competitors in advance; $15 on the day of the event. Event is open to the public with a suggested $5 donation. All registration fees, donations as well as $1 from each coney sold on September 3 will go to the Keros Family Fund to benefit the Detroit Police and Fire charities. To register, call 586-219-0995. Visit www.AmericanConeyIsland.com for more information.
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