Lindy's On 4th
Food Challenge: Lindy's is home to the infamous OMFG -- a 3 lb burger to be eaten in under 20 minutes. On Man vs Food, Adam Richman took it down in just over 40 minutes. I hold the current time record -- 3:47.
Good Eats: Lindy's is also home to the best burgers ever. They get really creative with their menu (in both ingredients and burger names). You can get any burger you want as a single, double, or triple patty. (I don't think I've ever ordered a single).
Recommendations: My personal favorite is the 2 Finger Peek-a-Boo, which has grilled cheese sandwiches for buns, cheese, onion rings, and grilled mushrooms. Tip: Eat there often so you can try the Burger of the Month. Always a delicious and amazing creation.
Fun fact: I got my competitive eating start at Lindy's on 4th.
Location: 431 N. 4th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone: (520) 207-6970
Good Eats: Lindy's is also home to the best burgers ever. They get really creative with their menu (in both ingredients and burger names). You can get any burger you want as a single, double, or triple patty. (I don't think I've ever ordered a single).
Recommendations: My personal favorite is the 2 Finger Peek-a-Boo, which has grilled cheese sandwiches for buns, cheese, onion rings, and grilled mushrooms. Tip: Eat there often so you can try the Burger of the Month. Always a delicious and amazing creation.
Fun fact: I got my competitive eating start at Lindy's on 4th.
Location: 431 N. 4th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone: (520) 207-6970
BOCA
Food Challenge: The Boca Challenge is like saying "give me one of everything." 18 tacos -every type they have to offer- plus the Papa Boca- a loaded baked potato covered in chipotle salsa.
Good Eats: It's the Superman of taco shops. Gourmet tacos disguised in a super casual, low cost environment. For the adventurous spirits, they have a ETW (Exotic Taco of the Week) on Wednesdays.
Recommendations: The macho taco is my hands-down favorite. It's basically a chili relleno in a taco. The Boca balls are delicious little chipotle mayo potato treats- the one exception to my chipotle aversion.
Fun fact: In the "Me vs Boca Challenge" match up, the food has bested me 2-0. Someday, I'll conquer it, but for now, it remains victorious. Also, Chef Maria Mazon is one of Tucson's Iron Chef winners.
Location: 828 E. Speedway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: (520) 777-8134
Good Eats: It's the Superman of taco shops. Gourmet tacos disguised in a super casual, low cost environment. For the adventurous spirits, they have a ETW (Exotic Taco of the Week) on Wednesdays.
Recommendations: The macho taco is my hands-down favorite. It's basically a chili relleno in a taco. The Boca balls are delicious little chipotle mayo potato treats- the one exception to my chipotle aversion.
Fun fact: In the "Me vs Boca Challenge" match up, the food has bested me 2-0. Someday, I'll conquer it, but for now, it remains victorious. Also, Chef Maria Mazon is one of Tucson's Iron Chef winners.
Location: 828 E. Speedway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: (520) 777-8134
The Hog Pit Smokehouse Bar & Grill- CLOSED
Food Challenge: The Hog Trough is a BBQ lover's wet dream. 1lb burger, 1lb of brisket, 1lb of pulled pork -- all stacked high on texas toast, and of course, a side of fries (1 full lb, duh) and a pickle.
Good Eats: The Hog Pit wins BBQ competitions all over the country. Their foyer is a veritable shrine to their swine. You just can't go wrong.
Recommendations: The pulled pork is fantastic. You can have it on a house salad, a sandwich, or just ask for it to be poured in a kiddie pool so you can roll around in it for a while. Trust me, you'll want to.
Fun fact: I was the first, and so far the only to beat the Hog Trough Challenge. My prize: a life-size photo of me on their wall. Seriously. Go check it out.
Location: 6910 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Tucson, AZ 85715
Phone: (520) 722-4302
Good Eats: The Hog Pit wins BBQ competitions all over the country. Their foyer is a veritable shrine to their swine. You just can't go wrong.
Recommendations: The pulled pork is fantastic. You can have it on a house salad, a sandwich, or just ask for it to be poured in a kiddie pool so you can roll around in it for a while. Trust me, you'll want to.
Fun fact: I was the first, and so far the only to beat the Hog Trough Challenge. My prize: a life-size photo of me on their wall. Seriously. Go check it out.
Location: 6910 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Tucson, AZ 85715
Phone: (520) 722-4302
Bacon and Craeggs - Closed?(I think)
Food Challenge: The big breakfast challenge is perfect for those who wake up hungry. 6 eggs, 6 sausage patties, 10 bacon slices, 4 potatoes (homefry style), 4 pancakes, 1 french toast, and 2 pieces of texas toast.
Good Eats: Open Midnight to Noon, their schedule would make a college student weep for joy. And they deliver-- so you can get your post-bar grub on without driving drunk at 3am. They also have a custom "Benedict Menu" with everything from Crab to Bratwurst.
Recommendations:. Shoot, just get the challenge every time. It's only $21 and you get a veritable smorgasbord. Share the leftover bacon with your dog. Psshhtt yeah right, leftover bacon.
Fun fact: I'm still the first and only person to complete the challenge. I expect everyone to come try it because of that.
Location: 601 N. 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone: (520) 344-2030
Good Eats: Open Midnight to Noon, their schedule would make a college student weep for joy. And they deliver-- so you can get your post-bar grub on without driving drunk at 3am. They also have a custom "Benedict Menu" with everything from Crab to Bratwurst.
Recommendations:. Shoot, just get the challenge every time. It's only $21 and you get a veritable smorgasbord. Share the leftover bacon with your dog. Psshhtt yeah right, leftover bacon.
Fun fact: I'm still the first and only person to complete the challenge. I expect everyone to come try it because of that.
Location: 601 N. 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
Phone: (520) 344-2030
Something Sweet Dessert Lounge - CLOSED!
UPDATE: Such a shame this place is closed. I really liked the people and food. RIP Something Sweet.
Food Challenge: The "Sugar OD" -- with 4 pieces of cheesecake, 4 big a$$ brownies, 4 scoops of icecream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and cherries on top, it is the Everest of dessert mountains.
Good Eats: Something Sweet is the only place I know that lets you turn any kind of pie or cake you want into a milkshake. That's the definition of awesome. They also started serving savory food, so you can wash down your Honey Ricotta cheesecake with a tuna melt.
Recommendations: That's a hard one. I'm usually not huge on sweets, so you'll have to check out the menu and go with your gut. (Was that a pun? I'm not even sure anymore.) My friends had some serious emotional feelings toward the Chocolate Peanut Butter Elvis Cake. SS also has a selection of board games to play with, so my big advice is to bring your friends for a fun, relaxing, and delicious time.
Fun fact: I was the first person to ever finish the Sugar OD.
Location: 5319 E. Speedway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85712
Phone: (520) 881-7735
Food Challenge: The "Sugar OD" -- with 4 pieces of cheesecake, 4 big a$$ brownies, 4 scoops of icecream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and cherries on top, it is the Everest of dessert mountains.
Good Eats: Something Sweet is the only place I know that lets you turn any kind of pie or cake you want into a milkshake. That's the definition of awesome. They also started serving savory food, so you can wash down your Honey Ricotta cheesecake with a tuna melt.
Recommendations: That's a hard one. I'm usually not huge on sweets, so you'll have to check out the menu and go with your gut. (Was that a pun? I'm not even sure anymore.) My friends had some serious emotional feelings toward the Chocolate Peanut Butter Elvis Cake. SS also has a selection of board games to play with, so my big advice is to bring your friends for a fun, relaxing, and delicious time.
Fun fact: I was the first person to ever finish the Sugar OD.
Location: 5319 E. Speedway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85712
Phone: (520) 881-7735
