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Joey Chestnut will eat almost anything.
The 17-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion is the greatest competitive eater of all time, and once even ate tacos with cow brains.
But there are two foods that are prohibited.
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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 victory after missing the 2024 event due to a sponsorship dispute with Major League Eating. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
“The only thing that would stop me is if I’m really worried about getting sick,” Chestnut said (apparently, I’m not worried about cow brain). “I eat raw oysters. I would have to be really sure that these oysters come from somewhere where I’m not going to get sick.”
There are some foods that seem tasty at first, but cause difficulties for Chestnut. Popcorn causes chapped lips and swelling when swallowing air, and Twinkies cause a “sugar headache.”
“But if I do my preparation right before I go in, I feel pretty good,” he said confidently.
However, there is one more “oyster”—made from, say, an animal’s body part—that is not on Chestnut’s menu.
“There was a casino that wanted to make Rocky Mountain oysters. And their track record was not good at making them,” Chestnut recalled.
Joey Chestnut, winner of the 2021 Nathan’s Famous 4th of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, poses for photos at Maimonides Park in Brooklyn, New York, on July 4, 2021. (Britain Newman/AP)
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“They’re bull testicles. I kind of rejected it.”
This summer, however, there are tasty treats on the table, as Chestnut has teamed up with Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) to visit minor league ballparks across the country this season to sample some of the signature dishes that define the club’s communities.
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, you’ll opt for pierogis, and in upstate New York, you’ll try cider donuts. Cheeseburger Dogs are also on deck in Reading, Pennsylvania.
“I’m super excited. Minor League stadiums are always fun, they just have a great atmosphere. I think Minor League stadiums are responsible for Major League stadiums stepping up their food game, so I’m going to eat good food,” Chestnut said.
Defending champion Joey Chestnut competes in the 2023 Nathan’s Famous 4th of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, on July 4, 2023. The men’s contest was postponed due to thunderstorms, but was later held without spectators in the arena. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
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“There’s going to be some good ones. I think they’re building a huge burger in Birmingham that’s going to be the biggest burger in minor league baseball. Tacos next week.”
Chestnut will chase 18 Nathan titles on July 4.
