The History of The Hot Dog Eating Contest

Hot dog eating contests are now considered as American as apple pie. According to popular history, it all started back in the late 1860s with a German immigrant and Coney Island resident named Charles Feltman. At the time, everybodywas all about some Coney Island: it was a popular tourist destination, even though it was still a little rough around the edges.

A Salesman Who Grew Bored

Feltman, growing a little tired of his career selling pies out of a wagon, decided to liven things up a bit and test a new market (plus save some money) by putting Frankfurters on a roll so he could avoid giving away plates and silverware. According to legend, Feltman sold nearly 4,000 of his frankfurters (later known as "hot dogs") that summer.

Fast forward a few years. Now operating a small empire of attractions and shops, Feltman had it made. But one of his employees, Nathan Handwerker, decided to open his own hot dog stand. He sold hot dogs for a nickel while Feltman's were sold for a dime, and to make things even more competitive, Nathan was a talented marketer. In the summer of 1916 over Independence Day, Nathan grabbed the public's attention when he decided to hold a hot dog eating contest.

The First Hot Dog Eating Contest...Ever

The first contest was comprised of four men. They were given 12 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as they could. To this day, the famous Nathan's Hot Dogs eating contest at Coney Island has remained the same with the same format.

Celebrate with Us at Hi-Wire's Oktoberfest

Join us for Hi-Wire's annual Oktoberfest party. Admission is free, while a custom stein and a 33oz pour is $15. Additional 33oz Flagship and Fall Seasonals fills including their GABF Gold Medal winning Zirkusfest Oktoberfest Lager will be $7. (Stein only will be $10).

Hi-Wire will host a series of games throughout the party, including the legendary Foothills Local Meats Hotdog Eating Contest.

Games Include: Team | Tricycle Races & Brat Toss Individual | Grain Sack Toss, Stein Hoisting *All games register day of except Hot Dog Eating Contest

Foothills Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest

Registration is open for the Hot Dog Eating Contest, so bring yourself, your appetite, and your hungry friends!

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How many hot dogs can you eat in five minutes?!

Come test your luck at this year's Oktoberfest Celebration at Hi-Wire's Big Top Brewery!

You could walk home with $200 (and a very full belly)!

Asheville Wine & Food Festival

wine and food

Did y'all see Tricia and Allie running the show at Asheville Wine and Food Festival in Asheville last weekend? At least 800 people waiting for doors to open! Thanks to everyone who came out, asked some questions, sampled some wares, and perused some literature! It was a blast!

Butcher's Table in the MountainXpress

"...it may be quite foolish to pass up on this extremely rare opportunity to experience what could easily be one of the best meals in Asheville."

Check out the MountainXpress article about our twice a month sit down, family style dinner, the Butcher's Table!

"The Butcher’s Table: Black Mountain’s Artisanal Meat Feast"

Don't Miss the Next Butcher's Table

butcherstable menu image

Next Butcher's Table Thursday, August 7th and 21st. Email for reservations casey@foothillslocalmeats.com. $60 per includes free beer and piles of damn great local food--prepared just right. On the porch at the Butcher Shop in Black Mountain, just across from Dynamite Coffee Roasting.