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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, once even eating cow’s brain tacos.
But there are two forbidden foods.
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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 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 afraid of getting sick,” Chestnut said (apparently no worries about cow brain). “Like raw oysters. I have to be really sure these oysters come from a place where I’m not going to get sick.”
Some foods seem tasty at first, but they pose challenges for Chestnut. Popcorn causes chapped lips and bloating from swallowing air, and Twinkies cause a “sugar headache.”
“But if I do my preparation well, I feel pretty good,” he said confidently.
There is, however, another “oyster,” made from, say, an animal’s body part, that isn’t on Chestnut’s menu.
“There was a casino that wanted to do Rocky Mountain oysters. And their record was not good in preparation,” Chestnut recalls.
Joey Chestnut, winner of the 2021 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, poses for photos at Maimonides Park in Brooklyn, New York on July 4, 2021. (Brittany Newman/AP)
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“Those are bull testicles. I kind of rejected that one.”
This summer, however, some tasty treats are on the table, as Chestnut is partnering with Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) to visit Minor League ballparks across the country this season to sample some of the iconic dishes that define club communities.
Chestnut traveled to Wichita last month to tackle chili rolls, a Midwestern dish that is a combination of chili and cinnamon rolls. In Scranton/Wilkes-Barre he’ll go with pierogis, and in upstate New York he’ll try his hand at cider donuts. Cheeseburger dogs are also on deck in Reading, Pennsylvania.
“I’m super excited. 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’m going to eat well,” Chestnut said.
Defending champion Joey Chestnut competes in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July 2023 International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York on July 4, 2023. The men’s competition was postponed due to thunderstorms, but then 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 huge burger they’re building in Birmingham that will be the biggest burger in Minor League Baseball. Tacos next week.”
Chestnut will win 18 titles from Nathan on July 4.
