June 6, 2002
Dog Days of Summer
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This year, Father's Day is time for hyper-fast food, as Nathan's Famous hot dogs hosts the second annual Los Angeles Hot Dog Eating Contest on June 16. The winner goes on to the big dance: the world championship Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest, July 4 at Coney Island.
Last year's Los Angeles winner scarfed down 22 dogs in 12 minutes, so start noshing if you want to be in competitive eating shape in time. The record in this event belongs to worldwide champion eater Takeru Kobayashi, who shattered the old record of 25 hot dogs at last year's contest, when he put away 50.
Nathan's Pico Boulevard location is one of only three Glatt Kosher Nathan's (the others are in Israel and Brooklyn, N.Y.). Owner Barry Syntner promises that if the L.A. winner needs kosher dogs for the Coney Island championship, kosher dogs he shall have.
A word of warning, though. When you sign up, you must promise not to sue Nathan's, the International Federation of Competitive Eating or "their respective owners, directors, officers, agents, attorneys, employees, fiduciaries, parents, subsidiaries, divisions, partners, joint ventures, affiliated business entities, predecessors, successors, heirs and assigns, jointly and severally."
In other words, if your belly aches after 20-plus dogs in 12 minutes, you have no one -- no one -- to blame but yourself.
Pick up an application at Nathan's, 9216 W. Pico Blvd., or apply online at www.nathansfamous.com
