Here at iHeartEssex we love our grub. From salads to steaks and burgers to brownies, we sure know how to appreciate a good meal.
We also appreciate not having to wash up after, and so eating out is one of our favourite things to do! With so many restaurants in Essex, competition to get diners through the door is fierce and managers are coming up with new and innovative ways to make their restaurant stand out from the rest. One of our favourite concepts is the arrival of awesome eating challenges. If you haven’t seen Man vs Food, don’t panic. Whether you like it big, hot or sweet, this blog posts brings you the details of the best eating challenges in Essex.
The Edge, Basildon
A fantastic venue for food, fun, sports and live music, The Edge offers two tasty food challenges including the famous Ogre Burger challenge!
Hot Wings Challenge
To complete this fiery test, challengers must eat and finish 5 hot wings with all the sauce within 5 minutes. Sounds easy, right? That’s not all. The challenger must then endure another 5 minutes of tongue-tingling eye-watering after burn without drinking. Yep, not a drop of water, beer or any other beverage shall pass their lips. Many have tried and many have failed, can you stand the heat?
Ogre Burger Challenge
Will you be the first ever person to finally complete the aptly named Ogre Burger Challenge? There have already been over 200 attempts to finish off this massive meal which needs its own handmade giant bun and must be eaten in its entirety in less than 60 minutes!
This stomach-trembling burger costs £25, but if you can complete the meal you will get it for free! Not only that, but as the first person to complete the challenge you will also receive £100 in food and drink vouchers to be used at The Edge, a special “I was the first to complete the Ogre Burger Challenge! Tshirt, and interviews with both the local newspaper and the Daily Mail.
What are you waiting for, go large or go home!
For more information on either challenge, check out their website by clicking here!
Mangetout Grill and Smokehouse, Southend
A family run grill in the heart of Southend, the Mangetout is home to the Gigantwich – a super-sized sandwich weighing an incredible 6lbs/2.73kg (approx). With 7 layers of fantastic fillings including chicken parmesan, turkey, ham, cheese, pulled pork and roast beef, this is not a lunch option for the faint of heart! The gigantwich also includes an 8-egg omelette, hash browns, bacon, sausages and sides of chips, onion rings and coleslaw.
You have a stomach churning 45 minutes to clear your plate, and if you can defeat the gigantwich you will receive your meal for free, a novelty tshirt and your picture on their wall of fame!
Are you up to the challenge? Find out more by clicking here!
The Rare Cow, Billericay
With a passion for high quality beef, it is no surprise that The Rare Cow’s eating challenges are primarily meaty endeavours! They are big on size and taste as they use only the finest and freshest ingredients.
Holy Cow Challenge
A 24oz monster burger made from British rare breed steak and served in a custom-baked giant-sized bun, the Holy Cow burger will definitely leave you too stuffed to moo-ve! Not only is it a meat feast, but the bun is also packed with bacon, salad and onion rings and dished up with a side of chunky hand-cut chips. To complete the challenge you must polish off the lot within 20 minutes. Your reward? Your burger is completely free!
If you are planning on attempting this popular challenge then The Rare Cow recommend that you pre-order your Holy Cow burger when reserving your table.
2kg Steak Challenge
Another top quality beefy challenge that features a superb slab of steak weighing in at approximately 2kg/74oz – the same size as featured on Man vs Food. Again made with the finest rare breed British beef, this stupendous steak is served up with chips and onion rings, and you must clear your plate in under an hour to get your meal for free.
Outrageous Dessert Challenge
What better way to wind up your meal than with a sweet treat? This delicious dessert is created using ice cream, chocolate flakes, marshmallows, chocolate sauce and more! In order to defeat the dessert and eat for free you need to demolish the lot, with no help from your companions.
For more information on the eating challenges at The Rare Cow, or to make your booking, check out their website by clicking here!
The Flaming Grill Restaurants
This blog wouldn’t be complete without including the popular restaurant chain The Flaming Grill, where four fearsome food challenges await you. There are a number of Flaming Grill restaurants across the county, giving you no excuse not to take on the trial! To make it easier for you, here is a list of them, followed by details of the challenges!
Downham Arms, Wickford SS12 0AR
Rovers Tye, Colchester CO4 9BA
Good Intent, Hornchurch RM12 5NU
Old Walnut Tree, Southend SS2 4XA
Fire Extinguisher Wings
This newest challenge offered by the Flaming Grill chain will make you feel the burn! 24 chicken wings coated in Flaming Grill’s own extra special HOT HOT HOT chilli sauce, which is made with infamous Naga Bhut Jolokia and Birds Eye Red chillis to name but a few! These wings are served up with a portion of nachos in a fire extinguisher case and even supplied with plastic gloves, in case you find the challenge too hot to handle!
Flaming Challenge Burger
Dare you take on the Flaming Grill Challenge Burger? One mammoth bun contains 2 of their finest flame-grilled 12oz beef burgers, 2 breaded chicken burgers, bbq pulled pork, cheese slices, crispy bacon and onions. Topped with onion rings, and served with a double-sized portion of skinny fries, this is one burger challenge that should only be attempted by a professional foodie!
32oz Challenge Steak
A grill restaurant wouldn’t be complete without offering a steak challenge and that is exactly what they have done. 32oz of delicious 35-day matured flame-grilled rump steak, served with sides including onions, mushrooms, peas, onions, half a grilled tomato and a huge double-sized portion of chips awaits a brave challenger. Dare you steak your reputation on being able to finish it?
Trash Can Challenge
A dish so big it has to be served in a trash can lid, this is the ultimate in eating challenges. If you think you can conquer this mountain of food then be prepared to devour: a giant rack of ribs, mixed grill burger, bbq pulled pork nacho sundae, onion rings, southern fried chicken skewer, corn on the cob, double baked beans and a triple portion of fries! We have been advised that when it comes the Trash Can challenge, slow and steady wins the race, so make sure you are sitting comfortably!
If you can complete any of the Flaming Grill challenges, not only will you earn yourself a certificate, but you will also get your photo on the pub’s ‘Wall of Flame’! For more information or to make a booking then click here!
We hope that you are feeling competitive as in our blog post next week we will be challenging YOU to complete some of these awesome eating trials in order to WIN one of our fantastic prizes! Check back soon!