Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Qualifier

Nathan's Famous to Host Regional Hot Dog Eating Qualifier at Memorial City Mall.

Hot Dog! Competitive eaters unite. Nathan’s Famous and Major League Eating have selected Memorial City Mall to host a regional qualifier for the Nathan’s Famous July 4 International Hot Dog-Eating Contest. On May 2, 2015, hot dog lovers will go bun for bun to compete for the chance to qualify for the national finals. The actual hot dog-eating contest will take place inside Memorial City Mall near the west mall entrance and Fireplace community area.

The contest will begin with a Kids Eat Neat contest at noon with participants pulled from the crowd. The adult Eater’s competition will follow at 1 p.m. The top male and top female finishers will earn a spot to compete in the ESPN-televised finals at the original Nathan’s Famous site in Coney Island on July 4, a holiday tradition since 1916 where they will try to best the male record of 69 hot dogs and female record of 34 dogs.

Last year, Houston qualifier winners included Erik “The Red” Denmark of Seattle, Washington who consumed 36 hot dogs and Mary Bowers of Dan Point, California who ate 11 ¾ hot dogs to secure their spots. This year’s competitors to date who will be dogging for the record include nationally ranked Eaters Seattle’s Erik “The Red’ Denmark who ranks 6th and Dallas native Alex “The Moose” Perez ranked 44th. Houstonian John Tong and Mark Preng of Sugarland are part of the local field of competitors.

Nathan’s is seeking contestants for the May 2nd qualifier at this time. All interested competitors must be over 18 years of age and officially register at www.majorleagueeating.com.

Festivities for the entire family will kick off early in the day when the Nathan’s Famous Mobile Tour makes a stop at Memorial City Mall. Located just outside the mall near the Food Court entrance, the Mobile Tour will feature Coney Island Boardwalk games and activations including a Zoltar Fortune Teller Booth, an inflatable slide, carousel, and Imagination Playground.

Guests may have their photos taken with former Nathan’s champions via the Green Screen and Nathan’s Famous will sample hot dogs throughout the event and conduct prize and coupon giveaways. Mobile Tour hours are 8:30a.m. – 2:30 p.m.