I can’t believe people are falling for this. As the self-proclaimed hot dog connoisseur at Crossing Broad, I feel it’s vital to American society I weigh in on the Joey Chestnut / Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest drama and let you know what’s up so you don’t get duped. If you didn’t hear, Steve Cuozzo at the New York Post reports that Chestnut has been banned from this year’s contest because he signed a deal with Impossible Foods, a Nathan’s competitor:

Joey Chestnut, perennial winner of the annual July 4th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition, is out of this year’s beef barf over a deal he made to represent a different wiener brand, The Post has learned.

And not just any brand, but Impossible Foods, which recently launched a vegan frankfurter impostor made from plants.

A rep for Major League Eating (MLE), which Nathan’s sanctions to run the event, said the organizers bent over backwards to meet Chestnut’s various other demands. They even agreed to let him participate in a rival Labor Day dog-eating fest  to be taped by Netflix as long as no hot dog brand was mentioned.

But they said they drew the line on letting Chestnut pitch for a different dog.

If you believe any of this I have beachfront property in Idaho I’d like to sell ya. This reeks of a publicity stunt from big vegetable. I have the entire marketing plan sniffed out. Joey Chestnut signs with Impossible Foods, Nathan’s makes a big stink about it, and in swoops Joey at the 11th hour to make a triumphant return to Coney Island without Impossible Foods. But Impossible Foods doesn’t care. Did you know they just started making vegan hot dogs? Neither did I. But I do now. And now Joey Chestnut is a vegan hero for the time-being while Impossible Foods sells a bunch of vegan franks.  Does everyone forget the fact that Joey Chestnut isn’t even vegan? You probably thought Snoop Dogg was quitting weed too.

This dude has a flair for the dramatics:

Also, Nathan’s and Impossible Foods have an existing relationship. They offered an Impossible Burger at their spots in 2021. If Nathan’s really wants to spice it up they sign Kobayashi today. Fuck it. Sign the bear too!

UPDATE: Chestnut has tweeted a statement. He says he doesn’t have a contract with Nathan’s or Major League Eating despite what the Post is reporting:


I don’t know. I’ll believe Chestnut isn’t competing when he’s not there on July 4th. There’s no way they can keep the greatest competitive eater of all time out of their Super Bowl. I still think this is all publicity.