11 Nevada Restaurants Serving Food Challenges Only The Brave Attempt
Nevada isn’t only about glitzy buffets and star-powered restaurants. You’ll also find outrageous eating challenges that put bravery (and belly space) to the test.
Picture towering burgers stacked higher than your head, fiery spice levels that make your eyes water just thinking about them, and portions so massive they could feed a family of four.
These epic trials aren’t designed for the timid, but for the bold who crave glory one bite at a time. Think you’ve got what it takes to conquer Nevada’s wildest plates? Let’s see!
1. Shokku Ramen’s Fiery Shinigami Challenge
Heat seekers flock to this Las Vegas ramen spot to battle the infamous Shinigami Challenge. The bowl contains a terrifying trifecta of ghost, scorpion, and Carolina Reaper peppers – some of the world’s hottest chilies.
Participants must sign a waiver before attempting to finish the scorching bowl in under eight minutes. The restaurant even provides gloves to protect your hands from the burn.
Succeed and you’ll earn bragging rights, a free meal, a commemorative T-shirt, and your photo on the Wall of Fame.
2. The Beast’s Monstrous Feast Burger
Hidden within Las Vegas’ immersive AREA15 complex lurks a truly beastly creation. This mammoth meal weighs in at approximately 7-8 pounds total and includes a 2-pound burger patty topped with a full pound each of bacon and cheese.
The challenge comes served on an entire King’s Hawaiian loaf with a mountain of fries and four potato tornadoes. Most challengers face a strict time limit to conquer this carnivorous mountain.
Victory means a free meal, while defeat costs you $88 for the privilege of trying.
3. Mint Indian Bistro’s Scorching Inferno Curry
My cousin visited Vegas last year and foolishly accepted a dare to try this legendary curry. He couldn’t feel his lips for hours afterward! The Inferno Curry Challenge at Mint Indian Bistro features chilies so potent you must sign a liability waiver before ordering.
Available at both Las Vegas locations, this curry makes most “spicy” dishes seem mild by comparison. The restaurant even created a special Inferno Menu for heat-loving daredevils.
Those who finish earn serious bragging rights and local food legend status.
4. Sickies Garage’s Victory Lap Tower
Car culture meets extreme eating at this Town Square Las Vegas restaurant. The Victory Lap Challenge presents a staggering five-pound tower that contains multiple patty melts, grilled cheese sandwiches, hamburger patties, bacon, pulled pork, fried jalapeños, pickles, and boneless wings.
Contestants face this mountain of food solo with a 60-minute countdown ticking away. A side of fries completes this automotive-themed food marathon.
Champions receive their meal free, plus a commemorative T-shirt and Wall of Fame immortality.
5. The Dillinger’s Intimidating Gauntlet
Boulder City’s notorious gangster-themed eatery dares diners to face The Gauntlet. When I drove through town last summer, locals were still talking about the college student who finished it in record time!
This challenge features a massive double-patty brisket burger accompanied by five substantial sides: regular fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, coleslaw, and bread pudding topped with ice cream.
The clock starts ticking with roughly 20-30 minutes to clean your plate, but victory means walking away without paying a dime.
6. Let’s Get Pho’s Colossal 11-Pound Bowl
Henderson’s favorite Vietnamese restaurant serves up a pho challenge of epic proportions. This gigantic bowl contains a staggering 11 pounds of broth, noodles, and meat – roughly five times the size of a regular serving.
The restaurant actively promotes this challenge on their social media, but interested competitors should call ahead to book their attempt. Staff provide all details about rules and potential prizes upon registration.
Bringing friends for moral support is highly recommended when facing this massive noodle mountain.
7. Super Mario’s Gigantic King Pizza Duel
I watched two college football players attempt this massive pie last year, and even they struggled to finish! Super Mario’s Pizza challenges duos to conquer their colossal rectangular “King Pizza” measuring a whopping 45 by 24 inches.
Teams of two have exactly one hour to demolish this enormous creation. The challenge requires advance ordering, so spontaneous attempts aren’t possible.
Successful teams walk away with a $100 prize and a meal for free, making this one of the few challenges that actually pays winners beyond just covering the cost.
8. Fox & Hound’s Man v. Food Burger Battle
Perched on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, this smokehouse grill gained fame when it appeared on Season 10 of Man v. Food. Their signature challenge features a monstrous four-pound burger creation with a unique pizza component serving as part of the bun.
Contestants face a strict 60-minute time limit to finish the burger and all accompanying sides. The restaurant’s rustic mountain setting makes for a beautiful place to attempt such a gut-busting feat.
Champions receive their meal free and a commemorative T-shirt to prove their eating prowess.
9. Middlegate Station’s Historic Monster Burger
Along the lonesome stretch of Highway 50 east of Fallon sits Middlegate Station, a historic roadhouse serving one of Nevada’s oldest food challenges. Their Monster Burger features a triple-decker Angus patty weighing over 1⅓ pounds on sourdough bread.
The entire meal, including a mountain of fries, totals about four pounds of food. My trucker uncle claims this is the toughest challenge in the state because the meat quality is so good, you get full faster!
Finish in one sitting and you’ll earn a free T-shirt, though the meal itself isn’t comped.
10. Slice of Vegas’ Double-Decker Pizza Mountain
Located in Mandalay Place on the famous Las Vegas Strip, Slice of Vegas dares pizza lovers to tackle their “Double Down” challenge. This behemoth consists of two 18-inch pizzas stacked on top of each other, creating a nine-pound pizza mountain.
Contestants face a one-hour time limit with no bathroom breaks allowed. Participants must be at least 18 years old (21+ if they want to include a drink).
Victors receive their pizza free, a $100 gift card, and a T-shirt, making this one of the more lucrative challenges when conquered.
11. Duck Donuts’ Towering Boozy Milkshake
Sweet tooths, beware! Duck Donuts on the Las Vegas Strip serves a literally over-the-top challenge with their 100-ounce boozy milkshake. This massive dessert drink comes in a giant tube topped with four full-sized donuts.
Most challengers face approximately 20 minutes to down this dairy mountain. The shop stays open late daily, perfect for night owls seeking a sugar rush challenge.
Finish within the time limit, and the $100 shake is free. Fail, and you’ll need to pay for the privilege of attempting this sweet feat.