A South Dakota Woman Just Completed Iowa’s ‘Emmenecker Challenge’ — Can You?

Think you have what it takes to complete 'The Emmenecker Challenge?' You can give it a shot at several Jethro's BBQ locations here in Iowa!

Jethro's BBQ via Facebook

What is the Emmenecker Challenge?

The Emmenecker Challenge is named after former Drake University basketball star Adam Emmenecker, and it's a giant burger is made up of all of Adam's favorite foods! According to an article from the Des Moines Register, the burger consists of "a cheddar cheeseburger, bacon, brisket, fried cheese, buffalo chicken tenders and a pork tenderloin smothered in white cheddar cheese sauce and topped off with a spicy pickle." That monstrous burger weighs in at four-pounds, which means that challengers are also required to finish one-pound of waffle fries, too.

So, how long do you have to finish all five pounds of food? Only 15 minutes! The Jethro's BBQ website says that all winners get "a free shirt, free sandwich, and eternal glory on our wall of fame."

And if you think 15 minutes is insane, wait until you hear what the world record is! In 2019, the Des Moines Register reported that professional competitive eater Molly Schuyler set a new record of 3 minutes, 1 second at the Jethro's location in Ames. Anyone who can break that record wins $10,000!

The Emmenecker Challenge gained popularity nationwide thanks to its appearance on the show Man v. Food back in 2010. According to an article from Drake University, host Adam Richman was unable to complete the challenge within the 15-minute time limit.

Who is the Latest Champion?

On June 18th, Jethro's BBQ announced on social media that a woman named Karen Meyer from South Dakota just became the first person to complete the challenge at their Jethro's BBQ n' LakeHouse restaurant in Ankeny. She is now the sole person on the Lakehouse Wall of Fame!

Karen, who documents her food challenges on her 'Karen's Bites Club' Facebook page, was able to finish all 5-pounds of food in 14 minutes and 50 seconds, leaving 10 seconds to spare. It was certainly an impressive feat, considering that it's taken other challengers more than one attempt to complete the challenge! For example, a man who goes by Magic Mitch on social media had two "brutal failures" before finally succeeding on his third try.

How Do I Try 'The Emmenecker Challenge?'

If you want to attempt The Emmenecker Challenge, all you have to do is visit one of Jethro's eight locations here in Iowa:

• Jethro's BBQ Iowa City, Coralville
• Jethro's BBQ n' LakeHouse, Ankeny
• Jethro's BBQ 'n Jambalaya, West Des Moines
• Jethro's BBQ 'n Bacon Bacon, West Des Moines
• Jethro's BBQ Southside, Des Moines
• Jethro's BBQ Ames, Ames
• Jethro's BBQ All Stars Downtown, Des Moines
• Jethro's 'n Jakes Smokehouse Steaks, Altoona

The cost to attempt the challenge is $35.95, but you only have to pay for it if you fail. You can read more about The Emmenecker Challenge on Jethro BBQ's website HERE.

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