MILWAUKEE — Thursday was National Burrito Day and hundreds of people packed the beer garden in the Deer District to watch the first ever World Burrito Eating Championship hosted by QDOBA in partnership with the Major League Eating.
Eight people competed in the contest, including Joey Chestnut, the most well known and number one-ranked competitive eater in the world. Miki Sudo, the current female hot dog eating champion also competed, as well as three people from Wisconsin.
Those competing had 10 minutes to eat as many burritos possible. Each burrito, dubbed QDOBA's World Eating Championship Burrito, featured grilled adobo chicken, cilantro lime rice, black beans, three-cheese queso, roasted tomato salsa and guacamole; they weighed just over a pound each.
Sudo came in third place with 11.25 burritos. Geoff Esper came in second place with 13.5 burritos. The winner was Chestnut, with 14.5 burritos. He took home $10,000 for his win.
Chestnut previously competed at the Wisconsin State Fair, where he took third place in a cheese curd eating contest. He said that loss hurt and he wanted redemption in Wisconsin.
“I’m happy I got the win today,” said Chestnut. “It feels good.”
He said he’s celebrating Wisconsin-style: With a beer. He also spent some time post- and pre-competition to meet fans from America's Dairyland.
“The fans are great,” said Chestnut. “If they’re out here in the cold to watch me I have to push it to the limit and don’t get lazy.”
Fan Brittany Kachingwe was front and center during the competition. She said she’s a big fan of Chestnut and arrived to the Deer District hours before the burrito eating started to get a front row seat.
“I absolutely love Joey Chestnut,” said Kachingwe. “I love Miki as well.”
She said watching it in person is a neat experience.
“This was amazing,” Kachingwe. “To be able to see it up close and personal and see every little piece of rice fall out, it’s a lot better than seeing it on TV.”
She said she’s excited Chestnut won a contest in her home city.
“The Deer District is amazing,” Kachingwe. “It’s a great place to have championship basketball, championship eaters, a great atmosphere. Everyone should come out and see some events out here.”
The burrito eating contest wasn’t enough for her though. She’ll travel to New York on the 4th of July to watch Chestnut go for his 16th title in the famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.