[via Skinnyboy] Here's a short documentary on Hardee's/Carl Jr's "The Monster Thickburger". Some interesting stats on how the burger was created, some "health" statistics, and even a short history about Hardee's and their use of the "Char Broiled" style of burgers!

From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a68SrzBiHhY

This gargantuan goodie is the brainchild of Hardees Restaurants, who first introduced this extreme meal in 2004..... "It's two 1/3rd pound char broiled angus beef patties, three slices of cheese, four strips of bacon, that's the top and bottom, and then we butter and grill the buns". "The Monster weighs in at 1420 calories and 107g of fat"

[via Eatfeats] Famous Japanese competitive eater Gal Sone recently went on Japanese Television to complete this eating challenge. 20lb's of noodles in one sitting. Unbelievable! Check out the scales before and after! (and what's with the Japanese pixelating their stomachs?)

From: http://youtube.com/watch?v=iurH9hU7ODY

Hootie from (I think) Hootie and the Blowfish did this ad for Burger King. Burgers growing from trees, streams of ranch dressing, tumbleweeds of bacon, and Cheddar that lines the streets... And that giant burger! ahh.... what a wonderful world it would be!

From: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-1tLzUlK4EI

Thanks to Ali and Mianos for sending this one in! news.com.au is running a story on this years Axia 3 Turkey Eating Competition. Congrats to Pat Bertoletti for winning the event, devouring 4.8 pounds of turkey in 12 minutes!

From: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20807515-13762,00.html
Pics: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20807515-13762,00.html

From James Hossack in New York
November 23, 2006 12:00am
THEY consider themselves athletes and their event is food - and for the competitive eaters battling for the 2006 Turkey Eating Title in New York today, Thanksgiving is no holiday.

While millions of Americans will sit down tomorrow to enjoy a traditional turkey roast, eight self-confessed gluttons instead set out to reduce the festivities to a bite-sized 12 minutes, and without skimping on the portions.

[CONTINUED]

Bob, from Bob's BBQ (the current World Record Holder for the World's Largest Commercially Available Hamburger) comments on the recent attempt made by the Clinton Station Diner. Bob's BBQ currently holds the Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Hamburger. They won this title in late July, 2006. (Story and pictures here and here) Then in late October 2006, The Clinton Station Diner created "The 8th Wonder", weighing in at a mammoth 105lb's, and unofficially claiming the title of the World's Largest Burger. Bob has graciously commented on this latest attempt, and doesn't believe that Guinness will give the award to the Clinton Station Diner, claiming:

... Do I think it will make the World Record? Not a chance! The first thing I noticed was the meat is not fully cooked in the center and this is one of Guinness strict guidelines, There also has to be a certified Health official on premises to certify the fact that it was fully cooked and I saw no mention of this, The second biggest thing I see is there are just to many toppings and as already mentioned this is another strict guideline that it has to be in proportion to a normal burger...

Seems there's more to the Big Burger Wars than one would think!

[CONTINUED]

Here's the new Triple Whopper commercial for Burger King. Reminds me of another vid I saw, where these guys tried to stuff a cheeseburger into their mouths in one go... :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXbMCOywVY

I'll admit, it was the picture that got me. There's something about giant Cheeseburgers that makes my mouth water. The mustard, the pickles, those teeny weeny onions... if only they all looked that good! An interesting article though about branding

From: http://www.ahamburgertoday.com/archives/2006/10/cheeseburger_as_brand_interface.php

Interesting essay from a branding-marketing standpoint on the nature of user interface as brand identity. (Think iPod — the clickwheel interface and white headphones are instantly recognizable without the need for the Apple logo on the product's face.) Carry that through to food, as the folks at Information Architects did, and you have the McDonald's cheeseburger:

[CONTINUED]

[from eatfeats.com] Perhaps not so much the meal itself being supersized, but rather the contestant. Kobayashi was put up against a Giant Alaskan Kodiak bear in a hot dog eating competition. This bear stands over 8 feet tall, and weighs in at 1089 pounds. Who do you think is going to win this battle?

"Kings Cross English Pub Restaurant" has not one, but two food challenges, the Tripleburger, and the Quadburger challenge. As the names suggest, 3 and 4 patties on a fully loaded burger, served with fries and salad. Finish it in 30 minutes, and you get a free shirt. But now there's a Quadburger challenge! Do the challenge, get it all for free (and a free shirt!)

From: http://kingscross.no/eng%20htm/e_quadburger.htm

The tripleburger club was an elite club of hungry people who could manage the awesome feet of a tripleburger, chips and salad in 30 mins.
Now, new in 2005:
Have you got the hunger to take on the
Kings Cross new QUAD BURGER?
A four stacker burger meal with English chips and salad. Only 20 mins to finish everything!
Have you got what it takes?

[CONTINUED]

(UPDATED! Houmam found the Pic!)
When Supersized Meals turn deadly! I know a spicy burrito might have a nasty effect the next day, but to shut down a school? hahah... (image is the actual burrito!)

From: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7683168/

CLOVIS, N.M. - A call about a possible weapon at a middle school prompted police to put armed officers on rooftops, close nearby streets and lock down the school. All over a giant burrito.

Someone called authorities Thursday after seeing a boy carrying something long and wrapped into Marshall Junior High.

The drama ended two hours later when the suspicious item was identified as a 30-inch burrito filled with steak, guacamole, lettuce, salsa and jalapeños and wrapped inside tin foil and a white T-shirt.

[CONTINUED]