Nathan's Unveils Wall of Fame

To memorialize the world’s greatest eating athletes, Nathan’s Famous has established an enormous three story high Hot Dog Eating Wall of Fame featuring images of past hot dog eating greats, a list of past records and a digital clock to count down the minutes to the July 4, the day on which the historic international annual hot dog eating contest is held.

The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held in Coney Island, NY for decades and attracts top eating talent from around the world. The current world hot dog eating record is held by Takeru Kobabyashi of Japan, who consumed 50 ½ hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes in 2002.

The gigantic Wall of Fame decorates the side of a three story structure that is part of Nathan’s Famous’ flagship restaurant on Stillwell Avenue at 1310 Surf Avenue. The Wall of Fame will join the parachute jump, the Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone as an instant Coney Island attraction.

The images of featured eaters span nearly 20 feet, a metaphor for their position in the world of sport. Pictured eaters will include Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, Hungry Charles Hardy of Brooklyn and Sonya Thomas of Virginia.

“The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has become a highlight of America’s greatest patriotic holiday,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous. “It epitomizes the spirit associated with summer and now the Wall of Fame will pay tribute to the greatest eaters in history.”

“This is a 2D Mount Rushmore of Eating,” said George Shea, chair of the International Federation of Competitive Eating. “It further establishes the original Nathan’s Famous as the ultimate destination for competitive eating fans worldwide.”

The 2004 Nathan’s Famous July Fourth Hot Dog Eating contest is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating; the IFOCE will handle all registration. The Nathan’s Famous International Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Championship is held each year on July 4 at the original Nathan’s Famous location at Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, NY. An official weigh-in and certification ceremony will be hosted by Mayor Bloomberg at New York City Hall on July 2. The 2004 Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating circuit is making stops in Hollywood, Boston, Tokyo, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Norfolk and other cities.