Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut hopes for a comeback victory in annual Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest

AP ^ | 7/04/25

[Libloather]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest is back, and famed competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut is hoping for a comeback 17th win on Friday.

The 41-year-old, from Westfield, Indiana, was not in last year’s event due to a contract dispute involving a deal he had struck with a competing brand, the plant-based meat company Impossible Foods. But now he’s back, saying things have been ironed out.

Patrick Bertoletti, of Chicago, won the title in Chestnut’s absence and is the defending men’s champion.

In the women’s competition, defending champion Miki Sudo, 39, of Tampa, Fla., is the favorite this year and is seeking her 11th title. Last year she downed a record 51 dogs.

The annual gastronomic battle, which dates back to 1972, is held in front of the original Nathan’s Famous’ restaurant at New York’s Coney Island and draws large crowds of fans, many in foam hot dog hats.

[Libloather]

It's tradition.
Live stream: Fubo | ESPN+
Date: Friday, July 4
Women's Competition 10:45 a.m. ESPN+
Men's Competition 12 p.m. ESPN2, Fubo

[Dr. Franklin]

More gluttony in a country full of the obese.

[albie]

I need to DVR this so please nobody reveal the winner!!

[Liz]

Nathan's-----with all the fixins.

[Liz]

[Sirius Lee]

I like mustard AND ketchup on my hotdogs. That’s right. Nothing anybody can do about it either.

[Liz]

okay by me.....I like to add sweet pickle relish to mine.

[one guy in new jersey]

Does Chestnut leave the competition stage, and not “regurge”?

If not, that’s got to be a gastronomical miracle. Because he’s clearly not croaking as a result of eating the weight equivalent of a small child!

[Sirius Lee]

I was once remonstrated by someone from Brooklyn because I put chili on my Grote & Weigel.

How do you grow up in NYC and you've never heard of a chili dog?

[Liz]

[Dr. Franklin]

Does Chestnut leave the competition stage, and not “regurge”?
If not, that’s got to be a gastronomical miracle. Because he’s clearly not croaking as a result of eating the weight equivalent of a small child!

Did you ever see Cool Hand Luke?
If he calls in the "brown bomber", it's all legit.

[slapshot]

Jabba the Guv, aka JB Pritzker is going to be a late entry as part of a campaign stopcfor Zohran the communist

[V_TWIN]

It’s a 4th of July tradition my friend.....and really nothing more than a giant commercial for Nathan’s hot dogs.

Try and lighten up a little, enjoy the day and the fact we live in the freeist country in the world and have a true American Patriot badass in our House!......happy 4th. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🎆🧨

[Nifster]

Not even close

[PTBAA]

Kamala is a lock for the win.

[PJ-Comix]

No Bar S Hot Dog eating contests today? The challenge would be eating that first hot dog. Ever try eating one? Yeccch!!! They taste like chemically treated with a spongelike cardboard texture.

[telescope115]

I’m with you!

My favorite dogs, however, are CHICAGO STYLE! 😛

With or without shell casings!😁 🌭🌭🌭

[telescope115]

That kid is looking at them like, “you people are crazy….”

[telescope115]

THANKS FOR POSTING THIS!! I missed it the last couple years.

[Liz]

yeah........chuckle