Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is one of the wildest and most iconic traditions of American Independence Day.
What to expect
Every year on July 4, professional competitive eaters face off in Coney Island to eat as many hot dogs as possible within ten minutes.
The contest takes place right in front of the famous Nathan's Famous restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenue, exactly where Nathan's was founded in the early 20th century. Thousands of spectators come to Coney Island every year to watch the spectacle live.
The rules are simple: participants have ten minutes to eat as many hot dogs as possible. The buns count too, and they are often dipped in water so they go down faster. The current world record is more than 70 hot dogs in just ten minutes, a number many spectators can hardly believe.
The contest has long become a true Fourth of July tradition and is even broadcast nationwide on television. For visitors, the atmosphere on site is especially exciting: loud fans, music, hosts, and a huge dose of American carnival energy.
