So you love food. Like, you really love food. The thought of trying something new entices your foodie cravings and warrants constant ventures to new and eclectic restaurants. But how far does your fascination with food really extend?

A host of local eateries pose a question to the city’s most adventurous diners: Can you consume a humorously large dish in an insanely short amount of time? These (frankly foreboding) food challenges are worthy of only the most voracious patrons — think 7-pound pizzas, 11-patty burgers and an 8-pound plate of chili. If you succeed, you’ll get your enormous dish for free and a coveted spot on that restaurant’s Hall of Fame (and maybe even a T-shirt!). But if you fail, expect too many leftovers to fit in your fridge, a high probability of some embarrassing pictures on social media and what’s likely to be the worst stomach ache you’ve ever encountered.

Brave eaters, read on (and maybe stock up on some antacids): These local restaurants are calling your name. Ask your server for specific rules and make sure to call 24-48 hours in advance so staff has time to prepare.

Photos by Hailey Bollinger
Bardzilla Challenge Bard’s Burgers, 3620 Decoursey Ave., Covington, 859-866-6017 The Feat: Take on the 11-patty Bardzilla burger, plus a pound of fries and a shake ($40) The Time Frame: 60 minutes. The Bardzilla is back and bigger than ever. If 10 cheesy patties weren’t difficult enough to consume, you now have to finish off 11 — each weighing a third of a pound — to champion this endeavor. The beast of a burger comes complete with extra cheese, lettuce and pickles, plus a pound of fries and a 16-ounce shake. As of August, 100 people had attempted to tackle the Bardzilla, but only three had been successful — although some have come painfully close. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger
Uber Terminator Challenge Mecklenburg Gardens, 302 E. University Ave., Clifton The Feat: Consume a “super hot” 2-pound mettwurst measuring over 30 inches long ($25) The Time Frame: 60 minutes. More than 100 challengers have faced The Terminator since Tom McKenna, a regular customer and longtime friend of the restaurant, came up with the idea for it about 10 years ago. “Tom was part of the first Terminator Challenge with professional eater Jammin’ Joe LaRue,” says Grace Harten, Mecklenburg’s marketing and events manager. “Jammin’ Joe managed to rise to the challenge twice, finishing the entire entrée within 6 minutes.” Every challenger to date has been a man, but, according to Harten, the future is female Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger
No Freakin’ Way Challenge Blue Ash Chili (9565 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, 513-984-6107; 4200 Aero Drive, Mason, 513-492-9650; 11711 Princeton Pike, Tri-County, 513-873-4663 The Feat: Conquer an 8-pound plate of Cincinnati-style chili ($39.99) The Time Frame: 60 minutes Two and a half pounds of spaghetti. Two and a half pounds of premium chili. Two pounds of shredded cheddar cheese. A pound of jalapeño caps. That’s a lot of chili, and you’ll need to clean your plate to conquer Blue Ash Chili’s No Freakin’ Way challenge. The restaurant is known just as much for its eclecticism — the flagship Blue Ash store channels an old-fashioned diner with classic records lining the walls — as it is for its Cincinnati-style chili served 3, 4, 5 or 6 ways; the latter was even featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins & Dives in 2010. But if six ways (a standard serving of spaghetti, chili, cheese, onions, beans and sliced jalapeños or fried bottle caps) just doesn’t cut it, the No Freakin’ Way Challenge takes things to the next, larger level. Eighty-three people have attempted the challenge — including Josh Denny of the Food Network’s Ginormous Food — but only five have won. Not even Denny was victorious. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Legend of the Drunken Fireman Giuseppe’s Pizza (2607 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-814-8444 The Feat: Finish an entire 7-pound Fireman Pizza ($50) The Time Frame: 59 minutes Behold the Fireman Pizza: a behemoth of a pie measuring 20 inches in diameter and weighing in at a whopping 7 pounds. Co-owner Greg Routhier says the dish is inspired by a gargantuan pie once ordered up by four hungry firemen. “The legend came to be when four off-duty firemen, enervated by their rigorous but heroic duties, stopped by to enjoy a few cold beers and some hot, fresh pizza,” he says. “The four heroes, unable to agree on toppings, boldly chose every single one available.” That extensive list of 20 toppings includes pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, beef, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, olives, pineapple, extra cheese and green, jalapeño and banana peppers; when plopped on a pizza, all those toppings measure nearly 3 inches high. The staff was flabbergasted when the firemen finished off the pizza completely, inspiring the restaurant to challenge hungry patrons to do the same. Seven have attempted the feat, but only one has succeeded. “This challenge is not for the faint of heart or those with a sensitive palate,” Routhier warns. “Choose your beverage wisely…” Photo: Hailey Bollinger Hailey Bollinger