Jethro’s BBQ ups the ante with $25,000 prize for food eating competition during March Madness

Jethro’s BBQ is raising the stakes for March Madness.

The Iowa brand with seven locations, including one in Coralville, is offering $25,000 to anyone who can eat one particular sandwich fast enough. The new reward more than doubles the last offer, which was $10,000.

The entree in question, the Adam Emmenecker Sandwich, weighs in at four pounds piled high with all the favorites of the Iowa basketball player: pork tenderloin, Angus steak burger, Texas brisket, bacon, fried cheese, buffalo chicken tenders and cheese sauce, all served with a pound of waffle fries.

The sandwich’s namesake, a former Drake University basketball player, was the 2008 Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and Larry Bird trophy winner.

If you finish the plate, you get the $35 dish for free and your photo posted on their Wall of Fame. But to grab the prize, you have to beat the current world record for finishing the plate: three minutes and one second.

The current world record holder is Molly Schyler, a 125-pound mother of four who conquered the challenge and is the record holder in six Jethro’s locations.

The Emmenecker Challenge gained national attention when the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food” star Adam Richman attempted and failed the challenge on national television.

The $25,000 offer is valid through the end of March.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.

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