Location: Wildwood, NJ
The summer beach season kicked into high gear on June 18 as Maui’s Dog House held the World Salty Ball Potato-Eating Championship on the beach in Wildwood, NJ, in honor of Father’s Day.
Potatoes, whether French-fried, baked or boiled, are considered among the most difficult foods to eat in competition. They are dense and heavy and require significant focus by eaters.
Sonya Thomas ate six pounds of Maui's special salty ball potatoes in eight minutes, 40 seconds to take home first and win $2,500. In the same time, Tim Janus consumed just under five pounds to place second for $1,500 and Don Lerman edged out Oleg Zhornitskiy for third place and $1,000 by eating just.05 ounces more of potatoes. Zhornitskiy, who seems repeatedly to have endured very close calls, received $400.
Also on hand was Eric Badlands Booker, Humble Bob Shoudt, Crazy Legs Conti and a number of top eaters.
The event, held on the beach in North Wildwood, NJ, attracted nearly 1,000 fans and was overseen by North wildwood Mayor Palambo. Maui's Dog House, which features bratwurst with 18 different toppings, is known for the salty potato ball, which is boiled in brine and then sauteed in butter.
Other attractions that were part of the event included the Sudenvolk Porsche Club of New Jersey Car Show and an exhibition by Wildwood Harley Davidson.
The Salty Ball potato was created to give customers a change from the usual French fry. Maui’s Dog House located two farms in upstate New York near Lake Ontario that grow a small, yellowish spud. The potatoes are harvested, then boiled in a special brine, salted and served dripping with butter. As with all Maui’s Dog House meals, the salty ball potatoes are served in dog bowls.