As the giant clock on the wall of Nathan’s counts down the days, hours, minutes, and seconds till the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, Metropolis brings the sad news that Takeru Kobayashi will not be carried into the competition on his hot dog–shaped throne. A contract dispute is at fault, and the situation is so serious that for once, the vociferous Shea brothers aren’t commenting. If this totally ruins the spectacle for you, there’s now another Coney Island eating competition: We’re told Atomic Wings and Frank’s Red Hot Sauce will sponsor a wing-eating contest on Stillwell Avenue between Surf Avenue and the Boardwalk, part of the Siren Festival, on Saturday, July 17.
Kobayashi, Frankfurter-Eating Machine, Exits Hot Dog Contest [WSJ/Metropolis]
