During my first visit to Jake’s Sandwich Board last week, I noticed a large man alone at a table, surrounded by an impressively enormous smorgasbord of sandwiches and Peanut Chews. Then I noticed a stopwatch. And a Jake’s employee patiently prodding: “17 minutes to go!” With some snooping, I learned about “The Challenge.” Your meal: a 2-foot steak, brisket or pork sandwich weighing about three pounds, four soft-pretzels, 12 TastyKakes; 24 Peanut Chews; and one Champ Cherry Soda. The price: $34.95. Or free if you can polish it all off yourself in 45 minutes. The Challenger seemed to be doing well when I left: 13 minutes to go and only a few bites of sandwich and plate of candies in front of him. But I didn’t stay to see if he attained victory: a free, epic stomach ache.
