Think You Got What it Takes to Win a Hot Dog-Eating Contest?

If you love hot dogs and can't stop at one, then The Best Windy City Hot Dogs has an event for you.

The restaurant, 403 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange Park, is expanding the hot dog-eating contest it held last year and will hold another contest in front of the store at 3:30 p.m. July 30.

Here's a link to a video from last year's contest.

The divisions are:

Little Doggies—12 years of age and under. Contestants will have six minutes to eat as many 3-inch hot dogs in 3-inch buns. The cost for the entry is $15.

Big Dogs—13 to 17 years old. Contestants will have 10 minutes to eat as many 6-inch hot dogs in 6-inch buns. Entry fee is $25.

Elite—18 years of age and older. Contestants will have 12 minutes to eat as many 6-inch hot dogs in 6-inch buns. Entry fee is $35.

The general rules are listed on the application that must be filled out, signed and submitted with the entry fee in order to participate. If the participant is under 18, a parent must sign the application. The entry forms are available at the restaurant.

The winners won’t just get bragging rights, they will win prizes. Here’s the list of prizes to give you a little incentive to see if you’ve got what it takes to be the King or Queen Hot Dog Eater.

Little Doggies

1st Place -$25 gift certificate and $40 cash

2nd Place – Trophy

3rd Place – Trophy

Big Dogs

1st Place – Trophy, $50 gift certificate and $150 cash

2nd Place –Trophy, $50 gift certificate and $25 cash

3rd Place - $50 gift certificate

Elite

1st Place – Trophy, your photo hung on the restaurant wall, $400 cash and $100 gift certificate

2nd Place - $100 gift certificate and $100 cash

3rd Place - $50 gift certificate and $50 cash

So start practicing your hot dog-eating skills and come out July 30. Even if you aren’t interested in participating, like me, it’s a fun event to come and watch. Come on out and cheer on the king of the dogs!