Love Hot Dogs? Enter Smilin' Clyde's Hot Dog Eating Contest

OAK LAWN, IL -- If you like Vienna Pure Beef hot dogs, Smilin’ Clyde Anhalt is looking for contestants to participate in a hot dog eating contest. Smilin’ Clyde’s second annual hot dog showdown runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 29, at Oak Lawn’s historic Homestead Barr, 9306 S. Central Ave. Contestants must be 18 and over to participate. The big event starts at 3:30 p.m.

Come hang out for a couple hours in the Homestead's backyard and watch competitors eat for their chance to win a $400 first place and $100 second place prize. Smilin' Clyde's famous hot dogs will be available for purchase, along with water and soda. The Homestead will be selling Miller Lite, Coors Light and Bud Light.

Each contestant will wolf down as many red hots as fast as they can within four minutes. Contestants can dip the hot dog in water to soften the bun for easier swallowing. Also, contestants must wait to begin eating and may not touch any hot dogs prior to the starting signal. You can can eat standing or sitting down, but you can’t leave your designated area. The entire hot dog and bun must be completely eaten before picking up the next hot dog. Water may also be consumed during the contest.

When the timer stops, contestants must stop eating and promptly place their hands on the table or at their sides. Contestants have 15 seconds to swallow whatever is left in their mouth. And, should any contestant regurgitate any time during the contest or within two minutes after the final bell, you're automatically disqualified. You also have to sign a waiver. The good news is that contestants can win a first prize of $400, and $100 for the second place finisher.

Contestants must be 18 or older to enter. To register or for more information about the contest, send an email to clyde@smilinclydes.com.

Clyde Anhalt, also known as "Smilin' Clyde," along with daughter, Sarah, have built a small hot dog empire at farmers markets, community events, youth sports competitions, weddings and other occasions that no one has thought up yet. Anhalt, a former baseball coach for Oak Lawn Community High School, grew up loving pushcart Chicago hot dogs, so in 2011, he bought a weenie wagon.

"I always wanted a hot dog business called Smilin' Clyde Hot Dogs," Anhalt said. "I love steamed hot dogs and people enjoy them. People have a lot of fun with them."

Anhalt's speciality, a gift he has passed down to daughter, Sarah, is the Chicago dog, which he calls a "salad on a bun." Sarah, who was recently made a partner in the family hot dog business, promises not to let her dad "ketchup shame" customers who request anything outside of mustard, neon green relish, tomatoes, minced onions, cucumbers and sports peppers dusted with a sprinkling of celery salt on their Chicago-style hot dogs.

Top photo: Smilin' Clyde Anhalt and his "grandweenies." | Patch File Photo