Blood, Sweat, and Vomit: 'Specialty Dog' Challenger Can't Conquer Sabretti's

Twenty-one seconds.

That’s all that stood between Food Challenge competitor Randy Santel and the first-ever full-board devouring of offerings from Sabretti’s Hot Dogs & Wild Game in Hopatcong.

The Midwesterner, who has taken down 195 challenges worldwide, was unable to keep the specialty hot dogs inside at the 29 minute and 39 second mark. The challenge was scheduled to last 30 minutes.

Santel’s objective was to not only beat the standing record at the business, held by Rockaway’s Peter Bond, with 19 specialty dogs in just 30 minutes, but to complete Sabretti’s full slate of offerings – 30 dogs – in the same time frame.

Santel had no problems knocking down Bond’s record, engulfing 20 specialty dogs in less than 14 minutes. But the challenge became just that when Santel entered the spicy zone.

On specialty dog number 25, the Wasabi Dog, the challenger’s nose began to bleed profusely. Santel forged on, beginning to chow down the final dog, dubbed Crazy Witch, like a wood chipper to a felled tree.

There were 21 seconds remaining in the challenge, but there was also a garbage can nearby. Sadly for Santel, the trash receptacle won, inheriting all that the challenger’s belly could not hold.

The “reversal of fortune” resulted in an immediate and complete disqualification of Santel, and left Bond as the reigning Sabretti’s title holder.

Santel told Sabretti’s owner Rohan Shetty the Specialty Dog challenge was one of the top-three hardest competitions he’s ever been involved in. The challenge can be completed, but takes training, the eater said.

The way in which Santel was disqualified was also a first. He told Shetty it was the first time he experienced a nosebleed during a challenge and the first time he’s every vomited during or after a competition.

To the winner go the spoils, and to the loser goes the tab. For Santel, the cache of meat cost him $83.15. The defeat doesn’t sit well with Santel, though, who said he plans to return to Hopatcong within a year to take down the challenge.

For those interested in taking the challenge, the rules are simple:

• Eat one more Specialty Dog past the Current Champion in alphabetical order of menu board with in 30 minutes
• Cannot leave table during contest and must remain seat for 10 minutes after consuming last dogs
• Cannot vomit during contest or 10 minutes after completion of contest
• Must pay for everything if you lose

What does a win mean?

• Sabretti’s Shirt
• Sabretti’s Ghost Sauce Bottle
• All dogs consumed free of charge
• Fame Picture in prime location in store
• If winner finishes entire board in 30 minutes, he/she will receive everything above as well as a $1,000 in gift certificate form and get your name on favorite hot dog from board menu for 3 months.

Pictured: Randy Santel before taking the Sabretti’s Specialty Dog challenge. Photo Courtesy Rohan Shetty.