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  1. Some of you may be aware of the aforementioned show on the Travel Channel in the United States. Basically, this poor guy travels around from city to city, exploring the local restaurants and frequenting the establishments that have 'legendary status' within the area. Each episode is centered around a "challenge" where the host attempts to eat some ridiculously large portion of food, or something spicy enough to spontaneously combust.

    Question: If the show Man vs. Food was to visit Waterloo Region, where would you recommend they go?

    To me, the obvious choice would be something like the Harmony Lunch, but their fare doesn't really fit the criteria of epic portions or terribly spicy food.
    2. #1
    Section ThirtyOne
    04-12-2011 01:21 PM
  2. From Kitchener Waterloo | Member Since Oct 2010 | 598 Posts
    #2
    04-12-2011 01:44 PM
    Morty's !
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  3. From Belmont Villiage | Member Since Dec 2009 | 427 Posts
    #3
    04-12-2011 02:33 PM
    I think you may have found an issue. Gluttony isn't well served in Waterloo Region.

    In my youth, there was King Kong Subs at Phillip and University. They had a three foot sub. If you finished it, they took a Polaroid and put it on their wall of fame.

    I don't know of anywhere known for their obscene portion of food in WR.
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  4. From Kitchener, ON | Member Since May 2010 | 53 Posts
    #4
    04-12-2011 02:46 PM
    The thing about this show (which is quite fun to watch) is that he hunts down specific gastronomic challenges. While I was in Des Moines, for instance, there was a restaurant that once hosted him. The challenge was that he had to eat this specific sandwich (which was about four pounds of barbecue meat and cheese, as well as an extra large order of waffle-cut potatoes) within fifteen minutes. He failed. But then, membership on the wall of shame is no shame. Hundreds have tried (and, seriously, they have a wall covered with hundreds of photographs), and only about five or six have succeeded.

    The only similar challenge that I know of in the region comes from the Chill and Grill at University and Phillip in Waterloo. They have a colossal burger challenge and their own wall of fame. Others who know the restaurant might know the particulars.
  5. From DOWNTOWN | Member Since Mar 2010 | 1,586 Posts
    #5
    04-12-2011 03:38 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Moore
    I think you may have found an issue. Gluttony isn't well served in Waterloo Region.
    ...........
    I don't know of anywhere known for their obscene portion of food in WR.
    As in so many things, we are unique in our gluttony. Not as common as they used to be, but anyone who has witnessed people coming back (repeatedly) from a Waterloo County smorgasbord table with plates heaped with multiple portions of meat, fowl, carbs (and of course jellied salad), will know that locals can pig out with the best of them!
  6. Section ThirtyOne's Avatar
    From Waterloo, ON | Member Since Feb 2010 | 417 Posts
    #6
    04-13-2011 12:08 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Moore
    I think you may have found an issue. Gluttony isn't well served in Waterloo Region.

    In my youth, there was King Kong Subs at Phillip and University. They had a three foot sub. If you finished it, they took a Polaroid and put it on their wall of fame.

    I don't know of anywhere known for their obscene portion of food in WR.
    I had forgotten about that place... my family used to go to the location on Krug Street because it was convenient. The subs weren't too shabby either. Yet another local "chain" driven out of business by the big guys.
  7. Section ThirtyOne's Avatar
    From Waterloo, ON | Member Since Feb 2010 | 417 Posts
    #7
    04-13-2011 12:10 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by benjaminbach
    Morty's !
    Perhaps, but they don't have a quantity or spiciness related challenge do they?

    When I think of wings, the old 'Fool on the Hill' pub where Ennio's on King Street North is now located used to have some ridiculously hot wings. So hot in fact, that if you finished 10 of them in a specified amount of time, your whole table ate for free. I am a huge fan of spicy food, and these things were off the charts.
    Last edited by Section ThirtyOne; 04-13-2011 at 01:01 PM.
  8. From Waterloo | Member Since Feb 2010 | 424 Posts
    #8
    04-13-2011 12:30 PM
    An interesting marketing idea that could be used by some of the long-time local events.

    Elmira Maple Syrup Festival
    Oktoberfest (although promoting excessive beer consumption would be frowned upon - maybe sausage and sauerkraut)
  9. Member Since Jan 2011 | 3 Posts
    #9
    04-19-2011 10:41 PM
    Bangkok Cuisine on Weber around Fairway has a wall of fame for their hottest level of spice. The highest I go there is medium, but I'm a relative lightweight in terms of spice compared to my younger self.

    In terms of historic locations, Harmony or Jimmy's Diner strike me as a couple of the most venerable but neither really features any notable stunt food.
  10. Section ThirtyOne's Avatar
    From Waterloo, ON | Member Since Feb 2010 | 417 Posts
    #10
    04-20-2011 11:24 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by rmdrimmie
    Bangkok Cuisine on Weber around Fairway has a wall of fame for their hottest level of spice. The highest I go there is medium, but I'm a relative lightweight in terms of spice compared to my younger self.

    In terms of historic locations, Harmony or Jimmy's Diner strike me as a couple of the most venerable but neither really features any notable stunt food.
    Oh really? How many people are on said wall?

    I may have to check this out.
  11. Member Since May 2010 | 8 Posts
    #11
    08-02-2011 10:42 AM
    He could always try to beat the taco record at Ethels!
  12. Member Since Jan 2011 | 172 Posts
    #12
    08-02-2011 07:43 PM
    Maybe Sonny's and Harmony Lunch...not huge portions but local icons. There used to be the 'Trucker's Portion' at the Tu-lane Restaurant out by the 401 interchange and those were huge portions. Closed now though.
  13. From Uglyopolis | Member Since Mar 2010 | 502 Posts
    #13
    08-02-2011 10:48 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Moore
    I think you may have found an issue. Gluttony isn't well served in Waterloo Region.
    Based on the growing number of AYCE restaurants in the Region, I'd say gluttony is alive and well. We're definitely not doing so well in the obesity table...

    http://www.canadafacts.org/the-slimm...est-in-canada/

    In my youth, there was King Kong Subs at Phillip and University. They had a three foot sub. If you finished it, they took a Polaroid and put it on their wall of fame.

    I don't know of anywhere known for their obscene portion of food in WR.
    I remember King Kong Subs well. My parents used to buy those huge subs and cut them into more people friendly chunks. Now, the only truly obscene single portion I can think of is the giant burger at the Grill. Seem to recall it is 3 pounder??