Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Game, Set, Match, Burrito? Eating Competition in East LA

El Tepeyac Exterior
Heavy as a newborn baby, larger than forearms, and costs approximately a Jackson . . . that can only mean one thing in Los Angeles, the over-five-pounds Manuel's Special Burrito at El Tepeyac Café in East Los Angeles; where, as mentioned last week, Binary Tastebuds faced off against Choisauce to see who can eat the most or finish the fastest, with the loser paying the El Tepeyac bill AND a no-limit-set dinner at Rivera.
Burrito & My Camera Case
Here's the monstrous burrito, with my camera case for size comparison. Yeah, it's as wide as my camera is long!
DSC07371
The contenders holding their precious burrito babies (that they'll soon eat like Cronus!)
Normal People with Somewhat Normal-Sized Orders
And three witnesses (left to right): Danny of Kung Food Panda, Evelina of Two Hungry Pandas, and Alan of Liquored on Life (Panda?), were there too, with more normal-size (though still unusually large) portions of and burrito, quesadilla, tostada and horchata. Conbon was there too, but she only shared a jamaica with me as we observe the showdown.
Open Wide
At first, both contender seem to be going strong, with Mr. BT taking the silent 'n steady route while Choisauce was texting and craptalking during the nosh fest, which he occasionally reciprocated.
Taking her sweet time tweeting
But after 20 minutes, the gap quickly widened . . .
Loser & Winner Plate
and it soon became clear who's taking the Rivera prize and who's footing the bill.
Ladylike winner
Here's the winner with her paper crown, ladylike mouth wipe-age, and declarations of "I WANT DESSERT!"
The zero and the one
Final victory/loser pose (or in Binary Tastebud terms, the zero and the one)
Normal People and their meals...
And the three witnesses with their half-eaten "normal" sized plates. Conbon and I actually had a taste of each, they weren't bad, but we can't imagine finishing even the regular portion all by our lonesome, let alone the Manuel's Special (meant for four people.)
Champion Ready for Dessert
Still-sweets-craving Choisauce begs to differ; in any case -
Post burrito face
Congrats (and oh yeah, A for Effort, Mr. BT), and I am soooo glad I don't have to see either of you in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Winner's Cap
More photos (and videos) here on my flickr. And in case you want to tackle the Manuel's Special yourself . . .

El Tepeyac Café
812 North Evergreen Ave
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 268-1960

22 comments:

Gourmet said...

Ugh ... I think I have a tummy ache just looking at the photo. Bigger than my face, I heard, and yes, I agree.

Gastronomer said...

That battle wasn't even close! Mad props, Choisauce!

Food Marathon said...

Beware of the beast that lurks within seniorita Choisauce.

tallnoe said...

Choisauce is AWESOME!! And my hero. Duh. :D

kevinEats said...

As the men (myself included) have failed in taking on Ms. Choi, we need to find a female challenger for round three. I know Josie from Uncouth Gourmands had been talkin' some smack...

weezermonkey said...

Amazing. Girls rule.

girlrobot said...

wow, she doesn't even look phased. props to her!

joanh said...

WOW! I'm impressed- where did it go? I saw this on Man vs. Food and did not think anyone could finish one...

Kung Food Panda said...

Friggin Choisauce is pretty amazing. I've tried and failed to defeat her. I want to see some more challengers!!

Unknown said...

I see what you mean....

H. C. said...

@Gourmet, hah I think it's bigger than most people's faces.

@Gastronomer, agreed! even given my tendency to root for underdogs, 15 minutes in I switch sides...

@Food Marathon, or the burrito baby that she's carrying ;)

@tallnoe, girls rule and boys drool (or groan, as the case may be)

@Kevin, another possibility is Javier, he claimed to have no problem finishing Manuel's Special too. Maybe another 3-way competition for next month

@Weezer, *drool*

@girlrobot, I was more taken aback by her "I WANT DESSERT" declarations

@joanh, you'll have to ask choisauce in regards to "where'd it go?" ;)

@KFP, see my response to KevinEats

@Tu, I'm glad I only have to 'see' and not 'eat' too.

MissMeow said...

Wow. That's awesome. You guys should do a Hawkins Special battle :)

Natalie DeJohn said...

Can't believe that tiny gal ate all that! I feel sick just looking at it. Wowsa.

Food, she thought. said...

Choisauce is certifiably unsatiable. It's been certified many times!

Eating The Road said...

I cannot believe she ate the whole thing!!!

They serve the best carne asada taco!
http://eatingtheroad.wordpress.com/2009/10/17/el-tepeyac/

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Sharon J. said...

That's a heck of a jumbo burrito! That's what I always get when I go to the Mexican restaurant.

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