"coney island" news and stories

"Coney Island Elephant." Photo: Theremina/Flickr

In a result that shocked ... no one ... elephants defeated humans in an eating contest at Brooklyn, N.Y.'s Coney Island on Friday afternoon. The trio of animals, whose names sound like second string Golden Girls (Bunny, Susie and Minny) beat the people eaters by nearly 3 to 1 -- 505 to 143 hot dog rolls, in case you were counting.

The animals are in their 40s, and moved at what one reporter called a "leisurely" pace, compared to human counterparts who utilized strategies like dipping two buns in liquid, then stuffing them in their mouths.

Ironically enough, when Slashfood reported this story last week, our source at Major League Eating, George Shea, said, "really, the strategy of ... whether or not the elephants will understand they're in a contest: Will they begin as quickly as the eaters? Will they eat in a leisurely fashion?"

It didn't seem to matter. The results, declared organizers, were a "setback for humanity."

Competitive eaters v. Ringling Bros. elephants. Photos: Getty Images

Man versus beast. That age-old test of wills is being revived once more, and this time it's about who can pack down more hot-dog buns.

As a prelude to the annual hot-dog eating contest at Coney Island, three professional eaters will go up against three Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey elephants on July 3 in Brooklyn, N.Y., an organizer confirmed to Slashfood.

"The animal kingdom in general is oppressed -- many would say -- by the dominance of the human species, and if they were to win this battle, in a way it could signal a rise of the animals," George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating, tells Slashfood. "Or at the very least, a confidence booster."

Get the details on this pachyderm pack down after the jump.

Philadelphia Magazine writer Jason Fagone spent one year profiling some of the most divinely outsized personalities in the world of competitive eating. While Akron house painter Coondog O'Karma makes a midlife grab at glory via rapid-fire pizza consumption, Bill "El Wingador" Simmons attempts to reclaim Wong Bowl supremacy from 90lb Sonya "Black Widow" Thomas, and day trader Tim Janus dons the mantle of the mysterious Eater X, it all comes down to one shared hunger. They all want to win the Mustard Yellow Belt of International Hot Dog Eating Supremacy back from the Japanese who'd dominated the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest nearly every year since 1997.

Back in July of 2001, that would mean beating the record of 25 1/8 set the previous year by Kazutoyo "The Rabbit" Arai.

That was before Takeru Kobayashi's 50 Dog Day.

Read an excerpt from Jason Fagone's Horsemen of the Esophagus on AOL Food

A trip down to the shore is one of the best things you can do in the summer. The air is cooler than it is inland and tangy with salt. The people all seem to have smiles on their faces, playing in the water or simply relaxing on a towel in the sand. But even more attractive than the sand and surf is a boardwalk, if you're lucky enough to find a beach that has one. Boardwalks range in size from a few shops to small carnivals, with rides and games. The best thing about them is always the food. They offer both sweet and savory - none of it healthy and all of it delicious. The Travel Channel has a list of the best boardwalks, but here are some of the summer favorites you should be able to find at almost any of them.

1. Salt water taffy - Legend has it that this treat got its name when a candy store in Atlantic City was flooded with ocean water, but it was probably just a gimmick to sell the chewy candy.
2. Fudge - Fudge goes right alongside taffy in boardwalk candy stores. It's a staple of tourist areas, inexpensive and indulgent, and it holds up better than a chocolate bar in the sun.

It was September 2003, the eve of my little sister's birthday. She was living with us at the time, and my husband and I were definitely on the poor end of the spectrum. It was my husband who came up with the concept of doing a hot dog bar to celebrate on-the-cheap. And it was I who thought, well, then, we'll need some Coney Island chili to go with the dogs! But I'd never made it. I'd never so much as tasted it.

So, naturally, I Googled. And I didn't find much. (Since then, however, Sandra Lee has cooked up her Semi-Homemade version - let's just say this isn't a recommended option.) What to do? My husband said he had the answer. He took me to Nick's Famous Coney Island, the hot dog joint legendary for its authentic New York-style chili here in Portland.

They wouldn't sell their chili a la carte, nor would they give me the recipe. So we ordered two hot dogs, and I tasted it slowly, savoring the spices and dissecting the dish in my mind. Soon, I knew what I needed to do.

And I went home, and cooked this chili. It quickly became the most-requested recipe in my family's repertoire (with the possible exception of a few no-bake cookie recipes, but that's a story for another day). It's good either on the stove or in a slow cooker; either way, though, I suggest you cook it for 2-4 hours total.