Kona's offers a sandwich eating contest that'll test your stomach's abilities 

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There’s something tried and true about eating contests being male dominated. I don’t know if it’s testosterone driven, or if women are intimidated, but when school kicks in again, I would love to see a sorority vs. fraternity challenge take place at Kona’s.

I mean, eating contests are disgusting, but overall very entertaining. Kona’s sandwich-maker Kellen Martin has seen quite a few challenges take place since the eatery issued the challenge shortly after New Year’s Day, and all challengers have been male. And only 10 have succeeded.

Kona’s challenge is to eat the Destroyer sandwich within 20 minutes. The rules: You must stay seated while consuming this two-foot sandwich, and you have an unlimited amount of water or soda during the duration of the contest.

It’s not like Frank’s challenge though, where they hand you a plain ol’ mini burger and you try to eat as many as possible. No, this sandwich really is a destroyer. A two-foot sandwich—OK it’s really four six-inch sandwiches, piled up so big that when it’s presented to you, you pause to wonder if your mouth would fit around the whole thing. I know, that’s what she said. But really, it’s stacked with turkey, ham, salami, pastrami, roast beef, pepperoni, provolone and the works (mayo, mustard, lettuce, red onion, black pepper, and oil and vinegar). If you’re allergic or don’t like something they will swap it out for an equivalent substance, but they will not remove it altogether.

If you succeed, you get a nice little picture on their wall, entry to the monthly drawing, and are refunded the amount of this beastly sandwich, which is almost $20. And hey, if you don’t succeed, at least you’ll have something to eat later. Although, most people who participate in eating contests usually don’t want to see that particular food again for at least a month. Like when New Times staff writer Rhys Heyden participated in the 4th of July pie eating contest in Cambria, plunging his face into the dish, making me wonder if he’ll be ready for pie when Thanksgiving comes around.

Well, whadya say we start a new kind of tradition with sororities and fraternities by taking part in the Kona’s Destroyer challenge? It’s intriguing, entertaining, and takes place daily from 2 to 6 p.m!

Kona’s Deli is located at 977 Foothill Blvd. and can be reached at 546-0369, or “like” them on Facebook or follow them on instagram @konasdelislo.

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