Long Island food challenges: Glory in gluttony

If eating has become a sport, then food challenges are the game. Several restaurants have standing dare-you-to-finish meals on their menus -- from extra-spicy chicken wings to a mammoth-size pizza.

Success is rewarded with the meal on the house and a hearty share of glory. Here's a taste of what's being served.

The "Heart Attack Challenge" at Nina's Pizzeria just might test your loyalty to pizza or simply make you rethink your eating habits. Picture this: a 30-inch party pie topped with 3 pounds of bacon, 3 pounds of chicken fingers, 3 pounds of French fries and a trio of cheeses (mozzarella, Monterey Jack and Cheddar). Ranch dip is optional. Time for consumption: 60 minutes or less.

"Nobody has done it, but several have tried," says chef Franco LaRocca. "It's intimidating."

There's no lobster involved, but you'll still need a bib for this 7-pound seafood fest at Port Royal Pub & Grille in Islip. The restaurant's "Davy Jones Locker Challenge" starts with 2 pounds of snow crab legs followed by a pound each of jumbo shrimp, mussels and fried clam strips. Then, you'll be faced with two stuffed flounders, soup or salad as well as potato and vegetable. You have one hour to make it disappear.

"Everybody has a different approach," says owner Bill Garbarino. "Some try to eat the heavy stuff first, while others try to de-shell everything into a mound and eat it."

Call them the two amigos: One's chicken and one's beef. Pinata's Mexican Grill of Bethpage offers the Monster Burrito Challenge, in which patrons must consume a pair of massive burritos filled with south-of-the-border goodness in one hour.

Packed in two extra-large flour tortillas are sauteed onions and peppers, grilled chicken or steak, sour cream, Jack cheese, Pico de Gallo, rice and black or pinto beans.

"It's a fun thing to have on the menu," says manager Johnny Busre. "The customers like it. Some even come back and do it again."

It's not for the weak-kneed (or stomached) -- The Burger Shack's challenge involves ingesting six 8-ounce burgers stacked on top of each other, paired with chili cheese fries and a large shake. All must be eaten within 60 minutes.

Only 20 percent of the people who tried this feat succeeded, and 95 percent were men.

"Usually, the big guys can't finish it," says owner Ken Hanlon. "It's the skinny twig who comes in and nails it."

The task seems simple: eat a dozen hot wings in five minutes at Brickhouse Brewery & Restaurant in Patchogue. The catch? They are doused in El Diablo's fiery hot sauce.

"On a scale of 1 to 10, these wings are a whopping 10," says bar manager James Skidmore. "There are many who wish they didn't do it. It ends up being a bit of a circus."