The “999 Challenge” was a letdown.
Citi Field aimed to hype the much-discussed challenge, where fans are meant to consume nine hot dogs and nine beers during nine innings. But as I embarked on this culinary adventure, familiar disappointment crept in as a Mets fan—I almost ran out of beer.
Let me clarify, I didn’t do this just for kicks; it was all in the name of journalism. However, the laughably small 2.5 oz cups of beer were more bloating than refreshing. I could barely hear the game over my own discomfort.
Initially, I thought I might need a stash of Pepto-Bismol and potentially a medical professional on standby, so I reached out to renowned competitive eater, Jeffrey Esper, for tips.
To channel my inner Joey Chestnut, he advised me to skip breakfast and switch up the hot dog toppings to avoid “taste fatigue.”
But after splurging $60 on a “999 Challenge” platter featuring nine tiny 3.5-inch hot dogs and a 24-ounce can of Coors (I could have gone with Heineken), I realized all that prep was for naught.
The tall boy was meant to be sipped slowly, one 2.5-ounce cup per inning. Each cup barely passed as a decent drink—roughly the size of two shot glasses.
That just felt lame.
One disappointed fan remarked, “Not a complete grizzly?!” referring to the diminutive hot dog, while another chimed in with, “That hot dog looks so sad.”
The first couple of mini hot dogs disappeared quickly, and I finished my tiny beer in only a few sips. At least the cup was a Mets souvenir, which made the high price feel somewhat justified.
As I munched through each dry dog served on stale buns, I realized I wanted more. The beer-to-dog ratio? Not great. I craved more beer.
But by the end of the sunny three-hour game, my once-cold beer had warmed up to an unpleasant lukewarm.
By the third inning, any hope of catching a buzz was dashed. I’d managed to bulk up my ultra-dry hot dogs with ketchup and mustard, which actually made them somewhat decent. It didn’t take more than three bites per dog, and yet by the fourth, an uncomfortable fullness had set in.
My stomach bulged, and it was so warm that my fingers started to swell. I was done.
Cheering for the Mets while juggling a “999 Challenge” tray proved challenging. Despite the Mets cruising to a 7-11 victory over the Pirates, the giant tray made it harder to stand and celebrate.
In the end, I drained all 24 ounces of beer and managed to eat 6.5 hot dogs before succumbing to bloating.
I walked away feeling uncomfortable, tired, and a bit grumpy.
Time for some real refreshments.
