Double Header in San Diego

The time was March 21, 2010. I was meeting a friend in the Gaslamp District of San Diego for a burger challenge.

Not just any burger challenge. Da Ultimate Burga Challenge! Finish it in 30 minutes and it's free with a shirt. If you finish it in 60, you still get a shirt but you'll pay $25. It's a 2 lb patty on a thick bun, all the fixings, and a pound of fries on the side. It's probably five pounds of food.

The server told us to start, and we were off. I began by attacking the top bun, veggies, and some of the fries. The patty came next. It was cooked very well and tasted better than any burger I'd had for quite awhile. At 15 minutes, all that remained was a pile of fries. My finish at 17 minutes was proclaimed a record, narrowly beating out a 19 minute win.

Unfortunately, my friend needed more than the thirty minutes to plow through his oversized happy meal. :(

My business in San Diego was not done. Forty minutes later, I arrived at the site of my second challenge for the day. This was Shakespeare Pub and Grille, miles away but a world of difference from Nicky Rotten's. A neighborhood bar and grill was replaced by an English pub, replete with what sounded like a completely British staff. Their hospitality and kindness couldn't be beat. The signs on the walls represented a humor I hadn't encountered since watching Benny Hill.

Here it is: The Great White Whale Challenge... 2 lbs of battered cod, 2 lbs of "chips," and a side of peas. Finish this one in 45 minutes and it's also on the house with a shirt. Otherwise, prepare to shell out another $25.

It's always a steeper hill when you have food in your stomach. The fish tasted delicious though. My single reservation was doing this as a day's second challenge, but I still relished it. The fries were more than I would have liked.. ketchup and water became my best friends as I fought to get every last morsel down.

Thankfully the peas were no trouble at all. I swallowed most of them whole, and honestly, it was nice to eat something fresh after so many things salty. The staff really goes all out for the challenge: one guy takes the mic and announces you, then the whole place cheers you on as you get close to finishing.

And finish I did, at 37 minutes. A close chase but a victory nevertheless. I thanked the staff for their warmth and a great seafood dinner. I know a few friends who have taken this challenge, and we all agree it is delectable. Fish is a welcome change from beef and chicken.

On the drive home, I totaled up these two meals at 9-10 lbs and whatever liquid I drank. It wasn't bad for a day's haul. You can imagine the impending thirst that settled in following all those french fries, beef, and fish.

My only true regret was that another eater friend couldn't have tagged along with me. This stuff's always more fun in groups. Well, there's still time for future adventures!