A 5-pound burrito? A footlong mozzarella stick? Try these oversized eats at the Shore
Most days are for healthy eating and appropriately sized portions.
But sometimes, you need to have a little fun with your food.
From oversized eats to food competitions, here are some fun ways to chow down at the Shore.
Hot dog-eating contest at Jersey Freeze
What's more American than fireworks and hot dogs?
Find them both at Jersey Freeze this Fourth of July, when the restaurant and ice cream shop will host a hot dog-eating contest during its annual fireworks-viewing party (they are shot off from nearby Freehold Raceway).
"Every year, we always have a huge party in our parking lot ... with hundreds of people," co-owner Matt Cangialosi said. "It's our biggest night, so we look for things to keep people entertained from 7 until the fireworks."
There will be a cash prize for the winner, and proceeds from contest-related sponsorships will benefit the East Freehold Fire Department.
Go: 120 Manalapan Ave., Freehold Township; 732-462-3008, jerseyfreeze1952.com.
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Foot-long mozzarella sticks at Joe's Rotisseria
Why have a regular-sized mozzarella stick when you can have a Thunder Stick?
Joe Brignoni's appetizer creation is a foot long and fried until crispy, and we suggest a side of vodka sauce for dunking.
While you're there, try the Triple Threat — a pizza, calzone and garlic knot creation that's sliced in strips to give you a bite of each — or a pizza with cheeseburger sliders baked into the crust.
Go: 504 Main St., Asbury Park; joes-rotisseria.com.
Kitchen Sink burrito at Rosalita's Roadside Cantina
Want a free burrito?
You have 20 minutes to finish this one, which weighs 5 pounds and requires five tortillas to hold together. The burrito is stuffed with chicken, beef, pork, three scoops each of beans and rice, and cheese. It's baked then topped with salsa, more cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream.
If you finish in time, the burrito is on the house.
Go: 1048 Cedar Bridge Ave., Brick, 732-739-7055, and 180 Route 9 North, Englishtown, 732-617-0099; rosiescantinanj.com.
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"The Sasquatch" at LunchBox on 9
This one's for the breakfast lovers.
The eight-layer sandwich starts like most breakfast sandwiches, with a round roll. Then it's piled with sausage, ham, eggs, cheese, pork roll, cheesesteak, hashbrowns and bacon.
Go: 542 Route 9, Waretown, 609-549-5125; facebook.com/Lunchboxon9.
Giant omelet at CJ's
Still hungry after "The Sasquatch"?
Sit down to the omelet challenge at CJ's, which serves a 20-egg omelet with cheese plus 1 pound of home fries and four pieces of toast. It's free if you finish in 45 minutes, and your photo goes on the restaurant's wall of fame.
Go: 429 Lacey Road, Lacey; 609-971-2627, instagram.com/cjsforkedriver.
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Giant pizza bagel at Hot Bagels
The giant pizza bagel at Hot Bagels in Lakewood starts with a 2-foot wide everything bagel that's kettle-boiled then baked, sliced in half, hollowed out, topped with housemade tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese and spices, and baked until crispy.
Each half serves about 15 people, and the store needs 24 hours notice to prepare one.
Go: 232 Second St., 732-772-3444; 681 River Ave., 732-772-3444; 75 E. Kennedy Blvd., 732-772-3444, Lakewood; hotbagelslakewood.com.
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com, follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore restaurants offer food challenges, oversized eats
