No Joey Chestnut? A new champion from Chicago

With Joey Chestnut banned from the 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, last year’s runner-up Jeffrey Esper was the favorite to win this year, but Esper, ranked ninth in the world, won the Mustard Belt.

Chestnut did not take part in this year’s Fourth of July contest because he has a marketing deal with Impossible Foods, which sells a competing hot dog made with plant-based meat.

So unlike previous years, the big question before the contest wasn’t how many more hot dogs Chestnut would eat, but who would dethrone him. Esper, who ranks No. 2 on the major league eating list, was dethroned by Chicago’s Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, 39.

Who won the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest?

Esper, who ate 49.5 hot dogs in 2023, ate four more this year but still finished in second place. Bertoletti, who was the longshot in BetUS’ odds, ate 58 and won the first place prize of $10,000.

Who’s the favorite to win this year’s Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest?

Chestnut consumed 62 hot dogs at last year’s tournament, his lowest total since 2015, but still beat Esper by about 15.

But Chestnut won’t be missing out on this Fourth of July celebration. The 16-time champion is scheduled to compete in a five-minute hot dog contest with soldiers at Fort Bliss Army Base in El Paso, Texas. The Coney Island contest lasts 10 minutes, but Chestnut said he hopes to finish off Nathan’s winner in half the time.

How many hot dogs has Joey Chestnut eaten?

Who will win the women’s hot dog eating contest?

On the women’s side, Miki Sudo was the favorite to win back-to-back titles, having won with 51 hot dogs and buns. The Bet US moneyline was in her favor, and she would have to bet $3,000 to win $100.