Updated: July 13, 2026. Every challenge here was re-verified this month against each spot’s own menu, and one (the Thurman Cafe) is on pause after a fire, which we’ve flagged below.
Food challenges can get pretty wild.
Not everyone is a competitive eater, but sometimes, you feel like trying things just to see if you can. If you feel like finding out exactly how much you can eat in one sitting, there are some really interesting food challenges around Columbus
From massive burgers the size of your head to burritos worth their weight in gold, here are some fantastic belt-busting food challenges around our city.
So what do you think? Do you have what it takes?
Columbus food challenges at a glance:
| Challenge | The food | Time limit | Win if you finish |
| Joseppi’s Mega Meat | 28-inch pizza, about 16 lbs of meat (2 people) | 1 hour | $100 cash + $150 gift card |
| The Thurmanator (temp. closed) | Double 12-oz-patty burger + fries | One sitting | Bragging rights |
| Cazuela’s Mucho Macho | 12-inch habanero burrito | 20 minutes | Burrito free + T-shirt + social feature |
| Big Mamma’s Mega Mamma | About 5-lb burrito | 1 hour | Entry fee back + T-shirt + Wall of Champions |
| The Big Nasty | Two half-pound patties + fries | 10 minutes | Bragging rights + T-shirt |
| Fitzy’s Kitchen Sink | 6-egg omelet, bacon, sausage, pancakes, fries | 30 minutes | $29 meal free + Wall of Fame + T-shirt |
Joseppi’s 28″ Mega Meat Pizza Challenge
The Challenge: You and a partner must devour a 28-inch Mega Meat Pizza. This pizza is covered with pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, bacon, ground beef, provolone and grated cheeses.
Time limit: 1 hour
What you win: $100 cash and $150 in Joseppi’s gift certificates
Where: 4764 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43228
Website:Joseppi’s Pizza
The Thurmanator
The Challenge: You better loosen your belt or wear pants with an elastic band. This burger is a beast. According to the Thurman Cafe’s menu this sandwich consists of, a “bottom bun, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, banana peppers, 12 ounce burger, bacon, cheddar, another 12 ounce burger, sautéed mushrooms & onions, ham, mozzarella & American cheese, top bun.”
Then there’s the pickle spear and a pile of fries, too. This isn’t an official food challenge but I promise, that doesn’t mean it will be easy.
Time limit: one sitting
What you win: bragging rights
Where: 183 Thurman Ave, Columbus, Ohio, 43206 (temporarily closed while rebuilding from an April 2026 fire, so check before you go)
Website: The Thurman Cafe
Cazuela’s Mucho Macho Burrito Challenge
The Challenge: This 12 inch burrito is filled with your choice of meat (grilled chicken or steak strips), rice, refried beans, and super HOT sauce. It’s also smothered in super hot habanero sauce. The spice levels on this challenge are no joke, so if you don’t handle spice well, this may not be the one for you.
Time limit: 20 minutes
What you win: a free meal, a Cazuela’s T-shirt, and a feature on social media
Where: 2321 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: Cazuela’s Grill & Mexican Restaurant
Mega Mamma Burrito Challenge
The Challenge: You’ll have to finish a roughly 5-pound burrito built with your choice of meat, starch, and sauce (any burrito on the menu counts). Participation starts at $25 and climbs with pricier fillings, so book it at least a day ahead. Once you’re finished your belly will be so full you’ll be crying for your mamma.
Time limit: One hour
What you win: your entry fee back, a Big Mamma’s T-shirt, and a spot on the Wall of Champions
Where: 1359 Grandview Ave Columbus, OH 43212
Website: Big Mamma’s Burritos
The Big Nasty Burger Challenge
The Challenge: Finish this burger with its two half-pound patties, topped with cheddar cheese, sautéed mushrooms, and bacon. You also have to finish the fries. Best of luck.
Time limit: 10 minutes
What you win: Bragging rights and a Big Nasty T-shirt
Where: 4561 Scioto Darby Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026
Website: Nasty’s Sports Bar
Fitzy’s Kitchen Sink Challenge
The Challenge: Breakfast as a blood sport. The Kitchen Sink is a six-egg western omelet, six strips of bacon, six sausage links, two “grande” pancakes, and a pound of home fries on one plate. Clear it and it’s free. The wall of finishers’ photos is short, which tells you most of what you need to know.
Time limit: 30 minutes
What you win: the $29 meal comped, a spot on the Wall of Fame, and a Fitzy’s T-shirt
Where: 1487 Schrock Rd, Columbus, OH 43229
Website: Fitzy’s Old Fashioned Diner
Columbus food challenges: FAQ
What’s the biggest food challenge in Columbus?
Joseppi’s 28-inch Mega Meat pizza is the heavyweight: about 16 pounds of meat, and it takes two people and a full hour.
Are there food challenges where the meal is free if you finish?
Yes. Cazuela’s Mucho Macho burrito is free if you finish it in 20 minutes, Big Mamma’s refunds your entry fee, and Fitzy’s Kitchen Sink comps the $29 breakfast.
Is the Thurman Cafe open right now?
No. It’s been closed since an April 2026 fire, and the owners plan to rebuild, so check their socials before you make the trip.
What is the Thurmanator?
The Thurman Cafe’s signature monster: two 12-ounce patties stacked with ham, bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and a wall of cheese. It was featured on Travel Channel’s Man v. Food.
