Another Fourth of July, another gastronomic triumph for Bay Area native Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. In a spectacle of competitive eating that would make any San Francisco foodie proud, our local legend reclaimed his hot dog eating crown at the annual Nathan’s Famous contest in Coney Island.

A Hometown Hero’s Comeback

Chestnut, a Vallejo-born San Jose State alum, wolfed down an impressive 70½ hot dogs in just 10 minutes, securing his 17th title in 20 appearances. After sitting out last year’s competition due to a sponsorship drama with Major League Eating, he returned with a vengeance – proving once again why he’s the undisputed king of competitive eating.

Breaking Records, Breaking Hearts

Although he fell short of his personal best of 76 hot dogs, Chestnut’s performance was nothing short of legendary. His closest competitor, Patrick Bertoletti, managed a mere 46½ hot dogs – a stark reminder of Chestnut’s absolute dominance in this peculiar sport.

More Than Just a Eating Contest

Beyond the impressive caloric intake, this event is a quintessential slice of Americana. With fans donning foam hot dog hats and cheering wildly, the competition represents more than just consumption – it’s a celebration of excess, determination, and the weird, wonderful spirit of competitive eating.

Chestnut himself summed it up best: “I love being here… love pushing myself and beating the heck out of people”. And beat them he did, once again proving why he’s the Bay Area’s most deliciously infamous athlete.