CORTEZ – Contestants gathered under the thatched tiki roof at the Swordfish Grill in Cortez for the restaurant’s annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, a tradition that has taken place nearly every year since 2015, according to General Manager Adam Sears.
“We’ve had a float in the parade or done a hot dog eating contest since 2015,” Sears said, noting the event paused only during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s contest fell on the nation’s 250th birthday, adding extra weight to the holiday celebration on the bay. The competition came down to a close race between Joey Chesnavik and Luke Bauer, with Bauer ultimately taking first place by eating seven hot dogs.
The contest, held on the restaurant’s outdoor deck overlooking Sarasota Bay, drew eight contestants who competed for bragging rights and a $250 gift card. Contestants had 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs as possible, provided both the hot dog and bun were fully swallowed. Last year’s contest ended in a tie at 10 hot dogs each, Sears said.
Double Deez Chicago Style Restaurant in Holmes Beach donated 120 jumbo-sized hot dogs for the contest.
Among this year’s contestants were Michael Friedlein and his 8-year-old son, Chase, of Tampa, who signed up together after seeing the contest advertised.
“We saw it in the paper and we were like, you know what, why not?” Friedlein said.
Friedlein, who works in risk analysis for USAA, joked before the contest began: “This is not a great risk, but I’d advise against it.”
Sears, who became a father four months ago, brought his daughter, Daisy, who was dressed in a hot dog costume, to the event.
Swordfish Grill owner John Banyas is a fourth-generation commercial fisherman with deep ties to the Cortez community.
“It’s about having a good time,” Sears said of Banyas’ support for the annual contest.
