Nathan's Famous Inc.

50½Hot dogs eaten by Japan's Takeru (Tsunami) Kobayashi, 24, in 12 minutes to win the 87th Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. Last year the 5'6" Impounder ate 50 dogs for the win.

The most fearsome competitive eater in the world stands only 5'8". He weighs 135 pounds. His waist is 30 inches. You look at him and you think, I spot this guy a pork shank and I still beat him. Yet this polite waif...

Steaming hot dogs, crested with golden mustard and sandwiched by the light-as-air taste of a milk bun, come as close as anything to being America's favorite snack. Sold for years on the sidewalks of New York during...