We had a rule about eating in Kansas. We would only eat in local or regional restaurants, no national restaurant chains. We never had a bad meal in Kansas. The cuts of meat and fresh vegetables in local dives rivaled fine restaurants in the east, but at lower prices. Not only did we find great food, we also found the most hospitable owners and staff.
One place that never seemed to close except for Tuesdays is Joe Snuffy’s in Abilene. You can read the writing on the wall (literally). The food is fresh, served piping hot, and the peanut butter pie is to die for.
My husband Bill suggested that our son and I eat lunch there one day. (He was at work and had been there many times before.) Owners Marty and his wife, Anja, gave us a big welcome. We studied the menu as we noticed orders coming out of the kitchen looking delicious.
Live Lunchtime Entertainment
To our great surprise there was a contestant in Joe Snuffy’s Triple Hammer Challenge. Patrick had seen Adam Richman on “Man versus Food” on the Travel Channel‘s reality show many times. Now, here, live, was a real food challenge! Our lunch was getting exciting.
Marty told me the food challenge thing began because of his T-shirt. The image of the burger was so big that his buddy said it was false advertising. So, Marty created a huge burger just like the one on the shirt. Then came the dares for people to eat it. His customers kept bugging Marty to start a food challenge. He caved and now there is “Joe Snuffy’s Triple Hammer Challenge.”
The Tripple Hammer Challenge
Rules
- $15.99 Triple Hammer and Fries…No subs no omissions!
- No sharing…This is a food challenge and not a cheap way to feed four people. (No doggy boxes.)
- 30 minutes to consume all food on platter. Joe Snuffy’s manager will keep the time.
- Drinks are not included in the price or any other sides….
- Contestants relieve Joe Snuffy’s of any liability resulting in challenge to include death.
- Contestants must sign bottom of rules form as waiver of liability.
- Eat it all in 30 minutes, it’s free and we give you a T-shirt.
- Ken waits for the starting bell.
Ken from Arkansas
Ken came with two friends to take the challenge. The Triple Hammer and Fries came —a little more than a pound of meat, bacon, ham, hash browns, eggs equaling their triple omelet, and more, all on a huge bun, plus at least a pound of fries.
The timer began and the clock ticked. Ken ate, paused, sipped water, ate, paused, took a deep breath, and on and on. We had to leave, but told Marty we would be back to find out what happened. We came back the next night with Bill. Marty told us Ken from Arkansas didn’t finish— almost, though. There have only been seven people make it and their photos are on the wall. I wonder if Adam Richman could handle it?
Who needs a reality show when we found real-life, small-town excitement?
Owner Marty and the T-shirt.
Joe Snuffy’s is located at 209 West 1st Street, Abilene, KS 67410.
