Win Bragging Rights With These 4 Food Challenges In Tampa

Remember that Food Network show "Man vs. Food"? Food Network host Adam Richman would visit spots all around the country to take on their ridiculous food challenge. He tried a few food challenges in Tampa Bay, but unfortunately only a few of those places have survived since COVID.

I always wondered how someone could eat so much in a short setting and not want to be sick. Do you think they would capture some clips of the host "attempting" the challenge, but really have multiple people there to help him? Or do you think he really attempted to eat all that food over the years? Well, it had me thinking "are there any food challenges in Tampa worth trying?" and thankfully, Reddit came to the rescue.

Not sure if this Reddit user wants to gain 5 pounds overnight or wants to start their own internet series. But someone recently asked about food challenges in the Tampa Bay area. Many responses were jokes like the "Fast Food Challenge" (visiting 10 fast food drive thru's and ordering the same thing as the car in front of you).

A lot of other Redditors were actually helpful and listed real food challenges around the Tampa Bay area. There were some others mentioned in the Reddit thread that we're leaving off our list (for now), because there was no information about the challenge on the restaurants website or social media accounts.

Madison Avenue Pizza has one of the most popular food challenges in Tampa Bay. The "That's What She Said" 32" Pizza Challenge seems doable, until you come face to face with the massive pie. Challengers can have 2 people attempt to eat a 1-topping 32" pizza in an hour. The winners receive their meal for free, shirts, and a photo on the wall. You MUST call to reserve your spot. Madison Avenue is located in Dunedin at 2660 Bayshore Boulevard, Dunedin. Click here for more info

Located in the heart of Sparkman Wharf is Hampton Chocolate Factory. Did you know you could order a 5-POUND ice cream cone here? The Giant Cone Challenge would give you a serious brain freeze. You have to finish the entire 5lb cone in 8 minutes. If you succeed, you receive a "I Conquered The Giant Cone" tshirt and you get the $35 cone for free. You also can't walk in and take on this challenge, but you can make a reservation here.

Personally, my tummy hurts just watching this guy attempt to eat 5lb of ice cream.

This one is for the serious foodies. The Doodle Oodles of Noodles Challenge is packed with 5 different types of noodles, 5 different types of meat, 3 boiled eggs, cilantro, scallions, white onions, fried onions, fried garlic, and your choice of veggie or beef broth. I don't even think I could get through half his challenge even if I had starved myself all day. If you can make it through this massive bowl, you'll get the meal for free and can choose any piece of merchandise at Doodle Noodle. No reservations needed, but you can click here for more info.

You may have heard of this place from the Food Network show Man vs. Food. You'll have to drive down to Sarasota to try this challenge, and warning, it's not for the weak. You literally need to sign a waiver before trying this food challenge. The Fire In Your Hole challenge consists of finishing 10 wings tossed in the hottest sauce imaginable. Picture the hottest sauce on Hot Ones and multiply it by 10. Winners get a commemorative t-shirt and "eternal glory" and losers get shamed on the internet.

If you're brave enough to try it, make a reservation at Munchies 4/20 Cafe.

Living in Florida means we have a melting pot of dining options (no pun intended.) The food scene in Tampa Bay has always been a focal point in visiting the city. A few spots have even been featured on Food Network's 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives'. Have you tried any of these places Guy Fieri went to on his popular Food Network show? The Mayor of Flavor Town would never send us to a spot that wasn't worthy of our time.

Whether you love to cook or not, it's entertaining to see all of the local places get a national spotlight. So far, 67 Florida restaurants have been featured on Guy Fieri's show and 15 of them are in the Tampa Bay area or a quick drive to Orlando. If you want to see a list of ALL the restaurants featured on the show, TVFoodmaps.com has the full list. Note: there are a lot of places on the list that are permanently closed, but every spot featured on our list is still open.

Not only does Guy feature a handful of Florida restaurants on Triple D. He also included a few Florida chefs on his game show Guy's Grocery Games. The chef and owner of one of our favorite food trucks made it on the competition TWICE. He's also featured chefs from Miami and Spring Hill!

Here are 20 Florida Spots Featured On 'Diners, Drive-In's and Dives'. Some may be closer to home than you think.

A Tampa are staple restaurant. You can't say you're really from Tampa if you've never had Taco Bus. Their air date on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives was way back in November 2011.

With homemade brews, pizza, and more it's not wonder why TBBC was featured on DDD back in October of 2011.

Located at 1519 Gulf Boulevard, Indian Rocks Beach. Their episode of Triple D aired back in October of 2007!

Guy's most recent trip to the Sunshine State was back in December of 2022. We didn't know it at the time but he visited Big Lee's BBQ in Ocala for what we thought was a normal day. Turns out he was filming for Triple D!

Located on the other coast of Florida near Atlantic Beach is Culhane's Irish Pub. They were featured on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives in June of 2010.

Just a quick trip from Tampa Bay, located at 4520 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Featured on air in November of 2007.

Located right here in St. Petersburg! They were on DDD over 10 years ago on October 2007.

Located in Orlando at . Their signature recipes from the show were a huge hit! The Vanilla Bean Bourbon Bacon Nightime SkyPie is available daily until the supply runs out. Our delectable Chicken Pot Pie is also currently available daily until they’re gone. They were on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives twice and Guys Grocery Games!

A Classic NY Delicatessen in Central Florida. Located at 825 N Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL. They were featured on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives more recently in April of 2017.

The Butcher and The Bar in Boynton Beach is known for their perfectly cooked steaks and signature cocktails. Their episode of Triple D aired on 3/10/2023. Check out their menu here..

Yup, that's Joey Fatone's Hot Dog Place located in Orlando. They were on DDD back in May of 2017.

Located in 1718 N Goldenrod Rd, Orlando. They were featured on Triple D in April of 2017.

Saigon Noodle and Grill is located in the heart of Orlando’s Milk District, between Bumby avenue and Washington street. They were spotted by Guy Fieri, the mayor of Flavor town and chosen to be Featured on The Food Network Channel: Diner's Drive-Ins & Dives back in May of 2017.

This Japanese-style gastropub is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and legit ramen in St. Petersburg. Located at 911 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. They were paid a visit from Guy Fieri on October 2017.

This artisan doughnut shop in Miami is creating sweet mouthwatering masterpieces and some savory surprises. There are over 200 varieties of hand-rolled and hand-cut doughnuts. They were featured on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives in March of 2018.

Located in the heart of Miami. A law student who switched out his suit for a chef coat is killing it with all kinds of comfort food like spicy oxtail and big ragu. They were paid a visit from Mayor of Flavortown in May of 2014 (Season 24, Episode 8 “Hot Meat and Cool Veg)

MEAT Eatery and Tap Room in Tavernier, FL is a popular restaurant known for its BBQ and seafood dishes. Their episode of Triple D aired back in 2016.

A husband-and-wife team dishing out primo Peruvian sandwiches in Miami. They were on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives in March of 2018.

Guy Fieri dove into all kinds of off-the-hook flavors in Hollywood, FL. He took J28 Sandwich Bar on air on 11/20/2020.

Metro diner may sound familiar to you if you're from the bay area. There's a St. Petersburg location on 4th street. But this local Florida diner got their start in Jacksonville way back in 1938. Today, Metro Diner has over 50 locations in 12 states. Wanna know what Guy's Fieri's favorite dish was when he went back in 2010? The homemade meatloaf had him saying "Diners across the world have to take a lesson from this one."