Your opportunity to face what could possibly be your life's work — finishing the Taco Bus El Jefe burrito faster than nine other eaters — is nearing. But first, you gotta conquer the semifinals.
To enter the 2017 El Jefe Burrito Eating Championship, visit any of Taco Bus's seven locations on Thursday or Friday (so, today or tomorrow; I know I'm late, and I'm sorry) and order the El Jefe. Those who finish their burritos in under 15 minutes should ask an employee for an El Jefe Qualifier form, which contains a code that prospective competitors need to enter on the Mexican eatery's website to be considered as a finalist. Ten entrants who successfully qualify are notified next week and invited to the main event, hosted from 6 to 7 p.m. April 6 at the OG Taco Bus in Tampa.
The restaurant refers to El Jefe as "world famous" and one of its "most prized menu items." At close to 2.5 pounds, the burrito consists of two tortillas, double rice and beans, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole; its name means "the chief" in Spanish, after all. The competitor who finishes the Taco Bus favorite the fastest takes home the eating contest's grand prize: the El Jefe championship belt. Other prizes include T-shirts, swag and gift cards.
Now, go bust a burrito.
This article appears in Mar 30 – Apr 6, 2017.