JOURNAL SENTINEL
January 7, 2010
Big deal
Diners hungry for a challenge can get meal free - if they can down it
By Chris Foran
They're two of Milwaukee's greatest passions: big meals and the Quest for Free.
And some restaurants are having a good time putting them together.
Taking a page from the menu of the popular cable TV show "Man vs. Food," a growing number of restaurants have added to their menus at least one item with beyond-generous portions, daring diners to show they've got what it takes appetite-wise.
And, at a few places, if they pull it off, the meal's on the house.
"I'm glad to pay for it - if they finish it," said Omar Shaikh, co-owner of the Charro restaurants at 729 N. Milwaukee St., and 17800 W. Blue Mound Road, Brookfield.
Charro already had a Burrito "As Big as Your Head" on its menu when, after opening the Brookfield location, Shaikh came up with the idea for something bigger: the "No Way José" Burrito. About 2 1/2 feet long and weighing in at 6 to 7 pounds, the chicken-and-beef-filled monster costs $26 - unless you finish it in one hour. Then it's free.
In the four months-plus that the "No Way José" has been available, about 50 people have tried it. Of those, only five have joined the clean-plate club and gotten the meal for free.
"I've seen, quite often, people get to 85% and then just quit," Shaikh said.
A big serving of fun
Shaikh, who also is co-owner of Umami Moto and Carnevor in downtown Milwaukee, says the eat-it-all-we-dare-you-and-it's-free deal suits Charro's lighter atmosphere.
"It's a fun selling point for us," he said.
The entertainment value - for both the restaurants and their guests - seems to be the main attraction for such offers.
"The idea is to bring people down to have fun," said Freddy Torres, manager of Kelly's Bleachers, the restaurant and sports bar at 5218 W. Blue Mound Road.
The sign on the front of Kelly's blares "Home of the 4# Burger." Order the 4-pound burger for $19.95 and, if you can eat it in an hour, you get it for free, plus a photo and a T-shirt.
Even though Kelly's has been offering the deal for more than a decade, it's still a theatrical experience, drawing oohs and aahs, when the server brings the giant burger to its intended victim - er, customer.
But the intention at Kelly's is to make it difficult but doable. It's no fun to have a game no one can win, Torres said.
"It's not the easiest, but it's possible," he said.
CHARRO
729 N. Milwaukee St.
(414) 431-5557
charrorestaurante.com
*** overall (very good)
Food: ***
Service: *** 1/2
Ambience: *** 1/2
Fare: Mexican, Tex-Mex, and other Latin influences
Atmosphere: Energetic, stylish restaurante
Hours: 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday, 5-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday
Prices: Entrées, $11-$21
Wheelchair access: Yes
Smoking policy: No smoking
Reservations: Accepted Sunday-Thursday; for parties of six or more with a credit card Friday-Saturday Noise level: Moderate to loud at peak times
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