Fuddruckers in Saugus, Reading, North Andover and Methuen celebrated Fat Tuesday (the start of Mardi Gras) with its annual 3-pound burger challenge.

Contestants paid $24.99 for the chance to consume a 3-pound burger on a 1-pound bun with a pound of fries and a bottomless soda. Those that completed the task within an hour received a $25 Fuddruckers gift certificate and $5 from every entry fee was donated to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Marathon Team.

Out of the 57 entries among the four restaurants, only five participants were able to complete the task. The contestants at the Saugus Fuddruckers fared the best with three winners out of the 13 entrees at the restaurant.

Jose Alvarado of Chelsea was the first contestant of the day and set the benchmark for all other contestants to meet, finishing with an astounding time of 38 minutes.

Despite strong completion from Michael French of Lynn, who just missed the mark by finishing in 40 minutes, Alvarado’s time held throughout the day and he received a trophy and bragging rights as the fastest finisher.

Nick Giannetti of Revere was the only other finisher with a time of 59 minutes.

The contestants used a variety of strategies in their attempts to complete the challenge.


Read the entire article on the Saugus Advertiser web site: