The Time I Attempted a 7 Pound Spaghetti & Meatball Challenge at The Fusion Restaurant

There’s a restaurant in town who has added a food challenge to the mix. These types of challenges are few and far between in town, for whatever reason, restaurants in Wichita just choose not to have them. I think they’re fun and will give any of them a try if they are within reason. If they aren’t in reason, I’m likely to still try. The Fusion Restaurant just reopened at 9506 W Central.

One of the cool things they are doing to excite diners is adding a 7-pound spaghetti and meatball challenge. It consists of a 2 pound meatball and 5 pounds of spaghetti. Oh, and two breadsticks the size of my forearms. You have to finish it within 30 minutes. If you do, then you get free breakfast for a year.

Even though it seems impossible, the dummy in me figured why not give it a go. I was joined by local food blogger, Fert the Foodie, who stood a better chance at completing it than me. If Vegas were giving odds, I’d be at +40,000 and Fert would be at +250.

When we arrived, we found a table and were ready to go. The staff brought out the spaghetti and meatballs and weighed the bowl in front of us. The moment I saw it hit 7 pounds, I knew I was in trouble.

….. Truth be told, the moment I agreed to do this, I was in trouble.

To prepare yourself for a challenge of this magnitude, most people may fast, eat light earlier that day, get rest. Not me. I slept maybe 4–5 hours the night before. For lunch, I had meatloaf. Don’t ask me why. I ordered it and then regretted it after I realized I had a spaghetti challenge hours later. Then I had a drink at a nearby bar. It’s safe to say, I was not in prime condition.

I’m not trying to make excuses because let’s face it. I was doomed from the start.

Here’s how the next 30 minutes went:

5 Minutes In: I tried to start with the meatball and didn’t have much success. It was around this time, I started to get gut pain. Most of that was probably because I was so psyched out.

10 Minutes In: It was around this time, I started to experience burping; just a perfect way to experience a meal less than ten minutes in. Fert finished the entire 2-pound meatball around the 8-minute mark. To kill the time, I started to divvy out in my head how many meals I could make this. Seriously, this whole meal could be my meal prep for next week.

12 Minutes In: I picked up the entire meatball and it was probably 1 pound and a half, maybe 3/4’s. My new game plan was to blink really fast and try to burn off some of the food I had just eaten. Note to future challenge participants. This isn’t like Chinese food. You won’t get hungry again 10–15 minutes later. Spaghetti keeps you full!

15 Minutes In: I started to dream about sitting on my couch at the halfway point. Around this time, we heard a buzzer go off. I thought that meant we could be done. Alas, it was not. There were still 15 minutes to go.

20 Minutes In: A pain started to form in my abdominal area. Was I pregnant? Was this the day I became the first blogger impregnated simply by eating spaghetti? Jerry Springer, give me a call!

25 Minutes In: I started to burp even more. Then I was worried I might have a hernia. Fert got up at this time and went to the bathroom. I accused him of going to throw up, but he had to take his daughter to the bathroom. Excuses… Excuses!

30 Minutes In: I don’t think I made a dent in the previous 10 minutes. That was probably one of the most painful 30 minutes of my life. Hey, the spaghetti was fantastic. I would have definitely finished my bowl if it had been 1/10 the size.

Neither Fert the Foodie or I completed this challenge. He did a way better job than me, but we both walked out as losers.

The staff gave me not just one, but two to-go boxes. To say I failed miserably would be an understatement. I can’t wait to see the first person who can beat this food challenge.

On the bright side, I really would have ordered the spaghetti had it been a smaller size. Also, the staff was great. If you remember Michelle at Magic Wok, she’s now on board at the Fusion.

For more on The Fusion Restaurant, visit them at their new location at 9506 W. Central or to follow them on Facebook.

Happy Dining,
Eddy

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