Deep Dish Dishes: Interview with Patrick Bertoletti

As July 4 weekend draws upon us, Americans prepare to fire up their barbecues, set off illegal fireworks, and watch – with equal parts amazement and disgust – men and women of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds devour dozens of hot dogs and buns on ESPN.

The annual Nathan’s Famous Contest, a PR brainchild that sprung its own monopolistic federation of gluttony, is a national treasure. It’s made the likes of Kobayashi, the Black Widow, Joey Chestnut, Badlands Booker and Eater X household names (at least for one day a year). If that’s not reflective of the American dream – a day to showcase and appreciate the skills of the many faces of the melting pot: a Japanese outcast, a 99-pound female, a white engineering student, an obese African-American MTA worker, and a guy channeling his inner Ultimate Warrior – I’m not sure what is.

The history of the contest is one of lore. This year is said to be the 100th contest. But its popularity really took on new heights with Takeru Kobayashi’s bursting onto the scene. Home audiences were able to see the scrawny import double up on obese American counter parts. A chain reaction was set off. Contestants of all shapes and sizes were making a name for themselves. When Kobayashi engaged in an epic rivalry with Joey Chestnut, the sport had reached a pinnacle.

Beacuse Nathan’s was the only contest really being broadcast on the World Wide Leader, it became the standard bearer to the public. However, a whole subculture circuit of carnival-inspired eating contests spread across the country.

Among the most visible and successful of the eaters over the last decade is Chicago’s Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti. Known for his mohawk and headphones, and being one of the few competitors with the ability to eat 50-plus HDBs (hot dogs and buns), Bertoletti has beaten the best and went on to set world records of his own for eating everything from moon pies to poutine.

I caught up with “Deep Dish” to talk about his expertise and his thoughts on Monday’s contest in Coney Island, in which he won’t be participating.

How does it feel to be the most accomplished Chicago sports franchise over the past 2 decades?

Chicago gets overlooked for a lot of reasons. It’s good to be from such a great sports city.

Do you attribute the Cubs success this season to you and friends devouring a goat last September to break the curse?

I would if they won. I think Theo is the real deal.

What got you in to competitive eating?

I grew up a husky overeater with minimal talents. I knew I was good at eating a lot. Competitive eating was a natural progress.

You’ve beaten the best and most famous eaters in the world at some point in your career. Where do you rank yourself among the all-time greats?

I’d say I’m probably 5th overall.

You’re in the prestigious 50 HDB club. But you’ve gone rogue on Major League Eating lately competing (and winning) the non-sanctioned Wing Bowl and not doing Nathan’s this year. What’s your relationship like now with them?

I have none with MLE. They don’t want to have a relationship with me and vice versa. They’ve made it clear that me being signed with them was strictly business relationship. They are like an ex girlfriend and I’m not good at being friends with my exes.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 30: Patrick Bertoletti eats a record 444 wings to win Wing Bowl 23 on January 30, 2015 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)At Wing Bowl you reveled in the outsider. Describe your eating persona.

It’s fun to be the hero but even more fun to be the heel. I love Andy Kaufman’s wrestling persona, so I tried to channel that. Philly fans are animals, and were going to hate me anyways. I was making the best of the situation.

What are your predictions for this year’s July 4? Will Stonie repeat?

Chestnut will trounce Stonie.

Can Chestnut-Stonie ever captivate the public the way Kobayashi-Chestnut did?

I don’t think so. They are both amazing eaters but Kobi is an eating enigma. MLE is like professional boxing. It’s been on a slow decline because UFC came in and is kicking it’s ass. MLE needs to evolve with viral media and the times.

Who is the best eater alive and why?

Joey Chestnut. His natural ability and sheer determination. Kobi is a freak and the best natural eater. With practice and hard work Chestnut wins 90% of the time. I love them both. It’s hard to compare them because their impacts have been so different and so groundbreaking.

Brooklyn, UNITED STATES: Takeru Kobayashi (L, front) of Nagano, Japan, Joey Chestnut (C) of San Jose, California and Patrick Bertoletti (R) of Chicago, Illinois, during the annual International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest, 04 July 2007, at the original Nathan?s Famous restaurant in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, NY. Chestnut won by eating 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes, a world record, beating defending and six-time champion Kobayashi. The initial count was tied at 63 after the 12 minutes, but judges awarded Chestnut 3 more hot dogs after counting their plates. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)Favorite to eat against?

Probably Joey because we are good friends and I love to hear his excuses for why he lost.

What do you say to those who view the sport as gluttonous?

People can have their opinions. The entire food system in the U.S. is flawed. The food eaten in contests was not going to get shipped to a 3rd world country. People forget there are starving people in America, but that’s not glamourous. MLE in general was always great about working with food banks. I’ve donated to them as well. Using that argument against eating is picking low-hanging fruit. I find that access to clean drinking water is a much bigger problem domestically and globally, as you can only survive a few days without it. With that same argument against eating, people should be protesting the sport of swimming because of all the millions of gallons of drinkable water wasted in pools each day.

Where are the best places to eat competitively (town-wise) in terms of fans?

New York will always be the best. I’m a Chicago boy, but NYC is the center of the world in eating and in general.

Which fans are the worst?

Philly fans are like looking at an evolution chart that has taken two steps back toward cavemen. The true de-evolution of man/sports fans.

What are your fondest July 4th memories as far as competing?

Getting extremely intoxicated my first year on a rooftop and almost getting arrested in the subway. And getting off because the cops recognized Kobayashi.

How long do you think you’ll eat competitively? What’s next for you?

I don’t want to do this much longer. I’m washed up at 31. I liken myself to a prize eater: I go for the money or the fun experiences.

Tell us about Taco in a Bag.

Taco in a Bag is a play on a walking taco, but gourmet. Walking tacos are a Midwest staple traditionally eaten out of a mini frito bag with taco toppings put in. We do a gourmet version of that with home made chips, meats, and sauces. I’m chef and co-owner.

How does your body feel (health-wise) after years in the sport?

My only ailments are acid reflux. My curse is loving to eat. Food is my drug of choice. I get fat because I own a restaurant and eat my feelings, not usually because of what I’m eating in contests.

Words of advice for aspiring eaters?

Don’t even try it. It’s hell on your body and it takes a real psychological head case to think that doing this is a good idea. I’m royally fucked in the head.