Joey Chestnut holds the world record taco eating the most tacos in eight minutes and is the world’s top competitive eater for the world title in eating LA street-style tacos.
In this blog, you get all about the World Record Taco Eating, like the History of Taco Eating Contests, The Current World Record for Taco Eating, Fun Facts and Trivia About Taco Eating Competitions & many more.
History of Taco Eating Contests
World Record Taco Eating Competition has become a global spectacle that blends a passion for food and competitive sports. Legend Joey Chestnut set a record by eating 126 tacos in 8 minutes during the 2017 Pacific Park World Taco Eating Championship. This prestigious feat highlights the exciting world of competitive eating.
Tacos have become a favorite in eating competitions. That’s because tacos are delicious and easy to make. One basic ingredient is a tortilla + whatever filling you want to top it with! Seriously, is it that easy?
I’ve eaten a lot of tacos in my life, and trust me when I say you can use anything. You can make them with ingredients of one, two, three, or ten! It doesn’t matter.
The Evolution of Competitive Eating: From Local to Global is spearheaded by the Major League Eating (MLE) organization, founded in 1997 and headquartered in New York City.
It has become a global phenomenon, with professional eating competitions taking place under supervision. Competitive eating is most popular in the United States, Canada, and Japan, where organized, professional eating competitions often offer prizes, including cash.

The Current World Record for Taco Eating
Joey Chestnut Holds the World Record for Taco Eating; Tacos Were Eaten126 Tacos in 8 minutes; it’s a Record-Breaking Number. This Event organization oversees professional eating competitions, including the World Taco Eating Championship.
- Record: 126 tacos in 8 minutes
- When: May 5, 2017
- Where: Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Minnesota
The Science Behind Competitive Taco Eating
Competitive taco eating relies on physical techniques such as stomach expansion, controlled breathing, and strategic chewing. Participants are trained to overcome the gag reflex and optimize jaw strength and speed of consumption for maximum intake efficiency.
Here are some of the Health Risks of Competitive Eating associated with competitive
- Intractable nausea and vomiting
- Morbid obesity
- Gastroparesis, also known as paralysis of the stomach
- Boerhaave syndrome
- Stomach perforation
- Aspiration pneumonia
Rules and Regulations in Taco Eating Contests

- Registration: Participants must register before the contest, agreeing to terms and waivers.
- Eligibility: Only contestants meeting age and health requirements may participate.
- Preparation Area: Contestants are seated at designated stations with an equal number of tacos.
- Time Limit: A fixed time, typically 5-10 minutes, is set for the contest.
- Eating Rules: Tacos should be eaten one at a time. The food should be swallowed before eating the next one.
- No Assistance: Contestants cannot receive help from others during the competition.
- Disqualification Criteria: Vomiting, leaving the station, or any foul play leads to disqualification.
- Judges’ Decision: Judges monitor compliance with the rules and verify the winner based on the tacos eaten.
- Tie-Breaker: In case of a tie, contestants may compete in a sudden-death round.
- Winner Declaration: The contestant who eats the most tacos within the time limit or wins the tie-breaker is declared the champion.
- Safety First: Medical personnel must be present to handle emergencies.
- Clean-Up: Contestants are responsible for their eating area post-contest.
These steps ensure fairness, safety, and excitement in taco-eating competitions! 🌮
The Most Famous Taco Eating Contests in the World
The Pacific Park World Taco Eating Championship is one of the world’s most famous taco-eating competitions.
Fun Facts and Trivia About Taco Eating Competitions
- Largest Taco: Weighed 1,654 pounds, made in Mexicali, Mexico, in 2003.
- Taco vs. Burrito: Burritos are larger and usually a full meal, often with rice.
- Bizarre Tacos: Include waffle, alligator, s’mores, larvae, and cauliflower varieties.
- Taco Bell: Founded by Glenn Bell in 1962, with items priced at $0.19.
- History: Tacos date back to 1500 BCE; modern tacos (“taco de minero”) emerged in 19th-century Mexican silver mines.
- Oaxaca Tacos: Feature unique fillings like chili, lime, and grasshoppers.
- Choco Taco: A beloved ice cream treat, discontinued after nearly 40 years.
- Taco Tuesday: Especially popular in Southern California.

How You Can Try Competitive Taco Eating
Taco eating contests are exciting events that combine speed, strategy, and a love of food. Here’s how to get started:
- Learn the rules: Each contest has specific guidelines, from time limits to the amount of tacos.
- Practice eating speed: Build up your ability by practicing with similarly sized tacos.
- Stay hydrated: Water helps you eat faster and easier during the contest.
- Focus on technique: Many pros fold the tacos for quick bites and efficient chewing.
- Train your stomach: Slowly increase your food portions to prepare for larger volumes.
- Choose the right contest: Start with local events to gain experience before bigger contests.
- Stay calm: Staying focused is key to performing well under pressure.
Whether it’s for fun or competition, taco-eating contests are an exciting way to test your limits! 🌮
FAQ:
Who ate the most tacos in the world?
Joey Chestnut Sets a New Taco Eating Record.
What is the world record for eating the most food?
23.4 lbs or 312 fluid ounces of salmon chowder, consumed in 6 minutes.
How many tacos did Joey Chestnut eat?
Chestnut set another record for traditional 3-inch tortilla tacos five years later when he ate 126 tacos in just 8 minutes.
What is the #1 most-eaten food in the world?
It would definitely be rice.
World record for most Tacos eaten in 8 minutes?
Joey Chestnut at the 2019 Pacific Park World Taco Eating Championship.
Conclusion:
Will the taco-eating record be broken again soon? It’s not easy if you want to surpass human limits and break them constantly. Breaking the taco-eating record depends on how many tacos you eat. It requires advanced training, better nutritional science, tough competition, and event variability.
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