20 Restaurants Where You Have To Sign a Waiver
#20: Benny’s
Various Locations Do you love pizza, want to make $240 and find yourself in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan or Wyoming? If so, make your way to a Benny’s location near you between 2-5 PM and 8-11 PM and have a go at their pizza challenge. All you have to do is eat a 28 inch pizza in what the site describes as “record time”. That might not sound that big, but one look at these pies and you know it ain’t gonna be easy money. As for the waiver, all participants must complete one stating whether they are an “amateur” or “professional” eater. Pros get $100 for a win, while amateurs get $280 (but you have to purchase the $40 pizza to enter).
#19: The Ice Cream Store
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Rehoboth Beach, Delaware No, this ice cream shop in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware doesn't have customers put pen to paper on a waiver to protect them from the repercussions of massive brain freeze. But they do require a signature to enjoy a scoop of their Devil’s Breath Carolina Reaper Pepper Ice Cream, for reasons that are self-explanatory. This particular flavor takes their already hot “Scorpion Sting” flavor to a new level with a number of other hot sauces as well as the ghost peppers. And for those wondering, the “Scorpion Sting” did come with a real scorpion on top, though it’s unclear if it’s still available. Can anyone handle the heat?
#18: Giant Burger
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Springfield, Oregon It’s probably safe to assume that a restaurant that calls itself Giant Burger has some giant burgers. But we didn’t quite see a 5 pound offering coming – especially not one that reportedly comes with a waiver attached. To be clear - it’s just the meat that weighs five pounds (after grilling). The challenge itself is simple. Participants are given one hour to down the item, as well as an accompanying serving of french fries – plus 10 more minutes to keep it down. To say it’s a daunting task would be an understatement. Those who emerge on the other side victorious, however, don’t have to pay for the sizable meal!
#17: Joella's Hot Chicken
Various Locations Joella’s offers multiple different spice levels to choose from, including one made using ghost peppers. But you know what? You can ingest their “100% antibiotic-free, hormone-free, all-natural chicken” with ghost pepper-level heat without having to complete a waiver. The reason for that is because that isn’t even the hottest heat level they offer. That honor goes to their “Fire-In Da-Hole” concoction, crafted with the Carolina Reaper pepper. That choice, per their site, is indeed “waiver-worthy.” We see why, since as of 2023, the Carolina Reaper Pepper is actually the Guinness record holder for world’s hottest chili pepper.
#16: Quaker Steak & Lube
Various Locations On its website, Quaker Steak & Lube states its mission as wanting their customers to leave the restaurant “completely recharged and refueled, and [making] sure [they] have fun while doing it!”. We believe them - except maybe when it comes to their Eat Heat challenge. Perhaps it’s just us, but trying to finish six bone-in chicken wings smothered in a sauce made with scorpion pepper venom and concentrated capsaicin doesn’t sound like fun. Just saying those words makes our tongues burn! That’s probably why you need to sign a waiver releasing the restaurant of any liability before trying to conquer this meal.
#15: Deli Sushi & Desserts
San Diego, California They say everything is bigger in Texas, but when it comes to sushi rolls, you’ll have to go to San Diego to get a monster one. At Deli Sushi & Desserts, they actually call it the “monster roll”. More specifically, they mean a 5-6 pound roll cut up into giant hamburger size pieces. It can be yours for only 32 dollars plus tax. But if you can finish it in 15 minutes or less you get it for free - and get your picture on the wall of fame. If it takes you longer though, your photo goes on the much-less-desirable wall of shame. Either way, you must also complete a waiver before chowing down.
#14: Big Roddy's Rippin' Rib Shack
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Brisbane, Australia The US isn’t the only country with waiver-required food challenges. Australia also has its share of mega-meals to chow down on - or should we say chow down-under on? Big Roddy’s bills itself as “Brisbane’s Finest Ribbery.” For $100 and a waiver of liability, you can have a go at their Hungry Horn Challenge. It includes a “full rack of pork ribs, double bone of beef ribs, your choice of poutine or chili fries, 1kg of buffalo wings and [a] double serve of coleslaw.” Oh, and you only have an hour to finish if you want a $100 voucher, a spot on the “Hungry Horn Hero Wall” and a shirt that qualifies you for a discount. It’s best to try this one on an empty stomach.
#13: Sunni Sky's Homemade Ice Cream
Angier, North Carolina Sunni Sky’s is an ice cream joint in Angier, North Carolina that offers an amazing variety of over 130 flavors for customers to enjoy. Scrolling through their list of options, you’ll see everything from Apple Pie and Banana Pudding to Mint Oreo and Orange Chocolate. If you’re paying attention, you’ll also notice two super spicy flavors that include a parenthetical note stating “must sign waiver”. These are dubbed Cold Sweat and Exit Wound. Crafted using a variety of hot peppers and sauce, they aren’t for the faint of heart. That explains the form ensuring the ice cream shop won’t be held liable! One customer described the experience to NBC News as tasting “like fire — with a side of fire.”
#12: Zauo
Various Locations Do you want to go out for dinner, but also want to go fishing? At Zauo restaurants, you can do both - literally. Sure, we’re all familiar with seafood restaurants where you’re able to select your lobster from among those in a tank. But at Zauo, you can actually catch your own fish. Just rent a pole, put pen to paper on a waiver, and go ahead. Then tell them how you want it made, and enjoy. Should you decide not to fish for your food, there’s no waiver required, since that eliminates any of the potential risks. The establishment’s New York location has reportedly been shuttered, but you can still check out a variety of their locations if you’re in Japan.
#11: McKibbin’s Irish Pub
Montreal, Canada The beautiful city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada is notably famous for its smoked meat, bagels, and poutine, but it’s also home to some very, very, very hot chicken wings. The wings, courtesy of McKibbin’s Irish Pub, go by the name of “Rim Reaper” and are sauced using the terrifyingly hot ghost pepper. While successfully scarfing down 12 of these gets you a t-shirt, you can also just order 8 out of, as they put it, “curiosity.” Of course, there’s one catch of sorts. As you probably guessed, we’re talking about the waiver you must sign reportedly stating you won’t hold McKibbin’s responsible for “effects to [your] body, health, or soul.”
#10: Smoke Eaters
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San Jose, California When you sign up for a challenge dubbed “Hellfire”, you know you’re potentially subjecting your taste buds to torture. In order to successfully complete the challenge, customers need to down 12 absurdly hot wings in just 10 minutes time. Though that doesn’t sound too daunting, you might reconsider your decision to sign up after hearing about the second condition. In order to win, you also need to go 5 minutes without access to any form of relief, so you can really “feel the afterburn. ” Before the challenge, Hellfire hopefuls have to sign a waiver releasing the restaurant from any and all liability. Thanks, but we’ll stick to our standard buffalo wings.
#9: Pearl Café
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Florissant, Missouri When you have to prove your mettle before the restaurant will actually serve you the dish in question, you know you’re in trouble. First, a waiver is signed, then your epically hot odyssey of eating begins. You can then order whatever dish you like, but in order to try their “Level 100 spicy seasoning” you’ll need to polish off three incrementally hotter plates of food first. For an extra fee, you can space these plates out over a few visits, but if you fail to finish a level 25, 50, or 75 dish, you start over - kind of like in a video game. It’s a true gauntlet of heat, and few make it through.
#8: SolToro Tequila Grill
Montville, Connecticut At this Mexican Eatery, owned by Michael Jordan and located in the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, you’re actually facing two challenges in one. Not only do you have to overcome some serious levels of spice, but you’ll also have to fit a whopping 3 pounds of burrito into your stomach. Before taking on the “Cinco Chiles Burrito Challenge”, customers have to sign a waiver releasing the restaurant of liability should they experience any health issues after the fact. It’s never advisable to eat three pounds of food, let alone of the super spicy variety, so maybe try one of the safer gambles elsewhere in the casino.
#7: East Coast Grill
Cambridge, Massachusetts When the restaurant was open, this was only available once a year. Requiring a signed waiver, this plate was aptly named the “Pasta Plate from Hell”. On the former restaurant's annual “Hell Night”, customers who wanted to test their taste buds against the tiny but mighty Naga pepper used to flavor the dish had to sign a release acknowledging that the food they’re about to eat is dangerous and may cause bodily harm. And it’s no joke - one year a man attempting to finish the plate of pasta passed out on the way to his car, required an ambulance and medical attention.
#6: Bear Grills
Congleton, England The average North American adult consumes about 1,778 and 3,000 calories a day. So how about 8,000 in one sitting? Bear Grills, a small English cafe with a punny name boasts a mighty breakfast, appropriately dubbed “the hibernator,” consisting of 7 pounds of food. Though it sounds like a multi-course and hours long affair, in order to be deemed a winner, the contestant must clean the platter in a single hour. Before letting anyone dig in, the cafe asks that customers release them from any “injury received or incurred” while trying to get down the whopping pile of food by having them first sign - you guessed it - a waiver.
#5: Bushido
Charleston, South Carolina Before being allowed to order this special spicy tuna roll, brave eaters must prove that they are over 18 years of age, and sign a contract clearing Bushido of all consequences resulting from the consumption of the fiery dish. On the restaurant’s website, it’s made very clear that this roll isn’t for everyone. During the BUSHIDO SEPPUKU CHALLENGE, contestants are prohibited from using ice cream, avocado, or milk to help quench the burning sensation overtaking their palate. Because a special blend of sauces are used, the rolls have to be ordered 24 hours in advance, so you’ll want to plan ahead. You know what? Probably best to clear the rest of your day too.
#4: Chunky’s Burgers
San Antonio, Texas When the host of “Man v. Food” calls a burger the hottest on the planet, you know it must REALLY bring the heat. Topped with a mixture of jalapeno, serrano, and ghost peppers coated in a habanero sauce, this burger comes with a generous 25 minute window in which it must be completed to win the challenge. An “emergency” bucket is provided, but if a participant can’t keep the burger down, it means disqualification. Before sinking your teeth into the “4 Horsemen”, a waiver must be signed releasing the restaurant from any injuries that occur while consuming. Forget the fries, the only side order this thing comes with is gastrointestinal distress.
#3: Brick Lane Curry
New York City, New York The hottest phaal curry in New York doesn’t just cause some physical damage - apparently, it can leave some emotional scars too. Before taking on the hottest curry available at this restaurant, customers don’t just have to sign a waiver, they have to make a recorded verbal disclaimer that they will not hold the restaurant liable for any physical or emotional trauma that occurs either during or after the challenge. Described as “more pain and sweat than flavor”, this isn’t a challenge for the faint of heart or weak of tongue.
#2: Flying Pie Pizza
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Boise, Idaho A dish that requires special training in order to be safely made or even handled, the flaming Habanero Pizza offered at this restaurant can only be enjoyed - if we can call it that - without a waiver if kept inside the restaurant. Before a customer chooses to walk out with the pizza, a waiver has to be signed acknowledging that they understand what they’ve signed up for, and that, though it’s gonna burn, they’ll be fine after a little while. Only available in August to maximize the spiciness of the habanero peppers, this pizza is perfect if you find yourself craving just a little more of that summer heat.
#1: Jake Melnick's Corner Tap
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Chicago, Illinois Settled innocently among other less life-threatening wings, the XXX Wings at Melnick’s require a signed waiver and are known to cause intense coughing, occasional choking, and some consistently intense pain. Served with a fireman’s hat and a little milk that’s about as useful as a garden hose on a forest fire, these wings are coated with habanero, and the scorpion and ghost chilies or the Bhut jolokia, the world’s hottest pepper in 2007. A pound of the wings have to be conquered in one sitting in order to claim a place on the “Wall of Flame”.
