Fort Worth (1080 KRLD) - A restaurant in Fort Worth has canceled its Nathan's Famous Hot Dog eating contest for the second straight year because of the pandemic. Curly's Frozen Custard is able to open to 100% capacity, but organizers say they decided to cancel the contest because so many people gather in such a small space.
"Since the gathering is in such a tight area, Bourke Harvey, the founder and managing partner elected to hold off one more year, make sure everybody's safe," says Curly's John Fletcher.
Harvey started the contest ten years ago when he started serving Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs. He says his is the only hot dog eating contest outside Coney Island that is allowed to use the hot dogs and Nathan's brand name.
"We're known for our hot dogs, the Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs," Fletcher says. "And the big, coarse bun is a gourmet bun made right here in Dallas-Fort Worth, made specifically for Curly's."
Without hosting an eating contest, Fletcher says Curly's Frozen Custard will give away 300 free hot dogs starting at 11 a.m. Sunday. Each person will be limited to one hot dog, and they cannot substitute other hot dogs.
Fletcher says, even though the contest will not take place, people can still enjoy a hot dog for the Fourth of July.
"You can eat at your own pace. You can have it in your car, or you can take it home, eat it out on the patio," he says. "Do whatever you want to."
Curly's has also started serving Parker County Peach frozen custard.
"This has been an abundant crop that has done extremely well and is very flavorful," Fletcher says.
Curly's Frozen Custard is open 11-10 Sunday.
Curly's only has outdoor seating, a walk-up and drive-up window, so Fletcher says sales have remained strong during the pandemic. The business does offer online ordering here.
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