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These two Tucson women ate 19 pounds of burritos in under an hour (PHOTOS/VIDEO)

These two Tucson women ate 19 pounds of burritos in under an hour (PHOTOS/VIDEO)

Jul 22, 20193 min read

Looking at Michelle Lesco and her 5’3″, 112-pound frame, you’d never expect her to be a world-class competitive eater. The same goes for 5’7″, 135-pound Miki Sudo.

However, the duo won second and first place at the annual Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest just weeks ago. In only ten minutes, the two women collectively ate 57 hot dogs.

On Friday, Lesco and Sudo collectively ate over 19 pounds of burritos at Red Desert BBQ & Catering. With the requisite 24-hour advance notice, they accepted the burrito challenge.

Burrito challenge at Red Desert BBQ & Catering (Credit: Jackie Tran)

It all starts with bacon. Enough bacon to fill a sheet pan.

Burrito challenge at Red Desert BBQ & Catering (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Afterwards, three giant tortillas lay on top of the bacon. Next goes brisket, pulled pork, coleslaw, and other fixings.

Burrito challenge at Red Desert BBQ & Catering (Credit: Jackie Tran)

The massive burrito requires two pairs of hands to roll properly.

Burrito challenge at Red Desert BBQ & Catering (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Once the burrito is formed and wrapped it bacon, it goes onto the griddle. After the bacon is cooked through, the burrito is topped with chili, jalapeños, onions, and more. Then it is weighed to make sure it is around six or seven pounds.

Competitive eater Michelle Lesco at Red Desert BBQ & Catering (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Up first was Lesco. The seven-pound, 1.9-ounce burrito was the size of her arm.

Competitive eater Michelle Lesco at Red Desert BBQ & Catering (Credit: Jackie Tran)

After letting the burrito cool down enough to eat rapidly safely, Lesco dove right in.

Competitive eaters Michelle Lesco and Miki Sudo at Red Desert BBQ & Catering (Credit: Jackie Tran)

At 12 minutes on the dot, Lesco finished the entire thing. You could say she was full at that point.

Competitive eater Michelle Lesco at Red Desert BBQ & Catering (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Lesco was the only person to complete the challenge up to this point. She tied her previous record from January 2018, where she ate a slightly smaller burrito in the exact same amount of time.

Here’s raw video footage of her second run:

Competitive eater Miki Sudo at Red Desert BBQ & Catering (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Sudo decided to attempt the challenge… twice. With both burritos at once. Her burritos weighed in at 12 pounds, 1.2 ounces.

Competitive eater Miki Sudo at Red Desert BBQ & Catering (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Sudo began by bisecting the burritos open to help them cool down faster.

Competitive eater Miki Sudo at Red Desert BBQ & Catering (Credit: Jackie Tran)

Sudo used a spoon to scoop the filling, somehow managing to avoid creating a mess.

Competitive eater Miki Sudo at Red Desert BBQ & Catering (Credit: Jackie Tran)

To even her own surprise, she finished both titanic burritos in 26 minutes and 52 seconds.

Here’s the raw footage of her performance:

For dessert, the duo tipped over a nearby ice cream truck and consumed all of the contents. Just kidding.

Red Desert BBQ & Catering is located at 918 W. Prince Rd. For more information, visit rdbbq.com.

Article written by:

Jackie Tran

Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the now-closed food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.

An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to sloppily devouring green chili patty melts in his car afterhours. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.

Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.

If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.

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#tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizonaTen days. One hundred twenty-fivetables. @Sonoranrestaurantweek begins TOMORROW!🌵 From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus at $15 to $55 — at least 20% off what they’re worth—giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. Link in bio❤️ #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizona
SPECIAL DINNERS DURING SONORAN RESTAURANT WEEK🌵

@Sonoranrestaurantweek is almost here! In addition to prix-fixe menus around Tucson, @sonoranrestaurantweek features a lineup of special dinners and one very special brunch. Here’s the schedule:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 • 6 PM
Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine Special Dinner
📍 @incasperuviancuisine 
 
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • 6 PM
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Sonoran Restaurant Week Brunch Takeover
📍 Flying V @loewsventana 

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Whole Hog BBQ Dinner
📍 @bashfulbanditbbq 

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Sunshine Wine Special Dinner
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Bacio Italiano Special Dinner with @vertigo.wines 
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Cielos Special Dinner
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Nana’s Kitchen Special Dinner with @rombauervineyards 
📍 @nanas_kitchen_2008 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 • 6 PM
Wild Garlic Grill Special Dinner
📍 @wildgarlicgrillofficial 

Several events have limited seating and require tickets or reservations, so plan ahead!

Sonoran Restaurant Week runs September 4–13. Tap the link in our bio for menus, tickets, reservations, and more.❤️

#SRW2026 #sonoranrestaurantweek
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodieeventsSPECIAL DINNERS DURING SONORAN RESTAURANT WEEK🌵 @Sonoranrestaurantweek is almost here! In addition to prix-fixe menus around Tucson, @sonoranrestaurantweek features a lineup of special dinners and one very special brunch. Here’s the schedule: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 • 6 PM Inca’s Peruvian Cuisine Special Dinner 📍 @incasperuviancuisine SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • 6 PM Penca Special Dinner 📍 @pencarestaurante SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 11 AM–2 PM Sonoran Restaurant Week Brunch Takeover 📍 Flying V @loewsventana SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • 6:30 PM Whole Hog BBQ Dinner 📍 @bashfulbanditbbq TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 • 6 PM Sunshine Wine Special Dinner 📍 @sunshine_wine_tucson with @queenofcupswines WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 • 6 PM BOCA by Chef Maria Mazon Special Dinner 📍 @bocatucson THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 • 6 PM Bacio Italiano Special Dinner with @vertigo.wines 📍 @bacio.italianoaz FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 • 6 PM Cielos Special Dinner 📍 @cielostucson SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 • 6 PM Nana’s Kitchen Special Dinner with @rombauervineyards 📍 @nanas_kitchen_2008 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 • 6 PM Wild Garlic Grill Special Dinner 📍 @wildgarlicgrillofficial Several events have limited seating and require tickets or reservations, so plan ahead! Sonoran Restaurant Week runs September 4–13. Tap the link in our bio for menus, tickets, reservations, and more.❤️ #SRW2026 #sonoranrestaurantweek #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodieevents
Here’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during August!

Not only are these reminders of the dishes we ate, but they can also be a guide for your own decisions on what to eat here in Tucson.❤️ 

🍷@Addiewankenobi- Breakfast Board @sonoranhouse_samhughes, @revel_tucson, Bone Marrow @sawmillrun, Aguachile, hamachi, and tuna at Flying V @loewsventana 

🥯@Deathfreefoodie- Bagel @coffeetimestucson, Mochi @okashi_ice_cream_confections 

🥙@Shanereiser- Fries @shishkebabhouse, Elote Nachos with Birria @redbird_scratchkitchen, Hacienda Summer Salad The Grill @haciendadelsolaz

🦪@Jackie_tran_- Oysters @tortillaschiwas, Steak @sunshine_wine_tucson, Vodka pasta @noodiestucson, Lobster Roll @thekingfishertucson 

More on Tucsonfoodie.com 

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonfoodHere’s a look back at what the Tucson Foodie team enjoyed during August! Not only are these reminders of the dishes we ate, but they can also be a guide for your own decisions on what to eat here in Tucson.❤️ 🍷@Addiewankenobi- Breakfast Board @sonoranhouse_samhughes, @revel_tucson, Bone Marrow @sawmillrun, Aguachile, hamachi, and tuna at Flying V @loewsventana 🥯@Deathfreefoodie- Bagel @coffeetimestucson, Mochi @okashi_ice_cream_confections 🥙@Shanereiser- Fries @shishkebabhouse, Elote Nachos with Birria @redbird_scratchkitchen, Hacienda Summer Salad The Grill @haciendadelsolaz 🦪@Jackie_tran_- Oysters @tortillaschiwas, Steak @sunshine_wine_tucson, Vodka pasta @noodiestucson, Lobster Roll @thekingfishertucson More on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonfood