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Tucson’s Michelle Lesco Wins First Place Women’s Title at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

Tucson’s Michelle Lesco Wins First Place Women’s Title at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

Jul 4, 20211 min read

The “Pink Belt” is coming home to Tucson.

In the women’s challenge, local competitive eater Michelle Lesco snagged first place at the 2021 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Michelle Lesco
Photo courtesy of Nathan’s Famous Franks on Twitter

This is a big deal for someone that’s able to eat 10.5 lbs of boysenberry pie in 10 minutes, 158 chicken wings in 10 minutes, more than three jars of mayonnaise in three minutes, and 30 scoops of ice cream and lots o’ toppings in less than 15 minutes.

She was given the Women’s Title and Pink Belt after eating 30.75 hot dogs and their respectable buns in 10 minutes. Lesco was never behind in the race, out-eating second-place finisher Sarah Rodriguez by more than seven dogs.

Michelle Lesco is your women's 2021 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest winner! pic.twitter.com/W7C12Z1BHx

— espnW (@espnW) July 4, 2021

If you’d like to learn more about some of her past eating adventures, read our full feature on her, Meet ‘Cardboard Shell’ Michelle Lesco, World-Class Competitive Eater.

Keep up with Cardboard Shell on Facebook.

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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@Tucsoncityofgastronomy opens the fifth annual @Pueblosdelmaiz Festival with Sabores del Pueblo on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6–9 p.m. at Tucson GastroPark.

Five local chefs will serve creative Tucson-inspired dishes alongside craft beer, wine, and bacanora tastings:❤️

• @chefjosetucson
• @vindiola.claudia
• @nick_avram 
• @dcsanner 
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🎶 Hey Bucko! will provide live music

Tickets are available in @tucsoncityofgastronomy’s bio. Tucson Foodie Insiders save 15% with code INSIDERS.

Proceeds support free programming throughout the Pueblos del Maíz Festival.@Tucsoncityofgastronomy opens the fifth annual @Pueblosdelmaiz Festival with Sabores del Pueblo on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6–9 p.m. at Tucson GastroPark. Five local chefs will serve creative Tucson-inspired dishes alongside craft beer, wine, and bacanora tastings:❤️ • @chefjosetucson • @vindiola.claudia • @nick_avram • @dcsanner • @travisgarypeters 🎶 Hey Bucko! will provide live music Tickets are available in @tucsoncityofgastronomy’s bio. Tucson Foodie Insiders save 15% with code INSIDERS. Proceeds support free programming throughout the Pueblos del Maíz Festival.
Tucson’s barbecue options range from food trucks to full-service dining rooms. Some focus on classic Texas-style plates with butcher paper and simple sides. Others experiment with fusion dishes that blend barbecue with Mexican and Southwestern flavors. This variety gives diners plenty of options, whether they want a quick lunch or a sit-down meal.

This guide highlights barbecue restaurants across Tucson. More on Tucsonfoodie.com🔥Tucson’s barbecue options range from food trucks to full-service dining rooms. Some focus on classic Texas-style plates with butcher paper and simple sides. Others experiment with fusion dishes that blend barbecue with Mexican and Southwestern flavors. This variety gives diners plenty of options, whether they want a quick lunch or a sit-down meal. This guide highlights barbecue restaurants across Tucson. More on Tucsonfoodie.com🔥
LAST CALL!

It’s the final day of @Sonoranrestaurantweek (September 13, 2026)! There’s still time to enjoy the great eats and deals across Tucson. Take a look at the menus on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw. 

Tag the restaurants that you loved the most! Thank you to everyone for being part of this incredible week.

Produced by Tucson Foodie 
Presented by @Visittucson 

#sonoranrestaurantweek #tucsonLAST CALL! It’s the final day of @Sonoranrestaurantweek (September 13, 2026)! There’s still time to enjoy the great eats and deals across Tucson. Take a look at the menus on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw. Tag the restaurants that you loved the most! Thank you to everyone for being part of this incredible week. Produced by Tucson Foodie Presented by @Visittucson #sonoranrestaurantweek #tucson
@Tortillaschiwas is currently in its soft opening at 914 N. Grande Ave. in Barrio Hollywood, inside the former Grande Tortilla Factory.

Phoenix restaurateurs Armando Hernandez and chef Nadia Holguin, a James Beard-nominated duo originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, are behind the restaurant.

Tortillas Chiwas is currently open Thursdays through Saturdays from 5–10 pm with 38 seats. Reservations are available on OpenTable.

Photos by @tortillaschiwas 
Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews@Tortillaschiwas is currently in its soft opening at 914 N. Grande Ave. in Barrio Hollywood, inside the former Grande Tortilla Factory. Phoenix restaurateurs Armando Hernandez and chef Nadia Holguin, a James Beard-nominated duo originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, are behind the restaurant. Tortillas Chiwas is currently open Thursdays through Saturdays from 5–10 pm with 38 seats. Reservations are available on OpenTable. Photos by @tortillaschiwas Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews