Goal #6: Eat Atomic Wings at Quaker, Steak, and Lube -- Check!

 

I know it may be hard to believe, but I think this was the goal I was most afraid that I wouldn't be able to accomplish. Jump out of a plane someday - piece of cake. Run in a 3 mile mud-infused Warrior Dash - got that in the bag. But eat a half of dozen atomic wings at just around 200,000 Scoville Units - no way! I was petrified; I saw man vs. food where Adam tried the challenge and he was sweating bullets. I thought if he barely scraped by, how am I going to accomplish this?  I love food and I was raised on hot peppers canned by my mom, but wings made with the ghost pepper was a scary thought!

The atomic wings are the signature wing at Quaker, Steak, and Lube, a restaurant located in the heart of Pittsburgh, PA. It was nice to have that location because my two adorable nephews are in Pittsburgh, so it was so good to be able to see them and accomplish my goal at the same time. For those of you who are unfamiliar with QS&L, the restaurant is known for its chicken wing hot sauce flavors; the Atomic flavor is sold individually in a dropper bottle sealed in a childproof container.  Even the chefs have to wear gloves when preparing the wings, because the burn on your fingers can be extensive. I know, I'm crazy. Why would I put myself through this torture?! Customers must sign a liability waiver before ordering the Atomic wings, freeing Quaker Steak from any liability. I repeat, I'm crazy! :)

My sister, brother-in-law, and two nephews all sat down for wings this past Friday night.  We started off with a bucket of the Arizona Ranch wings.  On the level of "hotness" they're at the middle tier. I wanted to at least enjoy my wings before signing my life over to the world of the ghost peppers.  I had about 10 Arizona Ranch, and then it was time for the doom and gloom.  One order of Atomic wings please!  

Our waiter brought out a half of dozen wings, all coated in 200,000 Scoville Units of way too hot peppers. I was a bit nervous, but knew I had to dig right in. Accomplishing this challenge required a strategy. We all know, as consultants, we excel in strategy. I had to have my hair pulled book. I had to eat the wings without stopping; I barely wanted to take time to sip water in between, because that would just make it worse.

I started with the first wing, pretty much ate that wing in one bite - piece of cake! I went onto the second one and kept my momentum in the fast-paced eating. By the third one, the sweat beads started to form and the heat started hitting my throat.  I took about 4 sips of water throughout the entire challenge.  My sister broke out her paparazzi camera and was all about this. She was snapping pictures left and right....of course, how sexy can one be while consuming wings made with ghost peppers?!?

Needless to say, I could have easily gone on the Travel Channel's, Man VS. Food, and challenged the head honcho.  I ate all 6 Atomic wings within 7 minutes, and received my name on the "Wall of Fame" and a super cool bumper sticker!

...It turns out that Quaker, Steak, and Lube has now obtained a Triple Atomic wing, made at close to 500,000 Scoville Units. That will be on my list for 2012! Have to go one step at a time! :)