5 Las Vegas food challenges for those who think they can’t be beaten

There are those who eat to live, and those who live to eat. And then there are those who truly love a challenge, and if they can combine that with eating, so much the better. Here are five food challenges currently going on in Las Vegas:

Mint Indian Bistro, 730 E. Flamingo Road: The second annual Inferno Curry challenge continues through Oct. 31, from 3 to 11:30 p.m. daily. As you might guess from the name, this curry is hot — so hot that the restaurant makes participants sign a waiver. You can get it with fresh vegetables ($17.99), chicken thighs ($18.99) or boneless lamb ($19.99). If you finish it — and there's no time limitation here — you get a $50 Mint gift card, entry into a drawing for a free dinner entree each month for a year and a spot on the Mint Indian Bistro Wall of Fame. Of the 1,600 who have attempted to finish the curry, only 24 have succeeded, the restaurant says.

The other challenges are ongoing.

Diablo's Cantina, Monte Carlo, 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. South: In the Death Wings Challenge, participants get 20 minutes to consume 20 Death Wings. The catch: The wings are served in the aptly named Diablo's Death Sauce, a blend of ghost chili extract and habanero puree. Those who succeed get free wings, a T-shirt and their photo on the wall of fame. Those who don't have to pay $35 for the wings.

PBR Rock Bar & Grill, Miracle Mile Shops, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South: For the Cowboy Challenge, participants have to eat a 2-pound burger topped with a half-pound of cheddar cheese, a half-pound hot dog and a half-pound of house-made chili, on a giant burger bun, plus four fried pickles, a pound of french fries and a 24-ounce milkshake. They get 30 minutes to do it; otherwise it's $99. Those who finish also get $50 in PBR Bucks, $25 each for its sister spots Rockhouse Las Vegas and Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar and a PBR T-shirt.

Pub at the Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo: The 8-Pound Burger Challenge is pretty self-explanatory, but know that it's served on a behemoth of a bun with 10 slices of cheese, caramelized onions, jalapeno peppers, lettuce and tomatoes, and participants also have to down 32 ounces of beer or root beer. It's free if they finish in 45 minutes, $29 if they don't. Those who succeed also get a T-shirt.

Rockhouse at the Grand Canal Shoppes, 3377 Las Vegas Blvd. South: The Rock Out With Your Guac Out challenge involves a 4½-pound burrito filled with carne asada, pico de gallo, sauteed onion, green chiles, cheddar cheese, french fries and lettuce, inside three 12-inch flour tortillas topped with sour cream and guacamole. Its $45, but finish in 20 minutes or less and you get the burrito free, plus $50 in Rockhouse bucks, $25 each for its sister spots PBR Rock Bar & Grill and Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar and a Rockhouse T-shirt.

Contact Heidi Knapp Rinella at Hrinella@reviewjournal.com. Find more of her stories at www.reviewjournal.com, and follow @HKRinella on Twitter.