Best new restaurant is 'big' and 'ugly'

A month ago “some little, scrawny Asian dude” was the first to complete the Big Ugly Burger Challenge — eating four one-pound burgers in one visit — at the new Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream Bloomington location.

Manager Marc Teller wasn’t there to see the victory, but it took him only a second to point to the champion’s 3-by-5 inch picture on the wall near the entrance. His life-size photo for eating four “Big Ugly” burgers is not yet printed.

“That’s obviously not the picture,” Teller said. “He wasn’t smiling after.”

Though Bub’s opened earlier this summer, it has already received recognition as the Best New Restaurant in Bloomington.

The first Bub’s location, in Carmel, Ind., opened in 2003 and received national attention when “Man v. Food” host Adam Richman attempted — and failed — the Ugly burger challenge in August.  

As of Richman’s attempt, only three people had finished all four burgers.

At the Bloomington location, Teller said at least 20 people attempt to eat the “Big Ugly” per day.

Usually, 75 percent of the challengers finish, he said.

“It’s going on three or four months, and to already be named best of anything ...” Teller said. “We have to stay humble about it. Next year hopefully we’ll get best burger.”

At the Bloomington location, pictures of customers holding up empty plates already line more than two walls in the restaurant. The 3-by-5 photos will be replaced after all the walls have been filled.

Near the Wall of Champions sign, Priscilla Crisante smiles, holding two plates.

“First female to eat 2 uglies!!! 11/13/10,” her photo reads.

Rodney Steirwalt’s picture tells a different story.

“8 mins,” one plate reads.

“A long damn time,” reads the other.

Bloomington residents Brock Meyers, Jarad Rifner and Vince Cullison sat in a Bub’s booth the Saturday after Thanksgiving break playing Worst Case Scenario while waiting for Meyers’ “Big Ugly.”

“They’re big chickens,” Meyers said, looking at Rifner and Cullison.

He had no technique for attacking the burger, which weighs 22 ounces pre-cooked.
Though Meyers seemed confident, his friends poked jabs as he got through the first few bites.

“You’ll know (he finished) because you’ll hear someone screaming, then run to the bathroom,” Cullison said.