The Shack Attack

The Pizza Shack
4523 Summer Avenue
Memphis, TN 38122
(901) 680-7900

One of my goals of writing this blog is to uncover hot dishes, sauces, spices and anything else surrounding hot food to include restaurant heat challenges. Eating challenges aren't new to me. I have tried a few over the years, but never one that tests my heat tolerance. Memphis lacks heat challenges but the more I write this blog, the more I uncover from around the city. Consuming hot food is on the rise and more places are catching on to the trend. Stacey Greenberg, who writes Dining With Monkeys and Fertile Ground, told me about a challenge at The Pizza Shack off Summer Ave that sounded right up my alley.

Named the "En Fuego", this challenge consists of consuming an entire 10" pizza topped with more ingredients that even the toughest of chili heads would quiver over. Instead of using a pizza sauce, The Pizza Shack pours on a special, secret blend of hot sauces. It is then topped with chicken, onions, red pepper, jalapenos, habaneros and Dave's Insanity Sauce. After contacting The Pizza Shack via their Facebook page to let them know they had a new contestant, my brother, nephews and I finally made our way out there last week.

Located in the Lowes parking lot off Perkins and Sam Cooper lies this shack of a pizza joint. We walked in and placed our orders with the kind owners, introduced myself, and then took our seats. My brother ordered a large pepperoni for the boys which was on a $9.99 special for the day. I anxiously ordered the En Fuego and then we took our seats. The pepperoni came out first and it looked outstanding. The boys tore into it. I tried a small piece, saving my appetite for the 10 inches of pain I was about to endure. It was a great tasting pizza that I wanted more of but I knew I soon would have my work cut out for me. After waiting just a little longer, the En Fuego arrived.

I was warned that I would not be allowed to get up for anything, which was the only rule explained to me. There was no time or beverage limit. My brother began rolling the video (posted below) and I began the challenge. My plan was to consume it as fast as I could, not thinking about the next bite. 3 pieces in, the hiccups began. I knew that if I couldn't control them, I would be toast. After a few deep breaths, I was able to keep them away and I continued the pursuit. I was taken back on the flavor of the pizza. It was actually really good despite the insane amount of heat. After I was half way through, the heat from the pizza coming straight out of the oven began to blend with the heat from the sauce and peppers. This was an odd sensation new to me and it made my entire mouth numb. Sweat then began to appear all over my head, more because of nervousness I now believe. Upon having only 2 pieces left, I felt full and it was difficult to swallow with a numb mouth. Nonetheless, I continued and got to my last piece when my brother said I had to finish all the peppers off the plate. Much appreciated, bro! Thanks for reminding me! :-/ This piece appeared to have more sauce than the rest and I was getting slightly queasy. I put the remaining peppers on the crust and somehow finished the slice without running to the bathroom. I completed the En Fuego in about 7.5 minutes which has to be a record. I was told that I am the first to complete it under new ownership who has beefed it up quite a bit from the older, more forgiving En Fuego.

The pain in my mouth subsided on the ride home but it quickly spread to my gut. Tums and Pepto were my best friends that evening. I lost some sleep from the multiple times the antacids wore off and it took a day or two to recover. Within that time, I told myself I would never do another heat challenge but as I write this, I can already see myself plotting out the next one! If you're looking for a great pizza at a cheap price, give The Pizza Shack a try. They have free delivery within the local area and some of the best pizzas, subs and challenges in the city!