‘Beast’ books near split against Garfield duo

“The Beast,” the monster burger prepared by Top Notch owner Pete Koerner that debuted in November for the Apple Cup Challenge, slayed two contestants from Garfield June 27.

Billy Elliott, 19, and Catherynne Elliott, 26, both of Garfield, came into the Top Notch and told Koerner they were up for the challenge.

“We just felt like doing it,” the younger Elliott said as he stuffed another bite into his mouth.

Koerner said with all the meat on the burger, he needs at least a half hour to prepare it.

“The Beast is four times the size of the Top Notch burger,” he said.

The Beast is loaded with two one-pound hamburger patties topped with a quarter-pound of ham, a half-pound of cheese and eight slices of bacon on a monstrosity of a bun.

The Elliotts were the fourth and fifth people to try the challenge. The last challenger was Travis Harrison of Colfax who ate the whole thing in December 2012. His photo holds a distinguished place on a wall in the cafe.

Koerner gave the Elliotts 25 minutes to finish the enormous burgers.

Catherynne Elliott, her eyes kind of bulging from all the food, had a quarter of her burger left after the time limit, Koerner said.

Billy Elliott came very close, but still had a little lettuce on his plate, Koerner said.

“I thought he was going to finish for sure,” the Top Notch owner said.