Recession Bargain or Fool's Challenge?

Oversized Pancakes

If you don't like steak or burgers or meat, don't fret. There are still plenty of other eating challenges.

Each year, hikers along the Pacific Crest Trail stop in Seiad Valley, Calif., and try the pancake challenge at Rick Jones' café.

Seiad Valley Café owner Rick Jones serves up his oversized pancakes.

If they can finish five gigantic inch-thick pancakes in two hours or less they get the meal for free plus a T-shirt and a hat. Failure brings a $12 check.

The challenge has been around since 1985, and each year about 60 people try it. Only 16 have succeeded.

"They think they are hungry," Jones said. "Well, they are hungry but it's like putting 5 pounds in a 3-pound sack."

"It's something that's talked about up and down the trail," Jones said, adding that for most, it's just a "photo op."

The oversized pancakes await the next hungry customer.