Email  Print  Feed

The Wall of Flame

According to the Scoville scale rating for True North Tavern’s tacos, this North Park bar may be the hottest place to be on Wednesday nights.

 On Wednesday nights, many San Diegans head to their favorite neighborhood bar after work to get past hump day with a few happy hour cocktails. On such nights, the thrill-seekers can be found at True North Tavern, located in the heart of North Park. What attracts these fearless adventurers to this popular establishment? A trip to Hell and back.

            Every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. True North hosts the Wall of Flame Challenge, daring patrons to consume two fiery hot tacos, smothered in heaps of unbearably spicy sauce, within five minutes. Then the brave challengers must withstand five entire minutes of fiery Hell, without drinking or eating a thing.

            As if the burning sensation isn’t enough, the contestants must endure relentless teasing by Mike Anelli, head of security at True North, and other fellow employees. Spectators in the crowd also participate by either cheering the challengers on or taunting them by singing along while theme songs such as “Hot, hot, hot” are blaring through the speakers.

            This past Wednesday, six courageous souls took on this daunting challenge. As their turn approached, each challenger donned the saucy black, red and yellow striped poncho and the oversized black sombrero, glittering with sequins. As a nervous participant took the hot seat Anelli said, “Come on, sign a waiver. Sign away your life and kiss your intestines goodbye.”

            The peppery smell of the tacos was so overwhelming that even nearby onlookers wrinkled their noses. As the suffering challenger attempted to swallow every last crumb of the evil concoction, Anelli and fellow employees taunted the poor soul with refreshing drinks, chips and words of discouragement while spectators cheered and jeered. Tears shed uncontrollably, noses ran and sweat dripped profusely.

            Surprisingly, all six contestants proved to be victorious, although a few almost did not surpass the struggle. As 22-year-old Patrick Palmiter approached the countdown of his final 10 seconds of torture, he said, “I need a beer. Make it a milk and a beer. I’m never doing this again!”

            All winners receive the two spicy tacos for free, a T-shirt that reads “TNT Cantina — I Survived 5 Minutes of Hell” and their photo on the Wall of Flame. Losers must pay a whopping $4 for the tacos they could not endure and display their photo on the Wall of Shame.

            What’s True North’s spicy secret? The infamous TNT Taco Challenge Tacos are doused in a special hot sauce made with Habanero Pepper Base mixed with Ghost Chilies. Ghost Chili, also known as Naga Jolokia or Bhut Jolokia originated in the Assam region of northeast India and was deemed the world’s hottest chili pepper by the Guinness World Records in 2007. Imagine the sauce as a dark, pasty liquid that’s 401.5 times hotter than Tabasco sauce.

            Daring contenders have until 10 p.m. on Wednesdays to take on the challenge. For those who can’t handle the heat, True North also offers other tasty tacos for $2 and specialty drinks such as Espolon margaritas for $4. Happy hour is available Monday through Saturday from noon until 7 p.m., during which all beer, wine and spirits are $1 off. Daily specials are also available for patrons all week.  

 

True North Tavern

3815 30^th Street, San Diego CA 92104

619.291.3815

 

Do you like what you read? Subscribe to San Diego Magazine »