Downtown Thai Spiciness Challenge

Lee has been living in a covetous state for the last week since his roommate Swapneil completed Downtown Thai's eating-of-really-really-spicy-food challenge.

Downtown Thai's spiciness scale usually ranges from 1-5, but in order to get your picture on the WALL OF FLAME (doesn't that sound awesome?!), you have to eat a dish of your choosing with a spiciness level of 15. 

The P90x version of the challenge is to order a dish at a level of 50.  Not only do you get a picture on the wall, but you also get to take home a sweet orange polo that has your bragging rights embroidered on the back.  Despite the strongest efforts of the waitresses to dissuade him from doing the level 50 challenge, Lee's resolve to punish his tastebuds stayed strong.  Ed took the 15 challenge; meanwhile, I enjoyed a delicious (and pretty darn spicy!) pad thai with a spiciness level of a mere 2.

Here is Lee armed with many beverages (L->R, whole milk, beer, water) to attack his chili peppers with masaman curry.  And Ed gives it a shot with a spicy green curry!

At the halfway point, he had to pause for a 5 minute break.  Note tearing of eyes and slight sweating.  Milk supplies are critically low. 

Will he be able to do it?!

 DONE!  Amazing. 

The victors doing their victory flex.

They had their picture taken, and Ed rode Lee's coattails to victory atop the Wall of Flame.  So, the next time you stop in to eat at Downtown Thai, if you look at the side of the Wall of Flame furthest from the door at the very top of the pillar, sandwiched between two much larger polaroids, this will be the sight that greets your eyes.  (Text reads "Ginger (15) > Lee (50)).