FOOD

Chopped cheese eating challenge has hit Brockton. Stop by Khalil's Kitchen to participate.

A new chopped cheese challenge is heating up the city of Brockton.

Alisha Saint-Ciel
The Enterprise

BROCKTON – A challenge on social media to eat three chopped cheese sandwiches in 30 minutes intrigued Fall River resident Elder Andrade, so much so that he completed the challenge twice.

Dozens of customers have tried the chopped cheese challenge at Khalil's Kitchen on Main Street in Brockton, but only a handful have accomplished eating six sandwich halves in under 30 minutes. Reigning champion Andrade has done the challenge twice, finishing the first time in 15 minutes and the second time in 12 minutes.

"I honestly didn't think I would be good at competitive eating. It was my first time doing anything like this, and I would do it again in the future," said Andrade, who owns a custom light business for cars.

Elder Andrade, 20, shows off the chopped cheese sandwiches for the food challenge at Khalil's Kitchen, at 880 Main St. in Brockton. Andrade completed the challenge twice and has the leading record at 12 minutes.

The sandwich, native to New York City, is smothered with cheddar cheese, ground beef, fried chicken, mozzarella sticks, and hearty topping.

"What surprised me more was how delicious the sandwich was. Everything was perfectly seasoned, and inside the sandwich were mozzarella sticks; it was amazing," Andrade said.

From left, Rudy Alves, owner of Khalil's Kitchen, with Elder Andrade, 20, at 880 Main St. in Brockton, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.

What do you win for the chopped cheese challenge?

Initially, winners of the challenge would get their money for the sandwiches ($25) plus $100, but since Andrade crushed the competition, if you can beat his time, Rudy Alves, owner of Khalil's Kitchen, will give you $250 along with a shirt. And your picture will remain in the restaurant forever.

Alves increased the challenge prize with the hopes of more people trying the monster of a sandwich.

Elder Andrade, 20, of Fall River participated in the chopped cheese sandwich challenge at Khalil's Kitchen in Brockton, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.

"The challenge came about from customers saying the sandwich was so big they could barely finish it. So, I came up with the idea to do a challenge, and also, it's good for marketing on social media, and it kind of went viral in the city," Alves said.

The owner enjoys all the antics that come with the challenge. Customers from near and far pop in to see if they could be the next champion.

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Rudy Alves, owner of Khalil's Kitchen, at 880 Main St. in Brockton, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.

"I just love watching them do the challenge and watching the happiness it brings customers from cheering on their friends, to enjoying the food they're eating," Alves said.

His only goal with this challenge was to bring fun energy to his restaurant and give Brockton something they'd never had.

"I've seen people drive four hours for a chopped cheese in NYC, and I wanted to give Brockton a taste of that," Alves said.

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Where does Khalil's Kitchen get their menu from?

What inspired the menu at Khalil's Kitchen is the world around him. Alves brings whatever popular food is circulating to his kitchen and puts a spin on it to make it his own.

Every few weeks, a new special engulfs the kitchen, and Alves uses social media to find trending, tasty items.