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Algona, Iowa: World's Largest Chee-to (Closed)

Found in a bag, enshrined on a velvet cushion under a glass dome until this restaurant closed.

Emeralds Restaurant

Directions:
I-90 exit 119. Turn south onto US Hwy 169. Drive 18 miles to Lakota, then turn right to stay on US Hwy 169 for six miles, then left to stay on US 169 for 21 miles. Just before Algona turn left onto US 18. Drive one mile, then turn right at the top of the hill, just at the railroad tracks, onto McCoy St. The Chee-to is on display inside Emeralds Restaurant on the corner.
Hours:
Sept. 2015: Reported still closed.
Status:
Closed

Visitor Tips and News About World's Largest Chee-to

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Chee-to.

World's Largest Chee-to

The restaurant has reopened as Emerald's and yes, the Chee-to is still there. It is not ordinarily on display but you can see it if you ask nicely (and bow reverently).

[Tom Kupfer, 08/03/2010]
World's Largest Chee-to

Restaurant is closed. New owners are remodeling and the chee-to is no longer there.

[Baumer, 05/09/2010]

The World's Largest Chee-to was part of the business purchase, so we're hoping it'll be back, perhaps with an even more grandiose display...

Chee-to with Santa hat.

World's Largest Chee-to

Here's the mutant Cheeto wearing a festive Christmas hat. As for the claim that he is "tennis-ball sized" -- unless someone has been nibbling on the poor guy -- he is much closer to "Ping-Pong ball sized." Nonetheless, it's an interesting stop, even if the staff seem a bit tired of Cheeto Groupies like me invading their nice restaurant.

Surprisingly, my stunt where I pretended to eat the orange guy by shoving a bag of Cheetos in my mouth garnered very little amusement.

[Joe Tamony, 02/22/2006]
World's Largest Chee-to donated to Iowa town

Navy Petty Officer Mike Evans has donated the World's Largest Chee-to to the town of Algona, Iowa, after a fierce online bidding war. Evans, based in Pearl Harbor, discovered the mishapen blob in a regular bag of Chee-tos he bought for his 3-year old son....

[03/10/2003] Complete News Story


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