I was lucky enough to be selected as one of the judges for the inaugural Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk Burger Battle and for two more years after that. Meeting all the judges and trying various restaurants from Broward County was a blast!
The Riverwalk Burger Battle
2010: Inaugural Burger Battle
On June 4th, 2010, 15 restaurants competed in the inaugural Riverwalk Trust’s Burger Battle. Initially, only the local celebrity judges would name one restaurant’s burger the Best Burger in Fort Lauderdale.
Two awards were given at Burger Battle in Fort Lauderdale: Fan Favorite and Best Burger. All attendees were given a voting chip to vote for their favorite restaurant.
The Capital Grille won the Fan Favorite trophy, while Georgie’s Alibi walked away with the judges’ vote for Best Burger.
Well deserved; it was my favorite burger of the night.
George Gadson, a local artist, created both trophies.
Participating Restaurants: Big City Tavern, The Capital Grille, China Grill, Council Oak at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Georgie’s Alibi, Ilios(Hilton), Johnny V’s, Lauderdale Grill, Morton’s Steakhouse, Pelican (Pier 66), Riverside Hotel, Smith & Jones, Stop Burger, Tarpon Bend, and Timpano Chophouse & Martini Bar
The Judges: Burger Beast, Chef Allen Susser, Chef Director Jack Kane, Jimmy Cefalo, and Keith Sims
2011: Bigger and Beefier
May 13th, 2011, was another year, another great Burger Battle. The returning Judges and People’s Champs Georgie’s Alibi and Capital Grille returned to the competition. The Krystal Slider contest went into overtime, and I had a blast being a judge.
Rok: BRGR won the Fan Favorite trophy, while Georgie’s Alibi two-peated with the judges’ vote for Best Burger.
Participating Restaurants: Big City Tavern, Blue Plate at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Capital Grille (2010 Fan Favorite winner), Chef Allen’s Burger Bar, Georgie’s Alibi (2010 Best Burger winner), Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill, Hard Rock Café, Johnny V Restaurant, Morton’s Steakhouse, Pelican Landing at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Marina, Rare Las Olas, Riverside Hotel, ROK: BRGR, Tarpon Bend and Timpano Chophouse & Martini Bar
The Judges: Burger Beast, Chef Bil Mitchell, Eric Barton, John Offerdahl, Mayor of Fort Lauderdale Jack Seiler and his wife Susan Seiler, Chef Director Jack Kane and Chef Ralph Pagano
2012: Knockout vs Contender
The third edition of the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk Burger Battle returned on May 11th, 2012. This time, 20 Burger contenders battled for a slew of awards!
The 2012 winners were:
Best Burger – Charm City Burger Company
Best ‘Burger Joint’ Burger – Charm City Burger Company
Burger Nirvana (perfect score from at least 2 of the five judges) – Charm City Burger Company
Best ‘Bar & Grill’ Burger – Rosie’s Bar & Grill
Best ‘Knife & Fork’ Burger – The Capital Grille
Fan Favorite Trophy – ROK:BRGR
Participating Restaurants: America’s Backyard, Big City Tavern, The Capital Grille, Charm City Burger Company, Duffy’s Sports Grille Tavern, Elevation Burger, Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill, Grateful Palate, Hard Rock Café, Johnny V, Lauderdale Grill, Morton’s Steakhouse, Mug’s Sports Bar & Grill, Pelican’s Landing @Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, ROK:BRGR, Rosie’s Bar & Grill, Tap 42 Craft Beer Bar & Kitchen, Tarpon Bend and Timpano Chophouse & Martini Bar
The Judges: Burger Beast, Eric Barton, Ron Kerr, Chef Wes Bonner, Chef Director Jack Kane, Chef Ryan Fletcher, Chef Udo Mueller, Jason Cotter, Susan Drinon and Jason Crush
