Restaurants will serve up 24 different burgers at this year's Riverwalk Trust Burger Battle, and based on the past two years, it's likely every one of them will be a damn good burger. Returning contenders like Rok: Brgr, Johnny V Las Olas, and Gilbert's 17th Street Grill could be one of your favorites.
But among the newcomers this year are some burgers that will surely be top picks among the judging table (full disclosure: I'm among the judges again for this esteemed contest). Here are four worth seeking out:
4. Bimini Boatyard
If you've lived in Fort Lauderdale at any point, you've probably had the sweet-as-honey Bimini bread. Few restaurants have as many fans as Bimini Boatyard, and it's likely it'll come up with a burger that's
just as crowd-pleasing as that signature bread.
3. The Grateful Palate
This favorite restaurant of the yachting set (and a lot of other people
too) took home the Fan Favorite award at YOLO's Sips & Sliders at Sunset. That
night's offering was an incredibly unique number with tostones instead
of a bun and a patty of conch. It was unique and delicious, and it's likely Grateful Palate will surprise the crowd of
the Burger Battle too.
2. Tap 42
The burgers at Tap 42 are well planned, from the slightly sweet bun to
the house-blend meat in the patty. The burgers there also seem well
built, with the bun fitting nicely over the ingredients, so that it
doesn't turn into a fork-and-knife affair after the first bite. Nobody
likes a fork-and-knife burger, and it's unlikely anyone could dislike
the burgers from Tap 42.
1. Charm City Burger Company
It has become clear that Mike
Saperstein and Evan David, the duo behind Charm City Burgers and El Jefe
Luchador, really can't do anything wrong. And their burgers are among
the area's best. Take the Good Olde, a nothing-fancy burger with
lettuce, onion tomato, American cheese, and a sesame seed bun. Just a
great, old-fashioned burger -- and a good indication that Charm City will likely do well at this contest.