Burger enthusiasts, get ready: this Friday, the sixth annual Riverwalk Burger Battle returns to Fort Lauderdale.
The battle brings together South Florida's foremost burger aficionados on Friday, May 8 for an evening of beer, cocktails, live music and — of course — burgers at Huizenga Plaza (S.E. corner of S. Andrews Ave. & E. Las Olas Blvd.). Proceeds from the event will help to raise money in support of Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale’s mission of building and nurturing a vibrant community.
The Burger Battle will pit sixteen of the area's best burger restaurants against one another as they show off their creative juices and grilling skills for over 1,200 guests along Fort Lauderdale's scenic New River. Each establishment will be offering unlimited burger samples to event goers. From homemade sauces and original recipes, to creative toppings and high-quality ingredients expect a stellar line-up of gourmet burger in this year's battle for the title of "Best Burger."
A team of restaurant industry professionals have been selected to judge this year's Riverwalk Burger Battle. Guests will have a chance to vote, as well, selecting their "Fan Favorite" using Burger Battle "chips" to cast votes. Additional awards will include "Best Burger Joint," "Best Bar & Grill," and "Best Knife & Fork Burger."
With entry, each guest will receive unlimited tastings from each restaurant, drink tickets, access to an unlimited "French Fry bar," sponsored by the Downtowner, and live musical entertainment provided by That Band. In addition to the unlimited burger tastings and fries, all event goers will be able to enjoy drinks at the Jack Daniels cocktail stands or Barefoot Wine & Bubbly tent provided by Premier Beverage. Beer stations, supplied by Stephens Distributing, will also be available.
This year, the restaurants won't be the only ones competing; a special Burger Eating Contest sponsored by Stevens & Goldwyn, P.A. will let guests show their stuff with burgers provided by BurgerFi.
Tickets to the event coset $40 per person for general admission, which includes voting chips, three drink tickets, and unlimited burgers tastings. VIP tickets will be sold for $125 per person, and include early entry at 6:30 p.m., as well as unlimited burger samples from all burger contest contenders; a specialty VIP burgers sponsored by The Tilted Kilt; full open bar and craft beer tastings; specialty tables and seating; and frozen desserts provided by Whole Food Market Fort Lauderdale.
Last year's Riverwalk Burger Battle champion, American Social, took the trophy with a burger composed of short ribs and brisket wrapped in bacon, stuffed with Boursin cheese, and coated in a spicy homemade secret sauce. This year, they're back, and will be competing against B. Bar & Grille, Beauty & the Feast, Big Bear Brewing Company, Big City Tavern, Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill, Frankey’s Sports Bar, Georgie’s Alibi, Grill Republic, MEAT Eatery and Taproom, Mind Your Manors, Rivals Waterfront Sports Grille, Shooters Waterfront, Timpano Italian Chophouse, and Tucker Duke’s Lunchbox.
The Riverwalk Burger Battle VI will be presented by the Fort Lauderdale-based real estate firm Pilgram Group on Friday, May 8, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Huizenga Plaza in Bubier Parl in Fort Lauderdale. Visit Blacktie-South Florida to purchase tickets.
Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.