The culinary event of the year made its triumphant return! Seventeen restaurants entered the ring and vied for the title of best burger during the third annual Aberdeen Burger Battle. The staff at Aberdeen Magazine set out to try each and every one of them, and we’re here to report the results of our delicious endeavor.
The Aberdeen Burger Battle was organized by the alumni of the 2023 Leadership Aberdeen Class along with the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Aberdeen Downtown Association. Local restaurants showcased their best burgers from March 15 to April 30 and raised money for the Salvation Army of Aberdeen’s food insecurity programs.
Each participating restaurant made donations to the Salvation Army, and burger enthusiasts were able to donate after casting their votes for their favorite burgers. Last year over 1,000 people voted and raised $7,600 for the Salvation Army.
Previous champions include Three22 Kitchen + Cocktails’ Bourbon Bacon Burger and Pounder’s County Fair Burger. At 17 participants, this year marks the largest selection of burgers to date.
Minervas – Ragin Cajun
We kicked off our Burger Battle review at Minervas. Their Ragin Cajun burger was served with Cajun aioli, gastrique caramelized onions, white cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickle on a toasted brioche bun. Thanks to the Cajun aioli’s initial bite and the smoothness of the caramelized onions, the Ragin Cajun burger delivers a perfect mix of sweet and spicy. The burger patty was nice and juicy, and the tomato was very fresh. The pickle added a nice crunchy texture, and the flavors of this burger worked well with each other.
Mulligan’s – Parr-Fect Pizza Burger
Mulligan’s burger combined two tasty foods – burgers and pizza. The Parr-Fect Pizza Burger featured mozzarella, pizza sauce, crispy pepperoni, crunchy mozzarella sticks, all on top of an Italian-seasoned Wagyu beef patty. There was a lot going on with this burger, but no single ingredient felt too overpowering. The mozzarella sticks were a highlight and added a delicious crunch to the burger.
Barbeque Twist – The Smoke Signal
Barbeque Twist definitely put their own twist on a classic burger. In addition to a beef patty, The Smoke Signal burger had smoked bison sausage, feta cheese, and a blackberry barbeque sauce. Described as a tribute to the Great Plains, this burger showcased some flavors that are unique to this part of the country. The bison sausage added an extra layer of flavor that you don’t always get the chance to sample.
The Circus Sports Bar & Grill – Buffalo Blu
The Circus made sure that their Buffalo Blu burger showcased everything that’s great about their food. The Buffalo Blu burger came with Cajun seasoning, pepper jack cheese, fried onions, blue cheese dressing, and their famous wing sauce. Our burger came with mild sauce, but diners had the option of upgrading to medium or hot sauce for an extra kick. This burger handled the heat well without letting it take over any other element of the burger. The flavors were truly something special!
Pounders – South Dakota Sunrise
Last year’s champions decided to show us that hamburgers can, in fact, be eaten for breakfast. The South Dakota Sunrise comprised two smash burger patties, a hash brown patty, maple-glazed bacon, an over-easy egg, smoked Gouda cheese, and Sriracha maple aioli on a toasted brioche bun. The maple flavors were brilliantly paired with the other salty ingredients, and though it was messy, it was very fun to eat.
Red Rooster Coffee House – Mac Bean Burger
The Red Rooster entered the ring with a vegetarian option again this year and proved that burgers can still be delicious even without meat. The Mac Bean Burger was a spicy black bean burger topped with macaroni and cheese, provolone, romaine lettuce, red onion, tomato, and sriracha mayonnaise on a toasted pub grain bun. We really enjoyed this burger! The toppings were light and fresh, and combining the different textures of the smooth macaroni and crunchy onion was an excellent choice.
The Market on the Plaza – Wylie Castle Sliders
A great burger and a great pun all in one – what’s not to love? The Market’s Wylie Castle Sliders were a homage to the famous White Castle sliders, but these burgers were much better than the real deal. Each Wylie Castle Slider came with caramelized onions, pickles, American cheese, Market Sauce, and local Back 40 Beef. These sliders were small but packed a flavorful punch. Three of them was just the perfect amount. The Market did an excellent job of turning a fast-food favorite into something decadent and delicious.
Bath Quick Stop – Rodeo Burger
Right from the start, we were impressed with Bath Quick Stop’s Rodeo Burger. Many diners may be quick to write off “gas station food”, but the Rodeo Burger we picked up right off the heating rack was still fresh and tasty. The Rodeo Burger was a ⅓ lb patty made from locally raised and processed beef, topped with cheese, breaded onion strings, and barbeque sauce. It was a nice blend of sweet and savory, and the onion strings provided a very nice crunch. It kept the ingredients simple and no expense to the overall flavor. Definitely consider picking up a Bath Quick Stop burger next time you find yourself on the open road with an empty stomach.
City Lights Bar and Event Center – Big Dance Burger
City Lights entered their Big Dance Burger, which included a ⅓ lb patty, lettuce, pepper jack cheese, bacon, bacon habanero pepper jam, and bourbon wing sauce. This burger was the perfect blend of sweet and spicy! The habanero pepper jam offered a nice kick, but the spice wasn’t too overpowering. The bacon was deliciously crispy, and the patty itself was expertly seasoned. Sometimes people can be wary of spicy elements on a burger, but even those sensitive to heat can enjoy this burger. The overall sweetness created a great balance between the two different flavor profiles.
Lager’s Inn – Smokehouse Burger
Lager’s Inn kept things simple with their Smokehouse Burger – a fresh patty with tender smoked rib meat, Ol’ West BBQ Sauce, and fried onion. There was also a pickle on the side, which we highly recommend adding! The meat was the star of the show with this burger. The patty was delicious, but the rib meat was even better. It was juicy and packed with flavor, and the other toppings served to enhance the flavor. We also thought that the Ol’ West sauce was a big hit. Less is definitely way, way more with this burger. Between the burger, the frosty mugs for our soda, and the readily available peanuts that Lager’s provides, we left our dining experience nice and happy.
The Zoo Bar & Grill – The Lei’d Back Burger
Many of us are familiar with the age-old debate of whether putting pineapple on pizza is acceptable or not, but The Zoo settled the score, at least in regards to burgers. Their Lei’d Back Burger featured two burger patties topped with pepper jack cheese, bacon, sweet chili aioli, and grilled pineapple slices on a toasted Rotella bun. The pineapple added a delicious layer of sweetness to the burger, and it was just as juicy as the patty itself. The bacon added a nice crunch, and the sweet chili aioli tied the whole thing together. This burger was a nice little taste of summer that gave us a break from those delightful late-spring snowstorms that like to linger.
LaRue’s – Ward Steak Burger
LaRue’s brings a little bit of fine dining to Aberdeen, and their Ward Steak Burger was no exception. The burger came with cheese, caramelized onions, slices of steak, arugula, and LaRue’s secret sauce. From the very first bite, we were hooked on all of the delicious flavors. Both the patty and steak were cooked perfectly, and the arugula paired with the onions added a very nice layer of flavor to this burger. We even got to sample a little bit of the steak on its own, and it was outstanding. This burger felt like eating a steak dinner on a bun. Each ingredient felt very deliberate, and it truly was a unique dining experience for us!
Buffalo Wild Wings – Guacamole Bacon Burger
This was Buffalo Wild Wings’ first time entering the burger battle, and they hit the ground running with their Guacamole Bacon Burger. It contained two patties, thick cut bacon, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, house-made guacamole and pico de gallo, and bacon aioli on a challah bun. The guacamole and pico de gallo were definitely the stars of this burger, but they didn’t overpower any other element. The bacon was delicious, and the two burger patties were also great.
Maverick’s Steak & Cocktails – Yum Yum Burger
Maverick’s Yum Yum Burger was a triple threat – three burger patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and special sauce all on a hoagie bun. The tomato was fresh and juicy, and we were fans of the fact that this burger went longer and not taller. The patty itself was seasoned nicely, and even though this burger had three times the ingredients, nothing was overpowering. It simply had everything that makes a traditional burger delicious all multiplied by three. What’s not to love about that?
Three22 Kitchen + Cocktails – Country Fried Redemption
Three22 has claimed the champion title once before, and this year they’re showing us revenge is a dish best served warm. The Country Fried Redemption burger was a cornflake breaded country fried smash burger on a toasted croissant bun, smothered in chorizo sausage gravy and topped with pickled red onion and cilantro. This burger went all out with the seasoning, and it was a very unique flavor that did a great job of showcasing the delicious flavors that Three22’s dishes offer. The bun was also very tasty, and we loved its soft, fluffy texture.
Wakeside Bar & Grill – Big Buff
Wakeside switched things up a bit – the Big Buff burger featured a patty made of buffalo meat with pepper jack and American cheese, tomato, lettuce, curly onions, and a sweet chili sauce. The buffalo burger was delicious and unique. It was nice and juicy without being too gamey, and the sweet chili sauce tied everything together wonderfully. There was a lot to love with this burger, and it was fun to see a different take on a classic burger.
Richmond Oasis – Taco Burger
Our final burger was Richmond Oasis’ Taco Burger. Complete with a taco-seasoned burger, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, garlic sriracha aioli, shredded cheddar, and crispy tortilla strips, this burger blurred the line between two delicious dishes. The tortilla strips provided a very nice crunch and never became soggy, and the pico de gallo was light and refreshing. The burger was also served with taco sauce on the side, and it elevated the burger to a new level. It was amazing how this burger tasted just like a taco and a burger at the same time.
Our Picks:
John:
This year’s top contender for my favorite burger was a complete surprise to me. Having it been their first year in the battle and having restrictions on what they could include for ingredients made their entry one I was honestly skeptical of. But Buffalo Wild Wings’ Guacamole Bacon Burger was an instant hit in my book. The flavors worked together incredibly well, and they were creative with the ingredients they had. The best part? I can get this burger even after the burger battle ends!
Annie:
Just like last year, it was almost impossible to pick a favorite. I enjoyed every burger that we tried, and I’d recommend each and every one of them. There was something special about LaRue’s Ward Steak Burger and Lager’s Smokehouse Burger though. The food at LaRue’s always leaves me feeling like I’ve taken a step out of Aberdeen and into a different culinary world, and Lager’s food always hits the spot when I dine there. Both burgers really focused on the meat, and they each did a great job of making sure that their ingredients worked together to elevate the burger.
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