Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Riverwalk Burger Battle continues
May is National Hamburger Month, and for the past decade, 1,200 burger fanatics have crowded into Fort Lauderdale’s Huizenga Plaza for the annual Riverwalk Burger Battle.
But COVID-19 has caused a change of plans: The 2020 battle for the prized people’s choice burger is being held online via take-out orders and a Facebook popularity poll.
“This is a little new world for us,” said Genia
Duncan Ellis, president of Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, which hosts the contest. “People have been confined for some time, and actually, take-out has become the entertainment. This is a very fun, competitive alternative, and people are jumping on board.”
Julie Olszewski, manager of The Historic Downtowner restaurant, a regular competitor and past champion, said she’s confident her chef ’s “Bacon Jam Burger” will moo-ve to the top of the food chain once more.
“We haven’t been around 30 years for nothing,” she said. “We have a lot of dedicated locals who will make sure we come in first.”
How can you participate?
Call up any of the 16 burger gurus and order a masterpiece to-go. Once you find your favorite, vote for its creators online via the Riverwalk Burger Battle XI Facebook poll. Anyone can vote once daily
through the end of the month, and the winner will be announced June 1.
“You’ve got 16 restaurants that are working very hard to pay their staff and survive,” Duncan Ellis said. “Try them all. Try them as many times as you’d like, and vote.”
Here are your options:
■ American Social (721 E Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) represents with its “Social Smash Burger,” a cheeseburger topped with pickles, caramelized onions and smash sauce.
■ Bamboo Beach Tiki Bar (4040 Galt Ocean Drive #B1-A, Fort Lauderdale) has a “Bamboo Beach Burger,” an angus burger with bacon, tomato, arugula and mayo on a ciabatta roll.
■ Bokampers (3115 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale) is competing with “Bo’s Ultimate Cheeseburger,” a patty with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and its signature burger sauce.
■ Bravo Peruvian Cuisine (2925 NE 6th Ave., Wilton Manors) submitted its “Andina Burger,” which features a fried egg, fried cheese, bacon and avocado on top of the patty.
■ Del Frisco’s Grille (501 E Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) is offering its “Grille Prime Cheeseburger,” a double stacked burger with cheese, red onion, lettuce, tomato, pickle and sloppy sauce.
■ The Historic Downtowner (10 S New River Drive, Fort Lauderdale) entered its “Bacon Jam Burger,” a cheeseburger with a special bacon bourbon jam topping.
■ Green Bar & Kitchen (1075 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale) has its “Mmmmmpossible Chili Cheeseburger,” a tall stack with chili, cheese, onion straws, lettuce, tomato, garlic aioli and Santa Fe sauce.
■ Hardy Park Bistro (21 SW Seventh St., Fort Lauderdale) challenges with a cheeseburger topped with mayo, lettuce, red onion and tomato jalapeño bacon marmalade on a brioche bun.
■ Henry’s Sandwich Station (545 NW First
Ave., Fort Lauderdale, is competing with “Henry’s Double Cheeseburger,” a 10-time champion featuring shredded lettuce, pickles and Henry sauce.
■ Holy Mackerel (1414 NE 26th St., Wilton ) is offering “The Danny Boy,” a sirloin and brisket patty topped with baby back ribs, cheddar, fried pickles and barbecue sauce.
■ The Parrot Lounge (911 Sunrise Lane, Fort Lauderdale) entered its “World Famous Parrot Burger,” an angus burger with cheese and your choice of produce toppings.
■ Riverside Market South (3218 SE Sixth Ave., Fort Lauderdale) faces off with its “South Essential Burger,” a cheeseburger with bacon, barbecue sauce and onion straws.
■ Shuck N Dive Cajun Cafe (650 N Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale) is competing with its “Voo Doo Burger,” a spicy concoction of ground chuck, horseradish, jalapeños, cheese, white remoulade sauce and the restaurant’s Voo Doo hot sauce.
■ Tarpon River Brewing (280 SW Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale) submitted its “Tarpon Burger,” a cheeseburger with bacon, spinach, caramelized onions, a sunny-side-up egg and the restaurant’s tarpon sauce.
■ Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille (620 E Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) touts its “Southern Charm Burger,” a cheeseburger with bacon and onion straws on a brioche bun.
■ YOLO (333 E Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) is offering its “Yolo Burger,” a cheeseburger with bacon jam, caramelized onion and signature house sauce.