MONROE — Organizers are hoping you are very hungry — the Green County Beef Producers are back with their popular annual Best Burger Contest.
The contest runs for about three months, or at least until August 7, 2023, the date all mailed contest entries are due.
The summer race to crown the area’s tastiest burger concoction welcomes several new restaurants to the competition this year, including: Kleeman’s Bar & Grill, Sportman’s Reloaded; and Ott Haus Pub & Grill, all of New Glarus. The Pink Heifer in Monticello is the other newcomer.
“It’s was nice to get some extra (participants) in the New Glarus area,” said Nelli McDermott of Green County Beef Producers. “It does give the establishments a lot of extra business they might not otherwise have had.”
Indeed, more than 2,000 of the contest burgers were purchased over the course of the contest year. Last year’s contest featured 13 restaurants and about 107 people ordered all 13 entries, according to McDermott.
Entries run the gambit from traditional big burgers, to new creations involving some unlikely or unusual ingredients. First place last year went to Minhas Kitchens, with its back-to-basics burger. Second place was Junction House and its Aloha Burger; and third place went to Leisure Lanes with its tasty Farmhouse Burger. The Back-to-Basics Burger at Minhas Kitchen is a half-pound patty, house-made bun, Colby cheese, peppered bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and special sauce.
The annual winner will be awarded a coveted giant spatula trophy at the annual beef producers’ steak-out event at the Green County Fairgrounds on Aug. 17.
The burgers were judged on presentation and appearance, cooking to satisfaction; and, of course, taste, organizers say. The same judging criteria are in place for this year’s contest.
Prizes also will be awarded for those who visit all 15 burger establishments, including the top prize of a Weber grill from Grede; along with numerous “beef bundle” gift certificates. Those who eat 7 of the burgers are eligible for a smaller prize category.
For some, the burger contest is a great excuse to have a regular date night, said McDermott. And at the same time, local diners are helping the local restaurants — instead of the chain joints — stay alive. Not to mention the impact on local beef producers, of which there are now about 220 in Green County, according to the United States Dept. of Agriculture.
“They are happy to be a part of it,” McDermott said. “People make a date out of it, a chance to try something new. We hope lots of people take advantage and get their score cards ready.”
The voting postcards can be picked up at any of the participating establishments.
