Hundreds of local food lovers gathered at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla this year for one of Westchester’s most popular gastronomic contests: Westchester Magazine’s Burger & Beer Blast. Each one got to cast their vote for their favorite burger of the evening, choosing between 23 of the county’s best restaurants, many of which utilized Pat LaFrieda ground beef to craft their patties. Here’s how the evening shook out:
10. Hudson Prime Steakhouse
Irvington
This Irvington steakhouse cuts and ages all of its own meats. The Burger & Beer Blast burger was a mix of its 28-day-aged meat topped with salt and pepper and American cheese. It’s as simple as that!
9. Yard House
Yonkers
This bleu cheese bacon burger was sure to be a fan favorite. The grilled burger was topped with melted bleu cheese crumbles, bacon, fresh arugula, and house steak sauce.
8. Café Deux
Harrison
The Au Poivre burger was such a hit at our event that restaurant will run a special on it tonight. The burger included sauteed onions, cremini mushrooms, house-made garlic aioli, and melted bleu cheese. Each burger was finished with a house-made peppercorn sauce.
7. Fortina
Armonk, Yonkers, Rye Brook, Stamford
Burgers might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Fortina. However, their juicy sliders earned them seventh place. The patties were an 80/20 brisket and chuck blend, topped with white onions and a “fancy” sauce made with Japanese mayo, pickles, sesame, and other seasoning. The burgers were even cooked in duck fat with kosher salt.
6. Smokehouse Tailgate Grill
New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, Somers
The grill with three locations in Westchester proved you can’t beat the classics. Its Roadie burger was topped with chipotle aioli, lettuce, American cheese, and tomato, all on a Martin’s potato bun. If you missed out on this showstopper, swing by Smokehouse for the same burger on the bar menu.
5. Captain Lawrence
Elmsford, Mount Kisco
Sure, you know that Captain Lawrence serves top-notch beer in the county. Did you know that the brewery’s burgers are equally as good? The Captain’s Papi burger served at Burger & Beer Blast showcased just that. The base of the burger was an adobe seasoned patty with a crispy plantain chip placed atop. The cilantro avocado aioli, mixed greens, and pineapple salsa added a pop of color and burst of flavor.
4. Hemlock Hill Farm & Market
Cortlandt
Hemlock Hill served the “This Ain’t Texas Burger” featuring a local pasture-raised special blend ground beef, Hemlock Hill Farm’s 15-hour smoked brisket, fried onion strings, cheddar cheese, and special sauce. Say when.
3. Avellino
Stamford, CT
This family barbecue food truck took the third spot with its Brisket Queso Smash Burger. The simple, yet effective, dry-aged, prime smash burger was topped with pit-smoked brisket queso.
2. Rye Roadhouse
Rye
Rye Roadhouse clocked in at second place, and for good reason. The slider was made from a coffee-crusted burger and topped with crumbled candied bacon and chipotle-infused maple syrup. All of that goodness was served on a fresh beignet and garnished with powdered sugar.
1. Southern Table Kitchen & Bar
Pleasantville
For the third year in a row, Southern Table of Pleasantville won both the People’s Choice and the Judges Choice Award for best burger of the night. Its Bulleit Burger wowed the masses with its Bulleit bourbon glaze, aged cheddar, smoked bacon, caramelized onions, and spicy aioli.
