Around 2,000 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 20 of the county’s best restaurants. Here’s how the evening shook out:
The Pelham institution brought to the table the Glazed and Confused Burger, with Wisconsin cheddar cheese, apple-smoked bacon, and a bourbon caramel apple atop a cinnamon roll-bun.
photo by Halina Sabath
The grill with two Westchester locations – one in New Rochelle, one in Mamaroneck, proved that you can’t beat the classics. Its entry consisted of a double smashed patty with good old American cheese and caramelized onion.
photo by Sabrina Sucato
The Cajun Wiz Burger was one of the more ambitious entries of the evening, and featured a blackened burger on a warm brioche bun, topped with Cajun spiced crispy onions and house-made cheese wiz sauce.
photo by Sabrina Sucato
The legendary Brewster bus brought the Bus Burger, with sharp cheddar, “happy sauce,” a pickle, and side of cheese sauce to boot.
photo by Sabrina Sucato
The Who’s Who of Waygu Burger featured fig and onion caramelized jam, pickle ribbons, extra sharp Irish cheddar, pancetta crisp, and Jack’s signature burger sauce.
photo by Sabrina Sucato
The Pardon My French Burger was a big hit, served on a warm brioche bun with steak sauce, French onion cheese sauce, crispy shallots, and even more onions.
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The popular food truck had a strong showing with the Fusion Wing Cheeseburger that featured gouda cheese and a chipotle-glazed piece of chicken on the inside. The whole thing got drizzled with blue cheese and red pepper aioli.
photo by Sabrina Sucato
Taking the first of the podium places was The Big Stew Burger, and its NY sharp cheddar, caramelized Vidalia onions, confit garlic aioli, and crispy bacon.
photo by Sabrina Sucato
Clocking in at second was the Captain’s Calypso Burger, made from a brisket and short rib blend, and featuring jerk seasoning, pineapple salsa, fried plantain, and avocado crema with the all-important “Calypso Sauce.”
photo by John Turiano
This year’s grand winner was Southern Table of Pleasantville, whose Bulleit Burger wowed the masses with its Bulleit bourbon glaze, aged cheddar, smoked bacon, caramelized onions, and spicy aioli.
photo by Halina Sabath
Want to try making your own Best Burger at home? Seven of these Top 10 burgers — including the top 2! — used ground beef from our event’s official meat sponsor Piccinini Bros.