Delaware Burger Battle honors go to Deer Park Tavern, Redfire Grill, Ulysses Gastropub

Nearly 800 people gathered at Twin Lakes Brewery in Greenville on Aug. 23 for the 2014 Delaware Burger Battle, presented by The Kenny Family Foundation. Fires were lit, thousands of burgers were served, and when the smoke cleared, three winners emerged:

• Critic’s Choice: Deer Park Tavern, Newark

Thai Burger Made from Local Herman’s Meat Market Beef, Cooper Sharp Cheese, Spicy Thai Mayo, Lettuce, Tomato and Cilantro

• Critic’s Choice (Alternative Burger): Ulysses American Gastropub, Wilmington

Jamaican Jerk Black Bean Burger Topped with Lime Pickled Onions, Monterey Jack Cheese and Avocado

• People’s Choice: Redfire Grill and Steakhouse, Hockessin

Redfire Burger: Angus Beef, Cabot’s Aged Cheddar, Maple Pepper Lacquered Bacon, Housemade 1000 Island

(This is Redfire’s second win. Last year, the Redfire burger won the Critic’s Choice.)

The People’s Choice Award was determined by the votes of the burger fans attending. A judging panel chose both Critic’s Choice awards, and included:

Matt Amis, food writer for Delaware Today and Out & About Magazine

Lyman Chen, owner of Berri Yummi Frozen Yogurt and actor (“The Departed,” “Sharknado 2”)

Amy Cherry, reporter on WDEL

Tim Furlong, reporter for NBC 10 and host of the Emmy-award winning show “Foodies”

Stephanie Hilton, president of the Burger Club of Philadelphia

Chef Barbie Marshall, chef partner of SOOP Catering in Philadelphia and “Hell’s Kitchen” finalist

Anna McDermott, education programs director at Food Bank of Delaware

Danielle Neubauer, student at William Penn Culinary School, MidAtlantic Wine + Food Festival competition winner

Rob Pfeiffer, brewer at Twin Lakes Brewery

Kevin Powers, host of Cook 2 Order on Delaware 28

Kita Roberts, food blogger at GirlCarnivore.com and PassTheSushi.com

Eric Ruth, Delaware Tourism Office

Chef Murray Schulman, corporate executive chef of The Kenny Family ShopRites of Delaware

Amy Strauss, editor-in-chief of The Town Dish

Bob Yesbek, food blogger at RehobothFoodie.com

Other restaurants and burgers competing in this year’s battle included:

BBC Tavern and Grill

Free Range Bison Burger Mixed with Fresh Ground Chili Pepper and Jalapeno, Topped with Aged White Cheddar, Farm Fresh Frisee and a Spicy Jalapeno Aioli, Served on a Soft Potato Roll

Cantwell’s Tavern

Farmhouse Patty Melt on Texas Toast with Smoked Gouda, Spicy Barbecue Sauce, Whiskey Onion and Bacon Jam; Beef from Heritage Oak, Townsend, DE

Chelsea Tavern

Farmhouse Burger, 8oz. Beef Patty Topped with Applewood Bacon, Baby Spinach, Goat Cheese, Smoked Tomato Aioli and a Fried Egg on Fresh Baked Brioche

Drip Café

House Made Black Bean Burger, Served with a Roasted Garlic & Avocado Spread, Fresh Spinach, Smoky Eggplant Bacon on a Multigrain Slider.

Ernest & Scott Taproom

Angus Beef, Red Onion, Gherkins, House Pulled Mozzarella, Portobello Mushroom, Gruyere Cheese, Baked-Overnight Tomato, Rosemary and Roasted Garlic Aioli, Toasted Brioche

Kildare’s Irish Pub

EU Burger: 8oz Beef Burger, Rasher (Irish Bacon), Swiss Cheese, Fried Egg, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Served on an Onion Roll

La Fia

100% Ground Chuck, Applewood Smoked Caramelized Onion, Fontina Cheese, Bacon Jam, Zesty Mayo, House Made Roll

Nage Restaurant

Hand Ground Meat Blended with Mushrooms, Parmesan Cheese, and Truffle Oil, Topped with Smoked Onions, White Cheddar and Tomato Jam on a House Made Brioche Bun

Pizza by Elizabeths

Short Rib Burger with Our Garden Basil and Tomatoes, Brie, and Roasted Garlic Aioli on Brioche

Rose & Crown

Ground Beef, Ground Bacon, Parmesan, Love

Skipjack

Herman’s Ground Beef Burger with Foie Gras Butter, Stewed Local Heirloom Tomatoes, Bacon Onion Marmalade and Habanero Pickles

The Meat House Chadds Ford

Hot Mama Burger: 100% Ground Chuck Mixed with Diced Jalapenos & Horseradish Jack Cheese Topped with Lucifer Onion Strings and Country Ketchup on a Seeded Bun

Tutto Fresco Restaurant

Angus Beef with Cheddar Cheese, Fried Onion, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Hot Dog

World Cafe Live

Chesapeake Burger – Dry Aged Sirloin & Chuck, Butter Poached Crab Meat, Old Bay Hollandaise, Jersey Tomatoes and Arugula, Served on a Brioche Croissant Bun

Almost 800 people, including volunteers and burgermeisters, attended the battle this year. Money raised from the battle will benefit Ministry of Caring’s Emmanuel Dining Room, which helps alleviate the immediate needs of Delaware’s hungry by serving nutritious meals to anyone in need, at no cost and with no questions asked. An announcement about how much money was raised during the battle will come within the next few weeks.

For more information, visit www.deburgerbattle.com or facebook.com/deburgerbattle or email wilmonites@gmail.com.

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