Goodyear chefs compete in the James Beard Blended Burger battle

Despite National Hamburger month ending in May, two west valley chefs are just getting started as they compete in the James Beard Blended Burger battle. Goodyear restaurants Eagle’s Nest and Toscana’s Restaurant are rolling up their sleeves representing two of the three Arizona restaurants in the competition. They will be trying to create the winning burger using 2 types of mushrooms as ingredients.

Hail Mary burger

Chef Mary Ahern of Eagle’s Nest see’s her Hail Mary burger as the eventual winner. This 17 ingredient burger blends Portobello and button mushrooms, roasted garlic, thyme and shallots ground with the brisket and jalapeños, garlic and bacon mixed with ground beef.

The burger is then topped with bacon jam, lettuce, house made pickles, red onion, devil dog sauce and slices of American and Havarti cheese all between a Brioche bun. That sounds like more than a mouthful and  like a winner to me.

Toscana’s burger

Eagle’s Nest’s neighbor in the Pebble Creek community Toscana’s Restaurant is building a blended burger of their own.

It will be pan seared with 80/20 ground beef, house smoked mesquite button mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, caramelized onions, shaved lettuce, fresh watercress, apple-wood bacon, aged smoked cheddar cheese, house-made cowboy candy and mayo.

All served between a King’s Hawaiian bun, hope it can handle everything

Another delicious sounding burger and I’m very curious about the cowboy candy.

James Beard Blended Burger battle voting

Online voting ends July 31st with the top 5 winners from around the country competing in the final showdown of the James Beard Blended Burger challenge in New York city in January. To cast your vote you may vote here.

Local eateries offer up burger deals for National Hamburger Month

Americans eat more than 50 billion, billion with a “b” hamburgers every year and I’m proud to do my part of a couple a dozen a year. Since we couldn’t give it its own year somebody decided to give it all 31 days in the month of May. To salute the American classic several Phoenix area restaurants are celebrating all month with burger deals & even a burger selfie contest.

Kelly’s at Southbridge

U.S. Egg’s selfie contest

U.S. Egg not only serves up delicious breakfast but they offer mouth-watering burgers. U.S. Eggs grills up nine different burgers including a vegetarian burger and they even offer gluten-free burgers.

In celebration of National Hamburger Month, U.S. Egg is having a burger selfie contest. Take a photo eating a burger, upload it to social media and #USEgg in your caption and you will be entered to win free burgers for a year! Every week in May, one winner will be chosen and will be given a $50 U.S. Egg gift card and will be entered for the grand prize. Check out facebook.com/USeggBreakfastLunch for more information

Thirsty Lion Gastropub’s Tavern Burger

One of Thirsty Lion’s signature items is none other than the Tavern Burger. This classic burger is simple, delicious and topped with crispy onion rings. Thirsty Lion also has a happy hour from 3pm – 6pm and 9:30pm – close and serves $5.95 Grilled Burger Sliders.

Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill is at 2000 East Rio Salado Parkway, Suite 1041 in Tempe and 7014 E Camelback Road, Suite 1423 in Scottsdale. Their Scottsdale location offers complimentary valet. Thirsty Lion’s newest location is at SanTan Village 2212 E Williams Field Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85297. For more information visit www.thirstyliongastropub.com.

Kelly’s at Southbridge offers burger deals on May 28th

On Sunday, May 28th, National Hamburger Day, Kelly’s at Southbridge will offer $12 burgers. Kelly’s award winning burgers are made with a signature four meat blend of short rib, sirloin, chuck and brisket.

Kelly’s burgers include a spicy Pepperjack Guacamole Burger, Bourbon Egg Burger topped with onion rings and barbecue sauce and the signature Original Four-Cut Burger topped with pancetta, mushrooms and piquillo peppers. Kelly’s will also have all day happy hour on Sunday, May 28th! Enjoy half price appetizers, bruschetta, bottles of wine and champagne, $4 drafts, house wines, wells and $4 off signature cocktails.

Kelly’s is on Sixth Avenue in downtown Scottsdale. For more information, visit www.kellysatsouthbridge.com or facebook.com/KellysAtSouthbridge.

 

 

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