BROOKINGS The 2024 edition of the Brookings Burger Clash is underway, and youre all invited to sink your teeth into some hot, juicy creations at area restaurants.
With 23 participants this year, a record number of restaurants are wagering they have the most delicious burger but, ultimately, itll be a decision made by folks who will vote after dining on those delectable creations. To make things even better, event organizer Shane Andersen said three restaurants are jumping in for the first time: Boss Pizza & Chicken, Wahlburgers and Patriots Grub and Sweets, all with Brookings locations.
I just think more and more people are excited for it, Andersen said of the events ever-increasing popularity, adding with a laugh: Its a little more work every year for me its evolved that way.
The growth over the years is evident in 2021, the events first year, 10 restaurants took part. It increased to 15 participants in 2022 and, in 2023, there were 21 businesses in and around Brookings taking part.
With the addition of a couple outside restaurants with Gatsbys, and Tables was our furthest one away in Castlewood I think the word has gotten around, he said. Every year its grown a little bit, and I think people are having fun and excited to go have burgers for two months.
Participants
These restaurants in and around Brookings are taking part in the 2024 Brookings Burger Clash, which started Jan. 1 and runs through Feb. 29:
Tables Steakhouse (Castlewood);The Lucky Dog Bar & Grill (Volga);The Valley Restaurant & Catering (Volga);Lemkes Bar & Grill (Aurora);Pheasant Restaurant & Lounge;Craft;Pints & Quarts;Shortys Hot Box;Strikerz Bar;Wilberts Alehouse;CCs Bar & Grill (Volga);The Cardinal Tap (Arlington);Brookings Country Club;The Depot;Cottonwood Bistro;Mortlands Burgers & More (Elkton);Whiskey Creek;Rub N Tug;Gatsbys Speakeasy & Supperclub (Hendricks, Minnesota);Backyard BBQ;Boss Pizza & Chicken;Patriots Grub & Sweets; andWahlburgers
Past winners
2021: Pheasant Restaurant & Lounge, with its Uff da Burger
2022: Pints & Quarts, with its West Coast Classic Burger
2023: Rub N Tug BBQ, with its The French Onyum
How to vote
Each participating restaurant will have table tents with QR codes on them. Burger aficionados can scan the QR code and vote after enjoying their meal.
Andersen, who is a realtor at Century 21 Krogman & Co. in Brookings, said unofficial themes have popped up since the inaugural event in 2021, including themes seemingly focused on jalapenos and eggs. This year is no different.
I dont ask them to do a theme or anything; it just seems thats how it plays out, he said of the unofficial themes. This year it seems to be weve got a couple with waffles, that are using waffles for buns. (Anothers) actually a glazed donut as a bun two glazed donuts, one top and (one) bottom and theyre making a burger out of that.
Sounds pretty sweet, huh? Well, it is but, more importantly, a lot of effort goes into creating these burgers. Theyre not just whipped up on a dime.
These restaurants put in a lot of work, Andersen said. We go back to September, October when I start reaching out to them and figuring out if they want to participate. If you go and have one of their burgers, just know that it took a lot of work to get whats in your hand and on the plate.
He continued, It could two to three months to figure out how theyre going to build it, how theyre going to make it, how theyre going to present it.
Thats a lot of planning and effort. As such, some restaurants do try to keep those special burgers on the menu after the contest ends, but sometimes its simply just not possible.
Andersen pointed to some that have, including Rub N Tugs keeping its 2023 selection and promoting it on occasion. Another example, he noted, is The Depots Party in Your Mouth from 2023 is now Party in Your Mouth 2.0 for 2024.
Still, I dont think a majority keep them because some of the ingredients might be a challenge to get year-round, he said.
Now in its fourth year, the Brookings Burger Clash has tested the creative mettle of its participants but its a good kind of test, one that spreads word of the restaurant and brings in customers from far and wide. Born of an effort to boost businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has certainly spread its wings and left its nest.
With that in mind, Hopefully as a consumer you appreciate that with every bite that you take, Andersen said. Theres a lot of dedicated hard work and love put into that burger.
If you like it, vote on it. Tell your server, tell the owners of the restaurant that you really enjoyed that sandwich and thank them for participating, Andersen concluded. Without them we wouldnt be doing this.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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