$20 burgers in Calgary as part of Alberta Burger Fest
Featuring a whopping 104 participating eateries, Alberta Burger Fest just keeps on growing bigger and better. Running from May 6 to 15, 2016, its adventurous entries feature patties constructed of myriad meats and veg. Competing for top honours in this customer-judged competition are burger platters in three price categories. Here we highlight the top-end $20 burgers. May the best burger triumph!
The Living Room Restaurant
514-17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2S 0B1This Burger Fest entry is a real lulu – we’ve seen photographic evidence. Almost too tall to stand on its own, this meat mountain features a pan-seared brisket that’s spice-rubbed and cured for 12 hours prior to patty-fication. Served medium rare on a toasted bun dressed with mustard aioli, the balance of its toppings are tallegio (an Italian cheese), sauerkraut and grilled mortadella (an Italian cold cut).
Alloy
220 42 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1Y4This fine dining hideaway just east of Macleod Trail on 42 Avenue Southeast submits a Burger Fest entry featuring a roster of Alberta ingredients. Its Sungold lamb patty (Innisfail) is paired with Traditional Hutterite double-smoked bacon (Claresholm), Fairwinds Feta (Fort Macleod) and Red Hat tomatoes (Redcliff). This regionally resplendent delight is accented with a spicy dab of harissa aioli and mint relish.
The Nash Restaurant & Off Cut Bar
925 11 St SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0R4The acclaimed eatery in the gorgeously refurbished National Hotel building in Inglewood, The Nash is sister restaurant to Notable, which took the top $25 burger spot in 2015. Riding a house-baked, peppercorn-aioli-pasted sesame bun, The Nash Burger fest entry features a patty of hickory-smoked brisket blanketed in smoked cheddar and circled with chunky onion rings.
Smuggler's Inn
6920 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2H 0L3A steakhouse landmark just off Macleod Trail and Glenmore Trail Southeast, this plush, dark-wood-appointed dinner den proffers The Land Burger for your Burger Fest approval. Its pretzel bun grips an eight-ounce Alberta beef patty and a goodly amount of slow-braised pork belly. Additional burger furnishings include pickled wild mushrooms, a fried egg, gruyere, frisée and a splash of truffled aioli.
Township Bar & Grill
181-250 6 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3H7A relative newcomer to the downtown dining milieu, Township serves an array of crafty, contemporary comfort dishes that include buttermilk fried chicken mac and cheese to steak sandwiches and bison burgers. Also creatively comfortable, The Township Lamb Burger is a cuddly concoction that features an eight-ounce lamb patty sauced with mint chutney and topped with tomato, lettuce and arugula as well as goat cheese and garlic aioli. The bun? Brioche.
The Main Dish
903 General Ave NE, Calgary, AB T2E 9E1A health-conscious Bridgeland restaurant and takeout meal maker, The Main Dish keeps its Burger Fest entry deliciously nutritional. The Caprese Burger features an Alberta beef patty sportily attired in buffalo mozzarella and topped with whopping slices of Red Hat beefsteak tomato. Its brioche bun baked by European Bakery & Deli is dressed with pesto aioli, basil and basil glaze.
Dairy Lane Cafe
319 19 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 2J2It may take two of you to lift The Elizabeth Street burger at Dairy Lane Cafe, so sit down at this busy sustainability-sensitive West Hillhurst diner with a pal. Under Gull Valley tomato slices and butter lettuce leaves by the same, this grand gargantuan features two grass-fed beef patties and a whack of pulled brisket. Its pretzel bun is condimented with pickled red onion and garlic mayo.
Añejo Restaurant
2116 4th Street SW #2, Calgary, AB T2S 1W7The most Mexican eatery on Fourth Street’s restaurant row, Añejo serves vibrant Old Country dishes from tacos to mole and of course features a top-flight tequila menu (ask about its tequila flights!). Its Chili Relleno Burger is a glorious, Mexican mess built on a seven-ounce beef patty. Its further juicy components include pickled red onions, arugula and a mozzarella-and-goat-cheese-stuffed relleno pepper. Tomato sauce and sriracha crema complete the picture.
