Cabarrus burger competition returns for third year

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — Move over March Madness, Burger Madness is back.

Cabarrus County’s monthlong burger competition is returning for the third year, kicking off on March 1.

This year’s competition features 15 participating local restaurants offering specialty burgers all month, including returning champions Johnny Roger’s BBQ & Burgers and 2 Gals Kitchen.

Diners are encouraged to vote for their favorite. This year’s winner will be announced on April 4.

A full list of participating restaurants, along with a description of each burger, is included below:

2 Gals Kitchen: Mexican Street Corn Burger — Two smash patties, Mexican street corn, green chili queso cheese, guacamole, and chipotle mayo.

73 & Main: You Jam Right Burger — An 8-ounce burger with Applewood bacon, bacon jam, pepper jam, candied jalapeños, and Boursin cream cheese, served on a grilled jalapeño cheddar bun.

ACE No. 3: Grand Prix Pepperjack Burger — A garlic toasted bun, two patties, crispy pork belly, pepper jack cheese, Comeback sauce, jalapeño straws, lettuce, tomato, and sunny side up egg.

Bebo’s Charcoal & Beef: Buffalo Bacon Pimento Bleu Burger — An 80/20 hamburger patty with creamy pimento cheese, bleu cheese crumbles, bacon and Bebo’s homemade buffalo sauce, topped with a buffalo wing.

Hot Box Next Level Kitchen: The Hurricane Burger — Sticky pulled pork, a 1/3-pound chuck brisket patty, coleslaw, and tobacco onions on a Dukes Bread brioche bun.

Johnny Roger’s BBQ & Burgers: The Baja Bacon QuesaBurger — Half-pound certified Angus beef burger, blackened and seared, topped with homemade queso, grilled corn Pico de Gallo, crispy fried jalapeño bacon, a fresh Cotija street corn mayo, and lettuce and tomato.

Lee’s Sandwich Shop: Lee Curd Burger — A burger with spicy cheese curds inside, coated with pepper, Texas Pete dust, pepper flakes, and ranch seasoning mix, topped with two slices of white American cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo, or Lee’s famous chili and slaw.

Punchy’s Diner: DIVA Burger — A 6-ounce house-blended beef burger with special seasonings on top of an artisan bun with bacon, lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese, chipotle sauce and onion strings.

Table 11: Korean BBQ Burger — House ground beef and Bingham Farms pork, quick kimchi slaw, and chili garlic aioli on a toasted sesame potato bun.

The Garden Grille at Hilton Garden Inn: Bless Your Heart Burger — A freshly grilled beef patty, topped with savory pork belly, homemade pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, and a touch of their secret “Gateway Sauce.”

The Kitchen at Cabarrus Brewing: The Southern Kitchen Sink Burger — A 6-ounce certified Angus Beef patty, house-made onion bacon jam, green leaf lettuce, house-made pimento cheese, pork rind crusted fried green tomato, and house-made chow chow on a Challah bun.

The Smoke Pit: The Smokey Moo Cow Burger — Slow-smoked hamburger patty, all American cheese, Texas brisket, sizzling BBQ sauce, and fried onion rings served on a sesame bun topped with a Texas Twinkie.

The Speedway Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway: The Morning Ride Burger — Grass-fed beef mixed with bacon and sausage smash burger in between two Belgium Pearl waffles, topped with pepper jack, bacon, a fried egg, and maple bacon jam.

Village Corner Comfort Kitchen & Bar: Breakfast Madness Burger — Brasstown beef, Frank Courier sausage, Duke’s mayo, fries, a fried egg, Munster, and maple waffle bacon jam.

Wake Up & Eat: Not Your Average Burger — A juicy all-beef burger and southern-style breaded chicken breast dipped in homemade hot maple sauce, topped with cheddar and mozzarella cheese, crispy bacon, grilled onions, jalapeños and a sweet and spicy mayonnaise on a sesame seed Kaiser roll.

For more information, click here.

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