Flipping out: Here are all 48 options you can try during the Newport Burger Bender
In need of a hunk of meat or maybe a meat alternative? Well, there's good news.
The Newport Burger Bender, established in 2017 as part of the Newport Winter Festival, returns Feb. 18-27 as Newport County restaurants share their most creative burger recipes for the chance to be crowned top dog.
Burger lovers are invited to try these limited-edition burgers, only available during the Burger Bender, and vote for their favorite. Here are some of the unique beef, non-beef and plant-based burgers that are available for dine-in or takeout:
Beef Burgers
Surf & Turf Burger: Seafood lovers must try this delicious beef burger from 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille, topped off with sauteed lobster, slaw, gruyere, truffle aioli, served on brioche bun.
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The Miso Burger: This Asian-cuisine inspired burger comes from Diego's Barrio Cantina, with pan-seared local grass fed beef, chef Kyle’s miso glaze, tempura fried pickled veggies and shaved Napa cabbage, served on a potato roll
The Bellington: There’s no going wrong with the sophisticated flavoring of this burger from One Bellevue, topped with a grass-fed beef patty, truffle pate, sweet & sour mushroom, arugula, fresh mozzarella, served on a sesame seed bun with rosemary potato chips.
Non-Beef Burgers
Sushi Burger: The Midtown Oyster Bar showcases its fresh seafood with this unique burger, made with Spicy Ahi Tuna tossed in sweet soy & spicy aioli, wakame and daikon carrot Asian salad, within a sesame seared sushi rice cake "bun."
The Goat Island Burger: This flavorful burger crafted by Showfish at Gurney’s is made with a Humboldt Fog goat Cheese topped Australian lamb burger with house made Nueske's bacon & sweet onion marmalade, horseradish cream and Boston Bibb lettuce served on a Brioche bun.
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The Jive Turkey: From Buskers Irish Pub, this Caribbean jerk turkey burger is topped with bourbon maple glazed turkey bacon, Muenster, avocado salsa and fresh tomato compote, each bite taking you to an island state of mind.
Plant-Based Burgers
Vegetarian Korean BBQ Burger: Jo’s American Bistro takes a unique twist on Korean BBQ with this burger, serving an impossible burger patty with Korean Bulgogi BBQ sauce, house made (mild) kimchee, julienne veggies and gogo charo mayo, served on a potato roll.
V-Rex Burger: The fully plant-based restaurant, Sprout and Lentil, showcases their V-Rex burger, made with a black bean burger patty, plant-based cheese, BBQ jack fruit, slaw, pickles and avocado.
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Falafel Burger: Is it a gyro? Is it a burger? Why not have both with this unique Mediterranean style burger from The Fifth Element topped with Pan seared Falafel, Bibb lettuce, tomato, red onion, tzatziki sauce and hand cut fries.
All of the Burger Bender options
Here is a list of all the participating restaurants and the burgers offered. To learn more about each one, visit discovernewport.org/burger-bender.
Beef burgers
22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille: Surf & Turf Burger
Bar and Board: Smash Burger
Caleb & Broad: Grilled Prime Rib Burger
CRU Cafe: Charlie Burger
Diego’s Barrio Cantina: Miso Burger
Diego’s Newport: Mexican Mole Burger
The Dining Room at the Vanderbilt: Vandy Burger
The Fifth Element: The Fifth Burger
Flat Waves Food Shack: Big Wave Burger
Gas Lamp Grille: Spanish Torta Burger
Giusto Newport: Giusto Burger
The Gulf Stream Bar and Grille: Gumbo Burger
Jo’s American Bistro: Pretzel Bomb Burger
La Forge Restaurant: Umami Burger
Midtown Oyster Bar: Shorty Mac
The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar: The Portuguese Burger
Nomi Park: Nomi Park Burger
One Bellevue: The Bellington
Portside Tavern: Portside Burger
The Reef: The Chuck Norris
The Safari Room at OceanCliff: Safari Sirloin Burger
Skiff Bar: Land & Sea Burger
Speakeasy Bar and Grill: Jalapeno Burger
Stoneacre Brasserie: Stoneacre Burger
Stoneacre Garden: Stoneacre Custom Blend
Surf Club: El Cubano Burger
Tavern on Broadway: The Broadway Burger
Wally's Wieners: Bleu Dream
Wharf Southern Kitchen & Whiskey Bar: The Sweet Carolina Burger
Zelda's: Port Wine Foie Gras Burger
Non-beef burgers
Boat House Waterfront Dining: Mediterranean Swordfish Burger
Busker's Irish Pub: The Jive Turkey
Caleb & Broad: Spicy Tuna Burger
Midtown Oyster Bar: Sushi Burger
Scales & Shells: Spice-Rubbed Sword-wish
Showfish at Gurney's: The Goat Island Burger
Vegetarian burgers
The Dining Room at The Vanderbilt: The Impossible Melt
The Fifth Element: Falafel Burger
The Gulf Stream Bar and Grille: Black Eyed Pea and Portobello Burger
Jo’s American Bistro: Vegetarian Korean BBQ Burger
La Forge Restaurant: Veggie Diablo Burger
Plant City X: X Burger
Portside Tavern: Black Bean Burger
Sprout and Lentil: V-Rex Burger
Stoneacre Garden: Chickpea Vegetable Burger
Surf Club: Molly Burger
Tavern on Broadway: Spicy Black Bean Burger
Wally's Wieners: Cruzin' n Boozin'
Voting will go live on the Discover Newport website on Feb. 18, and voting also can be completed via a QR code on the participating restaurant's menu.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Newport Burger Bender: All 48 options you can try Feb. 18-27.
