(Tracy has been cooking all afternoon. That is not the winning burger- it is the trophy. Last year’s was a four-foot-tall bowling trophy. Photo Willow).
“A GROUND ROUND SMACKDOWN FEATURING TEN OF THE BEST BURGER SLINGERS IN THE DMV.”
No, not the Department of Motor Vehicles. That would make no sense. DiMarVA, they mean- the District, Maryland and Virginia.
That was the blurb for the big burger competition this year. The guys over at Big Buns- an occasional treat when we worked in the building almost next store in Ballston- were the sponsors and clearly itching to avenge their defeat.
(A not-so-mini burger with Brian’s hand. Photo Willow).
Last year’s contest of the titans was right here in Arlington, and Willow kicked burger ass to win it all- a surprise for anyone used to thinking about Tracy O’Grady’s place as exclusively a venue for fine dining. Tracy had the unenviable task of defending her title after winning with a double-smoked, pan-seared-in-duck-fat masterpiece.
It went down this year on Florida Avenue in the hip Shaw neighborhood. I missed it- I was engaged in weed eradication projects at the farm, and was amazed last night to discover they had done it again.
Ticket holders to the event got to try FIVE or ALL TEN “not-so-mini burgers,” depending on how much you paid. The grounf rules said that the custom-built gourmet creations contained 3 oz. of blended beef bliss and up to five toppings. The competing restaurants were loaded for bear.
The crowd munched while “sampling great craft beer and enjoying live tunes in the sunshine.”
There was a vote at the end of it all, and y popular vote, Willow Restaurant won FIRST PLACE at the DC BRGR BASH! The winning cast of culinary masters included: Tracy, Brian Wolken, Debra Spetz Rubin, Heather Small, Kate Jansen and Miguel Antunez.
Honorable mention goes to some great also-rans from:
Cafe Saint-Ex
14th Street
Known for their local, dry-aged burger, this contemporary French-American bistro represents 14th Street with pride.
http://twitter.com/cafesaintex
BIG BUNS
Arlington
Customized burgers earned this Ballston favorite a WaPo “Best Bet” and WTOP “Top 10 Burgers in the DMV”.
http://twitter.com/eatbigbuns
Boundary Stone
Bloomingdale
All-natural, hand-ground burgers from this neighborhood gem named a Best of DC “Best Place to Eat at the Bar”.
http://twitter.com/boundarystonedc
Old Ebbitt Grill
Downtown
Executive Chef Sal Ferro showcases updated American cuisine (and a mighty tasty locally raised grass-fed beef burger) at one of DC’s oldest and best-known saloons.
http://twitter.com/oldebbitt
Burger Tap & Shake
Foggy Bottom
One bite of the house ‘Six Buck Chuck’ and you’ll see why that line snaking down the block on Washington Circle is worth standing in.
http://twitter.com/burgertapshake
GUGS
Georgetown
Thick, juicy, no-frills burgers from the Georgetown University Grilling Society have made this local crew a G’town institution.
http://twitter.com/gugs_georgetown
Granville Moore’s
H Street
“A gastropub with a healthy Belgian Fetish”, this popular H Street tavern run by Chef Teddy Folkman needs little introduction.
http://twitter.com/granvillemoores
1905
Shaw
Double-patty delights and signature bacon-fried onions have earned this intimate bistro newcomer a reputation as “One to Watch”.
http://twitter.com/1905dc
Fainting Goat
U Street
Run by Chef Nathan Beauchamp, this popular U Street gastropub does simple food with a gourmet twist and was recently praised by WaPo critic Tom Sietsema.
Willow’s Burger Battle winner secret ingredient? I had a tip from Heather on Friday: roast garlic duck confit butter.
Come and get it!
Copyright 2014 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com
Twitter: @jayare303