Pro and novice grillers to face off at annual competition
BY KADIE VICK
FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — The Opelika Rotary Club invites the community to join in the fun at the 11th annual Burger Wars grilling competition this Saturday, May 31, in historic downtown Opelika. Tasting ticket sales will begin at 10:45 a.m. and tastings will begin at 11 a.m. in historic downtown Opelika.
“Burger Wars is something that many people in our community look forward to every year,” said Opelika Rotary President Brooke Kastner. “No matter if someone is grilling in the competition or just coming to attend the event, it is a fun atmosphere, and people get to taste some yummy burgers throughout the day. The Burger Wars are family friendly, so people of all ages can come and enjoy it.”
Tasting tickets are $2 each and can be exchanged for ¼ of a burger from any of the many competing grill stations. Attendees are encouraged to buy tickets early, as they usually sell out.
“Due to the event’s popularity in recent years, we anticipate that burger samples will go quickly, so we recommend arriving right at 11 a.m. for the best chance at trying all the burgers,” Kastner said.
Burger Wars is more than just an opportunity to fill up on great burgers — the money raised during the event goes back into the community to help feed people in need.
“This event is organized by the Opelika Rotary Charitable Foundation, so all of the proceeds that come from the event itself go into the foundation, and all of that money is given right back into the community in a lot of different ways,” said Kastner. “The money is donated to help feed food-insecure children in Lee County through the backpack program with the food bank, which has always been very near and dear to my heart.”
The grillers at Burger Wars offer a wide range of classic and unique burger creations.
“We have different grillers that can compete in three different categories,” Kastner explained. “There is the professional category, which is going to be your restaurants and caterers.”
This year’s professional competitors include LA’s To-Go & Catering, ONO Truck Hawaiian Local Fare, Lin + Leigh, Corner Office, Da Grub Spot LLC, Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint Auburn,
The Waverly Local, PepperTree Steaks N’ Wines, Auburn Plaza Bar & Lounge, The Depot,
Zazu Gastropub and AU Tiger Dining.
“The corporate category includes businesses in the area that want to compete, and then there’s a third category that’s called the tailgate category, which is just the amateur backyard griller that wants to come and set up,” Kastner said. “Judges will judge burgers in each of those categories [and decide] first, second and third places.”
In addition, attendees at the event will choose the winner of the coveted Crowd Favorite trophy.
Local radio host “Donnie B” Blankenship of Wings 94.3 said he is excited to be a judge at this year’s Burger Wars after many years of broadcasting live from the event.
“I have done radio shows in Auburn and Opelika for 12 years, but this will be my first year judging the Burger Wars,” he said. “I’ve tried some of the winning burgers at restaurants for the last few years. It’s definitely exciting to finally be a part of judging the event.
“I can’t wait to see what the competitors make,” Blankenship said. “I’m more of a classics guy. I think my big red flag is a sloppy mess — I like my burgers to have a little bit of neatness to them.”
Burger Wars is held in conjunction with another popular event, Touch A Truck, and plenty of entertainment will be available, such as the annual Big Bite Battle, a burger eating contest that pits the Opelika and Auburn fire departments against each other for a year’s worth of bragging rights. Auburn firefighters will try to avenge last year’s defeat to the OFD team starting at 1 p.m.
This year’s Burger Wars is expected to be bigger and better than ever, offering a day of fun and fellowship, even for those who don’t eat hamburgers.
“It grows every single year, we have more and more people who come and get involved in it,” said Kastner. “It’s just really a fun day. Even if you’re not a big burger fan, it’s still just fun to walk around, listen to some music and hang out with your friends.”
