Burgers

Sac Burger Battle 2017

October 24, 2017 by SacFoodies

Burger. Battle. Burger. Battle (Sing this to the tune of “Jaws”). Do you ever have that dream where you’re surrounded by battling burgers? No? Oh well. Either way, a very real and non-dream Burger Battle took place at Sacramento’s Cesar Chavez Park this September, and SacFoodies were on the scene to report back.

The most incredible part about Sac Burger Battle 2017 (besides the burgers, obviously) was the camaraderie and overall joyous atmosphere. Everyone working the booths was laughing, slinging jaw-dropping burgers and taking the time to chat with attendees. The booths were set up so that there was plenty of room to maneuver, grab drinks and chat with your friends. ALSO, the plates provided came with a built-in drink holder! We had never seen a plate like this before and were dumbfounded – it meant you could hold your plate and drink in one hand while grabbing as many burgers as possible with the other – but we digress. Read on for our top choices from the throw down:
Laurel:
My absolute favorite burger (which comes as no surprise to anyone that knows me) was from South. It managed to be both soft and crunchy and ended with a nice pickle-y tang.

The burger from South featuring fried chicken skin

Cheyenne:
It was seriously hard to pick a favorite, but the way that the flavors of the Nixtaco burger mingled together, helped it step about in front the of the rest! The meat was cooked to perfection, the bun held up with all of the delicious ingredients.
Jessi:
My favorite burger was from Bacon and Butter! Their burger had bacon two ways, blended into the patty, and on top! Paired with crispy shallot rings and black garlic aioli, it was a 10/10 from me. I even went back for seconds!
Between the craft beer, cider and cocktail selection, Sac Burger Battle boasted an impressive array of local beverages to choose from. And between the three of us we have a cider, beer and cocktail enthusiast, so it was the perfect mix of drinks!
The proceeds from this event went to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, which dedicates itself to finding cures to Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. As much as we love food and drinks, we especially love eating and drinking for a cause. It was moving to see the community come together for such a worthy cause and showed the power of the food and beverage community in Sacramento. Over the past 6 years, Sac Burger Battle has raised over $200,000 for the foundation! If you’re inspired to contribute, you can still buy the official Sac Burger Battle t-shirt, with all proceeds being donated to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
Hands down, Sac Burger Battle 2017 was one of our favorite events of the year to date. We got to eat delicious burgers, try craft drinks of every type of drink and commune with our fabulous foodie friends. Our only complaint? We got too full to try every burger! Guess we’ll have to keep trying burgers all over Sacramento . . . we really are dedicated to our work :).

We hope you all get the chance to attend Sac Burger Battle next year, but for now, make your very own Burger Tour around Sacramento! All restaurants who participated are listed below – let us know what your favorite is!
To learn more about the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, click here.
To learn more about Sac Burger Battle, click here.
To check out @BurgerJunkies (Sac Burger Battle Founder and burger enthusiast extraordinaire), click here.

SacFoodies and fellow Sacramento blogger Ashley Newell with Rodney from Burger Junkies!

Farm to Office! This week’s farmers’ market finds

July 28, 2016 by SacFoodies

by Brandon Smith
This week’s finds feature a bounty of local produce, (not so) mini burgers, a taco salad bowl and some almonds we can’t get enough of.
Beautiful, fresh produce

A couple of “Cowbells” from Krush Burger. These mini burgers are loaded with bacon, onion straws, BBQ sauce and smoked Gouda.

Taco Salad Bowl with carnitas from La Posada

We can’t stop eating these flavored almonds from Winters Fruit Tree! We recommend the sesame flavor but feel free to give any of their 40 flavors a try.

The Capitol Mall Farmers’ Market takes place every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., May through September.
Check back next Thursday for more of our favorite “Farm to Office” finds.

Bacon & Butter

July 30, 2013 by SacFoodies

On a recent weekday a good friend and I met for lunch at this much buzzed about midtown establishment to see if it truly lives up to its name. We were not disappointed. Known for long lines at Sunday brunch, the lunch hour was nicely low-key with plentiful seating. We were in and out with time to spare, a necessary thing for a limited workday lunch break.

Chef and owner Billy Zoellin has definitely created a dynamic, palate tingling menu. I would expect nothing less from a chef that has learned from the who’s who of Sacramento restaurateurs – from Biba Caggiano to Randall Selland and Patrick Mulvaney. If that wasn’t enough, you can also catch him making duck confit club sandwiches and smocked slaw-and-sausage pizza for the Golden Bear on an episode of the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” Did I mention he’s only 29?
Now, let’s dive into the food. Options abound on this seasonal, locally-sourced and sustainably-focused menu, making our decisions difficult. Do we go for the delectable sounding chicken and Andouille hash or b.l.t. omelet filled with heirloom tomatoes, bacon steak, watercress and brie? Or, do we stick to the so-called “lunchish” options of grilled cheese sandwich with five kinds of cheese or the panzanella salad? After much deliberation I picked the b&b burger and my friend chose the biscuit sandwich.

biscuit sandwich

b&b burger

Let me pause here and wipe the drool off my face. Ok, I’m back. I don’t throw accolades easily, but that burger was one of the best I’ve ever had. Zoellin masterfully builds flavor by combining freshly ground beef with just the right amount of bacon inside and on top. It’s juicy, perfectly seared, lightly seasoned and wonderfully balanced with the smoked aioli. Add in some crisp shallot rings and havarti cheese and let the “trip to Flavortown” begin as Guy Fieri would say. The side of smashed potatoes (masterfully poached, smashed then fried) is rustic yet light and unexpected. I’ve never had potatoes served like this and I can’t wait to try it at home.
My friend was equally enamored with her biscuit sandwich. The housemade biscuit barely holds in the Beeler’s bacon (the Beeler family has been making premium bacon for six generations), cheddar cheese blanket and caramelized onions. Top it off with an egg and chive mascarpone and you have a hearty breakfast that’s perfect for lunch. Yum.
Long story short, do not pass Go!, do not collect $200, but head directly to Bacon & Butter for an affordable farm-to-table menu. You won’t regret it!
Bacon & Butter
1119 21st St., Sacramento
(916) 346-4445

Thursday Happy Hours at Crocker Café by Supper Club

July 13, 2012 by SacFoodies

The new Mel Ramos exhibit at The Crocker is a sight to behold.
But if the pop paintings of nudes alongside larger-than-life sodas, candy and oranges set your tummy rumbling (like they did mine), you’re in luck.
The museum’s newest food offering—located on the ground floor of the sleek, sunlit Friedman Court—is appropriately called the Crocker Café by Supper Club. And it offers a few artful spins on counter staples sure to satiate even the staunchest critics.
I’ve been here before, when it was run by Mulvaney’s B&L. The look and feel is mostly the same, as are the quietly elevated menu items. Think: White truffle asiago or sweet potato fries; a BLT on walnut wheat bread; or a chili lime Caesar salad.
Nothing too ground-breaking, to be sure. But a delightful way to while away an afternoon after soaking in some of the museum’s diverse cultural offerings on the floors above, from ancient Egyptian figurines to stunning 21st Century sculpture.
My advice? Time your visit to coincide with the café’s alluring 4-6 p.m. happy hour on Thursdays. At just five bucks apiece ($7 after 6 p.m.), the surprisingly filling menu items are a great way to cap off a multi-floor cultural walkabout with an array of artful eats.
My museum buddy and I splurged on three of the menu’s four items last week, as outlined below.
¼ lb. Angus cheddar burger with shoestring fries
I don’t mean to over-qualify museum fare. But this burger was surprisingly good! From the toasted bun to the gobs of melted cheddar, it rivals my other favorite happy hour burger special at McCormick & Schmick’s on J Street. And while the photo hardly does it justice, that whopping heap of delicious, slightly crispy shoestring fries was a killer bonus.
Hawaiian-style pulled pork sliders with coconut lime slaw and sweet potato fries
Again: the portions. For $5, this was a solid amount of food! The sweet Hawaiian buns, the juicy pulled pork and the deliciously sweet and tangy slaw offered an array of enticing flavors. The fries were served piping hot with a perfect dusting of sea salt. Yum!
Pizza bread with pepperoni, four cheeses and red sauce
I hate chewy bread. And when we ordered, I was admittedly the least excited about this dish. But any doubts lingering on the canvas of my mind were wiped clean upon first bite. The dough was delightfully light—like biting into a savory cloud, peppered with Parmesan. A great option for cranky kids or famished adults.
The can’t-miss Mel Ramos exhibit runs through October 21, but the Crocker Café’s Thursday Happy Hour is part of the museum’s permanent collection. At least for now.
Drink specials at the full bar offer another enticing reason to get out and soak up some local culture, too.
Crocker Café by Supper Club
Crocker Art Museum
216 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 808-1865

SactoMoFo4

April 12, 2012 by SacFoodies

Food Trucks, one of the hottest trends to hit the foodie world continues to gain moment in cities all over the country and the capital city is no exception. Food Trucks have been a huge hit right here in Sacramento, which is why the 4th SactoMoFo is sure to be a hit!
This spectacular event is taking place April 21st from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Southside Park (6th & X) and sounds like an amazing way to enjoy a spring Saturday.
With 28 food vendors from Sacramento and the Bay Area, there is sure to be plenty of options for everyone to enjoy. Some of the participants that might ring a bell are: Fuzion Eats, Mini Burger (hello, sweet potato tots!), Chando’s, Coast to Coast, Nom Nom SF, Smoothie Patrol, and Sanguchon (Peruvian faire from San Francisco).
The event will also feature live music and a beer and wine garden.
The fun filled day will showcase the diversity of food choices available in Sacramento. As an insider tip, “like” the SactoMoFo Facebook page to get the schedules and locations of several area food trucks throughout the week.
Lastly, be sure to bring canned food donations for the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services to receive free parking (space is limited).
Still need more convincing? Check out the event commercial here.