Summer may be drawing to a close, but that doesn’t mean grilling season is over. In fact, many Orange County chefs are stoking the fire for Burger Week, Sept. 20 to 26.
Produced by the OC Restaurant Assn., Burger Week invites members of the public to try specially crafted burger menus at nearly 70 Orange County restaurants.
“The popularity of the burger is evident in the incredible number of restaurants participating in Burger Week,” Pamela Waitt, president of the OC Restaurant Assn. and founder of Burger Week, stated in a news release. “Beyond celebrating the creativity of Orange County chefs, Burger Week is about getting out, gathering around the table and enjoying life together.”
Burger Week is among the association’s House of Hospitality brands and events, which also includes OC Restaurant Week, Margarita Week, Taco Tuesday and OCfoodies.
During Burger Week restaurants will offer a special burger menu at price points of $10, $15, $20, $25, $30 and $35; no tickets or passes are required. Some are offering luxury options too, pairing their burger specials with a curated glass of wine or a handcrafted cocktail.
This year’s roster of restaurants includes plenty of kitchens serving up classic American beef burgers, while others offer chicken, turkey, mushroom and plant-based burgers.
At Benchmark in Santa Ana, for example, the al fresco eatery is serving a burger slider trio for $20 that features a Benchmark slider with bacon jam, heirloom tomato, arugula and garlic aioli, a porkbelly slider with ponzu glaze, cabbage slaw with sriracha aioli, a buffalo fried chicken slider with ranch dressing and cucumber and carrot slaw. Those looking for a luxury burger pairing can try the Benchmark burger for $25, with cheddar, garlic aioli, arugula, marinated tomato and bacon jam on a brioche bun, served with parmesan herb fries and a 6-ounce glass of house beer.
The “Perfect Burger” from Sessions West Coast Deli.
(Courtesy of Sessions West Coast Deli)
Over at Sessions West Coast Deli in Newport Beach, for $20 diners can choose from the perfect burger, made up of two smash patties, American cheese, wild arugula, garlic dill pickle, griddled red onion and their special sauce on a sesame brioche bun, or the West Coast bacon cheeseburger stacked with double smash patties, goat cheese, special sauce, candied bacon, beer-battered onion ring, wild arugula and sour cherry BBQ sauce on a sesame brioche bun. A side, like rosemary skinny fries or Peruvian tater tots is included with the meal.
Other participants include Bluewater Grill, Champagnes Kitchen, Eureka!, Georgia’s Restaurant, Great Maple, Left Coast Brewing, Lido Bottle Works, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Billys at the Beach in Newport Beach, Dana Point’s Craft House, Bloom Restaurant and Bar in San Juan Capistrano, Lumberyard Restaurant in Laguna Beach, Mickey’s Irish Pub in Fullerton and many more.
Waitt said she hopes burger lovers will find more than one special burger offering on the list worth going out to dinner for.
“Restaurants are where we connect, celebrate and make memories, and this is one more delicious reason to dine out,” Waitt said.
Burger Week is takes place Sept. 20 to 26. For a list of participating restaurants include and menus, go to burgerweek.com.
