Suwanee Magazine invited every restaurant in Suwanee with a burger on its menu to participate in our contest this year. In the end nine local contenders pulled through and delivered the biggest, juiciest, most mouthwatering, cheesiest, baconiest burgers to our office. We then invited four distinguished individuals from the local culinary community to judge the best! We also tasked some of our staff members to vote for the “People’s Choice Award.”
By: RACHEL PILLOW | Photos by KARL LAMB
2017 BEST BURGER JUDGING CRITERIA:
Each burger was judged based on three categories:
- APPEARANCE
- TASTE
- OVERALL IMPRESSION
Meet The Judges:
‘THE CHEEKY BURGER,’ CHEEKY TAQUERIA
Two beef patties stuffed with melting cheese, fire roasted, poblano peppers and bacon.Topped with more cheese, pico guajillo salsa, and chipotle cream.
Judge’s Comments:
This one has a kick to it!
Cheeky Taqueria, 1039 Peachtree
Cheeky Taqueria, 1039 Peachtree
Industrial Blvd, Suwanee,
GA 30024
‘THE BALKAN BURGER,’ QEBAPTORE, A BITE OF EUROPE
Hand-formed beef patty on Pita Bread with onions, cucumbers, cabbage slaw, tomatoes and white American cheese.
Judge’s Comments:
Great creative burger!
Qebaptore, A Bite Of Europe 315 Peachtree
Industrial Blvd, Suwanee,
GA 30024
‘WICKED BOSTON BURGER,’ TILTED KILT
½ lb burger topped with maple pepper bacon, American cheese, Sam Adams Boston Lager® caramelized onion relish, burger sauce, leaf lettuce and ripe tomato.
Judge’s Comments:
Definitely a Hearty Burger!
Tilted Kilt, 1500 Satellite Blvd,
Suwanee, GA 30024
‘THE BLACK JACK,’ BUFFALO’S CAFÉ SUWANEE
Lightly blackened and topped with crisp bacon, pepper-jack cheese, onion straws, and Buffalo’s Vidalia Onion Sauce.
Judge’s Comments:
Meat was well seasoned. The bacon was perfectly crisped.
Buffalo’s Café Suwanee,
991 Peachtree Industrial Blvd,
Suwanee, GA 30024
‘4TH OF JULY BURGER,’ FRIENDS AMERICAN GRILL
This “special” is now on the menu year round. Your choice of a 100% beef or lean bison patty topped with American cheese, a homemade zesty barbecue sauce, golden onion rings, fresh lettuce and ripe tomato.
Judge’s Comments:
Great presentation! I liked the sweetness of the sauce and the crispy onion rings on top!
Friends American Grill,
3890 Lawrenceville-Suwanee
Rd, Suwanee, GA 30024
3RD PLACE BURGER:
‘BROOKLYN BRIDGE BURGER,’ BROOKLYN PIZZA AND BURGERS
A double burger topped with Pepperjack cheese, jalapeños, pepperoni and Sriracha mayo, all on a Brioche bun.
Judge’s Comments:
Good ratio of meat to toppings.
Brooklyn Pizza & Burgers, 315 Peachtree Industrial
Blvd., Ste 106, Suwanee , GA 30024
2ND PLACE BURGER:
‘PIMENTO CHEESEBURGER WITH CAJUN BACON AND CANDIED JALAPEÑO PEPPERS,’ TANNER’S
A ½ lb, 100% fresh Angus beef burger, molded in-house with all house-made seasonings and toppings, including pimento cheese spread, candied jalapeños, and Cajun-seasoned bacon, all served on a potato bun.
Judge’s Comments:
Love the sweet and spicy combo with the candied jalapeños!
Tanner’s, 525 Peachtree Industrial Blvd,
Suwanee, GA 30024
1ST PLACE BURGER:
‘THE COWBOY BURGER,’ LUCKY DOG CHICAGO STYLE AND MORE
Lucky Dog is a hidden gem located on Buford Hwy, just south of McGinnis Ferry Rd. They initially opened four years ago as a Chicago style hot dog eatery but are now under new ownership and while staying true to those Chicago roots, have expanded the menu to include…well, things like Suwanee Magazine’s Best Burger in Suwanee!! The official name of this burger is The Cowboy Burger: a double patty smothered in American cheese, BBQ sauce, bacon, onion rings and a house-made chipotle aioli all on a toasted brioche bun!
Judge’s Comments:
A very nice blend. Would definitely order again!
Delicious combo of ingredients!
Interesting burger, I liked the touch of sweetness.
Tangy and mildly spicy, the spice lingers after eating
which I find interesting.
Very saucy, which is a plus for me.
Lucky Dog Chicago Style and More
1175 Buford Hwy NW, Suwanee, GA 30024
PEOPLE”S CHOICE AWARDS BURGER:
‘THE BBQ BLUES BURGER,’ TACO MAC SUWANEE
Two beef patties, horseradish sauce, Maker’s Mark® bourbon and cola onions, crispy bacon, blue cheese crumbles, arugula and Hickory Honey BBQ sauce, all stacked on a toasted onion bun.
Judge’s Comments:
I like how the sweet, caramelized onions balance out the tartness of the blue cheese.
I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious this burger was!
I’m usually not a fan of blue cheese, but this was great. The caramelized base was deliciously smoky and the cheese wasn’t too overpowering.
Taco Mac Suwanee, 3443 Lawrenceville-
Suwanee Rd, Suwanee, GA 30024
