Andrew Mark Veety

2011 Hamburger Hop

I recently had the chance to cover the 2011 Hamburger Hop - a burger showdown hosted by Bon Appetit in Chicago - for St. Louis Magazine. True, there were 17 burgers to try that night, but I also made time for lunch at Blackbird, a really early dinner at Avec and several coffees from Intelligentsia.

Anyway, enough about my gluttonous day in Chicago, check out my take on the event and pictures from this massive burger event that took place on the roof of the Harris Theater in Millennium Park. 

Chicago Skyline Surrounding Millennium Park, Judges Table, Tent

Brisket Burger by Ryan Kikkert, Benny's "Double Double" Burger by Benny's Chop House, Prep at the Rosebud Steakhouse booth.

St. Louis Magazine Wants Your Best Burger Bracket

Hey St. Louis, its been a year since you gave me your votes for best burger in St. Louis, now its your chance to vote again. The cover of the February issue of St. Louis Magazine is all about burgers -- including my picks for the top five "neighborhood joint" burgers in St. Louis -- and now they are looking for your picks for the best burgers in St. Louis as well.

This week, vote for your favorite of 32 contenders, then visit back for the results and more voting each week during February, March-Madness style, until readers of St. Louis Magazine crown a burger king on Feb. 28.

• First-Round picks begin Jan. 25
• Second-Round picks begin Jan. 31
• Third-Round picks begin on Feb. 7
• Fourth-Round picks begin on Feb. 14
• Fifth-Round picks begin on Feb. 21
• Winner announced Feb. 28

32 burgers enter - 1 burger leaves! Vote today!

Also, check out my pick for "most unsung burger" in a web special for St. Louis Magazine and an interview about the Church of Burger on page 14 of the print edition - on shelves this week.