Sodak Shores Crowned King of the 2023 Battle of the Burgers

The Battle of the Burgers, sponsored by the Grant County SD Historical Society and the Buggy Museum of Stockholm, put a fork in it on June 30. Customers, who had relished the chance to sample specialty burgers created by local eateries, selected their favorites and cast their ballots by QR code. According to Arlo Levinsen, president of the historical society, after a month of devouring delicious options, voters found themselves in quite a pickle choosing the winners.

But, the results are in.
Diners flipped over the Hangster burger at Sodak Shores Supper Club and they awarded it first place. Not for the wimpy, the half-pound Hangster burger was an open-faced burger piled high with macaroni and cheese, bacon strips, and bacon crumbles. It was served with a tangy barbecue sauce on a toasted bun. Lancer’s Bar and Grill in Wilmot made its slide into second place with the Rodeo burger. The Rodeo burger really delivered! It combined both American and Swiss cheese with the flavors of a crispy onion ring and bacon strips. It was served hot and juicy and topped off with a savory barbecue sauce. It’s no surprise that The Wharf won third place with its Southwestern Surprise burger. “Nacho” typical burger, it arrived with grilled jalapeños  sandwiched between two fajita-seasoned beef patties. Queso, corn chips, and a piquant pico de gallo turned up the heat. 
At the awards ceremony held at the Buggy Museum in Stockholm on Saturday, July 8, Levinsen revealed that between 750 and 1,000 Burger Battle burgers were sold. The top three place winners each received a plaque.

Although the other entries didn’t take out the competition, don’t be too quick to put them on the back burner. The Millstone’s burger was literally jam-packed with flavor. It featured maple bacon jam and Valley Queen cheese. Then, it was wrapped in dough and deep-fried to a golden brown. Johnny’s Sports Bar and Casino sent out the Johnny B Good Burger. Two 1/3 pound patties were stacked with tomato, lettuce, pickles, onions, American cheese, Swiss cheese, four strips of bacon, and Johnny’s secret sauce.

Gunslinger’s served up the Mushroom and Swiss Burger. Its melty goodness featured  mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and bacon on a toasted bun. Bittersweet Lodge entered the O’Farrell’s Bittersweet Lodge burger. A fried egg, bacon, and cheese loaded up two sizzling patties, and diners were offered a choice of chipotle or garlic sauce. 

Levinsen says, “Some of the burgers were designed only to be available during June for the contest. Others might become a permanent part of the venue’s menu. Keep requesting them and help make it happen.”
Will there be a Battle of the Burgers in 2024? Yep! Levinsen says, Ketchup here next year to find out about the exciting changes already in the works.