By Doug Kott
Brookings Register
BROOKINGS — A battle is being waged in the Brookings area — the sixth annual Burger Clash.
The competition is being sponsored by Home Team 605 — formerly the Brookings Home Team — at Krogman & Company Real Estate. Visit Brookings also provides support for the contest.
There are 28 eateries in this year’s contest — the same number as participated in last year’s contest Area residents can help determine the winner by visiting the participating restaurants and devouring the tasty burgers.
The contest started Jan. 1 and runs through Feb. 28.
Locally, Egan BlueJays and The Merc in Flandreau have entries.
A table tent has been set up in each restaurant with a QR code or a website link to vote. The program uses an honor code system where diners are asked to vote one time per meal.
The Visit Brookings website has a page dedicated to the contests where visitor can see pictures of the burgers the restaurants are entering in the contest and descriptions of each tasty burger.
Each burger can be ranked on a scale of one to five in three categories — taste, creativity and customer service.
The winner of the contest is the eatery that has the highest average rating on those three categories
Shane Andersen of Home Team 605 is the organizer for the clash. “This started in 2021, during the COVID period. I used to be in the food industry before I got into real estate so I still have a little connection with the food group. And I know this time of year is a slow time of year for restaurants. It was a good time to come up with this to help boost sales and get new eyeballs into establishments and get people out and about to try something different,” Andersen said
At stake in the contest are bragging rights and their name on a traveling plaque that sits in the winning restaurant for the year.
The annual Burger Clash has become a popular event. Andersen said this is the first time that the number of participating restaurants has not grown, but he’s happy with number of establishments participating. Andersen said last year they had about 1,300 voters in the clash and they had nearly the same number the year before. He added that he appreciates the community support for the event. “I want to say ‘thank you’ for participating and taking time out of their busy days to go try these burgers and I appreciate the restaurants that participate in it. Hopefully they see value in it.”
Past winners of the event are Pheasant Restaurant & Lounge, Pints & Quarts — a two time winner, Rub N’ Tug Barbecue and The Merc — located in Flandreau.
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