Well last week the sampling six made our way to the West Wind., however there were only 4 of us this time. This was the most unique flavored of all so far. This burger is served with a spicy ketchup that really stands out but is not over powering. Then it is topped with a slice of fried cheese. I have never had that before. It is brown and crispy and delectable. I have to try making the fried cheese at home on the grilled this summer.  I ordered my burger medium rare, and it was served hot just a bit pink- just right. This was very unique, I hope they keep it on the menu for a while, I will refer a lot of people there.

Well if my count is correct, we have  2 more stops to make and 14 days to do it. Tomorrow we will be at Copper Kettle. There will only be 4 of us again, 2 of the sampling six will be in Hawaii, too bad for them! Join us around 6:00 if you are a RFBB card holder, or if you want a nice dinner out at a great little supper club.

Two weeks ago, the Sampling Six taste tested the RF Burger Battle contending burger at Juniors. I got ta say it will be difficult to order just a plain burger after this competition. Once again we get a 2 for 1. I don’t recall what they call the thing, “the morning after” or the “eye opener”  or something like that. This delicious juicy patty of beef is served with a fired egg on top. Similar to the South Fork, but they cook the egg over easy just the way I like it. If you have not tried this combo, you should. I was not sure about it, but it is a good mix. I liked sopping up that bright runny yoke with the burger and bun.  With my busy schedule it is convenient to combine breakfast and lunch into one stop.  I hope I have been keeping good notes, 3 more stops before the end of May and we will have to vote.

I have been slacking on my Burger Battle blogging. My team ,The Sampling Six, continues to work our way through the restaurants in River Falls competing to be crowned as the best burger in town.  Coaches was our next stop. If you have ever had trouble deciding if you want to order a brat or a burger, no worries here! The burger is served with a brat on it. Then it is smothered in sweet fried onions and cheese and served on a pretzel bun.  The burger was great, a top contender for me; but our service was beyond poor. I know this is a burger battle, but the atmosphere does effect my appetite. Many in my group were disappointed. I try hard to point out the positives in all our contenders because all the restaurants are donating the burgers for our 250 participants. all the funding supports the Relay For Life. We all truly appreciate this! Still 4 to go!

My Burger Battle team The Sampling Six,  made our third stop at The South Fork Cafe.  I am happy to say I get to go back for more. This burger is so big my husband and I decided to split it.  You almost need to dislocate your jaw to take a full bite. They are serving up two 1/3 pound beef patties with 2 strips of bacon, 2 kinds of cheese, and 1 fried egg. 2 meals on one bun.  The beef is fresh and juicy and cooked to perfection.  When I return, I think I will request to have the egg cooked over easy. I think you would get more of the egg flavor with a soft yoke.  I have to say this is the contender.  This week we will be checking out Juniors! I really hope this is the last of the snow, I have got to get outside and start walking off some of the Burger Battle Bulge!

April 1st was the first day to present your Burger Battle card at the participating restaurants and begin to enjoy your free burgers.  I will be going out with a group of 6 as we make our way through the next 2 months enjoying one burger a week.  I have participated in the Hudson Burger Battle for the last 2 years and I enjoy going to each competing restaurant with a group. This way we can share our impressions of what we think of each burger, and I can share some of the feedback with you from The Sampling 6.

Our fist stop was Bo’s N mine. They served up a delicious Quesadilla Burger. Remember the old commercial with old lady yelling “Where’s the beef?” Well  this had the beef, I said “where’s the bun?” This unique burger is served on a lightly grilled corn tortilla with all the standards of a quesadilla. The flavors of the fresh pico de queio con queso complimented the char-grilled juicy beef patty . I love Mexican food, I am sure I don’t know how to spell Spanish and Mexican words, but this was a delicioso change to the old reliable burger.  Even if you did not get a chance to purchase a burger battle card, you gottta go to Bo’s and give this a try.

This week the sampling 6 will be going to Mainstreeters. I have not heard what burger they are serving up- so I will have to be surprised, But I will be sure to blog about it soon after. All proceeds from the sale of the cards will support the River Falls Relay For Life. I think there are a few cards left at Copper Kettle.

Contribute to The Relay for Life and get to eat 8 great burgers, could this benefit be any easier.  Buy a punch card from any of the 8 competing restaurants in River Falls for $25. Then between April 1-May 31 stop in each of the restaurants  during regular lunch or dinner hours and present your card for a free burger. After you have tired all 8 go to the Relay For Life website and vote for the best.  Your voter ID and the link will be on the card. http://tinyurl.com/VOTEyourfavorite

Competing restaurants include the West Wind, Bo’s ‘N Mine, Mainstreeters, South Fork, Coaches, Juniors  Copper Kettle, and the Lazy River.  They are busy planning their featured burger.

You may also contact Kellie B. at Kellie.Burrows@cancer.org to purchase a card. They are selling fast. the restaurants and the Relay teams will be selling them.

I have my card, I am putting together an eating team and I will be blogging about my experience of this delicious benifit.

The 11 in Burger Heaven have completed the 2012 Hudson Burger Battle.  I can truly say, I did not hear one complaint. We were all very satisfied with every location. I am glad I live in the Hudson area, where I can enjoy such exceptional  culinary options.  I want to send out an enormous amount of thanks to all the participating burger competitors, The Village Inn, Season’s Tavern, Agave Kitchen, Dick’s Bar and Grille, Kaladi’s, Uncle Mike’s, and the Willow River Inn.  Everyone stepped up their game this year to make this a successful fund raiser for the Hudson Bridge for Youth and Adults with Disabilities and a great value to those who purchased Burger Battle Cards.Card holders have until the end of the year to get to each place for the free burger before casting the vote. The participating restaurants have taken this competition seriously and they want your vote. Every card holder needs to go the Hudson Bridge For Youth and Adults With Disabilities and click on Burger Battle link to cast your vote for the best burger. Each card has a voting number on the back, only one vote per number will be excepted.  A custom designed trophy, donated by Jeremy Lillyquist of Anchor Insurance, will be presented to the winner some time mid January.

The Burger Battle is almost over but you still have time. I just found 4 unsold cards. Call the Burger Battle Hot Line 715-338-8870 if you are interested. Most of my group “11 in Burger Heaven” have only one to go.  Last week we all met up at the Village Inn in North Hudson. I am glad I planned ahead and ate only 1/2 of this monstrosity. This time I split it with my husband. So that means we get to go back together for the second one. This is one burger worth going back for. There are 2 one- third pound patties and 2 slices of bacon smothered in some super delicious cucumber guacamole sauce, Pico Di Gallo and Gouda cheese. Leigh and his cook have put some time into this special recipe. You have to be able to open your mouth real wide to get a full bite of this 6 inch high burger.  The battle is getting tight!

Major Announcement: My team name has changed. We are now “The Eleven In Burger Battle Heaven”.  This past Thursday we descended upon Uncle Mike’s. This burger was much better than the burger we had there last year. I think it is 1/3 lb and topped with lettuce and tomato.  It was cooked to perfection. I wont say it is the winner in my book but I will go back.  Next week we will be hitting the Village Inn.

The following is a testimonial from a Burger Battle 2 year participant.

“We have been to four of the seven for Burger Battle. Have noticed a change in attitude from last year. Last year it was almost like we were a bother (except one), instructed to pick whatever burger off the menu we wanted, etc. This year the waitresses are excited about the burger they are presenting and in some cases the owner/manager has stopped to see what we thought of the burger and how our ‘experience’ was at their establishment. So far all four have been ‘cheerleaders’ for their restaurant. It is going to be really hard to choose the best burger this year. Every burger we have had has been excellent and in some cases a unique burger that isn’t even on their menu.”