(Photo by In Between Rivers)

Philadelphia Burger Brawl 2019 was one for the record books! The new larger location and an exciting line-up of restaurants helped attract the most guests ever for the nine-year-old event. On Sunday, September 15, 2019, nearly 4,000 people flocked to the Marine Parade Grounds at Navy Yard Philadelphia for the best burgers in the region. Beyond the grills, this day was not only about crowning a new burger champion but about raising funds to support Philadelphia’s underserved schools. Philadelphia Burger Brawl announces money raised exceeded the goal of $56,000 to raise $73,000+ to support projects in 10 Philadelphia public elementary schools. Because fundraising exceeded expectations, Burger Brawl will be able to fund up to three additional projects, for a total of 13 in Philadelphia public elementary schools!

“Record crowds, increased sponsorship, and a new venue meant more money would go to the schools to support projects. Philadelphia Burger Brawl is proud to announce that we raised over $73,000 to help students,” said volunteer Organizer and Founder Rob Wasserman. “Supporting student learning is the reason we started the event nine years ago and the reason that we all -sponsors, restaurants, chefs, and volunteers -do this year after year. Burger Brawl is a win-win for foodies, restaurants, and the Philadelphia School District. “

How the Funds Will Be Used

For 2019, the School District issued a new Request for Information to schools in order to learn about how Philadelphia public schools can best utilize this year’s Burger Brawl funds for technology. Twenty-three schools responded and detailed their plans to use new computers to increase student engagement and achievement.

The School District used a scoring rubric to prioritized projects by the most significant impact on students for the distribution of this year’s Burger Brawl proceeds. With Burger Brawl support, new computers and carts will be secured for the schools listed below. In their RFI responses, the schools indicated that they would use the technology in the following ways: implementing blended learning in reading and math, increasing student collaboration in all subjects, expanding coding, using G Suite, small-group instruction, engaging students in peer-to-peer activities, inquiry-based learning projects and problem-solving.

Proceeds will fund projects at the following schools:

Eliza B. Kirkbride
Kennedy Crossan Academic Plus
General Philip Kearny
Penrose
Chester Arthur
William Cramp
Watson T. Comly
George W. Nebinger
William H Hunter
F Amedee Bregy
John H. Taggart
Alexandar Adaire
John F McKloskey

“We continue to be grateful for the support of our schools through the Burger Brawl. It’s great to see the community come together, year after year, to ensure our students have the resources they need to succeed. We’re already looking forward to next year!” said Dr. William R. Hite, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia.

All proceeds raised from Philadelphia Burger Brawl went directly to support literacy programs in partnership with the non-profit- The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. Since its inception in 2011, Philadelphia Burger Brawl has helped raised $356,000 (including this year’s $73,000+). Past proceeds have helped support the purchase of Chromebooks and associated equipment in many Philadelphia Schools. The hardware has enabled schools to implement curriculum plans where the hardware requirements were otherwise unfunded.

2019 WINNERS

JUDGE’S CHOICE

A panel of over 60 judges from local and regional news, food writers, top influencers, restaurant owners, school district representatives, local government and other community members selected the top winning burger – here’s who took home burger bragging rights:

1st Place, Judge’s Choice: Lucky’s Last Chance

The Pickle Monster: 2 1/4 lb. beef patties, American Cheese, Pickles, Fried Pickles, Dill Potato Chips, Pickle Relish, Pickle Aioli, all stacked on a butter toaster Liscios pub roll.

Lucky’s Last Chance (Photo by Briana Sposato)

2nd Place, Judge’s Choice: The Bercy

Waygu Burger Boa – pickled cucumber, spicy aioli, pickled vegetables, beef waygu patty, sesame seeds & bao bun.

3rd Place, Judge’s Choice: Moonshine Philly

The Pennsport – Crispy Prosciutto, Fresh Mozzarella, Caramelized Onions, Basil Aioli, Arugula, Tomato Jam, Garlic Toasted Bun

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Attendees at the event also cast their vote – one vote per ticketed guest – for the people’s choice favorite burger. Here’s the winners as voted by the burger lovers themselves:

1st Place, People’s Choice: Bainbridge Street Barrell House

Home Grown: An 8 oz brisket burger blend, Green Meadow Farm horseradish cheddar, fig aioli, shredded lettuce, a plum shishito bacon jam and fried shallots. -the figs, plums and shishito peppers all home grown @FatGuyGardens garden.

Bainbridge Street Barrell House (Photo by Briana Sposato)

2nd Place, People’s Choice: Hard Rock Cafe

Guinness Burger (Sliders): Signature Steak-Burger Blend, Whiskey Bacon Jam with Guinness Cheese Sauce, Leaf Lettuce and Vine Ripe Tomato

3rd Place, People’s Choice: Lucky’s Last Chance

The Pickle Monster: 2 1/4 lb. beef patties, American Cheese, Pickles, Fried Pickles, Dill Potato Chips, Pickle Relish, Pickle Aioli, all stacked on a butter toaster Liscios pub roll.

INSTAGRAM WORTHY WINNERS:

New this year, Philadelphia Burger Brawl invited some of the largest and most prominent food Instagrammers and influencers in the region to pick “Instagrammers Choice” awards.

The Most Photogenic – Moonshine Philly

Crispy Prosciutto, Fresh Mozzarella, Caramelized Onions, Basil Aioli, Arugula, Tomato Jam, Garlic Toasted Bun

The Sauce Boss – Steam Pub

The Ultimate Breakfast Burger: 8oz. chuck burger, slow cooked candied chili bacon and american cheese in between french toast topped with a fried egg and maple syrup

The Best Stack – Bainbridge Street Barrell House

Home Grown: An 8 oz brisket burger blend, Green Meadow Farm horseradish cheddar, fig aioli, shredded lettuce, a plum shishito bacon jam and fried shallots. -the figs, plums and shishito peppers all home grown @FatGuyGardens garden.

COCKTAIL WINNERS

Dozens of restaurants and their top mixologists also battled it out in the Cutthroat Cocktail Competition presented by Jim Beam. Winners were:

1st Place: Twisted Tail

2nd Place: Ripplewood

3rd Place: Harper’s Garden

Save the Date!

Don’t miss the 2020 Philadelphia Burger Brawl on Sunday, September 20, 2020.

About Philadelphia Burger Brawl

Philadelphia Burger Brawl began in 2011 as a neighborhood fundraiser for founders Rob and Maggie Wasserman’s children’s school, The William M. Meredith Elementary School, in South Philadelphia. Eight years ago, their goal was to gather a few restaurant industry friends to create a small event at Fleisher Art Memorial that would eventually fund a new computer lab for Meredith. Burger Brawl soon outgrew Fleisher and in 2014 moved to the XFINITY Live! Complex. More than 3,000 people attend and more than 50 restaurants participate annually. To date, Burger Brawl has raised more than $283,000 and funded numerous projects supporting literacy for the School District of Philadelphia, determined by their partners from the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. Projects have included dedicated computer laboratories, equipment like white boards, Dr. Hite’s Right Books program, Google Chrome Books, and other necessities for teaching literacy through technology.

We Are Supported By:


AshtangayogaAP24

Join Our Community. Click here to learn more