Ten chefs competed for the title of the best burger in town. Here’s who won
Last Saturday, the American River Parkway Foundation hosted its second annual American River Burger Battle in Discovery Park. In it, 10 local chefs put their best burger forward to be tasted by a panel of judges and by more than 500 ticket holders.
Among the chefs competing were two who were fighting to retain their crowns: chef Sam Shafer of rooftop restaurant Revival at the Sawyer, who was the reigning Judge’s Choice winner, and chef Pedro Depina of The 7th Street Standard, the reigning People’s Choice winner.
They were joined by Michael Fagnoni of Moksa Barrel House, Anthony Contreras of The Firehouse Restaurant, Scott Ostrander of Gami Burger, Matt Brown of Husick’s by Forester in Clarksburg, Gregory Desmangles of Good Neighbor, Liz Noss from Local Flights Brews & Bites in Sacramento International Airport and chefs from Sacramento Metro Fire and Sacramento City Fire.
Chefs were asked to serve partial portions, either single sliders or full-size burgers cut into quarters, for judges and attendees to taste while they sipped unlimited beer and danced to local rock band Handsome Devil. Other than that constraint, the chefs had free rein over their burgers.
“It was up to their imagination what they wanted to serve. So we had a lot of bacon, we had a lot of pickles, we had lots of varieties of cheeses,” said Julia Cassill, development manager for the foundation.
The panel of judges included KCRA 3 Meteorologist Tamara Berg, District 4 Councilman Phil Pluckebaum, Sacramento Food Influencer Alexis Frost and Benjy Egel of PBS KVIE’s Abridged.
In the end, both reigning champions were dethroned. The judges picked Good Neighbor, who served the Pangaea burger.
“We decided to bring back the Pangaea burger, which is a brioche bun from Bella Bru, a really cool 80/20 blend with some dry-aged beef for the patty from Cream Co., our house burger sauce, pickles, tomato, lettuce, red onion, some sharp cheddar and smoked bacon,” said chef Greg Desmangles.
Pangaea was the original concept that launched the Urban Roots family of restaurants, of which Good Neighbor is the most recent addition. Pangaea closed in February after losing its lease at its Curtis Park location. The business is actively seeking a new permanent home.
The People’s Choice award went to Moksa Barrel House, who served its single juicy burger.
“We wanted to do a burger that we currently serve, so if guests like that, they could come to the restaurant and have it again. It’s a Double R Ranch short rib chuck blend, and it’s on a buttered Martin’s potato bun, New School American cheese, caramelized onions, and aioli, so it’s just a juicy, rich cheeseburger,” said chef Mike Fagnoni.
Chef Depina of The 7th Street Standard, last year’s People’s Choice winner, still had a good showing, nabbing second place in both categories.
Matt Brown of Husick’s by Forester took the bronze in the Judge’s Choice category, and the chefs from Metro Fire of Sacramento took third in the People’s Choice category.
Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the foundation’s programs.
