Our Guide to New York’s Annual Burger Week

Not like we need an excuse to eat burgers, but May 1st through May 7th just happens to be the Third Annual NY Burger Week.  Yes, really.  And needless to say, there are a number of especially tasty events being held throughout the city to celebrate.  So don your elastic-waisted pants and arm yourself with an extra large bottle of ketchup, because here are seven meat patty-centric parties you won’t want to miss.

Eastern Meets Western Burger Collaboration at Black Shack (5/1): The foodie festival kicks off on Thursday with a meat-up (ha, get it?) between Black Shack’s Jeff Maslanka and Ramen Burger’s Keizo Shimamoto.  They’ll be re-imagine each other’s signature creations, and for $45, patrons will be able to taste the outcome.  Who knows, Black Shack might want to add Keizo’s Steakburger with Pork Belly, Bamboo Shoots, Wood Ear Mushrooms, Fried Ramen Noodles, Miso Green Onions and BBQ Sauce to their menu, and Keizo may just end up slinging Jeff’s Ramen Spaghetti and Meatball Burger with Sunday Gravy and Mozzarella at Smorgasburg!

The New York Burger Feast at Hudson Common (5/2): Wherever there are burgers, beer is sure to follow, and attendees will get their fill of both at this walk-around tasting event at Hudson Common.  $65 tickets include three pours of all-NY craft beers, accompanied by gut-busting burger bites from a number of local restaurants and bars, like Pounce and Pence, Manchester Pub, Westchester Burger Company and more.

The 3rd Annual New York Burger Crawl (5/3): A portion of proceeds from these $70 tickets will go towards Autism Speaks.  So you can feel good about spending your entire Saturday winding through the East Village, Murray Hill and Kips Bay (the event lasts from 1-7pm!), getting silly on Amstel Light and sustaining yourself with $3 burgers from places, like Nelly Spillanes, Company Bar & Grill, Desmond’s Tavern and Duke’s Gramercy Park.

Boozed up Burgers at Rare Bar and Grill (5/4): What pairs just as perfectly with burgers as beer?  How about whiskey and tequila?  Rare Bar and Grill has put together a Drunken Trio of Burgers, each of which is flambeed in a different liquor.  For only $23, you’ll get to try the “Jameson Black Barrel” with aged whiskey slaw and white Irish cheddar, the tequila-soused “T-Bone” with apple-smoked bacon, and the whiskey-infused “M&M Burger “ with caramelized shallots, accompanied by tastings of Lunazul’s Blanco and Anejo Tequilas and Elijah Craig 12-year Bourbon.

The Most Interesting Mexican Burger in the World at The Bar Room (5/5): What happens when NY Burger Week coincides with Cinco de Mayo?  You get this quirky Mexican-themed Burger Feast, which includes three courses and two cocktails (made with tequila and Dos Equis) for $49.  But the star of the show is undoubtedly the Mexican-spiced Burger Patty, topped with Aged Cheddar, Grilled Tomato and housemade Pico de Gallo, and served with a side of Nachos instead of French Fries.

“Back in Black” Angus Burger and Beer Pairing Dinner at Idle Hands (5/6): This Alphabet City bar always throws a rock n’ roll burger and beer pairing dinner during Burger Week.  And this year, they’re honoring ACDC with a menu inspired by songs on their seminal “Back to Black” album.  So expect a Honey-Glazed Burger with Crispy Prosciutto and Aged White Cheddar, a Blackened Burger with Fried Shallots, Bacon and Provolone, and a Burger topped with Goat cheese and Raspberry Compote, served with a series of craft beers from Bell’s Brewery, Two Brothers, 21st Amendment and Singlecut Beersmiths.

10th Annual Screening of “Hamburger America” at Tribeca Cinemas (5/7): Burger Week concludes with a screening of George Motz’s influential “Hamburger America,” a documentary showcasing eight of our nation’s greatest burger joints.  $45 tickets will allow you to watch the film while concurrently tasting the burgers being featured on the screen, like The Butter Burger from Solly’s Grille in Milwaukee, The Green Chile Cheeseburger from The Bobcat Bite in Santa Fe, and The Guberburger from The Wheel Inn in Sedalia, Missouri.

For more info and to purchase tickets, visit theburgerweek.com