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Sliders are plated and ready to be judged at the second annual American River Burger Battle in Discovery Park on Saturday, May 16, 2026.<\/p>\n
American River Parkway Foundation<\/p>\n
Last Saturday, the American River Parkway Foundation hosted its second annual American River Burger Battle<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Among the chefs competing were two who were fighting to retain their crowns: chef Sam Shafer of rooftop restaurant Revival at the Sawyer<\/a>, who was the reigning Judge\u2019s Choice winner, and chef Pedro Depina of The 7th Street Standard<\/a>, the reigning People\u2019s Choice winner.<\/p>\n They were joined by Michael Fagnoni of Moksa Barrel House<\/a>, Anthony Contreras of The Firehouse Restaurant<\/a>, Scott Ostrander of Gami Burger<\/a>, Matt Brown of Husick\u2019s by Forester<\/a> in Clarksburg, Gregory Desmangles of Good Neighbor<\/a>, Liz Noss from Local Flights Brews & Bites<\/a> in Sacramento International Airport and chefs from Sacramento Metro Fire<\/a> and Sacramento City Fire<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt 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,\u201d said Julia Cassill, development manager for the foundation.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Abridged.<\/p>\n In the end, both reigning champions were dethroned. The judges picked Good Neighbor, who served the Pangaea burger.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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,\u201d said chef Greg Desmangles.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>. The business is actively seeking a new permanent home.<\/p>\n The People\u2019s Choice award went to Moksa Barrel House, who served its single juicy burger.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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\u2019s a Double R Ranch short rib chuck blend, and it\u2019s on a buttered Martin\u2019s potato bun, New School American cheese, caramelized onions, and aioli, so it\u2019s just a juicy, rich cheeseburger,\u201d said chef Mike Fagnoni.<\/p>\n Chef Depina of The 7th Street Standard, last year\u2019s People\u2019s Choice winner, still had a good showing, nabbing second place in both categories.<\/p>\n Matt Brown of Husick\u2019s by Forester took the bronze in the Judge\u2019s Choice category, and the chefs from Metro Fire of Sacramento took third in the People\u2019s Choice category.<\/p>\n Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the foundation\u2019s programs.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n
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