First Look: Better Burger It’s time to nominate your favorite burger in the state Beef Council’s annual competition. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com) (Charlie Miller/(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com))
If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to argue about burgers, here it is.
The New York Beef Council’s 10th annual “Best NY Burger” contest kicks off today, with nominations open through March 14. You can nominate your favorite here.
The statewide competition spotlights 100% beef burgers served at restaurants across New York. To qualify, the burger must feature a formed ground beef patty served on a bun or other bread product, and it must be a regular menu item at a restaurant that’s open year-round.
Once nominations close, public voting will run from March 18 through April 10 to determine the Top 10 finalists. From there, an anonymous panel of judges will visit each restaurant to evaluate the burgers based on taste, appearance, eating experience and overall appeal.
The winner will be announced in May.
Last year’s title went to The Butcher’s Son in Corning for its Ghost Burger — built with two grass-fed beef patties, candied jalapeños, jalapeño basil pickles, provolone cheese and barbecue sauce.
Central New York has been well represented in recent years. In 2025, Ale ‘n Angus in Syracuse, Brewer Union Café in Brewerton and Get Smashed in Syracuse were among the Top 10 finalists.
Each restaurant must receive at least five nominations to move on to the voting round, and no previous winning burger is eligible.