Best Memphis Burger Fest

I don't think I've ever been in a bigger food coma. I am literally fighting to keep my eyes open as I write this. If you haven't been to Best Memphis Burger Fest, then I highly suggest you go ahead and mark it for your calendar next year! Alllllllll of those burgers! I'm totally swooning just thinking about some of the things I tried today. For me, this is my kind of food festival because it raises money for animal charities (which is very near and dear to my heart - like Fayette County Animal Rescue, Tunica Humane Society, Streetdog Foundation), they have puppies available for adoption there, there are burgers, like really good burgers, we're talking gourmet, legitimate, LOCAL burgers that you can sample, and really good music. This was my first time at the festival and it certainly won't be my last! Oh, and don't forget to bring cash because you can donate at the different booths and also buy things at the different vendors. Love it!

My experience with food festivals in Memphis has been spotty at best. I still haven't gotten over my 2004 foray to the Italian Festival with two fellow new Memphis residents. We paid at least $10 each to walk around and watch other people have a good time and eat. I think there was one trailer - Coletta's - selling Italian food among the Pronto Pups and funnel cakes. We left after 30 minutes as demoralized outsiders and went to Ciao Bella. A later May trip to Tom Lee Park was same song, second verse, but with jello shots. So, with low expectations, I was enticed to Best Memphis Burger Fest by word of free entry and the presence of food trucks. I'm very happy to say that my expectations were dashed like a Pete Townsend guitar. I suspect that the dreary weather played a factor, but I think I can safely say that those enthusiastic few hundred of us who braved BMBF left Minglewood reeking of meat-smoke and satisfied! For somewhere around $12 (suggested donation: $1/sample), I got a great microbrew and what equates to around 3 burgers. (With two friends, I probably sampled 7-8 quarters-to-halves of burgers?) And that is, 3 burgers from some gifted grillers who were putting their most creative and ambitious foot forward in a competitive setting. Man, for what I ate, I feel like I stole some kid's lunch money or something.This was "small batch" grilling, just like any backyard cookout. The public just milled and socialized until teams had food coming off the grill. Unlike some festivals, the BMBF teams were actually excited and generous about sharing their creations. Well, no one has to hawk almost-free food at me. I ate until I couldn't eat anymore and had to turn away some intriguing burger recipes. I really regret not trying Ciao Bella's lamb and prosciutto burgers, but they were huge and I was stuffed. Also, I saw some pretty far-fetched burgers in the judging area - e.g., a massive patty served between two pizzas - but those weren't being served to the general public. Note to self: find a way to get into that tent next year...I hope that BMBF will become an annual event. There was cornhole, live music, NFL football, and a Kooky Canuck burger-eating contest to pass the time for those who are more averse to red meat megadosing. (There was a veggie-only component in the competition, but I didn't see anyone serving veggie burgers to the public.) With some gorgeous weather, this could turn into a destination like Crawfish Festival. The organizers' challenge IMO will be to find a way to up the supply to meet the demand. I just can't see a large crowd being fed as the fest existed today. But on a rainy day in its inaugural year, BMBF succeeded. The only losers were the food trucks, I'm afraid.

Great event with fantastic food for a good cause. Music was on spot. We will be back.

If you've never been to this fun and tasty event, you're missing it! It is like BBQ Fest in that there are lots of vendors competing for "Best Of" Categories. However, it is completely different in that you can taste everyone's offerings. You don't have to "know somebody" to get in a tent. Just drop a donation in the box and taste what just came off the grill. I especially enjoyed The Bistro's burger and La Michoacana's paletas. By the way, if competitive eating is your thing, there's a slider eating contest for adults and pickle eating contest for children.Bring the whole gang out for some family fun.