Burger Battle Review: Minervas ‘Local Steak House Burger’
Every January, Sioux Falls is transformed into a burger lovers' paradise as a number of establishments pull out all of the stops for the Downtown Sioux Falls annual Burger Battle.
To say that the idea has caught on is an incredible understatement as a record number of restaurants are vying for the top burger crown in 2023.
Each of the 32 burgers is graded by the public in five different categories:
- Patty
- Bun
- Toppings
- Creativity
- Customer Service
The latest stop on our burger tour of downtown is Minervas for the 'The Local Steak House Burger'.
Here's the official description of the burger:
Hadrick Ranch beef, Dimock 2-year aged cheddar, onion rings, old smokehouse bacon, A1 aioli on a brioche bun. Served with Ferson Wagon Plane Porter beer cheese and fries.
As you can see from the photo above, the burger was slightly undercooked from the 'well done' I requested when I ordered it, but it did not diminish how good it was.
While a lot of places are opting for the 'go big or go home' approach to try and outdo the competition by adding more and more to their burgers, I really appreciated Minervas 'keep it simple' approach.
There was just the right amount of texture and flavor to this one.
An added bonus? Those big fries and that delicious beer cheese dip were outstanding!
The scorecard:
- Patty (3)
- Bun (4)
- Toppings (4)
- Creativity (4)
- Customer Service (5)
You can vote on any or all of the burgers by downloading the DTSF Digital Passport to your mobile device.
Here's the complete list of all 32 entries in the 2023 Burger Battle in Sioux Falls (with reviews where applicable):
Blarney Stone Irish Pub (333 South Phillips Avenue): The PB & JB (REVIEW)
An 8 oz. Beef Patty placed on Fried Onion Strings and a Creamy Peanut Butter Spread. Topped with Goat Cheese, Cranberry Compote, and Feta Cheese Crumbles. Served on a Pretzel Bun.
Boki European Street Food (421 North Phillips Avenue #121): Cheese Curds Burger (REVIEW)
8oz. hand-pattied Angus burger topped with cheese curds and strips of gyro meat. Toppings include lettuce, pickle tomato, and caramelized pepper/onion. All finished with our signature blend of taziki and ranch sauce. Served with fresh-cut fries.
Bread & Circus Sandwich Kitchen (600 North Main Avenue #110): Chicken Bacon Ranch Burger (REVIEW)
6oz Certified Angus Beef, House-Ranch Bacon, Smoked Cheddar, Fried Chicken Skins, Butter Leaf Lettuce, House-Buffalo Ranch, Look’s Brioche.
Chef Lance’s on Phillips (431 North Phillips Avenue): The Big Bison Burger (REVIEW)
8 oz Fresh Ground Buffalo Burger topped with Beef Bacon, Cheddar, Provolone, and Boursin Cheese on a bed of Shredded Lettuce, Tomato and Pickle, drizzled with Sriracha Ranch. Served with our house-cut fries.
Covert Artisan Ales (434 East 8th Street): Windy City Bites - The Son of Zeus
A 1/3lb. all beef patty topped with hand-sliced beef & lamb gyro meat, tzatziki sauce, grilled onions, and American cheese on a grilled brioche bun -the perfect burger for Hermes, the god of meat, and Son of Zeus. Served with a side of feta cheese topped with french fries.
Tajin crusted Angus Beef, Refried Black Beans, Plancha seared Pork Carnitas, Pepper Jack Cheese, Escabeche (Mexican Pickled Vegetables), Avocado Crema & Sabroso! Served with choice of side.
Pretzel bun, prime beef patty, tomato pepper jam, baby arugula, jalapeño bacon, and black truffle cheese. Finished with Truffle parmesan chips.
DaDa Gastropub (402 North Main Avenue): The Italian (REVIEW)
DaDa’s hot take on an Italian Burger; All-beef patty, house Giardiniera & cheese!
Falls Overlook Cafe (825 North Weber Avenue): The BCB (REVIEW)
6 oz Beef Chuck Patty, topped with melted Stensland Family Farms Colby jack and garlic cheese curds, pineapple salsa, arugula, bacon bourbon sauce, and chipotle aioli on a toasted pretzel bun – served with kettle chips.
Falls Landing Bar & Grill (200 East 8th Street): The Mario Burger (REVIEW)
A brisket chuck blend topped with crispy prosciutto, Bacio cheese, arugula, pickled pepperoncini and arbiatta ketchup served on an artisan round bun. Comes with pesto fries dusted with grated parmesan.
Fernson Downtown (332 South Phillips Avenue): Wagoo Burger - The Big Zing (REVIEW)
100% Local Wangus Beef Burger, topped with candied beef bacon, smoked gouda, grilled caramelized onions, and Fresno pepper coleslaw made with honey mustard bbq. Served with a side of fries.
A Grilled Cheese Sandwich with a well-done juicy burger patty and bacon with Mayo, Lettuce, Pickles, Tomatoes, Ketchup, Mustard, Grilled Mushrooms, and Grilled Onions “All the Way”.
Glacial Lakes Distillery (200 South Main Avenue): FadeAways Food Truck - The Captain (REVIEW)
Our version of the New York staple is chopped cheese, seasoned ground beef, cheese, pickles, and onion with special house sauce on a toasted hoagie, make sure you add all the fixings, lettuce, tomato & jalapeños, ketchup & mustard. Served with a side of fries and Kool-Aid pickle.
Holiday Inn City Centre (100 West 8th Street): The Chipotle Bacon Burger (REVIEW)
All Beef Patty with Chipotle Seasoning, Creamy Garlic Cheese Spread, Habanero Bacon Jam, Muenster Cheese, and Applewood Smoked Bacon on a Toasted Brioche Bun.
JL Beers Sioux Falls (323 South Phillips Avenue): The S’More Burger
Our spin on the classic campfire treat features marshmallows, milk chocolate, graham crackers, bacon, and our fresh never frozen beef. All this sweet gooey goodness on a burger will make you want S’more!
La Luna Cafe (701 North Phillips Avenue #125): La Luna Steak Burger (REVIEW)
Our steak burger has a juice-marinated ribeye cut. We use Bread Smith bread, pepper Jack cheese, bacon, tomatoes, pickled red onions, spring mix, and house sauce.
Leonardo’s Café at the Washington Pavilion (301 South Main Avenue): The Triple B (Big Basic Burger)
Six-ounce square patty on Texas Toast topped with cheddar cheese, red onion, bacon, and avocado. Served with a side of sweet potato fries.
MacKenzie River Pizza, Grill & Pub (236 South Main Avenue): The Hatch Quest Burger (REVIEW)
8oz burger patty, seasoned and grilled, served atop a chiffonade of romaine, 2 tomato slices, and a toasted bottom bun that is dressed with street corn aioli. The burger is topped with Hatch queso and garnished with 4 slices of fresh jalapeno and cilantro, with a lime garnish and a side of Hatch queso for dipping French fries.
M.B. Haskett Delicatessen (324 S. Phillips Avenue): The Inflation Burger
Beef slider on a house-made brioche bun, aioli, American cheese, and pickle.
Hadrick Ranch beef, Dimock 2-year aged cheddar, onion rings, old smokehouse bacon, A1 aioli on a brioche bun. Served with Ferson Wagon Plane Porter beer cheese and fries.
Monks Ale House (420 East 8th Street): The Griddy (REVIEW)
An homage to the traditions and legends of the land of 10,000 lakes, The Griddy features Minnesota wild rice and Dakota Mushrooms in a rich and savory blend. Our seasoned half-pound Certified Angus beef patty is stuffed Juicy Lucy-style with Muenster and American cheese and served on a bed of lettuce and red cabbage.
Ode to Food & Drinks (300 North Cherapa Place): Hoppy Loafing Around feat. Severance Faking Sincerity IPA (REVIEW)
Meatloaf patty, Bacon IPA beer cheese sauce, fried onion strings on a potato bun + sidekick of your choice.
Papa Woody’s (775 North Phillips Avenue): The Italian Stallion (REVIEW)
1/2 lb Beef & Brisket Patty seasoned with Italian seasonings, served on a grilled butter and Parmesan encrusted bun. Smothered with sautéed mushrooms and onions, topped with pepperoni, pepper jack cheese, fried mozzarella sticks, and drizzled with pizza sauce. Served with a side of hot marinara sauce for dipping and a 4oz cup of spaghetti!
Beef blend steakburger, Nueske’s thick-cut bacon, American cheese, fried egg, chipotle aioli, locally sourced Everything Ciabatta bun. Served with a choice of side.
Pizza Cheeks (120 South Phillips Avenue): Pizza Cheeks Burger
Angus Beef Patty, Fresh Mozzarella, Herbed, Ricotta, House-Pickled Peppers, House-Pepperoni Sauce, Arugula, Ciabatta. Served with a side caesar salad.
Phillips Avenue Diner (121 South Phillips Avenue): Peanut Butter & Spicy Jelly Burger
Fresh ground chuck burger in a 5oz patty. Topped with a chipotle berry compote, peanut butter, American cheese, and jalapeno bacon on a brioche bun. Served with choice of side.
Remedy Brewing Company (401 East 8th Street #120): The Rimedio (REVIEW)
Italian for “Remedy”, our play on an Italian beef consists of a locally sourced Wagyu beef patty from Dimock, SD seasoned with a house blend of herbs and spices, bone marrow aioli, thinly sliced Nappa, cheddar cheese, and giardiniera all served on a toasted cheddar Breadsmith bun. Served with a side of seasoned chips and au jus made with our Remedy Amber Ale.
Sunny Pizzeria at EightyOne Arcade Bar (221 South Phillips Avenue): The Frenchie Burger
1/3 pound all beef patty, topped with homemade french onion dip, provolone cheese, sauteed onions, hot giardiniera mix, and rippled potato chips prepared fresh on a toasted onion bun – served with a side of rippled potato chips and homemade french onion dip.
Swamp Daddy’s (421 North Phillips Avenue #104): Magnolia Burger (REVIEW)
Beef, short rib and andouille patty blend topped with asiago and mild cheddar cheese, sweet heat bacon, hush puppy battered okra, drunken onions on lettuce, tomato, red pepper jelly, and secret sauce on a beignet bun. Served with chips.
The Treasury at Hotel on Phillips (100 North Phillips Avenue): The Smash & Grab (REVIEW)
Two Smashed Patties, Onion, Special Sauce, Shredded Lettuce, and Pickles, on a Brioche Bun.
TommyJack’s Pub (214 East 12th Street): Philly Burger (REVIEW)
Introducing our take on a Philly cheese sandwich. We take our fresh hand-pattied half-pound burger, top it with a custom seasoning, sauteed peppers and onions, and two types of cheese. The Philly Burger is accompanied by a side of au jus for dipping and served on our locally made fresh bakery bun.
Wileys (330 North Main Avenue): West Coast Smasher
Two of our freshly ground in-house hamburger patties, caramelized onions, American cheese, crisp romaine lettuce, and Wiley’s signature “Animal” sauce topped off with a toasted egg bun.