Burger Battle Review: Monk’s Ale House’s ‘Griddy Burger’

Burger Battle Review: Monk’s Ale House’s ‘Griddy Burger’

Townsquare Media

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
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Our latest stop is Monk's Ale House for their ‘Griddy Burger'.

Here is the official description of the burger:

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.

This was a very nice 'tip of the cap' to our neighbors to the East with two things that are quintessentially Minnesota - the 'Juicy Lucy' and Wild Rice.

The Griddy delivered on both counts with lots of yummy melted cheese oozing from inside the patty and a delicious mixture of wild rice and mushrooms sitting on top.

The rice also added just a hint of texture that helped to elevate the experience.

The scorecard:

  • Patty (4)
  • Bun (5)
  • Toppings (4)
  • Creativity (5)
  • Customer Service (4)

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):

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.

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.

6oz Certified Angus Beef, House-Ranch Bacon, Smoked Cheddar, Fried Chicken Skins, Butter Leaf Lettuce, House-Buffalo Ranch, Look’s Brioche.

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.

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.

  • Crave (201 East 8th Street): El Padrino – Carnitas Torta Burger (REVIEW)

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’s hot take on an Italian Burger; All-beef patty, house Giardiniera & cheese!

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.

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.

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”.

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.

All Beef Patty with Chipotle Seasoning, Creamy Garlic Cheese Spread, Habanero Bacon Jam, Muenster Cheese, and Applewood Smoked Bacon on a Toasted Brioche Bun.

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!

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.

Six-ounce square patty on Texas Toast topped with cheddar cheese, red onion, bacon, and avocado. Served with a side of sweet potato fries.

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.

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.

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.

Meatloaf patty, Bacon IPA beer cheese sauce, fried onion strings on a potato bun + sidekick of your choice.

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.

Angus Beef Patty, Fresh Mozzarella, Herbed, Ricotta, House-Pickled Peppers, House-Pepperoni Sauce, Arugula, Ciabatta. Served with a side caesar salad.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Two Smashed Patties, Onion, Special Sauce, Shredded Lettuce, and Pickles, on a Brioche Bun.

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.

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Filed Under: Burger Battle, Downtown Sioux Falls, sioux falls restaurants
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