Burger Week 2026 is officially in the books. For anyone keeping score at home, there were 59 burgers on the menu this year. That was a level of commitment I did not intend to make, but once I was in the 30s, I had to take it all the way!
After one very full week, here is my takeaway.
My Top 5 Burgers
No particular order because Owensboro does not need a Burger Civil War.
- Lure Seafood and Grille — Wellington Burger
- Libertalia Coffee & Bagels — Buc-ee Brisket-Jam Burger
- Hillbilly’s BBQ — The Double Tap
- J’s Good Grub — The Motown Philly Burger
- Kim’s Diner — the Mamacita
My Sleeper Hits
These may not have been the loudest burgers of the week, but they absolutely showed up.
- The Miller House — Hot Honey Pimento Burger
- Frogtown Foods — Sweet Orchard Smash
- Preservation Station — Hotter than Hugh Burger
- Opportunity Center/Pinocchio’s — Pinocchio’s Bayou Burger
- Gene’s Health Food — Chipotle Black Bean Burger
My Bottom 5
I would not do that to anyone.
A few disclaimers because apparently that is necessary.
Yes, I get coffee at Libertalia almost every day. That had zero influence on my burger pick. If this were coffee week, I would certainly have to bow out due to a conflict of interest.
Kim’s burger was incredible, but a major shout-out also needs to go to Jordy’s for the birria. Community unity means we need to share that win, too!
Chef Will’s burger could not make the list due to entirely too much influence, but it was still very good.
My Judging Criteria
I put at least one bite of all 59 burgers in my mouth. We shall leave it at that.
I did not personally purchase every burger. There was sharing involved because sharing is caring.
For the burgers I did buy myself, I paid for each one and tipped when the opportunity was there.
Also, if you are doing Burger Week right, you are not just ordering the burger. Fries, tots, chips, breadsticks, and even a cup of banana pudding made their way onto the table. Support the sides, people.
Now, we wait to see who the community thought deserved top honors, because I am just a girl, standing in front of a burger, asking it to be delicious!
