Hillbilly’s BBQ food truck captured the top honor for Owensboro Burger Week 2026, earning the official championship with its “Double Tap” burger after receiving the highest overall score from judges. Meanwhile, Libertalia Coffee & Bagels earned the People’s Choice Award with their “Buc-ee Brisket-Jam Burger.”
For Hillbilly’s owners BJ and Chrystal Dunn, the win was especially meaningful since it was their first year participating in the event.
“It feels great,” BJ Dunn said. “This year we decided to do it, and it turned out for the best.”
The Double Tap burger featured a smash-style patty made from fresh ground brisket, topped with pulled pork and finished with garlic aioli — a combination Dunn believes set it apart.
“That fresh pulled pork on top of it really does wonders for it,” he said. “Then probably the garlic aioli too — it really puts a kick to it nobody was expecting.”
Hillbilly’s sold 2,883 burgers during the week, surpassing their initial goal.
“We figured roughly we would sell about 2,000 burgers,” Dunn said. “So we exceeded our goal really well.”
Beyond the numbers, Dunn said the recognition means more for a small, family-run operation working to build its name.
“It means a lot to me, to the family, because we worked so hard trying to get our name out,” he said. “Burger Week really got our name out there and showed the support we have from the community.”
The Dunns said they entered the competition with a simple approach — using ingredients already featured on their truck.
“We just use normal stuff that’s on our truck and made a burger with it, and it was a hit,” Dunn said.
Dunn said the burger will remain on the Hillbilly’s menu going forward. The judges’ award was sponsored by Hill View Farms Meats.
Meanwhile, Libertalia Coffee & Bagels captured the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by German American Bank, after selling 7,354 burgers.
“We were shooting really hard to try and break the all-time burger record,” owner Chris Hamilton said. “We were trying to be ready to do 5,000, and by the end of Friday, we were just like, ‘Wow, we’ve got nothing to give you.’ It was craziness.”
Hamilton said the burger’s success came down to both flavor and execution.
“I think the idea of a smoked cream cheese and a bacon jam, kind of savory topping, is a proven concept,” he said. “But the main secret with Burger Week is executing it over and over and over again very quickly in a way that is really good.”
He added that the experience kept customers coming back throughout the week.
“People kept coming, and many came multiple times in the same week,” Hamilton said. “They enjoyed the burger, but more than that, they enjoyed their experience.”
Hamilton described Burger Week as “a love letter back to a city that supported us,” and said the business has already seen an increase in traffic following the event.
“We definitely have gained new customers,” he said. “It’s been really busy, and we’re really blessed for it.”
