O’Bryan’s Bar and Grill in West Louisville won the inaugural “Burger Week” competition, beating out 23 other participating restaurants in Daviess County to earn the title of “Best Burger.” More than 10,000 burgers were served during the competition.
“I definitely didn’t see this coming, that’s for sure,” owner Eric Ashworth said upon receiving the trophy Monday morning. “To be honest, it’s completely out of left field because I entered this thinking ‘maybe we get a few people to come from Owensboro all the way out just to try out burger.’ Never in a million years (did I think we’d win).”
They got more than a few people to make the trip out to their restaurant, located at 7006 KY 815 across from Whittaker Guns.
During Burger Week, O’Bryan’s sold 310 of their signature burgers — compared to just 13 the week before.
Ashworth said they weren’t prepared for the influx of customers.
“I found out Tuesday for lunch that it was going to be ‘a hell of a week.’ I wasn’t staffed for it or anything,” he said. “We weren’t ready for it at all. Next year we will be.”
O’Bryan’s “Double Bacon Mozzarella Cheese Stick Burger” consisted of two quarter-pound hamburger beef patties topped with two pieces of American cheese, bacon, two cheese sticks, and a light drizzle of barbecue sauce, served on a toasted bun.
The burger has been on the menu for 3 or 4 years and is typically $9.99 with a side. Ashworth said it’s worth the price, and most people don’t eat the entire thing.
Ashworth took over as owner in October 2019, meaning he was only about 6 months in when the pandemic affected the business. He said the last year has been a struggle but is grateful for the support of customers.
“I give it all to the community here for helping me get through it, because that’s what it truly was,” he said.
He hopes the exposure from Burger Week carries forward and draws more people from the city of Owensboro.
“This means a lot to the community around here, so hopefully the rest of Owenboro can understand what we’ve got here,” Ashworth said. “I know our food is good, so hopefully everybody else now sees that our food is good.”
A total of 24 restaurants participated in “Burger Week.”
Second place went to Legends Sports Bar & Grill and their “The Winner” burger — which was Certified Angus Beef topped with provolone cheese and an onion ring, drizzled with their KY Bourbon sauce and served on a fresh Niko’s Bakery bun.
Third place went to Wonder Whip and their “Kentucky Bourbon BBQ Burger” — a double bacon cheeseburger prepared with cheddar cheese, lettuce, onion, pickle and their house made Woodford Reserve bourbon BBQ sauce.
“Owensboro Burger Week” was designed to showcase signature burgers from restaurants throughout the city and county. The event is a partnership between Visit Owensboro and the City of Owensboro, with the goal of supporting local restaurants that have been impacted by the pandemic.
Restaurants that participated sold a burger of their choosing for $6, including tax. Each restaurant decided how large the burger was and if it came with any sides.
Participating restaurants competed for bragging rights for the ‘Best Burger’ by an independent group of judges.
Customers also had the chance to win prizes by participating on social media. Those winners will be announced Wednesday.
First place will receive a Mini Green Egg from Green River Appliance, and second place will receive a BBQ grilling meats package from Hillview Farms Meats.
Owensboro Burger Week was made possible with support from local and state sponsors including the Kentucky Beef Council, Independence Bank, Green River Appliance, and Hillview Farms Meats.
