2020 Burger Cup Recap: Beijing's 12 Best Burger Restaurants

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Now that the 2020 Burger Cup is behind us, and we've all had a chance to digest the sizzling competition, it's time to take a look at who you, the great people of Beijing, consider the city's finest grill masters.As always, there were plenty of upsets and closely fought battles this year, resulting in a stunning surprise when new(ish) kids on the block, Side Street, usurped the crown from four-time champions, Slow Boat. To be sure, Slow Boat is doubtlessly still a fan favorite having clinched the second-place spot, while Q-Mex retained number three. The rest of Beijing’s craft beer brewpub scene made a strong showing throughout the Top 12 rankings.Of course, many of you wouldn't have been able to decide on a favorite burger without the 2020 Beijing Burger Festival, presented by the Beijinger and JSS Delivery. Thousands of people turned out Sep 18-20 to sample the wares of dozens of vendors – see if you can spot yourself in the photos here against a backdrop of killer tunes and bonkers competitions.

We don't blame you if you don't have it in you to chomp your way through all 99 of Beijing's top burgers but you can, at the very least, make the Top 12 a priority. Without further ado, below is your cut-out-and-keep, bookmark-in-your-browser, favorite-on-WeChat list of the very best burgers in Beijing.

No. 12: The Great Outdoors 野友趣
Their must-try burger: Chairman Mao Smoked Chili Burger (RMB 50)

With several very distinct burgers on the menu, Fangjia Hutong’s The Great Outdoors certainly doesn’t make choosing easy. However, for something a little different, our money is on the Chairman Mao Smoked Chili Burger (RMB 50, served with fries), which is made using a beef patty, handmade Hunan dried sausage, and a layer of spicy Hunanese chili peppers (a nod to Chairman Mao's home province), all balanced out with a rich layer of cheese.

No. 11: Arrow Factory Brewing 箭厂啤酒
Their must-try burger: Vegan Double Seitan Smash Burger (RMB 67)

They may have lost last year's tenth place finish to Boxing Cat, but Arrow Factory proved that they still have a loyal following for their British-influenced pub grub, hearty fried breakfasts, and burgers that are deservedly rated as some of the best in Beijing. What's more, they continuously please the city's plant-based crowd with their creative, delicious vegan dishes, including this seitan and smoked jack fruit burger. Meanwhile, they've also perfected the classic cheeseburger with their Double Smash Seitan Burger and its decadent dairy-free cheese sauce.

No. 10: Boxing Cat Brewery 拳击猫精酿啤酒馆
Their must-try burger: BCB Classic Burger (RMB 78)

After debuting at number 12 in last year's Top 12 list, Boxing Cat has won enough folks over – so many folks in fact that they climbed two spots – with their tried-and-true formula of tasty craft beer and inventive pub grub. The BCB classic burger is, as the name suggests, a classic expression of a cheeseburger, topped with all the trimmings and plenty of American cheese. It goes down particularly well with a pint of their signature TKO IPA.

No. 9: Blue Frog 蓝蛙
Their must-try burger: The Gourmet Beef Burger (RMB 118)

Burgers don't get more reliable than Blue Frog, which has maintained a position near the top of the Burger Cup rankings for years, thanks to quality beef, a wide range of burger toppings, and famous Monday night buy-one-get-one-free deal. The must-try gourmet beef burger features an Australian beef patty topped with Parma ham, avocado, feta-stuffed pepperoncini, chili-lime cheddar, and mustard seed mayo, all contained within a hefty toasted ciabatta bun.

No. 8: Home Plate BBQ 本垒美式烤肉
Their must-try burger: Chopped Brisket Burger (RMB 60)

Holder of the Burger Cup title from 2012-2014, Home Plate might have slid a few spaces in the rankings over the years, but their buns and patties still have plenty of loyal fans around Beijing. Home Plate’s arsenal of burgers includes the chopped brisket burger, which perfectly showcases why their southern-style barbecue has always been one of Beijing's best. The beef is tender and smokey with its own subtle spice, which can be augmented with a splash of one of Home Plate's homemade barbecue sauces. 

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No. 7: 3 Little Pigs by Andy's Craft Sausages
Their must-try burger: Double Bacon Cheeseburger (RMB 88)

This venue from New Jersey sandwich-slinger Andy Horowitz (of Andy's Craft Sausages fame) specializes in satisfying, unfussy American-style sandwiches, from Ruebens with homemade corned beef to hangover-busting breakfast combinations. As for the burgers, Horowitz keeps it simple, including his top pick: the double bacon cheeseburger, featuring 2x150g American Black Angus Chuck Steak and Wagyu patties blanketed in melted Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese and topped with their in house dry-cured bacon, caramelized onion, and slices of homemade kosher dill pickles. 

No. 6: Jing-A 京A
Their must-try burger: Classic Double Cheeseburger (RMB 70)

After welcoming experienced chef Simone Thompson to the family last year, Jing-A has really cemented their food menu, making it as much of an attraction as their beer. The Classic Double Cheeseburger is their must-try, thanks to two 100g patties and plenty of melty American cheese. What's more, this year they started offering a Beyond Meat patty, meaning vegetarians can also get their hands on one of the city's best classic cheeseburgers. 

No. 5: Great Leap Brewing 大跃啤酒
Their must-try burger: The Cheeseburger (RMB 75)

Great Leap's ever-popular formula – which seems to be growing in popularity evidenced by their move from eighth place to fifth this year – of excellent craft beer coupled with sizzling, satisfying hamburgers has fans in Beijing and beyond. In fact, friends who have left Beijing often lament not being able to grab one of their burgers anymore. With a recipe originally created by chef Kin Hong (of Taco Bar fame), there’s little wonder why their burgers – the double patty cheeseburger with 100 percent Angus beef and double cheddar cheese, in particular – have been such a hit with pub-grub lovers.  

No. 4: Beersmith Gastropub 鲜啤吧
Their must-try burger: Wagyu Beef Sliders with Special Cheese Sauce (RMB 148 for 4)

Making a strong Burger Cup debut this year at number 4, Beersmith has proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they will be a force to reckon with in future Burger Cups, thanks in large part to their diverse menu of unique creations, such as the Wagyu beef sliders adorned with pickles, tomato, and lettuce on a mini-brioche bun. That's not all though, as these sinfully delicious creations can either be dipped or drenched in their famous warm cheese sauce, depending on how messy you like your food of course.

No. 3: Q Mex 库迈
Their must-try burger: Double Burger (RMB 68)

Q Mex has had a strong showing in the Burger Cup ever since taking the crown in 2017. In that time, they have cultivated a range of tasty, creative burgers, some with a topical Tex-Mex twist like the spicy taco burger, but it's the devoutly humble Double Burger that keeps us coming back thanks to its two special beef patties, a double helping of cheese, and mayonnaise. Coupled with a wide-ranging menu of strong drinks and regular promotions and events, Q Mex has earned a rightful place among Beijing's most popular burger spots.

No. 2: Slow Boat 悠航
Their must-try burger: The Fryburger (RMB 60)

And so we come to Slow Boat who, despite winning the Burger Cup title four times, was narrowly edged out this year. Nevertheless, second place is obviously nothing to scoff at and stands as a testament to Beijinger's continued love for one of the city's greatest burgers: the mighty Fryburger. Stacked with their signature patty, a perfectly pink-centered and juicy beef patty topped with a slice of gooey cheese and lattice of their seasoned fries, the effect is a crunchy mouthful that pairs incredibly well with a pint.

No. 1: Side Street 街旁
Their must-try burger: Squatter Burger (RMB 88)

Since debuting at third place in 2018's Burger Cup and momentarily slipping to fourth last year, Side Street roared back with a vengeance to claim the crown, after a scant three years on the scene. Their secret? Most likely the impressive selection of drool-inducing burgers, from the heart-stopping KO with two patties, melted cheese, IPA caramelized onions, and KO sauce to the Indian-inspired Southern Tikka, with fried chicken and tikka masala gravy. Aside from the reimagined Cholo 2.0, which doubtlessly earned them a few extra votes this year, they also went the extra mile in expanding their vegan and vegetarian options to include a plant-based version of the Squatter. With jalapeño, cheddar, and bourbon BBQ sauce (plus bacon if you're not going plant-based), this is the stuff that cowboy's dreams are made of. 

Images: Uni You the Beijinger, courtesy of the restaurants

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