The Burger Battle is about to go down!

The Scottsdale Culinary Festival Burger Battle goes down THIS THURSDAY March 24^th at 6:30pm at the Hotel Valley Ho.

Today, the burgers that will battling for the title of best in the valley were announced, and well, my mouth will probably water until Thursday night. Let’s take a quick glance at the list.

Burger Battle Competitors

Aioli Gourmet Burgers: French Onion Burger, made with custom blind prime grade short rib and brisket and topped with slow braised caramelized onions in demi-glace, Gruyere cheese, Parmesan crisp, balsamic reduction and shaved chives.

Black & Bleu American Grill: Upscale Burger, made with 1lb Angus burger, Portobello patty, sausage, bacon, over easy egg, arugula, garlic aioli and served with fries.

Casino Arizona: Casino Pepper Bacon Burger, made with braised beef short rib with a freshly ground prime sirloin on a pretzel slider, garnished with black pepper cured bacon, caramelized onion jam, sliced Roma tomatoes and butter lettuce.

Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers: White cheddar cheese, Sugar cured bacon, Grilled onion , Arugula, Spicy garlic aioli

The District: The Firearm Burger, made with a burger, bacon, fire roasted jalapenos, pablons, habanero-jack cheese, red onion, arugula and house-made District Sauce.

Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas: Guajillo Seared Beef Angus Slider, made with avocado lime aioli, Roma tomato fried jalapenos, onion strings, habanero and Monterrey jack cheese on a green chili brioche bun.

Hopdoddy: Death by Bacon, Hopdoddy’s own bacon beef patty topped with beer braised onions, pork belly and their own beer cheese all on top of a homemade soft pretzel bun.

Jennie-O: The Renaissance Turkey Burger, made with freshly ground hand-formed turkey slider, seared in avocado oil with bacon compote, baby arugula and creamy brie cheese on a brioche bun topped with crispy fried shallots.

Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill: Gringo Burger, made with all-natural certified USDA Creekstone Farms Black Angus Beef, white cheddar cheese, signature Louis dressing and spicy crispy onions on a house-made brioche bun.

Tavern Americana: Hamburguesas de torta, breaded Niman ranch chuck burger topped with pepper jack cheese, pickled jalapenos, avocado, tomato, red onion, chipotle sauce and served on a fresh Local La Sonorenese telera bread.

Zinburger: Bruce Lee Burger, made with Kobe beef, Korean BBQ sauce, Thai salad, cucumber, jalapenos and avocado.

ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho: Merlot Melt on sourdough with caramelized onions and p’tit Basque.

Ok, so right away, The Guajillo Slider from Hilton Scottsdale and the Firearm Burger from The District jump right out at me because more than bacon and eggs, I love peppers and heat on my burgers.

I am also looking forward to the offerings from Tavern Americana (tortas are always delicious), Black & Bleu American Grill (sounds like a monster of a burger), and Hopdoddy (because bacon).

Also announced are the special guest judges, including craft beer legends, Jake and Ellie Leinenkugel; Phoenix New Times food editor, Laruen Saria; World Pasta Champion, Suzanne Clark; and local restaurateur longtime PB favorite, Eddie Matney.

Tickets for the Burger Battle are still available! Visit the Scottsdale Culinary Festival for info on tickets and charities served by this event.

I’ll see you Thursday, I will be the one eating all the foods!