Burgers, Sides, and the People's King of the Bash

by Leslie Pariseau, Posted Oct 11th 2010 @ 11:00AM

Wall Street Burger Shoppe. Photo: tomcensani, Flickr

The lines were huge at Friday Night's Blue Moon Burger Bash (part of the annual NYC Wine & Food Festival), held in DUMBO's Tobacco Warehouse, but none as long as the one twisting around and bunching up in front of Bobby Flay's Burger Palace. Flay himself manned the table, passing out hundreds of Santa Fe burgers and hamming it up for the crowds. The hand shaking, photo ops and his Santa Fe burger (topped with poblano chiles, queso and blue-corn tortilla chips) added up to a winning combination for fans -- Flay took home the People's Choice award.

Shake Shack was this year's winner (no big surprise there). Sure, their burgers are incredible, but can we give a shout-out to the shakes and those crinkle fries? The stars of every Burger Bash are the burgers, of course, but sometimes the supporting cast deserves attention too.

Check out our favorite sides of the evening.

Back Forty: A single thick and crispy yucca fry was paired with rosemary aïoli at chef Peter Hoffman's table.

Bill's Burger Bar: Chef Brett Reichler passed out rosemary parmesan tots while tossing squishy "stress burgers" at the crowd yelling, "Wait 'til Rachel gets a load of my tots!"

The Dutch: Andrew Carmellini's team served a dollop of vanilla ice cream with a splash of Allagash stout.

Good Stuff Eatery: The Vietnamese Coffee Shake offered by Spike Mendelsohn was a rich alternative to his neighbors' salty sides.

Greenhouse Tavern: Chef Jonathon Sawyer served perfectly thin and crisp fried eggplant and zucchini alongside his burger: "I just really like ratatouille!" he says.

Michael's Genuine: Pastry genius Hedy Goldsmith of Miami turned out gorgeous peanut butter s'mores and cocoa nib marshmallows that almost took the spotlight from the heirloom-tomato topped burger.

Rare Bar and Grill: Ed Hernández's charming "frickle" was a fried pickle chip battered in Blue Moon ale. The crisp coating left just the right amount of vinegary grease on your fingers.

Shake Shack: Like the rest of New York, we can never resist the temptation of the city's favorite side: crinkle-cut fries from Danny Meyer's golden child.

Filed Under: Events
Tags: bobby flay, burger bash, burgers, nyc wine and food festival, shake shack