by Benjamin Chase
of the Plainsman
HURON –– Thirteen competitors will flame up the grill to participate in the third annual Huron Burger Battle in the month of February, hoping to follow Ryan’s Hangar and Coney Island Cafe as winners from the first two years of the competition.
The rules state that each participating restaurant is required to create a burger that is not typically on the menu, and it is only served for the month of February. No substitutions are allowed on the burger, as the burger needs to be brought to the table the same for each customer. The customers then vote using a QR code to rank the burger on five categories: the patty, the toppings, the bun – or whatever item is holding the burger together, uniqueness, and customer service.
Restaurants can provide to-go orders to customers at their discretion to best support their business, staff and customers.
Community members can participate by picking up a passport at any participating restaurant. For each burger consumed, one entry toward a Solo Stove Bonfire, sponsored by Ruby’s Towing, can be received when turned in at the Chamber office. Get punches for all 13 burgers, and you can receive 20 entries toward the stove!
The 2026 burgers:
Big D’s – The Sunset
This burger begins with a mid-rare beef patty with American cheese, then adds sunny-side-up egg, bacon, and sauteed green peppers and onions on a fresh bun.
The burger can be purchased Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 10:30 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Coborns – Swiss and Cheddar Crunch Melt
A swiss burger with American, Swiss, and cheddar cheeses is topped with crispy fried onions, raw onions, and spicy brown mustard on rye bread.
The burger is available daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Coney Island – Breakfast on a Bun
This morning delight includes hashbrowns, a burger patty, bacon, cheese, egg, and creamy country gravy on a toasted bun.
You can pick up this burger from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Don’t Spill the Beans – Bacon and Bean Boss
This burger is topped with melted hickory smoked cheddar cheese, bacon and a signature scoop of calico beans and house specialty sauce.
The burger is only available at the downtown location from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
HRMC Cafeteria – Honey Mango Blaze Burger
A new participant comes with a burger seasoned with chipped gouda on a brioche bun, topped with fried onion straws, smoked gouda, candied bacon and a honey mango garlic sauce. It’s available from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. daily.
Huron Country Club – Korean BBQ Burger
The Country Club offers a smash burger with kimchi coleslaw, Korean barbecue sauce and Swiss cheese on a brioche bun. The burger is available on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 12 to 9 p.m.
La Hacienda – Sope Burger
This big burger has two burger patties with lettuce, pineapple chunks, pico de gallo, and pastor sauce on masa dough and is served with fries.
It’s available from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
La Patrona – Quesadilla Burger
This unique burger takes a patty and tops it with cheddar, bacon, guacamole and pico de gallo and serves it all between two Mexican quesadillas with chipotle mayo on the side.
It is available from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Prime Time – Raspberry Heat Wave
A 6-ounce burger is topped with bacon, crispy fried onions, jalapenos, whipped cream cheese and raspberry preserve on a pretzel bun.
This burger can be enjoyed Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Ryan’s Hangar – Pad Thai Burger
Ryan’s Hangar is serving a burger with pad Thai peanut butter sauce, pad Thai-marinated patty, fried egg, sprouts and scallions on a fresh-baked bun. It’s available Monday through Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Scoreboard – The Tetris
While no block shifting is involved, the Tetris includes a burger with brisket, a hickory-smoked three-cheese blend, Korean pepper sauce, and sweet pepper slaw on a hamburger bun and is served Monday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Plains – Roasted Garlic Burger
A fresh ground beef burger mixed with au jus, black pepper, onion and garlic, then grilled and topped with roasted garlic, sauteed onions, white American cheese and mayo on a jalapeno pretzel bun.
This burger is available daily from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., but carryout is available Monday through Friday only.
The Vault – Maple Menace
A new entry with a burger patty on a brioche bun with pepper jack cheese, onion ring, lettuce, tomato and sweet and spicy maple sauce. The burger can be purchased from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
All burger photos courtesy Craig Lee Studios.
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