Aberdeen Burger Battle
Preparing for the new contest, check back soon!
The winner of the 3rd Annual Aberdeen Burger Battle Competition was the Wakeside Bar and Grill with their Big Buff Burger. The Wakeside competed with 16 other local eateries to earn the title. Over 1500 burgers were rated. Pounders received honorable mention as their burger received the most number of ratings.
The Burger Battle is a project facilitated by 2023 Leadership Aberdeen alumni, along with the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Downtown Association and the Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Spcial thanks to the following sponsors: Aberdeen Convention and Visitors Bureau, Agtegra Cooperative, Blackout Industries, Dakota Plains Real Estate & Development, Demkota Ranch Beef, and Hub City Radio. With their sponsorships and the business participation fee, the group was able to award the Salvation Army a check for $6500 for food insecurity.
Next year’s Burger Battle will run January 15 – March 31, 2026.
Our Contestants
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Barbeque Twist: The Smoke Signal
The Smoke Signal is a tribute to the Great Plains that we call home. This 100% Beef Patty is topped with Smoked Bison Sausage, Feta Cheese, and a Blackberry BBQ Sauce.
Business Info: 414 S Main St, Aberdeen, SD 57401- (605) 725-2277
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Bath Quick Stop: Rodeo Burger
Our brioche bun is packed with 1/3 lb locally raised, and processed beef! It’s topped with cheese, breaded onion strings, and BBQ sauce.
Business Info: 39494 133rd St, Bath, SD 57401 – (605) 225-4484
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Buffalo Wild Wings: Guacamole Bacon Burger
Get your hands on this double patty, hand-smashed burger with thick cut bacon, pepper jack cheese, shredded iceberg lettuce, house-made guacamole and pico de gallo, and bacon aioli on a challah bun!
Business Info: 3401 6th Ave SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 262-0288
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Circus Sports Bar and Grill: Buffalo Blu Burger
One of our delicious 6 oz hand pattied burgers, seasoned with cajun, topped with pepperjack cheese and fried onions, then slathered with blu cheese dressing and our famous wing sauce. (all burgers come with mild sauce. Upgrade to medium or hot sauce for an extra kick.)
Business Info: 14 3rd Ave SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 229-1936
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Lager’s Inn: Smokehouse Burger
Fresh, hand pattied burger topped with tender smoked rib meat, Ol’ West BBQ Sauce, and fried onion!
Business Info: 20 3rd Ave SW, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 229-0922
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LaRue’s: Ward Steak Burger
A smashed patty topped with cheese, caramelized onions, slices of steak and LaRue’s secret sauce!
Business Info: 104 S Main Street, Ste 112, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 725-2258
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Maverick’s Steak & Cocktails: Yum Yum Burger
Three -3oz burger patties, choice of cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and Mavericks homemade special sauce served on a hoagie bun.
Business info: 720 Lamont St, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 225-1314
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Minerva’s: Ragin Cajun Burger
Cajun Aioli, Gastrique Caramelized Onions, White Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle on a Toasted Brioche Bun.
Business Info: 1400 8th Ave NW, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 226-2988
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Mulligan’s Sports Bar and Casino: Par-Fect Pizza Burger
This burger is a hole-in-one! An Italian-seasoned Wagyu beef patty topped with double mozzarella, bold pizza sauce, and a layer of crispy pepperoni, all topped with crunchy mozzarella sticks. One bite, and you’ll be hooked—no ‘mulligans’ needed!
Business Info: 715 N 10th St, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 725-4053
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Pounders: South Dakota Sunrise
Bacon, eggs, & hashbrowns – it’s like a breakfast buffet on a bun! Two smash burger patties and a crispy hash brown patty, topped with maple-glazed bacon, an egg fried over easy, and smoked Gouda cheese, slathered with Sriracha maple aioli, all on a toasted brioche bun.
Business Info: 1702 6th Ave SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 725-2337
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Red Rooster Coffee House: Mac Bean Burger
Rich and mildly spicy black bean veggie burger topped with mac n cheese, melty provolone, romaine, red onion, tomato, and sriracha mayo on a toasted pub grain bun. Served alone or with the meal deal: kettle chips, pickle and your choice or soup du jour or side salad.
Business info: 218 S Main St, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 225-6603
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Richmond Oasis: Taco Burger
Enjoy this 1/3 lb Taco seasoned burger topped with Pepper jack cheese, Lettuce, fresh pico de gallo, Garlic Siracha Aoili, shredded cheddar, and crispy tortilla strips.
Business Info: 12845 South Shore Drive, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 225-1122
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The Market on the Plaza: Wylie Castle Sliders
Two sliders on sweet rolls with caramelized onions, house pickles, American cheese, market sauce with a local beef patty from Back 40 Beef!
Business Info: 506 S Main St Suite 4, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 824-4189
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The Zoo Bar & Grill: The Lei’d Back Burger
Two smashed burger patties on a toasted Rotella bun, topped with pepper jack cheese, bacon, grilled pineapple slices, and a sweet chili aoli. Also available Zoo Style!
Business Info: 1017 S Main St, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 225-9539
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Three22 Kitchen + Cocktails: Country Fried Redemption
Corn flake breaded country fried smash burger, on a toasted croissant bun smothered in homemade chorizo sausage gravy and topped with pickled red onion and cilantro, served with choice side.
Business Info: 322 S Main St, Aberdeen, SD 57401 – (605) 725-4322
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Wakeside Bar & Grill: Big Buff
Buffalo burger with pepper jack & American cheese, tomato, lettuce, curly onions, and a sweet chili sauce.
Business Info: 103 S Sunset Drive, Mina, SD 57451 – (605) 262-2121
“Big Cheese” Sponsors
These businesses donated $600 or more towards this cause!
About this event and the Leadership Aberdeen Program
This event was originally organized by the 2023 Leadership Aberdeen class, a program of the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce. For 2024, several class alumni were determined to bring it back. Proceeds from the month-long event will again benefit the Salvation Army of Aberdeen. Their goal is to secure event sponsors and donations for food insecurity programs facilitated by the Salvation Army, while also showcasing the great burgers Aberdeen restaurants have to offer.
Leadership Aberdeen is a comprehensive leadership training program facilitated by the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce. The program provides participants with the opportunity to sharpen their skills, share their experiences, and make life-long connections with fellow participants. Participants follow a 12-week curriculum which focuses on growing their individual skills by focusing on leadership attributes.
The class also gains broader knowledge of the businesses, opportunities and challenges in our community through tours of local businesses and hearing from local leaders on company philosophies, goals, and success stories. Plus, the class gives back to the community by facilitating a local project, like the Aberdeen Burger Battle, that will have a positive impact on the Aberdeen community.
The Salvation Army’s food pantry supplies free fresh produce, canned goods, and healthy frozen items that provide valuable meal supplementation while helping those in need maintain their independence and dignity. From sit down programs that provide nutritious hot meals and valuable human interaction, to mobile meals and weekend backpacks, they help the most vulnerable members of society escape the daily burdens of food insecurity.