Back to NewsThe 2026 Aberdeen Burger Battle has wrapped up another successful year of celebrating local restaurants while making a meaningful impact in the community. The winner was unveiled at the Chamber’s March 12 Business After Hours networking event. Congratulations to this year’s winner —Three22 Kitchen + Cocktails.
Three22 Kitchen + Cocktails earned the highest rankings from participants for their Jalapeño Popper Burger, topping a field of 15 competing burgers.
During the multi-week competition, residents and visitors were encouraged to try featured burgers at participating restaurants and submit rankings online. This year’s event featured 15 restaurants from Aberdeen and the surrounding area and saw more than 1,500 burgers ranked, as participants explored creative burger offerings and supported local dining establishments.
Participating restaurants included Allevity, Buffalo Wild Wings, Circus Sports Bar & Grill, City Lights, Cuzco Peruvian Cuisine, Lager’s Inn, Maverick’s Steak & Cocktails, Mulligan’s, Pop’s Big Easy, Pounders, Richmond Oasis, The Market on the Plaza, The Zoo Bar & Grill, Three22 Kitchen + Cocktails, and Wakeside Bar & Grill.
In addition to the friendly competition, the event generated significant community support. Through participation fees and sponsorships, the Aberdeen Burger Battle is donating $6,000 to the Salvation Army of Aberdeen, helping fund programs that provide meals, assistance, and essential services to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in the community.
Participating restaurants reported selling approximately 6,600 burgers, generating over $95,000 in direct sales. And, if each burger generated $10-$15 additional spending on average, that amounts to $79,200 in additional restaurant revenue.
The Aberdeen Burger Battle was originally created by the 2023 Leadership Aberdeen class as part of their class project. Their goal was to raise awareness of food insecurity in the community while generating funds to support local hunger relief efforts through a fun, community-driven restaurant competition. Since its launch, the event has grown into a highly anticipated annual tradition, and members of the original Leadership Aberdeen class continue to help organize and support the event each year.
“The Burger Battle is a great example of how creativity and collaboration can benefit our entire community,” said Meg Pew, Quality Quick Print and member of the 2023 Leadership Aberdeen class. “It highlights our local restaurants, encourages residents to try something new, and helps support the Salvation Army, which is working to address food insecurity in our community.”
Special thanks to the participating restaurants and the businesses and organizations that’s sponsored including: Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen Convention & Visitors Bureau, Agtegra Cooperative, Dakota Plains Real Estate, Dakota Broadcasting, DemKota Ranch Beef, Helms & Associates, Hub City Radio, Pewtiful Plants, and Quality Quick Print.
To learn more about the Aberdeen Burger Battle, visit www.aberdeenburgerbattle.com
About the Leadership Aberdeen Program
The 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.
About the Salvation Army’s Food Pantry and Meal Programs
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.
About Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce
The Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce has been an established, voluntary non-profit membership organization since 1884. As a 501(c)6 corporation, the Chamber supports and speaks for those engaged in business, industry, agriculture, transportation, education, healthcare and private sector enterprises. We seek to make commerce happen through business expansion and attraction, as well as the advocacy efforts that help improve business in our area.