Chow Down for a Chance to Win Some Sizzling Prizes!

May is National Hamburger Month and we want to know if you’re up to Colonial Williamsburg’s Burger Challenge! Chefs from two of our historic taverns and three of our hotel restaurants have come up with seriously delicious and creative recipes to try to win your vote. But ordering doesn’t just give the chefs shoutouts; it also puts you in the running for a super cool giveaway.

Since we’re all about history—here’s a tasty tidbit. The phrase “Hamburg steaks” first started appearing in Hamburg, Germany in the late 1800s but in my research, I discovered there is an epic debate over who actually created the first traditional hamburger (on a bun). One thing’s for sure. When it first appeared in America, the burger was the most expensive item on the menu! Can you imagine? Nowadays—whether it’s beef, turkey, bison, or veggie—just about every sit-down or fast-food restaurant offers a variation of America’s culinary icon.

Photo Courtesy: Library of Congress (1938) Crowley, LA

And our chefs proved it isn’t all about the beef—adding bacon, pimento cheese, flash-fried onions, even an egg to their creations! We’ll get to our contest rules in a minute. But first, take a look at all the amazing specials (in no particular order) that started today and will run through May 31.

ALE-MARINATED BURGER - $13
Shields Tavern

What better burger to serve in a tavern than one marinated in Colonial Williamsburg’s Old Stitch Ale (and capers)? Chef Tony and his team created a blend of ground chuck and slow-roasted round of beef and topped it with a house-made garlic-tarragon Aioli (yum!), fried julienned leeks, Swiss cheese, lettuce, red onion, and tomato—all on a toasted Kaiser roll. It comes with a side of tavern fries.

SMOK’N MUSHROOM MELT BURGER - $12.50
Traditions & Lodge Lounge (Williamsburg Lodge)

Chef Sean and his team created a burger that’s a true taste of the south. The melt-in-your mouth patty incorporates both beef and cold smoked mushrooms and is layered with Virginia ham, pimento cheese, shredded Bibb lettuce, caramelized onion mayonnaise, and a slice of fresh tomato. The layers of flavor are precisely stacked in a ciabatta roll. This burger comes with a healthy serving of shoestring french fries. This special is available every day for lunch or dinner except Fridays when their lunch and seafood buffets are offered.

THE FRENCH BURGER - $14.95
King’s Arms Tavern

Chef Calvin and his team are serving up a winning combination in this burger. This hickory-smoked, grilled beefsteak is topped with Cabernet-braised mushrooms that literally melt in your mouth, Provolone cheese, flash-fried onions and a spicy horseradish mayo—served with lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun. This special also comes with our tavern fries!

TERRACE ROOM BCB
Williamsburg Inn - $18

The BCB stands for Bison Chili Burger and this one has a little heat to it! Chef Scott and his team used ground bison and topped it with even more meat! Their venison chili is always a favorite on the menu. They also added Hook’s 5-Year Cheddar, house-pickled jalapeños (amazing), and sour cream. Your order also comes with their house-cut fries, seasoned with sea salt and cracked black pepper.

RANCHERO BURGER - $12
Huzzah! BBQ Grille

This burger takes you south of the border without ever leaving Virginia. Chef Ed’s recipe features a fried egg, fiery Salsa Roja, bacon (crisped to perfection), and Applewood-smoked Cheddar on a grilled split-top burger bun. It’s like breakfast, lunch, and dinner all rolled into one! As if that isn’t enough, it also comes with a side of home-style potato chips.

Entering our Burger Challenge is simple. Just upload a picture of your meal to Instagram along with your review and #CWBurgerChallenge. Remember, your account needs to be public in order for your entry to show up. Be sure to include your location and at the end of the month, not only will we announce a blog winner, but we will also reveal the burger that got the most votes. See the example below (sorry Chef Scott, that doesn’t count as a vote!). Entries must be received by May 31. Official contest rules here.

SIZZLIN’ PRIZE PACKAGE
Spruce up your own burger using our historic condiments!

Get the recipe for Chowning’s BBQ Ribs & look cool grilling them!

For those of you wondering how beef was prepared in 18th-century Virginia, here’s an explainer courtesy of our Historic Foodways bloggers!