Get Ready For The Biggest Downtown Sioux Falls Burger Battle Ever

One of Sioux Falls' biggest culinary events is getting even bigger in 2026.

Downtown Sioux Falls has revealed the list of combatants in the 13th Annual Downtown Burger Battle and it's the biggest number in the event's history - with 50 to choose from.

2026 DOWNTOWN SIOUX FALLS BURGER BATTLE ENTRIES

Bibisol: Smash Pastor

Two local grass-fed finished all-beef patties marinated with annatto, topped with creamy Monterrey jack cheese, roasted pineapple relish, garlic aioli, and onion habanero curtido served on a brioche bun. Served with a side of creamy poblano wedges topped with cotija cheese, local chive, and cilantro.

Big Sioux Burger: Spring Roll Showdown

All the crunch of a spring roll, supercharged with beef. Two seasoned smash patties stack up on a soft hamburger bun smeared with sweet chili cream cheese. Our hoisin-infused spring roll veggie blend of carrots, cabbage, and mushrooms brings the crisp and the color layered between the patties and piled on top. Finished with fried wontons and a sweet-chili drizzle.

Blarney Stone: The Shepherd's Pie Burger

A 1/8” fine ground 7 oz. Fire River Farms Burger Patty placed on a freshly oven-baked Swiss Cheese crisp on top of a Garlic Butter toasted, Caramelized-Onion Bun. Topped with Champ Potatoes, and a medley of Carrots, Peas, Corn, Onions, Garlic & Bacon. Finished with Fried Onion Strings and fresh chopped Green
Onions.

Boki-European Street Food: Cheese Curd Crunch Burger

Crispy hand-battered cheese curds take center stage on an 8 oz Angus beef patty layered with a touch of butter lettuce, sharp white cheddar, and apple wood-smoked bacon. Finished with bright pickled red onions, a touch of pepper jelly, garlic black-pepper aioli, and an optional light beer cheese drizzle, all served on a toasted Hawaiian bun. Served with a generous side of fresh-cut curly fries.

Bread & Circus: Das Brat

A 6oz house-made bratwurst patty topped with rich beer cheese, house sauerkraut braised with beer, bacon, and onions, house grainaise, all served on a custom Breadico pretzel bun inspired by classic German biergarten flavors.

Cascata: The Canadian Express

1/2 lb. Demkota Ranch Beef burger patty with fresh mozzarella, hand cut fries, cheese curds, brown gravy and chopped bacon all presented on a locally sourced Ciabatta bun, served with a side of truffle parm sidewinder fries.

CH Patisserie: An American in Paris Street Burger

Onion smash burger, cheddar, bacon, COP sauce all wrapped in a warm duck-fat croissant.

Chef Lance on Phillips: Poutine Burger

Certified Angus Beef Patty, Smoked Provolone, Toasted Onion Bun. Garlic Mayo, Braised Short Rib, Fried Cheese Curds, Side of Gravy, Side of Fries.

CRAVE: The Chosen Juan

Juicy burger stuffed with Swiss cheese, topped with bacon aioli, over easy eggs and crispy fried hash browns, on a brioche bun. Served with a side of fries.

Crawfordٔs Bar & Grill: Black Tie Burger

Brisket and petite tender grind sits atop arugula and warm bacon relish, finished with whipped Brie, pickled onion, Bumberry BBQ, and a crisp potato stack on a Dijonaisse-toasted pretzel bun.

Dahlia Kitchen + Bar: Avocado Sunrise

An 8 oz beef patty with candied bacon, crispy deep fried avocado slices, queso fresco, pickled red onions and creamy poblano garlic aioli, all crowned with an over medium egg nestled into a soft brioche bun.

Club David : TBA

DaDa: The Shaggy

Potato bun dusted in sweetened cocoa powder, tomato jam, eggplant chips, Havarti cheese and house made chocolate hot sauce.

Falls Overlook Cafe: The Sioux Smash Burger

Double smash patties made from a rich blend of bison, chuck and brisket, perfectly seasoned with Umami seasoning for deep, savory flavor. Topped with melted mild cheddar and Gruyere, caramelized onions, house-marinated pickles, crisp lettuce, and fresh tomato, all stacked high on a toasted potato bun and finished with homemade
burger sauce.

Fat Shack: The Fat Clucker

Fat Shackٔs signature Angus patty slathered in our garlicky, cracked-pepper Bird Sauce topped with melted American Cheese. Stacked tall with crunchy fried pickles, gooey mozzarella sticks, onion, tomato and lettuce on a brioche bun toasted to perfection.

Fernson Downtown & Totally Rad Eats: The Pickle Roll Burger

Double smash patty, new school American cheese, dried beef pickle roll dip, pickles, ruffles, on a big Marty roll. Served with fries or tots.

Five Guys: Jalapeno Popper Burger

Two juicy all American beef patties on signature Five Guys buns with American cheese and grilled jalapeno peppers.

Glacial Lakes Distillery & Black Sheep Food Truck: Buenos Aires Burger

A two smash patty Argentinian style burger with a bone marrow chimichurri sauce and olive oil spread with a creamy brie sauce. Served in a whole wheat bun and a side of Waldorf salad.

Hello Hi & 605 Island Guy: Island Blazed Burger

8oz seasoned beef patty, peppered jack cheese, charred pineapple, berry’s habanero jam, crispy bacon, light-Coconut like slaw and drizzled with pineapple aioli sauce.

Holiday Inn: The Lobster Burger

A sizzling smash burger seasoned with our signature house spice blend, draped in silky provolone and crowned with a luscious red-pepper lobster jam. Finished with shrimp and a smoky chipotle ranch, all tucked inside a warm, parmesan-crusted baguette.

Jack Rose Social Club: Jack Thai Pork Slider Burger

Brioche Sesame Seed Bun, pork belly and ground pork patty, jalapeno cream cheese, Thai peanut vinaigrette, Thai slaw, crispy chile crunch, Pickled ginger. Spiked with a Thai chili. Served with ramen spiced shoe string frites.

JL Beers: Don't Stop Brie-lieving Burger

Creamy brie, chili crunch, bacon, sweet pickled onions and lettuce.

Josiah's Coffeehouse: Capo Caprese Burger

A toasted brioche bun stacked with our garlic ricotta cream cheese spread, a 6 oz grilled patty, house made tomato-onion bruschetta and basil, balsamic drizzle, and
our fresh pesto aioli.

La Luna Cafe: The Gordita Burger

Trade the ordinary bun for warm, handmade corn tortillas. Nestled inside is a perfectly seasoned all-beef patty with melty cheese. A lively mix of spring greens and crisp repollo-cabbage salad, house red salsa, and fresh slices of avocado. Paired with a side of street corn.

M.B. Haskettٔ's: The Giddy Up! Burger

A 5 oz beef burger with Widmerٔs Aged Cheddar, bacon, tobacco onions, sweet & spicy pickles, and Carolina yellow barbecue mayo on a brioche bun. Served with a side of chips.

Mackenzie River: The Bangkok Burger

A flame grilled beef patty with a melted pepper jack cheese topped with some bold and spicy cucumbers with a drizzle of a zesty Thai chili sauce.

Minerva's: Don Corleone's Vendetta Royale: Minerva's Edition Burger

Garlic Herb Brioche Bun, Sun-dried Tomato Basil Aioli, Prairie Coteau lamb Ragu Bolognese, Hadrick Ranch Beef Patty, Mozzarella, Parmesan Fondue, Smoked
Paprika, Cracked Black Pepper, Basil Oil, Served with Hand Breaded Jumbo Mobsterella Stick, and Bold Marinara.

Monks Ale House: Bob's Popper Burger

A double stack of CAB smash patties topped with melty New School American cheese, herbed cream cheese, and a touch of buttermilk ranch. Add raspberry preserves for a hint of sweetness, pickled jalapenos for that perfect pop, and crispy bacon. Tuck that all into a soft Big Marty Bun with a side of Miss Vickie's jalapeno chips.

North End Bakery & Deli: The Root Burger

This burger features the winter roots cooked and raw that provide a variety of flavors and textures. Butter confit golden beets with ginger Fresno chili pickled carrots. A five ounce patty topped with melted midnight moon goat cheese, fresh turnips, arugula, and a beet top aioli. Everything on a house made brioche bun.

Nunzios: Stromboli Burger

The Stromboli burger features a prime beef patty, pepperoni, and mozzarella sealed inside a warm baked crust, with your choice of Arrabbiata, Marinara, or Garlic Basil Bechamel for dipping. Served with a Caesar salad.

Ode to Food & Drink: The MANGhOust Burger

7 oz House Ground Wagyu Beef Blend grilled to order on a brioche bun with Mango aioli, Fried Ghost Pepper Cheese and jalapeno Bacon Slaw served with your choice side fries, sweet potato chips, roasted sweet potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, cucumber salad, garden salad, Caesar salad, or soup.

Parkerٔs Bistro: TBA

PAve: Fig Around & Find Out

8 oz. Chuck steak burger topped with fig preserves, chopped pistachios, hot honey, and bacon cream cheese spread on a croissant bread bun. Served with choice of side.

Perch: La Tormenta Burger

A 6 oz Tajin Seasoned Beef & Chorizo Patty topped with Pepper jack Cheese, House Guacamole, Pineapple Salsa, Ancho Aioli, Shrettuce, and Crispy Tortilla Strips. Served on a Custom Telero Roll produced by Breadico. Served with a side of Elote Potato Salad.

Phillips Ave Diner: Croissant Royal Burger

The classic diner steak burger layered with peppered bacon, sweet bacon٫onion jam, a basted medium Dakota Layers egg, and rich hollandaise, all served on a warm toasted croissant bun. Comes with skillet potatoes or classic diner French fries.

Pomegranate Market: The Lunchador Smash Burger

Svec farm grass fed beef, chihuahua cheese, caramelized onions and Anaheim peppers with sweet corn chorizo aioli, cilantro lime mustard on a cornmeal dusted bun.

Remedy Brewing Co: The Brewmaster Burger

A rich, buttery Queen Bee Wheat Bun with a decadently tender local Wagyu beef patty. Sweet-savory tomato jam meets velvety cold-smoked American cheese, while crisp shrettuce and ultra-light fried onion tanglers add the perfect texture and crunch. Crowning the burger is a bright, tangy duo of dill beer cheese aioli and beer mustard
that ties every note together in true brewpub fashion, served with crisp, golden Sidewinder fries.

Rivage Oak Kitchen: Wapiti Butter Jelly Timeٍ

Elk burger with watercress, chokecherry compote, duck bacon, blue cheese, pistachio butter, and fried shallots served on a shockupan bun.

Roots of Brasil: Alcobaca

Ground short rib, chuck, brisket, onions, and linguica topped with feijoada mozzarella and catupiry cheese, plantain crisp finished with an orange chile aioli

Sanaaٔs Gourmet Mediterranean: Smoky Walnut & Herb Vegan Burger

A smoky, savory patty made with roasted vegetables, toasted walnuts, mushrooms, and warm spices. Crispy on the outside and tender inside. Served with muhammara, tahini-parsley sauce, and pickled cabbage. Comes with rosemary roasted potatoes and salad.

Severance Brew Co. & Rudy Navarrete's Tex Mex Food Truck

A garlic-toasted tomato basil bun from Breadsmith is stacked with provolone, red onion and an Italian-seasoned all beef slider that’s stuffed with fresh mozzarella and pepperoncini and then smothered with a homemade marinara. Topped with freshly grated Parmesan and crushed croutons. Garnished with fresh jalapeno and a side
of Italian goulashٍ.

Sheep Flockers Food Truck: Kimchi Bacon Bliss

1/3 lb local sourced Angus patty topped with a slice of Muenster cheese, homemade bacon and kimchi with signature BBQ

Shenanigans Sports Bar & Grill: South Dakota Surf & Turf Burger

1/2 lb Dakota pure bison beef patty topped with Cajun-dusted walleye, pepper jack cheese, and house-made spicy aioli. Finished with crisp leaf lettuce and red onion served on a grilled bun.

The Lodge Bar & Grill at Jacobson Plaza: The -Elk Burger

Elk smash patties, cherry pepper aioli, muenster cheese, and fried leeks on a potato bun.

The Treasury: The Sonoma Sourdough

An 8 oz Certified Angus Beef patty on toasted sourdough with bubbling raclette, a rich bordelaise drizzle, black garlic aioli, and crispy shallots. Finished with fermented pickles.

The Washington Pavilion Cafe: Mexican Black Bean Burger

Spicy black bean and corn burger on a toasted brioche bun, dressed with chili-lime seasoned sour cream, with melted cheddar, lettuce, avocado, and jalapeno
pico de gallo.

Tommy Jack's Pub: The Prime Time Burger

Fresh, hand-pattied 1/3 lb beef burger layered with melted pepper jack, and crowned with a crispy onion ring packed full of shaved prime rib, with a light kick of jalapenos, . Finished with a drizzle of house made cherry barbecue sauce.

Wileys Bar: The Pickleback Smashٍ

Two smash patties, melted dill Havarti, bacon jam, pickled lettuce slaw, loaded with hot honey fried pickles dripping in house dill sauce served on a toasted brioche bun.

Woodgrain Brew Co & Southern Perfection BBQ: We Smoked Mom's Meatloaf Burger

8oz patty mixture of freshly ground chuck, secret meat loaf stuffins, and house made smoke brisket tallow. It is then topped and smoked with Southern Perfection BBQ’s Special Meatloaf Sauce. The Meatloaf Burger is slathered with a second coat of the
special sauce, sprinkled with fried onions, and placed between a toasted Brioche Bun. A warm side of triple creamed mashed potatoes accompanies the burger with a side of homemade gravy drizzle.

Swamp Daddy's: Bayou Stack Burger

This burger features a savory banana foster inspired topping with smoky bacon and a slow-simmered onion and pepper chutney. At the heart is a juicy, handcrafted patty blend of beef, short rib, and brisket, layered with melted American and pepper jack cheese and finished with our signature Cajun burger sauce. All of this indulgence is stacked on a warm toasted jalapeno cheddar sweet potato bun.

The event runs from January 1-31.

READ MORE: ARE THESE THE BEST FRENCH FRIES IN SOUTH DAKOTA?

Vote for your favorite on the DTSF Digital Passport app.

Each burger is ranked on a 10-point scale in 5 categories:

• Flavor
• Patty
• Toppings
• Bun
• Presentation

The burger with the highest score wins.

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