The Stuffed Leprechaun

Name of Burger: The Stuffed Leprechaun

Establishment:
The Olde Dublin Pub

Size: 6oz patty

Toppings:
Hand Ground 6oz Island Beef Burger
Stuffed with braised Pork Belly and Pepperjack Cheese,
Topped with Potato Chips,
Pickled Vinaigrette Slaw,
Guinness Bacon Jam,
topped with Dill Pickle and Cherry Tomato
House-made Milk Bread Bun

Price: $12.00

Rating: 6 out of 10

Comments:
This was my finale of PEIBurgerLove and I'm sorry to see it go. Can't wait to hear who has the winning burger as I'm sure I'll enjoy it a few times this next year. As for the Stuffed Leprechaun, I wasn't overly impressed. It tasted OK but there was very little stuffed into it. There was a bit of cheese but no pork belly. Or was that pork belly on top of the burger, I'm not sure. The Guinness bacon jam was very good and I liked the bun as well. Probably the messiest of the burgers I've had though, it had too much slaw and fell apart easily.  Sigh, bye bye burger love.

Old MacDonald

Name of Burger: Old MacDonald

Establishment:
Hunters Ale House

Size: 6oz patty

Toppings:
6oz Island Beef burger,
Two Chicken Fingers,
Lettuce,
Tomato,
The Factory Cookhouse Creamy BBQ Sauce,
sautéed Onions,
Cheddar Cheese
Two Grilled Cheese Bacon Sandwiches,
with a deep fried Dill Pickle wedge


Price: $13.00

Rating: 8 out of 10

Comments:
I really didn't know what to expect from this one but I was pleasantly surprised. Chicken fingers on a burger, hmmm, not too sure about this. I expect as long as Hunters is putting out burgers for PEIBurgerLove they'll have a wow factor to go with it and that's fine by me.  I got this to go so things were a bit cold by the time I got to eat it, I expect it would of been much better eating it right away.  The grilled cheese sandwiches were pretty good and didn't make the burger too big. They held things together OK.  The beef was really good, nicely cooked and a great taste. I especially loved the creamy BBQ sauce and the side order that came with it for dipping was awesome, although it was pretty difficult to dip until you ate 1/2 the burger and got it to a manageable size. All in all a very good sammich.

The Butcher's Block

Name of Burger: The Butcher's Block

Establishment:

Redwater Rustic Grille

Size:  8oz patty

Toppings:
8oz Island Beef Chuck-Brisket Burger
Stuffed with Pulled Short-ribs,
Sweet Corn & Bacon Aioli,
Cherry Tomato Jam,
Apple Moonshine BBQ Sauce,
Baby Arugula,
Island Aged Gouda,
garnished with Deep Fried Bacon Wrapped Chipotle Cream Cheese Stuffed Pepperoncini Pepper
Vidalia Onion Brioche Bun


Price: $13.99

Rating:   10 out of 10


Other Comments:
Awesome.  Stuffed with pulled short ribs, really. Every bite gives you a taste of heaven.  You take a bite and wonder.. hmmmm....what is that? Oh yeah it's the short ribs.  A thick patty, it's full of flavor and great toppings that compliment it well.  Not too be left out, the side order of mac and cheese, it's small but mighty and I didn't go away hungry.  I must add the service at the Redwater is 2nd to none. It was a busy Friday lunchtime and we still got great service.  Make a reservation though if you intend to go. Don't be afraid of the pepperoncini on top, It's got a little kick to it but not overpowering and the heat doesn't last long.
Go get this burger. I'm hoping they take home the burger love win so this will be on the menu all year.

The Smokin Fungi

Name of Burger: The Smokin Fungi

Establishment:

Urban Eatery - Charlottetown

Size:  8oz patty

Toppings:
8oz lightly seasoned Island Beef Burger

Smoked Kale Chips,
Smoked Paprika,
House-made Hickory Sticks,
Sliced Grilled Portobello Mushrooms,
Roasted Red Pepper Aioli,
Cow's 2 year old Applewood Smoked Cheddar
Mustard Basil Mango Chutney
Toasted Onion Kaiser


Price: $8.99

Rating:   6.5 out of 10

Other Comments:
Well the last 2 years running of PEI Burger Love, Urban eatery has been in the top 2 of my list each year. Unfortunately I think this year was a bit of a step back. Maybe partly because my expectations were higher for them than ever.  The beef was deliciously seasoned and well cooked but the toppings left a bit to be desired. The Kale chips made more of a burnt flavor than smokey and there wasn't much else in the way of toppings that gave it much taste. I'll be anxiously awaiting next year to see what you got.

M-1

Name of Burger: M-1

Establishment:

Mavor's

Size:  9 oz

Toppings:
9oz Island Beef Burger stuffed with Cow's Clothbound Cheddar,
Horseradish Aioli,
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms,
Maple Candied Bacon,
Cracked Pepper Onion Frites,
Tomato
Mixed Greens
Toasted Pretzel Bun


Price: $13.00 

Rating: 10 out of 10


Comments:

Now I just can't decide what my favorite is. The M-1 and Thrilla on the Hilla are a dead tie.  Candied bacon should be a food group and I love pretzel buns. There was so much bacon on this I had to take photos of just the bacon.  It was a very thick burger stuffed with cheese. I think I just got goosebumps typing that line.  Did I mention the bacon yet, mmmmmmm bacon.  A little pricey but worth every penny. Can I have some more now. My next burger has a lot to live up to.

Thrilla on the Hilla

Name of Burger: Thrilla on the Hilla

Establishment:

Inn on the Hill

Size:  6 oz

Toppings:
6oz seasoned Island Beef Burger
Homemade Bruschetta Mix,
Homemade Sun-dried Tomato Pesto,
ADL Extra Old White Cheddar Cheese,
Freshly Grated Parmesan,
Red Onion
Tomato,
Prosciutto,
Herb Salad 
Artichoke Aioli
On a Toasted Kaiser


Price: $12.00 

Rating: 10 out of 10


Comments:

Holy deliciousness.  Bursting with flavor, I couldn't believe the party in my mouth.  If you are looking to try a PEI Burger Love creation you really can't go wrong with this one. The bruschetta mix is fresh, the prosciutto is unreal, the cheese is plentiful and ooey gooey and I approve of anything with artichoke on it.  I just could not give this a 10 out of 10. Absolutely no flaws and if people go give it a try it's going to be a tough one to beat for the crown.

KaBOOM Burger

Name of Burger: KaBOOM Burger

Establishment:

Boom Burger

Size:  6.5oz double burger

Toppings:
6.5oz Island Beef,
COW's Extra Old Cheddar,
Grilled Onions and Mushrooms,
Smoked Bacon,
BBQ Sauce,
Tomato,
Pickles,
Lettuce,
Mayo
Bun grilled with COW's Creamery Butter


Price: $8.00  but you can't go there and not have the fries

Rating: 7.5 out of 10


Comments:

I wasn't too sure about this one, I'm not a fan of mushroom or tomatoes but had to keep the PEIBurgerLove creation intact  for proper rating.  I have to say I wasn't disappointed.  Using all PEI ingredients you can't go wrong.  The beef was good but lacked seasoning. Each bite was a bit different, pickles one bite, mushrooms the next, then bacon. It was a nice surprise each time you bit into it. The cheese and bacon are the best. I also loved how the bun was toasted and flipped over to give it a different look. The best part is at $8 for the burger it's likely the cheapest option on the BurgerLove menu too although it also is a burger that you can go order anytime of the year so there isn't anything too special to make it a PEIBurgerLove burger. All in all I'll give it a 7.5 out of 10. Oh, almost forgot, GET THE FRIES.

The Royal Bombay

Name of Burger: The Royal Bombay

Establishment:

Papa Joes

Size: 8oz patty

Toppings:
8oz of seasoned Island Beef Burger
Yogurt Sauce,
Goat Cheese,
Fresh Tomato Chutney,
Spicy Fried Onion Crisps
Frisée Lettuce,
topped with an Onion Bahji and Cucumber Pickled Mango
Toasted Ciabatta Bun


Price: $13.99


Rating: 9.0 out of 10


Comments:
I started by eating the onion bahji, I have no idea what an onion bahji is but I want a whole side order of them. This burger was awesome, another contender for the crown. A delicious combination of flavours. I have no idea what flavour was coming from which ingredient but the taste of goat cheese and curry together was amazing. As Guy Fieri would say "that's the kicker right there".
If Papa Joes wins the title again, I'll be back for more.

Smokin Fox

Name of Burger: Smokin Fox

Establishment:
Phinley's Diner

Size: 2x5 oz


Toppings:
Two 5oz Island Beef patties,
Mayo,
homemade Onion chips,
homemade Sweet & Smoky BBQ Sauce,
Sweet & Spice Jalapeno infused Bacon,
2 yr old Smoked Applewood Cheddar,
Tomato,
Leaf Lettuce
Poppy Seed Roll,
garnished with Baby Gherkin Pickles, Thai Chili and Cherry Tomato


Price: $11.49


Rating: 8.5 out of 10


Comments:

Eating Directions - "You have to hook it on your bottom teeth and drive er in" Troy Mackenzie

This was meeeessssy. Oh so good. 2 huge paties, lots of bacon and smokey BBQ sauce. It was hard to handle, almost too big to fit in my mouth for a bite, but every bite was delicious. No need for fries, this stuffed me full for a long while. The burgers were perfectly cooked and the cheese was melty goodness. I highly recommend. The only knock is the bun couldn't hold it all together.

The Ric Flair Donair

 Name of Burger: The Ric Flair Donair

Establishment:
The Orange Lunchbox

Size: 9oz patty

Toppings:
9oz Island Beef Burger
Donair Sauce,
Home-Made Donair Meat
Provolone Cheese
Lettuce
Red Onions
Tomato
Sweet & Sour Pickles
Home-Made Roasted Coriander Bun


Price: $12.99


Rating: 9 out of 10


Comments:

Wooooooo.  Burger Love is back, the best time of year. It makes this yucky April weather more bearable.
The Ric Flair Donair was my first sampling this year and I wasn't disappointed. Sloppy messy but ooooh so good.  The burger and donair meat were both perfectly cooked and melt in your mouth like most Orange Lunch Box creations do. This was a big size burger (9 oz) made even bigger by 2 healthy sized slices of donair meat. I didn't require fries as it was quite enough for a lunch time meal.  I got sauce on my iPhone but managed to snap a couple photos first.  I can't wait to try the next burger to see how it stacks up against this one. With so many restaurants this year the competition will be fierce. I gave this a 9 out of 10 to leave room at the top just in case there is a better one out there but it will be tough to beat.