Local restaurants to compete in Best Burger in the Burne contest

March 5, 2026 · 0 Comments

Written By JOSHUA DRAKES

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

It’s time to rev up those grills, Shelburne, as the burger cookoff of the year is back on for the month of March.

The Best Burger in the Burne contest is returning to downtown Shelburne this March, inviting residents to sample creative burger offerings while supporting local restaurants, and is organized by the Shelburne Business Improvement Area.

Councillor Len Guchardi, a member of the Shelburne BIA board, explained that the competition serves multiple purposes.

“The competition was started in 2023 as a way to encourage foot traffic downtown and potentially assist BIA restaurants during traditionally slower months of March / April,” he said. “All restaurants [participating] must be located within the Shelburne BIA area, and one lucky patron will through a random draw receive a $100.00 gift card valid at any business located within the BIA.”

The competition will be based on personal preference/popular vote, with voters using a ranked ballot system, meaning they will select the restaurants from most favourite to least favourite. The primary way to vote will be online, with QR codes posted at each participating restaurant.

For those who prefer a more tangible way to cast a ballot, or don’t have access to technology, physical ballots can be cast at Shelburne Town Hall.

Codes and physical ballots will become available for voting in the last week of March.

Running throughout March, the friendly competition is designed to boost traffic in the downtown core during the late winter season. Each participating restaurant features a specialty burger created specifically for the contest. Customers can visit as many locations as they like, taste the featured entries and cast their votes.

The restaurants competing this year are Beyond the Gate, Dufferin Public House, Main Street Café, NF Chicken and Tipsy Fox.

Each establishment brings its own spin to the classic burger, incorporating unique toppings, house-made sauces and inventive flavour combinations in hopes of claiming the title.

The winner will be announced after voting closes at the end of the month, concluding the competition on April 15, crowning one restaurant as home to the Best Burger in the Burne, winning them bragging rights for the year and a trophy.

The race is now on to see if last year’s winner, Beyond the Gate, will be able to protect their title, or if it’ll be overtaken by another contender.

Guchardi invites all residents to go out, embrace the local restaurant scene and cast their votes. He said it’s a win-win for everyone involved.

“This competition is heating up, all the restaurants relish the thought of winning this contest,” Guchardi said. “I truly believe that every vendor is working their buns off and putting their best patty forward. Every restaurant makes an incredible burger so how can you lose? We invite everyone to come downtown, sample all the burgers, and have your say.”

For more information, head to shelburnebia.ca/best-burger-in-the-burne-contest.