Lettuce Eat! Ashland Burger Week Wraps Up
Gwen Akers
The Ashland Beacon
Lettuce Eat! The annual Ashland, Ky burger week ran from May 23-27, and it was a massive success for the community.
Organized by Visit Ashland, Kentucky, the event featured some of Ashland’s favorite local restaurants and branched out into surrounding local talents including: Bombshells and Ales, Dragonfly Cafe, Fat Patty’s, Loco Fresh, The Mill, Rapid Fired Pizza, Shalei’s Harbor, Sky 37 Bistro, Smokin’ J’s, Tipton’s Traditions, the Tomcat Brew House, and The Winchester.
Every restaurant invented their own specialty burger or menu item for the week. Customers were tasked to try as many as they could, and vote for their favorite. Each participant was given a passport, which was checked off each time they visited a participating business and tried one of the burgers.
Last year's winner was Bombshell’s and Ales; however, they were dethroned by first time entry, the Tomcat Brew House.
The Tomcat Brew House featured a completely original burger dubbed the “Midnight Madness Burger.” The original idea of bartender John St. Claire, the burger was an all beef patty piled with swiss cheese, jalapenos, and fresh onion straws. The burger swept in to take first place at this year’s burger week.
“It's funny because people usually come in, and when you tell them what’s on it [the burger] they are like ‘oh no, no, no,” and when you convince them to try it, and once they do, it's like they are just shocked. It's nothing like they thought it would be,” said Amber Robinson, assistant manager at the Tomcat Brew House.
As a community, burger week was a great opportunity to showcase some of the great culinary talent Ashland has, as well as spotlight the creative minds that make Ashland, Ky a great place to “create.”
“We had a great time with our people coming through here. The increase in burger sales was unreal. We didn't think people would take it like they did, but from the very first day–we almost sold out the very first day. We are considering maybe making it one of our menu items because people are still coming back in and asking for it, so we'll see how that goes,” commented Robinson.
Tipton’s Traditions was another participating business in the burger week festivities, and this year marked their third year being involved. Their entries included several burger themed sweet treats, and they could not be more pleased with the turn out and the community involvement that the festivities sparked.
“The passports were really cool because everybody wanted their passports marked. I think it brings people out and [they get to] just see what is new in the community,” remarked Elena Brown, the front end sales manager at Tipton’s.
Overall, Ashland Burger week was a great success that allows people to get out and involved in their community, as well as to get to know some of the great restaurants our area has to offer. Those interested in hearing more about upcoming Ashland events should check out the Visit Ashland, Kentucky website.