Juicy Judging: The Philly Burger Brawl returns in 2022

Things are getting juicy down at Xfinity LIVE! on Oct. 23.

The Philly Burger Brawl is officially back for its tenth edition, and as always, it will be chock full of all-you-can-eat samples of the region’s best, most inventive and most unusual burger creations. 

A huge part of the Brawl is the audience participation with visitors being able to vote for their favorite in the People’s Choice—and simultaneously, a panel of judges spanning food critics, writers and local celebrities will pick the Judge’s Choice. Other festivities include a cocktail competition, music, entertainment and more surprises throughout the day as well.

“Philly Burger Brawl is back again with a brand new line-up of restaurants ready to fire up the grills for an amazing cause,” said Philly Burger Brawl organizer and Rouge owner Rob Wasserman in a statement. “This is a special year that will highlight the resilience and creativity our restaurateurs displayed as they navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic. We welcome back some familiar faces doing this for years and years back to the beginning, as well as fresh faces new to the scene that emerged during the last two years.”

In total, the Philly Burger Brawl spans 60+ of the area’s leading restaurants, chefs and bartenders participating. As Wasserman says, “It is a competition, a fundraiser, a community-building event and a celebration of our city’s food scene.”

The Brawl began in 2011 as a neighborhood fundraiser by founders and restaurateurs Rob and Maggie Wasserman, a release states. Their goal was to gather a few restaurant industry friends for a burger competition that raised money to support local projects for Philadelphia youth, and over the years, the event grew to over 60 participating restaurants (brawlers) and over 5,000 attendees. The event has raised money supporting programs for local youth over the last ten years and 2022 is no different. This year, the Wassermans have pledged the funds raised to improving public e-sport gaming spaces for underserved youth in the Philadelphia community.

The Philly Burger Brawl will feature a slew of participating local spots from the Greater Philadelphia area including Blume Burger, BurgerFi, Butcher Bar, Continental Midtown, Fette Sau, Good Dog Bar, Moonshine Philly, Rogue, The Goat, Tin Can Bar, Twenty Manning, Village Whiskey, Wolf Burger and many more (a full list can be found online).

Voting will span input from over 40 judges—who will select 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes—and some local influencers will also select the top winner (plus second and third place) for the Instagrammer’s Choice factoring in Instagram-worthy looks and presentation, and must-try taste and flavor. And as stated before, Philadelphians of course, will also get a say in the matter of voting. 

“For our guests, be prepared to come hungry as chefs and restaurants wow us again at the grills,” Wasserman finished in his statement. “While nothing beats walking away with Burger Brawl bragging rights, we are all actually winners as we raise tens of thousands of dollars together to support the youth of our amazing city. I have been counting down the day when we can get back out there, and I hope to see you all at Xfinity LIVE! this October.”

The release also states on top of a packed day of food, and a cocktail competition with some the area’s top bartenders, Burger Brawl attendees can rock out at Xfinity LIVE! with tunes from Beasley Radio Group’s family of stations, with talent on-hand from 93.3 WMMR, 95.7 Ben FM, 102 WMGK, 97.5 Fanatic and WXTU.  

Tickets are on sale at phillyburgerbrawl.com for general admission and cost $50. VIP tickets are $100 and include perks like early entry, a VIP lounge and unlimited drinks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.