Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival – Burger & Beer Blast held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla, New York was indeed that – a blast! Part of the 6-day festival that celebrated its fifteenth anniversary this year, the Burger & Beer Blast featured great burgers from Westchester area restaurants competing for the title, “Best Burger,” and there was much more to experience including a live band, and a proposal to make the event even more exciting!
Foodies gathered for the third day of Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival for the Burger & Beer Blast and Luxury Experience was there to experience it. A warm Thursday evening with the historic Kensico Dam rising dramatically in the background was the perfect venue to sample burgers from top Westchester restaurants competing for the coveted title of “Best Burger” in Westchester.
Burger & Beer Blast – Burger Competitors
Alex Lounge Bar & Grill *
Avellino Family BBQ *
Bareburger *
Birdsall House *
Café Deux *
Captain Lawrence Brewing Co. – The Whiskey Lover
Captain Lawrence Brewing Co. *
Exit 4 Food Hall *
FarmEats BBQ
Fat Stu’s All American Burger *
Hudson Prime Steakhouse
Lulu’s Kitchenette *
Michael Psilakis – MP Taverna
MP Taverna
Quaker Hill Tavern *
Red Horse by David Burke
Red Horse by David Burke *
Rye Roadhouse *
Savannah & Company *
SmokeHouse Tailgate Grill *
TFS Burger Works *
The Blind Rhino *
The Bus at Salinger’s Orchard *
The Press *
Tuck’d Away Bar & Grill
Tuck’d Away Bar & Grill *
Urge Burger *
Wolf & Warrior Brewing Co. *
Note: (*) denotes Restaurants using Pat LaFrieda Meat.
A Sampling of Some of the Creative Burgers Available
Avellino Family Barbecue – Smashed D.A.P. Burger
Dry Aged Pat LaFrieda Beef topped with New School American Cheese, Smoked Pork Belly Jam, and Sweet & Spicy Burger Relish on Wave Hill Brioche
Avellino Family Barbecue
Bareburger (Organic)
Wagyu Beef, Cowboy Fried Onions, Comeback Sauce, Gouda Cheese, Applewood Smoked and Habanero Brown Sugar Candied Bacon, Pickled Green Tomato and Hatch Chil Relish
Bareburger (Organic)
Birdsall House
Birdsall Seasoning, Truffle Mushroom Aioli, White Cheddar. Crispy Fried Onions
Birdsall House
Blind Rhino – MCRhino
Pat Larieda Beef Patty, New School American Cheese, Housemade Pickles and Pickled Onions, Siracha Thousand Island
Blind Rhino – MCRhino
Captain Lawrence -The Whiskey Love
Whiskey Glazed Beef Patty, Maple Bacon Jam, Pickled Banana Peppers, Lettuce, Savory Whiskey Sauce on a Hawaiian Bun
Captain Lawrence Brewing Co -The Whiskey Lover
Fat Stu’s All-American Burger – Big Al – ‘Shroom-Boom Burger
Brandy Truffle Cream Sauce, Sautéed Mushrooms, Muenster Cheese
Fat Stu’s All American Burger
Hudson Prime – Prime Burger
28 Day Dry Aged Prime Beef, American Cheese, Signature Sauce, Brioche Bun
Hudson Prime Steakhouse
Quaker Hill Tavern – QHT 10514 Burger
Pat LaFrieda Meat Grilled and topped with Pastrami, Housemade Coleslaw & Russian dressing, served on Grilled Rye with Melted Swiss
Quaker Hill Tavern – QHT 10514 Burger
Salinger’s Orchard – Juicy in the Sky with Apples
Buttery Brioche sliced and toasted, Crispy Romaine, Salinger’s Own Braeburn Apple Slice, Spicy Lucy Aged Cheddar inside a LaFrieda Beef Patty, Apple Compote with Apple, Bacon, Mustard, and tarragon
Savannah & Co Restaurant – Bar – Bourbon Burger
Sweet Bourbon Onions, Cheddar Cheese, Arugula, Chipotle Mayo
The Rye Roadhouse – Cajun Chopped Cheese
Cajun Seasoned Ground Beef, Sautéed Onions, and Cooper Sharp American Cheese, topped with Crunchy Potato Sticks, House Remoulade, Lettuce and Tomato, served on a mini-Po-Boy
And the Winner is… “Best Burger” Competition
Exit 4 Food Hall in Mt. Kisco, New York was awarded the “Best Burger” title by the Judges, for their X4 Burger made with Pat LaFrieda meat, American Cheese, Shitake Red Onions, Crispy Chili Garlic Sauce, and Arugula on a Pretzel Bun.
Exit 4 Food Hall
And the Winner of the People’s Choice Burger
TFS Burger Works in West Haverstraw, New York was awarded first prize for the “People’s Choice” for their Short Rib Cheeseburger on a Potato Bun.
TFS Burger Works
Congratulations to all of the restaurants who competed!
However, there were much more than just fabulous burgers to enjoy; here are the rest of the participating restaurants and food trucks, and of course, we had to sample those delicious offerings as well!
Participating Restaurants & Food Trucks
Abeertz Pizza Truck
Abeetz Pizza Truck (food truck)
American Swirl Ice Cream Truck (food truck)
Baked After Midnight
Grey’s Donuts
Jimmy’s Soft Serve
Jimmy’s Soft Serve (food truck)
Smallcakes Cupcakery & Creamery
Every year Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival brings foodies together from the Tri-State area for the food, the wine, the spirits, the beer, and the fun. Two years ago, Danielle Mascarelli and Joe Costabile, met at the Festival. The couple has been an item ever since, and Joe decided that the 2025 Festival was the perfect opportunity for him to propose to Danielle, and she said YES! Congratulations to the happy couple!
Danielle Mascarelli & Joe Costabile
Until next time, Cheers and Bon Appetit!
Read more about Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival in the Gastronomy section.
For more information on Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival or to purchase tickets for the next events, please visit the website: https://westchestermagazine.com/events/wine-and-food/
Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival – Social Media:
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Website: https://westchestermagazine.com/events/wine-and-food
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