Tennessee's Best Burger Contest is HERE – And we're hungry for a winner!
We’re on a mission to find the juiciest, beefiest, most downright delicious burger in all of Tennessee — and we need YOUR help to do it!
Starting May 1, 2025, you can nominate your favorite Burger for a chance for it to be recognized as the 2025 Tennessee Best Burger Contest Winner. Whether it’s piled high with toppings or a classic cheeseburger done just right, we want to know who’s grilling up greatness.
Nominations are open from May 1, 2025 to June 1, 2025 at 11:59pm Central Time.
Contest Rules:
Anyone may nominate a hamburger for a Tennessee Restaurant. To be eligible for the contest the hamburger MUST meet the following criteria:
Burger Entry Requirements:
To qualify, the burger must:
- Be made from 100% beef (other ingredients like cheese or spices may be added to the patty).
- ALL burgers must be composed of a formed ground beef patty/patties served on a bun or other bread products (such as biscuits, focaccia, tortillas, etc.).
- Burgers may include any combination of condiments (such as ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard), sauces (such as barbecue, aioli's or hot sauce), cheeses and toppings (such as bacon, onions, tomatoes, and lettuce).
- Every component of the burger must be placed between the bun or bread pieces or served open-faced on a bread product.
Offical Rules:
- Entries will be accepted online between May 1, 2025 – June 1, 2025. Voting will end at 11:59pm Central Time on June 1, 2025.
- To nominate click on "VOTE NOW" and follow the on-screen directions to submit your nomination.
- Burgers MUST be available on the nominated restaurant's regular menu.
- Restaurant must be open for business by the beginning of the nomination period – May 1, 2025 and be open all year-round.
- The sponsor TBIC (Tennessee Beef Industry Council) retains the discretion to make all decisions regarding the interpretation of these official rules.
- All decisions of the sponsor are final and discretionary.
SELECTION OF FINALISTS:
Eight (8) burgers/restaurants will be selected as finalist "Elite 8" from across the state based on the number of nominations each burger/restaurant receives. The sponsor (TBIC) retains the discretion to make the final selection of the "Elite 8". All decisions of the sponsor are final.
- All burgers nominated from a single restaurant will be included in that restaurant's final nomination total.
- EXAMPLE: TN Beef Burgers receives three nominations, but each nomination features a different burger from the restaurant's regular menu. Though the burgers submitted aren't the same, TN Beef Burgers will still receive a nomination credit for each of the nominations.
- Restaurants who receive nominations for multiple locations will be counted per individual location not as a total.
Judging Criteria:
Selection of the 2025 Tennessee's Best Burger will be conducted by an anonymous judging panel. Judges will note announce their presence at the restaurant or request a free meal. The decision of the judges is final.
The following guidelines will be used in judging:
- Taste of burger patty – 50%
- Appearance & Presentation – 30%
- Proper cooking temperature/degree of doneness – 10%
- Overall Eating Experience – 10%
