Burger Fest 2021: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Vincent R. Vinci, Managing Editor | Sep 22, 2021 1:43 pm | Add a comment | 390 reads

After making a touchdown at Langyuan Station on Sunday, Burger Festival 2021 has come to a close. And while this year’s itineration was certainly a blast, it was far from perfect. So, we’d like to take this opportunity to not only look back at the fun that was had, but to also look back at what wasn’t so hot, and how we’ll make it better next time around.

The Good:

Several thousand came out on all 3 days to stuff their faces with burgers and other treats from 16 vendors at this year’s fest. Despite a rainy first two days, we managed to move the fest indoors to ensure everyone would be warm and cozy – as well as to make sure no one would have to suffer through a soggy burger or two.

Of the vendors, returning champs Side Street and three-time winners Slow Boat drew big lines, some even snaking through the entire venue, with folks eager to see how these two previous winners stacked up with the competition.

For those looking for plant-based options, Beyond Meat and Zhen Meat delivered. They not only had some pretty solid and different takes on burgers, but a few other hearty dishes as well.

There were also stellar bands, live acts, and contests to entertain, with regular sets from DJ Arquitect, the return of the Best Buns competition, live rappers, and more.

The Bad:

While an indoor venue is a plus for rainy days, it comes with its fair share of problems. Namely smoke and noise.

Many complained of smoke from vendors’ cooking stations, which lingered inside due to inadequate ventilation. The acoustics of the track-field building also led to complaints, with volume levels from the music and live acts so loud on the first day that guests said they could feel their bodies vibrating with the sound.

Location was also problematic. Without a subway station close to Langyuan Station, we recommended taking a taxi or Didi as the best option to get there, which led to traffic jams by the South Gate and time spent trying to either get a ride there or back.

Day two brought unforeseen changes. Live acts were cancelled due to noise complaints, and authorities required us to put a cap on how many people could enter at a time, leading to lines and wait times – both of which continued on the third day

Other complaints included the event not being kid-friendly, even though we had said it would be prior to the event; and a lack of places for sitting or tables for eating, which made it hard for some to enjoy their food.

What We’ll Do Better:

Many of you have said holding events like this outdoors is better than indoors, and we will see if we can follow through at the next venture, or having both an indoor or outdoor option just in case. As for location, this all depends on the pandemic situation and availability, but we will do our best to find a venue more easily accessible by public transit.

We will assess the next venue to see if it will be alright for pets and children to attend prior to the event taking place. We’ll also make sure ventilation and acoustics aren’t an issue, so as to avoid smoke and noise problems.

Lastly, we’ll make sure there are plenty of tables, seating options, and stage height are all a-ok to ensure everyone has a comfortable time at the next event!

Also, don't forget to vote vote vote for the city's best burger in the 2021 Burger Cup!