Fresh Meat: Meet the Newbies Debuting at this Year's Burger Fest

As fun as it can be to vote for your longtime favorite fast food joint during our Burger Cup (which kicks off at exactly 11am on Saturday, Jun 22, at the beginning of our 2019 Beijing Burger Festival), an equally enticing part of our annual beef and buns extravaganza is discovering new drool-worthy up and comers in the city's burger scene, or showing love to established spots that have been holdouts for years.

Among the promising newbies looking to win over our hearts, minds, and appetites at this weekend's event is Rodeo, a new burger joint on the 26th floor Central Park Plaza boasting what looks to be a winning combination: a menu by a Michelin three-star chef and a bird’s eye view of Chaoyang Park.

We’re also keen to see what craft beer purveyor Crafters have up their sleeves. After all, we’ve long enjoyed their beer, and the recent christening of their first venue out east by the Communication University of China has allowed them to tinker with some new grub, two items of which will be debuted come the weekend: their signature Tiny Gangster Beef Burger and Junkie Poutine (covered in organic cheese curds, poutine sauce, bacon, onions, and Chinese smoked meat – yes please).

Another off-the-beaten-path venue with plenty of promise is HeyBurger, who recently opened a more central location near 798 and which left our tummies rumbling with their "Niubility" beef burger when we stopped by.

More seasoned burger flippers entering the fray at our Burger Fest include Arrow Factory, whose mammoth, topping-smothered burgers have long been a favorite among Beijingers. Vegetarians and vegan patrons, meanwhile, will be pleased to hear that Root Pop, which quickly made a name for itself for its creative plant-based fast food substitutes (lentil and walnut burger patties, anyone?). Having shut down their Shuangjing venue around half a year ago, we'll be happy to see the team back in action at our Burger Fest ahead of the opening of their new Sanlitun location at the end of this month (watch this space).

Then there are relatively newer spots like Beersmith and Red Rose, which came on the scene in recent years and are quickly gaining ground among Beijing foodies, their momentum likely to uptick all the more with their debuts at this year’s Burger Fest.

If those don't have you drooling, here's a rundown of all vendors making their Burger Fest debut this year (in alphabetical order):

• A Lil' Somethin' will serve their fishcake burger and Jerk Reaper Burger (in unison with Caravan)
• Arrow Factory Brewing will serve their Smeeseburger and Pulling Me Jack smoked jackfruit burger
• Beersmith will serve their Wagyu beef burger and cheesy dripping Wagyu beef sliders
• Boxing Cat will serve their BCB Beer Burger and Fancy Pants Burger
• Crafters Brewing Co. will serve their Tiny Gangsta Beef Burger and Gongbao Chicken Burger
• HeyBurger will serve their Spicy Fry Burger and Niubility Beef Burger
• Localoca will serve their grilled smoked beef ribs burger and their double beef cheeseburger (pictured at top)
• Miam Miam will serve their single and Double "Bangjo" Beef Egg Burger and Cheeseburgers
• Mr. Eel's Love will serve their Big Mac Land and Sea Exchange Burger and Chicken and Shrimp Tempura Pie Burger
• No Diet Bistro and Bar will serve their signature burger and No Diet Burger 
• Red Rose will serve their chicken leg burger and truffle steak
• Rodeo will serve their steak burger and Roujiamo Burger
• Root Pop will serve their Bajaja Carnitas Burger and their "Animal Style" Burger
• Turkish Feast will serve their Turkish Burger and Feast Burger
• Yu'er Restaurant will serve their signature Yu'er cheeseburger and beef tacos
• Zhuhuifei will serve their papaG Burger

Juicy burgers won't be the only thing on offer at this weekend's Burger Festival...
There will also be a Best Buns and Air Guitar competition and prizes galore.

Photos: Courtesy of the vendors