The Mercury’s Burger Week is back with a whopping 81 participating locations this year, so we asked Eater Portland editor Brooke Jackson-Glidden to help us make the most of it.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Are there any particular burgers you’re excited for?
“I noticed that Abigail Hall is participating this year, and historically their burger has been one of my favorites in town. When I close my eyes and picture a burger, that's the burger I think of. Their Burger Week burger is more of a smash burger than their typical one. They're using Wagyu beef with it, which I think is particularly fun. I also really like a burger that's slathered in something saucy, so Burger Stevens — their burger is like a queso burger and that feels very fun to me. If you’re gonna Burger Week, you really gotta lean into it.”
Do you have tips for first-timers?
“First off, be nice to your server. There might be waits, so having a strategic plan B nearby is not a bad idea. And creating little pathways for yourself to try two or three in a little crawl, I think that's a fun way to do it.”
What if burgers sell out?
“I do think that there is also value in coming up with the burgers that you're the most excited about and going to those places when they open. If they sell out, it might be that a restaurant can't afford to buy another round of these burgers and sell them at that same $8 price. They're not doing it to make you feel bad.”
