Cashiers Burger Week expands to two weeks and 13 restaurants
Cashiers Burger Week, “The Extended Cut”, has expanded to two weeks and 13 restaurants this year, growing from a one-week event that previously featured 10. The event, scheduled for April 24 through May 9, was created to support local businesses and the economy during the spring shoulder season.
“Burger Week isn’t just about restaurants—it creates energy across the entire community,” said Susan Sapienza, executive director at Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce. “We see increased foot traffic in shops, added bookings for lodging, and more people choosing to spend the day—or the weekend—in Cashiers.”
To participate in the event, guests can pick up “passports” from the Chamber on April 20, which serve as both a guide and entry form. Visitors receive a stamp for each participating restaurant they visit after purchasing a burger.
To vote for favorite burger and most creative burger, guests must visit at least 6 locations, with bonus entries earned for collecting at least 10 stamps.
Burgers will be priced at $10 and guests are encouraged to order additional items and tip well to support restaurants. The list of special burgers will not be released until the week prior to the event.
“We really want the restaurants to be creative and not influenced by each other,” said Sapienza. “We certainly did not want anyone to cheat, and we want people to come up with their own burger. They had to give us their description and their photo last month, so it’s been in the works since February.”
Week one will feature Cashiers Celtic Table, The Local Glenville, Whiteside Brewing Company, El Manzanillo Mexican Restaurant, Casa Amigos Bar and Grill, The Fix and Slopeside Tavern.
Week two will feature Duck Hawk Provisions, Micas Mountain Kitchen, On the Side Barbeque, Happs Place Barn and Grill, Village Pantry of Cashiers and The Zookeeper Bistro.
Sapienza said the expansion to two-weeks is advantageous to both guests and participating restaurants.
“The two-week format gives guests more time to explore and restaurants more balance in their kitchens,” said Sapienza. “It creates a better experience on both sides, which ultimately makes the event stronger.”
The deadline to vote is May 10 and winners will be announced at the wrap up party on May 13 at Slopeside Tavern from 6 to 9 p.m., along with prize drawings for passport participants. Live music will also be featured at the event.
“A successful Burger Week has full dining rooms, kind and generous guests, and people supporting both their favorite spots and new ones they haven’t tried before,” said Sapienza.
- Mitch Stone
reporter@highlandsnews.com