From bourbon glaze to donut buns: Lexington Burger Week is back

The cookout-related celebrations don’t stop in Lexington when the Fourth of July ends.

Lexington Burger Week returns July 7-13, featuring $7 burgers from more than 45 participating local restaurants. Customers can expect a menu that varies from bourbon burgers to cheeseburger shots, and two dessert burgers, according to the event’s website.

The yearly celebration features longtime favorites like Drake’s, Bad Wolf Burgers and Bear & the Butcher, as well as newcomers, like Critchfield’s, Tolly Ho and Sassy Bleu. This time, Drake’s and Harry’s are inviting guests one day early, offering their featured burgers all day on Sunday, July 6, according to a press release.

Burger hunters can check in ahead of time and be automatically entered for prizes through the Lexington Burger Week App. By collecting stamps on the app at participating locations, customers are entered to win several prizes, including a gift card to Harry’s and Drake’s for the entire year, movie tickets to LexLive and a brand-new outdoor grill and prize package from the Kentucky Beef Council.

Lexington Burger Week is partnering with the 250Lex anniversary celebration this year, bringing new collaborations to the table, according to Amy Eddie, Smiley Pete Publishing’s spokesperson.

More information about prizes, locations and tips on how to best explore local restaurants in Lexington can be found at lexingtonburgerweek.com.

Here’s what’s on the menu at Lexington restaurants.

Burger Week restaurants, menus

Smash Me Baby One More Time, Agave & Rye, 3535 Nicholasville Rd (Fayette Mall) 123 N. Broadway: Two smashed burger patties, white cheddar, pork belly, agave BBQ, ranch and crispy tobacco onions on a potato bun.

The Bourbon Burger, AJ’s Wings & Things, 1873 Alexandria Dr., Suite #110: Grilled beef patty glazed with bourbon-infused sauce, topped with fresh lettuce, tomatoes topped, crispy bacon and melted cheese.

Chopped Cheeseburger, AJ’s Wings & Things, 1873 Alexandria Dr., Suite #110: A juicy, chopped beef patty grilled with savory onions and green peppers, topped with melted American cheese for a classic, crave-worthy flavor.

Opa! Burger, Athenian Grill, 313 S. Ashland Ave. and 120 E. Main St.: Lamb and beef patty, spicy feta dip, cucumber, and tomato, topped with saganaki bites (pan-fried cheese ball).

Summer BBQ Burger, Bad Wolf Burgers, 1401 N. Forbes Rd: Sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese and house onion jam. Served with crisp leaf lettuce and a tomato slice.

The Pueblo Burger, Bad Wolf Burgers, 1401 N. Forbes Rd: Covered in melted pepper jack cheese on a brioche roll with house-made guacamole, fried egg, drizzle of mayonnaise and pico de gallo, sprinkled with Tajin Seasoning.

Chef D’s Barrel-tastic Burger, Barrel 53, located inside Hotel LEX: Grilled Angus beef patty with housemade bacon bourbon jam, housemade queso and tangy mustard on a toasted bun with lettuce, pickle and tomato, topped with a deviled egg.

Glaze of Glory, Bear & The Butcher, 815 Euclid Ave.: Double smashed Angus burger with double American cheese and Bear’s Secret Sauce, sandwiched between two glazed yeast donuts with a jalapeño skewer.

Southern Scarlet (Cocktail), Bespoken Spirits Lounge, 101 W Loudon Ave., Suite #132: Bespoken Rye, raspberry puree, white cranberry juice, ginger beer, raspberries and rosemary. Mocktail version available.

Bourbon & Beer Cheese Bacon Jam Burger, Big City Pizza, 1060 Chinoe Rd: A quarter-pound charbroiled beef burger with bourbon-and-beer-cheese bacon jam, topped with Dan-O’s surprise seasoning.

The Giulio Burger, Charlie Brown’s, 816 Euclid Ave.: One-third pound burger, au jus-cooked roast beef, and American cheese, topped with onion rings.

Chevy Chase Inn Cheeseburger Shot, Chevy Chase Inn, 833 Euclid Ave.: A shot of rot gut tequila, tomato juice and pickle juice.

Banana Nutella Split Burger, Crank & Boom, 1210 Manchester St. and 3101 Clays Mill Road, Ste. #301: Banana Nutella ice cream, strawberry sauce, pineapple topping, whipped cream, cherry, on a North Lime Glazed Donut bun.

Create Your Own Donut Burger, Crank & Boom, 1210 Manchester St. and 3101 Clays Mill Road, Ste. #301: Your choice of one ice cream flavor with two total sauces or toppings, all served on a North Lime glazed donut.

Critchfield’s Triple B, Critchfield’s, 398 Southland Dr.: Sirloin and bacon blend, Critchfield’s house beer cheese, Hog-Run BBQ sauce, crispy onions, pickle, on a brioche bun. Beef tallow fries add-on available.

All B It Burger, Drake’s (Hamburg and Brannon Crossing locations only), 1880 Pleasant Ridge Dr. and 390 E. Brannon Rd: Brie, smoked bacon, citrus-splashed spring mix & blueberry-bourbon BBQ sauce on a warm butter-toasted bun. Served with chips.

Beerfest Burger, Drake’s (Hamburg and Brannon Crossing locations only), 1880 Pleasant Ridge Dr. and 390 E. Brannon Rd: Sriracha-seasoned patty with beer cheese, horseradish-celery seed slaw, mustard and pickle on a toasted bun. Served with chips.

Campfire Burger, Drake’s (Lansdowne and Leestown locations only), 1735 Sharkey Way and 3347 Tates Creek Rd: Pepper jack cheese, fried jalapeños, sriracha onion straws, shredded lettuce, BBQ sauce and BBQ mayo on a bun. Served with chips.

Southern Comfort Burger, Drake’s (Lansdowne and Leestown locations only), 1735 Sharkey Way and 3347 Tates Creek Rd: Old Bay-seasoned patty with pimento cheese, potato chips, mayo and pickles on a warm butter-toasted bun. Served with chips.

The Baja Burger, First Watch, 350 E. Brannon Road, 1080 S. Broadway, 2251 War Admiral Way #130, 119 West Reynolds Rd, 2894 Richmond Rd, 124 Town Center Dr.: Turkey patty with avocado, organic mixed greens, pico de gallo, mayo and horseradish Havarti on brioche bun.

Kickin’ Pimento, Goodwood Brewing, 200 Lexington Green Circle, Ste. 110: Four-ounce burger with pimento cheese, lettuce, bacon jam and pickles on a brioche bun, topped with a jalapeño popper.

Fireworks Burger, Harry’s, 3735 Palomar Centre Dr. and 1920 Pleasant Ridge Dr.: Burger patty, ghost pepper cheese, fried pickled jalapeño, shredded lettuce, tomato, habanero mayo, warm butter-toasted bun. Served with chips.

French Dip Burger, Harry’s, 3735 Palomar Centre Dr. and 1920 Pleasant Ridge Dr.: Burger patty, Gruyère cheese, caramelized onions, warm butter-toasted bun, herb au jus. Served with chips.

Kentucky Strong Burger, Kentucky Strong BBQ, 974 Beasley St. (Inside Paul Miller Ford dealership): Hickory and cherry smoked pork, sweet homemade cole slaw and BBQ sauce.

Superman Burger, LexLive, 301 S. Broadway: Beef patty topped with creamy macaroni & beer cheese fondue, smoky Bourbon Barrel BBQ sauce, crispy bacon and fresh arugula.

Wise Bird’s Bluegrass Brie-zy Burger, Little Fork, 1170 Manchester St., Suite 140: Melted brie, scratch-made apple chutney with a tart kick and dijonnaise for that smooth tangy snap.

Smashed Burger Tacos, Main Event, 240 Canary Rd: Cheeseburger patties smashed in flour tortillas, red onions, guac, romaine, pico de gallo, black bean corn salsa, pickled jalapenos, cotija cheese and a side of jalapeno ranch.

The Hawaiian Breeze, Mimi’s Southern Style Cooking, 126 E New Circle Rd.: Fresh patty with a fruit twist on a toasted Hawaiian bun, topped with grilled pineapple, sauteed onion, crispy bacon and a sweet and tangy sauce.

Baja Burger, Mi Pequena Hacienda, 110 Cynthia Dr. (Brannon Crossing) and 3501 Lansdowne Dr.: Juicy beef patty topped with our signature choriqueso blend, grilled onions, jalapeños, crispy bacon, melted Monterey Jack cheese and a bold chipotle mayo, all served with a side of creamy cheese dip.

Surf & Turf Burger, Nic & Norman’s, 135 W. Main St.: Smashburger topped with a house-made crab cake, arugula, onions straws and creole sauce.

Devilishly Sweet Smash Burger, NuHealth Kitchen, 3180 Richmond Rd (Located inside United Motorsports): Two juicy smash patties stacked between crisp, caramelized sweet potato rounds topped with applewood bacon, pepper jack cheese, caramelized onions, spring mix and chipotle mayo.

Bleu Bliss Burger, Sassy Bleu, 496 E High St.: A house-pattied burger topped with cheddar cheese, a blue-dyed fried egg, crispy fried onions, lettuce, tomato and signature chipotle sauce.

Sassy Shroom (Veg), Sassy Bleu, 496 E High St.: A vegan-friendly burger stacked with crispy fried oyster mushrooms, house-made chipotle sauce, fresh lettuce, tomato and onion.

Hot Brown Burger, Stella’s Kentucky Deli, 143 Jefferson St.: A third pound of Kentucky Beef topped with tomatoes, local turkey, chopped bacon and creamy, white cheddar Mornay sauce.

The Veggie Hot Brown Burger, Stella’s Kentucky Deli, 143 Jefferson St.: The vegetarian version of the Hot Brown Burger features a house-made lentil patty with grilled tomatoes, grilled veggies and white cheddar Mornay sauce.

Boriqua Burger, Smithtown Seafood, 143 Jefferson St.: A quarter-pound patty seasoned with Puerto Rican sofrito and adobo on a toasted brioche bun with caramelized onions, chicharrones and MayoKetchup.

The Big Easy Ho, Tolly Ho, 350 Foreman Ave.: Thin-sliced grilled prosciutto and mortadella, melty provolone and fontina, topped with a bold olive tapenade.

Morning Moo, Wild Eggs (Hamburg only), 1925 Justice Dr.: Two smash burgers and American cheese paired with a fried hash brown casserole, candied bacon, egg your way and maple aioli.

Wild Eggs (Palomar only), Southwest Smash, 3735 Palomar Centre Dr.: Seven ounces of seasoned chopped ground beef complemented perfectly with chopped onions, jalapeños, and poblano peppers, topped with pepper jack cheese and chipotle mayo.

Zimento Cheeseburger, Zim’s Cafe, 215 West Main St: A ¼-lb. patty topped with pimento cheese, pickled jalapeno and fried onion straws.

This story was originally published July 7, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

Quezia Arruda

Lexington Herald-Leader