Lexington Burger Week returns in 2026 with 44 bun-believable creations

Lexington Burger Week returns for its 12th year just after Fourth of July weekend, featuring $7 and $8 burgers from 36 participating restaurants across town.

From July 6-12, customers can try 44 different exclusive, off-menu burgers, topped with everything from macaroni and cheese to fruit. This year’s celebration also features vegan and vegetarian options, a burger bowl, two dessert burgers and even a cheeseburger shot, according to the Burger Week website.

“Lexington Burger Week is the kind of event that gets people genuinely pumped — and I mean everyone, from the restaurant crews putting their creativity on the line to the regulars who’ve already mapped out their entire week,” said Amy Eddie, events director at Smiley Pete Publishing. “The 2026 lineup is the strongest we’ve ever put together, and watching this city come alive around a $7 or $8 burger is one of my favorite things we get to do.”

Those committed to trying as many burgers as possible are encouraged to download the Burger Week app, where they can check in at participating locations, collect stamps for each burger they try and be entered to win prizes. This year’s grand prize is a $360 gift card to Drake’s and Harry’s, awarded to one lucky stamp collector of 10 or more locations.

Other prizes include a premium grilling package, courtesy of the Kentucky Beef Council and movie tickets from LexLive.

Burger Week veterans Drake’s and Harry’s are returning with new savory sandwiches, which customers can taste a day early on July 5. This will allow hardcore burger hunters to get a head start on the competition before Burger Week officially kicks off.

More information about prizes and locations, as well as tips for customers, can be found at lexingtonburgerweek.com.

Here’s a guide to what local restaurants are grilling up for Lexington Burger Week 2026, presented by Smiley Pete Publishing, the Kentucky Beef Council and Wise Bird Cider Co.

Lexington Burger Week restaurants, menus

The Identity Crisis, Agave & Rye, 3535 Nicholasville Rd. (Fayette Mall), 123 N. Broadway: Smash burger on toasted potato bun, topped with aged white cheddar, creamy macaroni and cheese, crispy wonton strips, serrano aioli and BBQ. $8.

AJ’s Hawaiian Bacon Burger, AJ’s Wings & Things, 1873 Alexandria Drive, Suite #110: Juicy hand-patted beef burger topped with crispy smoked bacon, sweet grilled pineapple, melted cheese and AJ’s Hawaiian sauce, served on a toasted bun. $8.

The Pepperoni Burger-izza, AJ’s Wings & Things, 1873 Alexandria Drive, Suite #110: AJ’s signature seasoned burger topped with mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce and crispy pepperoni. Served on a garlic toasted bun. $8.

Feta Than Ever Lamb Burger, Athenian Grill, 313 S. Ashland Ave., 3801 Mall Rd. #120: Ground lamb and beef patty topped with crumbled feta, sundried tomato and red pepper relish, crispy peperoncino, and onions. Served on a brioche bun. $7.

Chef D’s Barrel-Rific Burger, Barrel 53, 5532 Athens Boonesboro Road. (inside Hotel LEX): Scratch-made burger topped with mozzarella, queso and caramelized onion, then breaded and fried, topped with fried pickles, charred tomato, and drizzled with house made ranch. $8.

Piggyback Burger, Bear & The Butcher, 815 Euclid Ave.: Smashed angus beef patty topped with beer-braised pulled pork, Alabama white sauce, American cheese, onion straws and skewered house pickles. $7.

Southern Peach & Pimento Burger, Bru Burger, 3010 Lakecrest Circle: Seven-ounce patty with lettuce, peach-bacon jam, pickled green tomato and house made pimento cheese. Served on a brioche bun. $8.

McGregor Burger, Charlie Brown’s, 816 Euclid Ave.: Quarter-pound burger with cheddar cheese, smokey BBQ mayo, pickles and crispy potato sticks on a toasted bun. $8.

Cheeseburger Shot, Chevy Chase Inn, 833 Euclid Ave.: Take a shot of rock gut tequila, a shot of tomato juice and finish with pickle juice. Add a CCI Lager for $2 extra. $7–9.

Oreo Overload Burger, Crank & Boom, 1210 Manchester St., 3101 Clays Mill Road, Suite #301: Cookies & Cream ice cream (made with real Oreos), Oreo bits, whipped cream, and chocolate fudge sauce all sandwiched inside a North Lime Donuts glazed donut “burger” bun. $8.

Strawberry Shortcake Burger, Crank & Boom, 1210 Manchester St., 3101 Clays Mill Road, Suite #301: Fresh strawberry ice cream, golden Oreo bits, whipped cream, house made strawberry sauce sandwiched in a North Lime Donuts glazed donut “burger” bun. $8.

The Lone Star Stacker, Critchfield’s, 398 Southland Drive: A 1/2-pound patty made from Critchfield’s proprietary blend topped with bacon, chopped smoked brisket, queso and candied jalapenos on a brioche bun. $8.

Bloody Mary Burger, Doc Crow’s Social, 200 Lexington Green Circle, Suite #110: Bloody Mary jam, bacon and pepper jack cheese on a spiced patty with horseradish mayo, lettuce and pickles. Topped with an olive and a gherkin. $8.

Fireworks Burger, Drake’s, 390 E. Brannon Road, 1880 Pleasant Ridge Drive: Drake’s butcher-blend patty with ghost pepper cheese, fried pickled jalapeños, shredded lettuce, tomato and habanero mayo on a warm butter-toasted bun; served with chips. $8.

French Dip Burger, Drake’s, 390 E. Brannon Road, 1880 Pleasant Ridge Drive: Drake’s butcher-blend patty with Gruyere cheese and caramelized onions on a warm butter-toasted bun with herb au jus; served with chips. $8.

Steakhouse Burger, Drake’s, 3347 Tates Creek Road, 1735 Sharkey Way: Drake’s butcher-blend patty with Swiss cheese, sautéed mushrooms, sautéed onions, bourbon glaze and parmesan-garlic mayo on a warm butter-toasted bun; served with chips. $8.

All B It, Drake’s, 3347 Tates Creek Road, 1735 Sharkey Way: Drake’s butcher-blend patty with brie, smoked bacon, citrus-splashed spring mix and blueberry-bourbon BBQ sauce on a warm butter-toasted bun; served with chips. $8.

The Baja Burger, First Watch, 350 E. Brannon Road, 1080 S. Broadway, 2251 War Admiral Way #130, 119 West Reynolds Road, 2894 Richmond Road, 124 Town Center Drive: Lean white-meat turkey patty with avocado, organic mixed greens, house-made pico de gallo, mayo and horseradish Havarti on a brioche bun. $8.

Mini Taphouse Burgers, Harry’s, 1920 Pleasant Ridge Drive, 3735 Palomar Centre Drive: Two minis, each with signature beef patty, beer cheese, bacon, crispy onion straws and horseradish mustard on warm butter-toasted pretzel buns; served with chips. $8.

Campfire Burger, Harry’s, 1920 Pleasant Ridge Drive, 3735 Palomar Centre Drive: Signature beef patty, pepper jack cheese, fried jalapeños, Sriracha onion straws, shredded lettuce, BBQ sauce & BBQ mayo on warm butter-toasted bun; served with chips. $8.

French Onion & Boursin Burger, Honey J’s, 1474 Anniston Drive, Suite A1: French onion-infused burger patty topped with caramelized onions and boursin butter. $8.

The Rebel Burger, Honey J’s, 1474 Anniston Drive, Suite A1: Candied jalapeños, BBQ sauce, bacon bits, pickled onions, and American cheese. $8.

Bacon & Boursin Burger, Honey J’s, 3449 Buckhorn Drive, Suite #100: Bacon bits-infused burger patty topped with two bacon strips, boursin butter and a bacon jam glaze. $8.

Southern Fried Chicken Stacker, Honey J’s, 3449 Buckhorn Drive, Suite #100: Fried green tomato, American cheese, fried chicken, cajun ranch and iceberg lettuce. $8.

Whiskey Burger, Honeywood, 110 Summit at Fritz Farm Suite #140: A 1/4-pound beef patty with Gruyere cheese, housemade rosemary aioli, and caramelized onions on a garlic toasted butter roll with bourbon gravy. $8.

Renders Monster Burger, J Render’s, 3191 Beaumont Centre Circle: A powerhouse stack of juicy hamburger, slow-smoked brisket and tender pulled pork, piled high and topped with cheddar cheese and crispy French fried onions. Served on a grilled kaiser bun. $8.

Hamburger Italiano, Joe Bologna’s, 120 W. Maxwell St.: An Italian-inspired burger stacked with savory hot cooked capocollo, buttery sautéed mushrooms and melted fontinella cheese. $8.

Hamburger Mediterraneo, Joe Bologna’s, 120 W. Maxwell St.: Crispy eggplant burger with spicy yogurt sauce. $8.

Big Back Mac Burger, Kentucky Strong BBQ, 974 Beasley St. (inside the Paul Miller Ford dealership): A 1/3-pound seasoned beef patty topped with smooth macaroni and cheese, crispy bacon crumbles, lettuce, onion and the new signature Kentucky Strong Sauce. $8.

Sweet Sting Burger, LexLive, 301 S. Broadway: A juicy fresh-never-frozen beef patty topped with provolone, bacon, grilled jalapeños, arugula, red onion and LexLive’s signature Honey Hot Wing Sauce, on a toasted brioche bun. $8.

Wise Bird’s Bluegrass Brie-zy Burger, Little Fork, 1170 Manchester St., Suite #140: A seared beef patty, melted brie, scratch-made apple chutney with a tart kick, and dijonnaise for that smooth tangy snap. $8.

Honey BBQ Bacon Burger, Main Event, 240 Canary Road: Two patties with American cheese, crispy smoked bacon, romaine, tomatoes, red onions, pickles and honey BBQ sauce, served with fries. $8.

Baja Burger, Mi Pequeña Hacienda, 110 Cynthia Drive, 3501 Lansdowne Drive: Juicy beef patty topped with Mi Pequeña’s 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. $7.

Honey Jalapeno Bacon Burger, Mimi’s Southern Style Cooking, 126 E. New Circle Road: A seasoned beef patty topped with fried jalapeños, grilled onion and bacon, on a toasted honey-glazed bun. $8.

Mac Attack Burger, Mimi’s Southern Style Cooking, 126 E. New Circle Road: A seasoned patty with Mimi’s famous mac-and-cheese, topped with chili and bacon. $8.

Sassy Soul Burger, Sassy Bleu, 497 E. High St.: A handcrafted burger smothered in house gravy and topped with creamy mac-and-cheese, sweet potatoes, collard green, and a fried deviled egg on a toasted bun. $8.

Vegan Bourbon Portabella Burger, Sassy Bleu, 497 E. High St.: Seasoned chopped portabella mushrooms with sautéed peppers and onions, tossed in a signature bourbon sauce and served on a toasted bun. $8.

La Tripleta Cubanita, Smithtown Seafood, 501 W. Sixth St.: A Puerto Rican street food sandwich meets a classic Cubano — a 1/3-pound beef patty, topped with cheddar cheese, shaved country ham, pernil pork butt, pickles and pickled pepper mustard. $8.

Stella’s 20th Anniversary Burger, Stella’s Kentucky Deli, 143 Jefferson St.: Six ounces of Kentucky beef, topped with pulled pork, house made molasses BBQ sauce, beer cheese and house pickled red onion. $7.

Veggie Hot Brown Burger, Stella’s Kentucky Deli, 143 Jefferson St.: Black bean burger topped with braised jackfruit, house made molasses BBQ sauce, beer cheese and house pickled red onion. $7.

No Bun Intended, Wild Eggs, 1925 Justice Drive: Burger Bowl, fries topped with ground beef, lettuce, tomato, Habagardil pickles, onion, cheddar jack, and chipotle ketchup. $8.

Guac and Roll, Wild Eggs, 3735 Palomar Centre Drive: Burger patty, one chorizo patty, avocado, pickled red onion, and green chile aioli. $8.

Brie-yond Delicious, Wild Eggs, 4228 Saron Drive, Suite A: Patties with creamed brie, blueberry compote, and arugula. $8.

Mabel’s Nut Burger, Windy Corner Market, 4595 Bryan Station Road: A 1/3-pound beef patty topped with spicy peanut mayo, creamy slaw, tomato, onion, pickles and special sauce. $8.

This story was originally published July 6, 2026 at 5:00 AM.

Laurel Swanz

Lexington Herald-Leader