Best burger: Who will win? Vote Collier's top burger joints by Friday at noon
Welcome to NDN’s Collier County Burger Ball bracket showdown. If results are anything like 2023’s Pizza Madness Challenge, we’re in for quite a few upsets.
We're off to a strong Sweet 16 battle of best burgers as nominated by your fellow readers. Care to comment on your favorite and tell other readers why it's the best one in Collier County? Hit me up at [email protected]; your input may be used for publication in the next round.
Helpful notes before you vote
Though Yelp's list is outdated (hello Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Kitchen) several of the site's top 10 burgers joints in Naples made the cut, including Jimmy P's, Brooks and Harold’s Place. Noticeably absent? Lake Park Diner and Burger Fi because neither had nominations, notta one. No readers chimed in about Marco Island's offerings.
To make things easy for everyone, burger joints with multiple locations share a slot because participation is a good thing. Think of it like pre-school, where everyone’s a winner.
Like the Oscars this weekend, votes are tallied by an independent accounting/polling resource. In this case, it’s Crowdsignal. Votes sent to reporters or posted on Facebook are not counted.
Only one vote per IP address per Crowdsignal.
What’s an IP address? Your various devices (phone, laptop, desktop, tablets) have different IP addresses. We’re sharing this information because during 2023's pizza challenge, readers asked why different family members couldn’t vote their favorites from shared devices.
Voting closes at noon sharp each Friday.
Burger Ball Sweet 16 Matchups
Brooks Burgers vs. Kountry Kitchen
Brooks led the nominations and boasts national recognition by scoring the No. 2 best burgers in America by TripAdvisor. It also has three Collier locations compared to one for Immokalee’s Kountry Kitchen, which earned the last bracket spot.
Ridgway Bar & Grill vs. The Continental
Who has more fans between these two Third Street South veterans?
Can't see the poll? Click here to vote.
Beef O'Brady's vs. BrickTop's
Two chains, two distinctly different vibes. What they have in common? Enthusiasts.
Beef O'Brady's fan club cited great value and a convivial atmosphere.
Reader Scott Klabunde singled out BrickTop's for its "mouthwatering combination that tantalizes the taste buds and creates a harmonious blend of flavors."
Oasis vs. Five Guys
Among Oasis's passionate nominations, one reader mentioned how the restaurant accommodates her Celiac issue, noting, "I’ve eaten here many times, am never disappointed AND NEVER react to food allergens."
The burger, usually $14.50, is discounted to $10 all day on Mondays. Take that as your cue to go before voting.
Five Guys five Naples locations helped boost its numbers in the nomination tallies.
Jimmy Ps vs. Pewter Mug
People are passionate about Jimmy P's for quality and legacy. For this contest, both the Charred and Piper locations compete as one team.
Related: "A passion for serving others": Naples best known butcher, restaurant owner dies at 68
By nominations, way fewer for Pewter Mug, but no less enthusiastic. Reader James Segermark liked its "Power forward tri-tip steak ground and seasoned with a strong backcourt of the classics. Don’t mess with success."
Culver's vs. Midnight Tavern
Will Midnight Tavern, a standalone joint, top Culver's multiple locations? That's up to you dear readers.
Harold's Place vs. Fuse Gastrobar
Will a burger war ensue between these spots on U.S. 41? Will Harold's Place create a QR code to boost votes as its neighbor Vesuvio's did for the pizza challenge?
So many questions and definitely a bracket to watch.
Only Doubles vs. The Warehouse
One nomination shy of the top slot, Kyle Cravo's Only Doubles is a foodies favorite Wagyu smash-burger pop-up in both Lee and Collier. Though seeded second overall, a championship win wouldn't be a shocker.
Never been? Cravo's at Bonita's Ceremony Brewing on Tuesdays and Brookside Market in East Naples on Thursdays. Check out Instagram via @onlydbls for other March dates in Naples.
But it would be wrong to write off The Warehouse, a family-owned restaurant boasting some of the best OpenTable reviews in town.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Collier's best burger? Readers picks determined our sweet 16. Vote now
