Naples Best Burger challenge round 2: Elite Eight voting starts now, polls close Friday
More than 3,000 readers voted for their favorite burgers ― and then some. One sent a letter in verse-ish format.
Nodding to "On the Waterfront"’s famous soliloquy spoken by Marlon Brando, “You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it.”
From reader David Livengood: “Instead of a bum…we are voting on a bun…yet mainly what’s in the bun! Where’s the beef and where are the nominations for those great burgers that are missing from your Sweet 16?
“I have a couple of favorites, but I would like to see the weigh-in of the contenders…we need some vitals! What are the weights of the contenders? Hopefully, there are no lightweights in this division…and hopefully, they all come from a good family blend.”
Recapping the contest
To answer Mr. L’s first question, the selection committee comprised hundreds of reader nominations to determine Collier County’s Sweet 16.
Bracket voting tipped off on March 10, with the final second on the clock at noon on March 15.
As for family blends? Several head to the Elite Eight. How they do is up to you.
A few notes before you vote
An independent accounting/polling resource tallies your votes. In this case, it’s CrowdSignal.
On CrowdSignal, only one vote per IP address is allowed. What’s an IP address? Each of your various devices (phone, laptop, desktop, tablet) has a different IP address.
Votes posted on Facebook or sent to this reporter by email are not counted towards official tallies.
Having issues with the poll? Try hitting refresh or swap Mozilla for another browser.
If you’d like to share an opinion on your favorite for publication, reach me via [email protected].
Elite 8 Brackets
Brooks Burgers vs. The Continental
Analysis: Brooks Burgers won 90% of the vote over first-round match-up Kountry Kitchen. Given its three-location advantage, Brooks could slam-dunk its next challenger, The Continental, which squeaked by with just five votes over bracket competitor Ridgway Bar & Grill.
Want to go before you vote?
Brooks’s locations: 2290 Logan Blvd., 845 Vanderbilt Beach Road, and the famous OG at 330 Ninth Street; brooksburgers.com
The Continental: 1205 Third Street South; 239-659-0007; damicoscontinental.com
BrickTop's vs. Oasis
Analysis: Two chains battled it out, but BrickTop’s at Waterside Shops slam-dunked Beef O’Brady’s by capturing 77% of that bracket’s votes. Oasis down the street presents more of a challenge, but eked out its Elite Eight spot with a mere 31 votes more than its first-round competitor, Five Guys.
Want to go before you vote?
BrickTop’s: 5555 Tamiami Trail N., bricktops.com
Oasis: 1046 Pine Ridge Road; 239-649-0800; theoasisnaples.com
Jimmy P's vs. Culver's
Analysis: Were multiple locations or the namesake’s legacy factors making this a decisive victory for third seed Jimmy Ps over Pewter Mug? While round two competitor Culver's poses more of a challenge, it would be shocking (heartbreaking?) if Jimmy Ps isn't in the final four.
Want to go before you vote? Culver's and Jimmy P's have multiple locations.
Only Doubles vs. Harold's Place
Analysis: Though Only Doubles is Burger Ball's second seed, Harold's Place garnered more reader votes overall in its Sweet 16 round. Food truck vs. chickee-tiki? It's all in your hands.
Want to go before you vote?
Only Doubles is Bonita's Ceremony Brewing on Tuesdays and Brookside Market on Davis Boulevard every Friday. For other appearances, check out the schedule via OnlyDbls on Instagram.
Harold's Place: 2555 Tamiami Trail N., 239-263-7254; naplesharoldsplace.com
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Vote now in Naples Burger Ball challenge: Elite 8 polls close Friday
