Lip Smackin’ Rensselaer Burger Voted Top 4 in New York

This might just be one of the best looking pub burgers I've ever seen.   Check out that cheese as it oozes down those enormous strips of candied bacon, blanketing the sirloin, chuck and porterhouse beef, all the while held together by that toasty, buttery brioche roll.

This local burger made it all the way to the final four of a recent statewide "best burger competition" held annually by the New York Beef Council.  If this burger tastes half as good as it looks, then it's a sure bet to be one the very best the area has to offer.

My only question is, how am I only hearing of this place now?

Maybe I'm out of the loop, but I can't believe I haven't destroyed "The Mick Jigga" from Illusive Restaurant and Bar on Ferry St. in Rensselaer.  The Mick Jigga - a creation from chef-owner Joseph Ventrice - is one of their many signature burgers and they all look like they smack.

According to Dowdnotesonnapkins.com, this mouthwatering stack of all things holy was judged to be the 4th best burger in the recent annual best burger competition  held by the New York Beef Council.

 The Mick Jigga is described on Illusive's menu as having:  Cracked black and brown sugar dusted bacon, bourbon caramelized onions, Guinness cheddar cheese, cherry pepper mayo with greens on a Toasted Brioche bun.

According to the post,  the winning burger came from The Ale ‘n' Angus Pub, in downtown Syracuse with its  “Hot 'n’ Smokey Candied Bacon Burger."