NFA Burger photo
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The South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) kicked off its four-day food-filled program on Thursday, February 19, and it has already crowned a new king for this year’s epic burger showdown.
While last year’s People’s Choice burger champ was a local favorite, this year Burger Bash attendees at the SOBEWFF got a taste of the American South.
Photo by World Red Eye
Burger Bash Takes Over the Sand
Last night, two burger joints took home the ultimate prizes during the festival’s Burger Bash, hosted by Rachael Ray and Brooklyn Peltz Beckham. Burger lovers gathered on the sand to taste the best burgers in South Florida, featuring renowned names such as Skinny Louie, Cowy Burger, Celia’s, Pastis, R House, and more.
But only two could take the ultimate burger prizes.
Photo by World Red Eye
Judges Pick a Gas Station-Born Champion
Judging the Very Best Burger Award was a panel of esteemed foodie judges, including restaurateur Matt Kuscher, comedian and cultural tastemaker Bert Kreischer, supermodel and entrepreneur Ashley Graham, award-winning journalist Gayle King, Chef Nick DiGiovanni, and food influencer Samantha Schnur of @TheNaughtyFork.
This year, Georgia’s very own NFA Burger took home the Schweid & Sons Very Best Burger Judges Award and a check for $2,500. Starting from humble beginnings, owner Billy Kramer reminisces about his first day of service, cooking burgers at a gas station.
“I remember sitting with the owner of the gas station in his office about six and a half years ago,” Kramer tells New Times. “I looked him dead in the face, and I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if the best burger ever, the best burger in the world, was made in your gas station?’ He started laughing, but I was dead serious. Tonight, as a team, we got one step closer.”
NFA Burger photo
Meet “Billy’s Classic”
The crown burger is “Billy’s Classic,” a smashed cheeseburger with mustard, pickles, housemade seasoning, and “sassy sauce” served on a Martin’s potato roll.
While this is his first win in Miami, Kramer is no stranger to the stage since NFA Burger’s opening in 2019. The burger joint has earned numerous accolades, including Food & Wine’s Best Burger in Georgia, Reader’s Digest’s Best Burger in Georgia, and Thrillist’s 50 Top-Notch American Burger Spots You Need to Try Right Now.
Photo by World Red Eye
La Birra Bar Wins the People’s Choice Again
The second award of the night, voted best burger by the public, went to Burger Bash pro: La Birra Bar. Owned by Daniel, Roxana, and Renzo Cocchia, this win marks the team’s third time taking home “Mike’s Amazing® People’s Choice Award” after its 2022 and 2025 wins.
“We have no words for it,” Renzo tells New Times.”This award is for our entire team; it reminds us why we are doing this and why we love it so much. This might be the third time we won the People’s Choice Award, but we will never get tired of it. We’re coming next year to win the fourth.”
Winning South Florida’s heart was the “Crispy Dubai,” made with 100% wagyu patties, white American cheese, crispy onions, Argentinian chimichurri mayo, and black truffle with a side of Dubai Fries topped with 48-month-aged white cheddar and truffled chimichurri mayo.
Congratulations, NFA Burger and La Birra Bar!
