Alberta Street Pub’s Burger Week entry isn’t just some recipe that owner and operator Laina Amerson put together because she thought it sounded good. Instead, she was inspired to create something that would put a spotlight on her Midwestern roots. In her words, Alberta Street’s burger is a “peach capresemeets a Juicy Lucy.” According to Amerson, a Juicy Lucy is an iconic Minnesota cheese-stuffed burger that creates a bridge of stringy goodness from your mouth to your hand every time you bite into it. Alberta Street has taken local Painted Hills beef, seasoned it with garlic, salt, pepper, and minced basil, and stuffed it fat with mozzarella cheese. From there, they’ve piled on whole basil leaves, strips of crispy bacon, and sliced peaches caramelized in a bacon vinaigrette. The burger is certainly true to its inspiration: The stretchy mozzarella suspension bridge takes hold once you get to the center of the patty, and the basil and subtly-sweet peaches play quite well together. A good dish that’s personal and inspired could be considered an art form to some food connoisseurs; for those looking to do more than just fill their bellies, Alberta Street’s Burger Week entry could be that masterpiece you’re looking for. ARIS HUNTER WALES

The Portland Mercury’s Burger Week—AKA the best week of your life—runs from Aug 8-13. Feast on amazing $5 burgers at 35 restaurants… and while you’re at it, we challenge you to donate $5 to Oregon Food Bank for every burger you eat!

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