The 2022 Burger Issue: Best Alternate Meat Burgers
Are you not a fan of beef but still craving a burger? You can find the meat-piled-high-with-toppings-and-sauce experience around Orlando — hold the beef. Local eateries serve everything from bison and sausage to turkey and salmon; you just need to know where to look.
(ROBERTO GONZALEZ)
THE HANGRY BISON
Initially founded as a create-your-own-burger concept, The Hangry Bison is known for its bison burgers, craft cocktails, and a vast selection of whiskey and bourbon. Order the meal with the restaurant’s namesake for something traditional: the Hangry Bison. It’s piled high with a bison burger, pepper jack cheese, sriracha, arugula, tomato, green olives, and brown mustard, and all served on a pretzel bun. There’s also the less traditional: The Trashley combines a short rib burger with beer cheese, bacon, onion straws, lettuce, and tomato on Texas Toast, and The Valdiano is a spicy Italian sausage patty with roasted red peppers, red onions, arugula, tomato and provolone on a brioche bun. Prefer to avoid meat altogether? Check out The Sockeye salmon burger. 480 N Orlando Ave Suite 130, Winter Park, FL 32789 • thehangrybison.com
TOASTED
Friends craving grilled cheese, while you’d prefer a burger? Born from a 40-year restaurant business veteran, Toasted is a fast-casual concept designed to elevate the grilled cheese sandwich plus other comfort food favorites. In addition to grilled cheese, the menu features a selection of classic and alternative burgers. For something beef-free, consider the Holy Basil — a turkey burger with mozzarella, tomato chutney, pesto, and arugula — or the Banh Mi — a turkey burger with Vietnamese pickled carrot and daikon, cucumbers, cilantro, sriracha mayo, and jalapenos. Multiple Locations • igettoasted.com
(COURTESY UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT)
COWFISH
The Cowfish Sushi and Burger Bar at Universal Orlando CityWalk redefines the surf-and-turf experience. Serving up classic and over-the-top burgers and sushi, it’s only appropriate that it also offers a mash-up of the two: Burgushi. While you can order a selection of certified Angus options like the All American Double Cheeseburgooshi or the Taste Explosion Roll, the beef alternative is perhaps the most delicious: the Bison Bursushi. Designed to mimic the look of a sushi roll, this dish comes complete with seasoned bison and roasted red peppers wrapped in sushi rice and soy paper. It’s then topped off with tempura flakes, pickled green tomatoes, scallions, cotija cheese, and chipotle aioli. And if you need something to wash it down, check out the spiked and regular hand-spun milkshakes. 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819 • universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/the-cowfish
Burger Bracket Challenge | Classics Only | Over the Top Burgers | Tired of Beef? | Meat-Free | Sides | Pairings | Condiments | Secret Menu | Recipe
